by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top California Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Our analysis looked at 93 schools in California to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a associate degree from the school. While associate degree recipients from schools in California earn an average starting salary of $46,185, those from the top 18 school on this list made an average of $66,363.
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree. Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in California have accumulated an average of $16,500 in student debt. The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking. Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Southwestern College to be the best school for associate degrees in California in this year’s ranking. SWC Chula Vista is a fairly large public school situated in Chula Vista, California. It awarded 2,158 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from SWC Chula Vista make an average of $30,983 a year.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #2 in California on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,210 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from SRJC go into careers with an average salary of $79,745 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #3 on our Best Associate Degree in California list means Foothill College is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Los Altos Hills, California, the fairly large public school awarded 998 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $107,048 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Irvine Valley College. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Irvine Valley College is located in Irvine, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,236 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The excellent associate degree programs at Cosumnes River College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in California. Cosumnes River College is a fairly large public school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 1,429 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Cosumnes River make an average of $19,699 per year during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #6, Pacific Union College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Angwin, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 103 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from PUC make an average of $71,711 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $17,146.
City College of San Francisco came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. City College of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,051 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from City College of San Francisco is $100,031 during the early years of their career.
Modesto Junior College landed the #8 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Modesto, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,385 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from MJC is $57,399 during the early years of their career.
Merced College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Merced, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,615 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Merced Community College District go into careers with an average salary of $77,729 during the early years of their career.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #10 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,590 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from SBCC make an average of $88,338 per year during the early years of their career.
Grossmont College landed the #11 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Grossmont College is located in El Cajon, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,349 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Allan Hancock College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Santa Maria, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,802 students in 2021-2022.
Mission College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Mission College is located in Santa Clara, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,016 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
With a ranking of #14, Saddleback College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Mission Viejo, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,760 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Saddleback College go into careers with an average salary of $16,740 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #15, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is located in Visalia, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 445 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,712 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,578 in student loans.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #16 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Orange, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,480 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from SCC is $37,149 during the early years of their career.
Rio Hondo College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large public school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 2,158 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $95,666 during the early years of their career.
Golden West College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,002 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Golden West College make an average of $82,984 a year.
Citrus College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Glendora, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,118 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
With a ranking of #20, Folsom Lake College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Folsom, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,301 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Butte College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Oroville, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,193 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Butte College is $76,312 during the early years of their career.
Moorpark College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large public school is located in Moorpark, California, and it awarded 3,379 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Moorpark College make an average of $105,599 per year during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #23, College of San Mateo did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in California list. CSM is a medium-sized public school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 872 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Cerritos College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Cerritos College is a large public school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 2,591 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Cerritos College go into careers with an average salary of $19,507 during the early years of their career.
Chabot College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Hayward, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,480 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Chabot College make an average of $85,175 a year.
View Best Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
These schools also performed well in our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | The University of Arizona Global Campus | San Diego, CA |
| 27 | Ohlone College | Fremont, CA |
| 28 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
More about our data sources and methodologies.