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2023 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $0-$30k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
8,037 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 84,274 people earned their degree in practical nursing and nursing assistants, making the major the 187th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,863 and had an average of $15,708 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 8,037 practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,752 and $17,707 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in practical nursing and nursing assistants. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent practical nursing and nursing assistants programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the practical nursing and nursing assistants program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $0-$30k) in California

1
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sacramento City College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sacramento City, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sacramento City is $5,022 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City

2
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Riverside City College
Riverside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Riverside City College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 156 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Riverside City College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,737 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Riverside City College.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Riverside City College

3
IVC crest
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Imperial Valley College landed the #3 spot on the list. Imperial Valley College is located in Imperial, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

IVC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Imperial Valley College is $1,749 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Imperial Valley College

4
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Reedley College
Reedley, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Reedley College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Reedley College is a medium-sized public school situated in Reedley, California. It awarded 16 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Reedley College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Reedley College is $4,843 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Reedley College

5
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Mission College
Santa Clara, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mission College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mission College is a public institution located in Santa Clara, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mission College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Mission College is $2,941 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Mission College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

6
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Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California

With a ranking of #6, Cuesta College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 58 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cuesta College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cuesta College is $9,891 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College

7
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, California

Butte College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Oroville, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Butte College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,170 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Butte College.

Full Butte College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

8
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College of the Redwoods
Eureka, California

College of the Redwoods ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of the Redwoods is a small school located in Eureka, California that handed out 42 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

College of the Redwoods also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend College of the Redwoods is $3,761 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full College of the Redwoods Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

9
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Merced College
Merced, California

Merced College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Merced Community College District, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,065 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Merced Community College District.

Full Merced College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

10
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Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SRJC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 107 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

SRJC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $5,728 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at SRJC

11
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Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara City College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 3 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

SBCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SBCC is $5,303 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at SBCC

12
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Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California

With a ranking of #12, Rio Hondo College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rio Hondo College is located in Whittier, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

RHCCD also took the #19 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend RHCCD is $4,643 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Rio Hondo College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

13
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College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California

College of the Desert came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Palm Desert, California, and it awarded 41 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

College of the Desert also took the #10 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Desert is $12,016 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Desert

14
Carrington College, Sacramento crest
Carrington College, Sacramento
Sacramento, California

Carrington College, Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 213 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carrington College, Sacramento, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carrington College, Sacramento is $32,830 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Carrington College, Sacramento Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

15
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College of the Siskiyous
Weed, California

College of the Siskiyous came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Weed, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

College of the Siskiyous did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend College of the Siskiyous is $7,552 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Siskiyous

16
Napa Valley College crest
Napa Valley College
Napa, California

Napa Valley College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Napa Valley College is a small school located in Napa, California that handed out 16 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Napa Valley College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,524 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Napa Valley College.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Napa Valley College

17
Pacific College crest
Pacific College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #17, Pacific College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pacific College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pacific College is $26,243 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Pacific College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

18
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts crest
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
San Mateo, California

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 876 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. It costs about $25,860 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

19

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Visalia, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is $25,631 for california practical nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

20
Unitek College crest
Unitek College
Fremont, California

Unitek College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Unitek College is a private for-profit institution located in Fremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,162 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Unitek College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $53,626 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Unitek College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Unitek College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

21
Platt College - Los Angeles crest
Platt College - Los Angeles
Alhambra, California

Platt College - Los Angeles came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Platt College - Los Angeles is a small school located in Alhambra, California that handed out 30 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Platt College - Los Angeles, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - Los Angeles is $24,162 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Platt College - Los Angeles

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Notes and References

References

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