2026 Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health sciences & services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #2 place for health sciences & services. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Canada College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health sciences & services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $15,000. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #5 place for health sciences & services. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #6 for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Imperial Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $6,176. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #8 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #9 for value in health sciences & services this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #10 for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #11 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College placed #12 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #13 for value in health sciences & services this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Gavilan College landed the #14 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #15 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #16 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $7,995. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College came in at #18 for value in health sciences & services this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College earned the #20 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Merced College placed #21 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #22 for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,861 ten years after entry.
Folsom Lake College placed #24 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Chabot College placed #25 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Sciences & Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health sciences & services this year:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.