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2023 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in California (With Aid)

21 Ranked Colleges
8,037 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” 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.

This year’s “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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.

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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 Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in California (With Aid)

1
IVC crest
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, 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 Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Imperial, California, and it awarded 15 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california practical nursing students with aid list, IVC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IVC is $2,205 for california practical nursing students with aid.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at IVC

2
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Sacramento City College landed the #2 spot on the list. Sacramento City College is a fairly large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 41 ’s practical nursing degrees 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. It costs about $5,785 for california practical nursing students with aid per year to attend Sacramento City College.

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

3
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Riverside City College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

Riverside City College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $6,593 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

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

4
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Reedley College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Reedley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.

Reedley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Reedley College is $4,892 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

5
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mission College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Santa Clara, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 64 degrees to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mission College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mission College is $3,691 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

6
College of the Redwoods crest
College of the Redwoods
Eureka, California

College of the Redwoods ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

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 $4,440 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

7
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, California

Butte College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Butte College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oroville, California. It awarded 78 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Butte College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,315 for california practical nursing students with aid per year to attend Butte College.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Butte College

8
Merced Community College District crest
Merced College
Merced, California

Merced College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.

Merced Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Merced College is $11,522 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

9
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California

Cuesta College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cuesta College is a medium-sized school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 58 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Cuesta College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $11,063 for california practical nursing students with aid per year to attend Cuesta College.

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

10
Carrington College, Sacramento crest
Carrington College, Sacramento
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #10, Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Carrington College, Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 213 ’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california practical nursing students with aid list, Carrington College, Sacramento has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carrington College, Sacramento is $33,577 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

11
SBCC crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara City College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 3 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

SBCC also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $6,775 for California Practical Nursing students with aid per year to attend SBCC.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at SBCC

12
RHCCD crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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 $5,357 for California Practical Nursing students with aid per year to attend Rio Hondo College.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at RHCCD

13
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 estimated yearly cost for Santa Rosa Junior College is $6,585 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College

14
College of the Desert crest
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, California

With a ranking of #14, College of the Desert did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend College of the Desert is $12,571 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

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

15
College of the Siskiyous crest
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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Weed, California, this small public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s practical nursing students in 2020-2021.

College of the Siskiyous not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Siskiyous is $8,354 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

16
Pacific College crest
Pacific College
Costa Mesa, California

Pacific College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pacific College, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $29,494 for california practical nursing students with aid per year to attend Pacific College.

With a undergrad 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
Napa Valley College crest
Napa Valley College
Napa, California

Napa Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Napa Valley College is a small public school situated in Napa, California. It awarded 16 ’s practical nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Napa Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Napa Valley College is $14,155 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

Full Napa Valley College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

18

With a ranking of #18, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 28 ’s practical nursing degrees 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 $25,651 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

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

19
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts crest
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
San Mateo, California

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” list. It costs about $27,401 for California Practical Nursing students with aid 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

20
Platt College - Los Angeles crest
Platt College - Los Angeles
Alhambra, California

Platt College - Los Angeles ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Platt College - Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution located in Alhambra, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 ’s 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 $24,944 for California Practical Nursing students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Platt College - Los Angeles

21
Unitek College crest
Unitek College
Fremont, California

Unitek College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Fremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s practical nursing degrees to 1,162 students in 2020-2021.

Unitek College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Unitek College is $53,917 for california practical nursing students with aid.

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

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

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Notes and References

References

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