2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2019-2020, 86,912 people earned their degree in practical nursing and nursing assistants, making the major the 185th most popular in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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 for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 22 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $48-$75k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Long Beach City College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.
Long Beach City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Long Beach City College is $5,315 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Long Beach City College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Citrus College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Glendora, California, this fairly large public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified associates’s practical nursing students 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 yearly cost to attend Citrus College is $5,421 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Full Citrus College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Barbara City College landed the #3 spot on the list. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 22 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k list, SBCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SBCC is $10,386 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at SBCC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sacramento City College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 20 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sacramento City, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City College is $7,518 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Riverside City College landed the #5 spot on the list. Riverside City College is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 38 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
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 Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Riverside City College
Butte College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Butte College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Butte College is $8,247 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Butte College
Rio Hondo College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Whittier, California, this fairly large public school awarded 3 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 $48-$75k list, RHCCD has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rio Hondo College is $7,364 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at RHCCD
Allan Hancock College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Maria, California, and it awarded 31 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Allan Hancock College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Allan Hancock College is $6,131 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Allan Hancock College
Merced College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.
Merced Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Merced Community College District is $12,095 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Merced Community College District
Gavilan College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Gilroy, California, and it awarded 17 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gavilan College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,176 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gavilan College.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gavilan College
College of the Redwoods landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Eureka, California, this small public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.
College of the Redwoods also took the #19 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of the Redwoods is $7,329 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full College of the Redwoods Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report
Cuesta College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cuesta College is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Cuesta College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cuesta College is $10,660 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $8,027 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College
College of the Siskiyous came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Weed, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.
College of the Siskiyous not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,907 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of the Siskiyous.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Siskiyous
With a ranking of #15, College of the Desert did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Palm Desert, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.
College of the Desert did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Desert is $11,814 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Desert
Pacific College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Costa Mesa, California, this small private for-profit school awarded 101 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.
Pacific College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Pacific College is $29,683 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Since the school has a 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
University of Antelope Valley ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UAV is a small school located in Lancaster, California that handed out 2 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
UAV also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at University of Antelope Valley
With a ranking of #18, Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carrington College, Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 106 associates’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.
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 $23,763 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 71 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 $28,426 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
With a ranking of #21, Unitek College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Unitek College is a small school located in Fremont, California that handed out 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 yearly cost to attend Unitek College is $50,497 for California Associate Degree Practical Nursing students whose families make $48-$75k.
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
Platt College - Los Angeles landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Platt College - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school situated in Alhambra, California. It awarded 1 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.
Platt College - Los Angeles also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $23,561 for california associate degree practical nursing students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Platt College - Los Angeles.
Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Platt College - Los Angeles
- Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
- Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants (Income $48-$75k)
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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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