2023 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $30-$48k) in California
19
Ranked Colleges
8,037
Degrees Awarded
$15,100
Avg Net Price*
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 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 187th most popular major in the country with 84,274 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in practical nursing and nursing assistants. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality practical nursing and nursing assistants programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the practical nursing and nursing assistants program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Imperial Valley College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. IVC is a medium-sized public school situated in Imperial, California. It awarded 15 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
IVC also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Imperial Valley College is $1,790 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Imperial Valley College
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Sacramento City College landed the #2 spot on the list. Sacramento City is a fairly large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 41 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,648 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sacramento City.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Reedley College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Reedley College is a public institution located in Reedley, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Reedley College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $6,936 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Reedley College.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Reedley College
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Mission College landed the #4 spot on the list. Mission College is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mission College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mission College is $3,175 for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Mission College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of the Redwoods. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. College of the Redwoods is a public institution located in Eureka, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of the Redwoods has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,103 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Redwoods.
Full College of the Redwoods Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Butte College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Butte College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $6,059 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Butte College.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Butte College
Cuesta College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 58 students 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 estimated yearly cost for Cuesta College is $10,288 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 107 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,800 for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full SRJC Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Merced College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Merced Community College District has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Merced College is $11,211 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Merced College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Santa Barbara City College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Barbara City College is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, SBCC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Santa Barbara City College is $5,834 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at SBCC
Rio Hondo College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. RHCCD is a fairly large school located in Whittier, California that handed out 18 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
RHCCD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. It costs about $5,575 for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend RHCCD.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at RHCCD
College of the Desert ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Palm Desert, 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.
College of the Desert also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Desert is $12,341 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full College of the Desert Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
College of the Siskiyous ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. College of the Siskiyous is a small school located in Weed, California that handed out 2 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of the Siskiyous has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,865 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Siskiyous.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Siskiyous
Carrington College, Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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.
Carrington College, Sacramento did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Carrington College, Sacramento is $34,379 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Carrington College, Sacramento Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Pacific College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 $30-$48k list, Pacific College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pacific College is $30,962 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
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.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Pacific College
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is located in Visalia, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is $25,746 for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
With a ranking of #17, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Mateo, California, this small private for-profit school handed out 876 degrees to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is $26,984 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
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
Unitek College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Fremont, California, and it awarded 1,162 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k list, Unitek College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $55,046 for california practical nursing students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Unitek College.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College
Platt College - Los Angeles came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Platt College - Los Angeles is located in Alhambra, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.
Platt College - Los Angeles also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - Los Angeles is $25,341 for California Practical Nursing students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
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
- *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.
