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2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

24 Ranked Colleges
917 Degrees Awarded
$12,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is the 185th most popular major in the country with 86,912 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,439 and had an average of $12,589 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 7,722 practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,189 and $17,054 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 917 practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Long Beach City College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.

Long Beach City College also took the #4 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Long Beach City College is $2,848 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Long Beach City College

#2

Citrus College

Glendora, California
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Citrus College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Citrus College is a public institution located in Glendora, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Citrus College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Citrus College is $2,529 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Citrus College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#3

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Barbara City College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, SBCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,423 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Santa Barbara City College.

Full Santa Barbara City College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#4

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sacramento City College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Sacramento City has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City is $4,721 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City College

#5

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the #5 spot on the list. Riverside City College is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list.

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

#6

Butte College

Oroville, California
#8 in overall quality

Butte College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Butte College is a medium-sized school located in Oroville, California that handed out 22 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Butte College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $4,971 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Butte College

#7

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
#13 in overall quality

Rio Hondo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 3 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

RHCCD also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for RHCCD is $5,553 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Rio Hondo College

#8

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California
#16 in overall quality

Allan Hancock College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Allan Hancock College is a fairly large school located in Santa Maria, California that handed out 31 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Allan Hancock College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Allan Hancock College is $3,443 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Allan Hancock College

#9

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California
#17 in overall quality

Gavilan College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gavilan College is a small public school situated in Gilroy, California. It awarded 17 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Gavilan College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Gavilan College is $4,384 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gavilan College

#10

Merced College

Merced, California
#9 in overall quality

Merced College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Merced College is a fairly large public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 27 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Merced Community College District has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Merced College is $10,130 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Merced Community College District

#11

College of the Redwoods

Eureka, California
#19 in overall quality

College of the Redwoods came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Redwoods is a public institution located in Eureka, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of the Redwoods has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Redwoods is $4,181 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Redwoods

#12

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Cuesta College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 8 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Cuesta College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cuesta College is $7,436 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College

#13

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#20 in overall quality

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SRJC also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $4,975 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#14

College of the Siskiyous

Weed, California
#18 in overall quality

College of the Siskiyous ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. College of the Siskiyous is a small public school situated in Weed, California. It awarded 9 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

College of the Siskiyous did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Siskiyous is $7,945 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#15

College of the Desert

Palm Desert, California
#14 in overall quality

College of the Desert ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Palm Desert, California, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of the Desert has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Desert is $9,266 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full College of the Desert Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#16

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, California

Pacific College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pacific College is located in Costa Mesa, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 101 associates’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

Pacific College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Pacific College is $28,318 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Pacific College

#17

Hacienda La Puente Adult Education

La Puente, California
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Hacienda La Puente Adult Education did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Puente, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Hacienda La Puente Adult Education also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is $3,461 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education

#18

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, California

With a ranking of #18, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a small private for-profit school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 52 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is $26,569 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

#19

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, California
#21 in overall quality

University of Antelope Valley landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lancaster, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAV, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Antelope Valley

#20

Carrington College, Sacramento

Sacramento, California

Carrington College, Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 106 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Carrington College, Sacramento also took the #2 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carrington College, Sacramento is $22,277 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento

#21

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Mateo, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 71 students in 2019-2020.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is $26,969 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

#23

Unitek College

Fremont, California

With a ranking of #23, Unitek College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school situated in Fremont, California. It awarded 191 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Unitek College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Unitek College is $50,495 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Unitek College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#24

Platt College - Los Angeles

Alhambra, California

Platt College - Los Angeles landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Alhambra, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Platt College - Los Angeles has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - Los Angeles is $23,516 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Platt College - Los Angeles

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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