2025 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California
23
Colleges in California
8,434
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
$43,800
Avg Early-Career Salary
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants isn't the most popular major in the world, but it's not the least popular either. To be more precise it ranks #187 in popularity out of 395 majors in the country. As such, the degree program isn't offered at every college in the United States, but there are schools that do have a program in the field that are top-notch when it comes to quality.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 23 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 8,434 degrees in practical nursing & nursing assistants to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School
Your choice of practical nursing & nursing assistants school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for practical nursing & nursing assistants schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in California
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the practical nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top California Schools in Practical Nursing
Carrington College, Sacramento is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit college located in the large suburb of Sacramento.
There were approximately 174 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College, Sacramento in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the practical nursing & nursing assistants major at Carrington College, Sacramento earn $19,464 above the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Carrington College, Sacramento
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In CA
90
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants needs to take a look at Southwestern College. SWC Chula Vista is a large public college located in the city of Chula Vista. A Best Colleges rank of #120 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SWC Chula Vista is a great college overall.
There were roughly 90 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at SWC Chula Vista in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Southwestern College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
7th
Most Popular In CA
200
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
Riverside City College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the large city of Riverside. This college ranks 71st out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 200 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Riverside City College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
10th
Most Popular In CA
124
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
It is difficult to beat Allan Hancock College if you wish to pursue a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Allan Hancock College is a large public college located in the city of Santa Maria. A Best Colleges rank of #307 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Allan Hancock College is a great college overall.
There were about 124 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Allan Hancock College
Butte College is a large public college located in the rural area of Oroville. This college ranks 63rd out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 145 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Butte College make $21,667 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Butte College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
23rd
Most Popular In CA
Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 112th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 8 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Cuesta College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
12th
Most Popular In CA
97
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
Mission College is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of #309 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Mission College is a great college overall.
There were about 97 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Mission College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Mission College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
28th
Most Popular In CA
46
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Santa Barbara, SBCC is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #289 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SBCC is a great college overall.
There were about 46 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at SBCC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Santa Barbara City College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
14th
Most Popular In CA
70
Practical Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sacramento City is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 93rd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 70 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Sacramento City College
Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
There were roughly 110 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Pacific College in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Pacific College earn $15,413 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Pacific College
