2026 Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family practice nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family Practice Nurse/Nursing Schools
California State University San Marcos earned the #1 spot for value among family practice nurse/nursing schools in California. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $25,047. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family practice nurse/nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Set against $13,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family practice nurse/nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $16,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
United States University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of San Diego, United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,108. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $32,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from United States University generally make around $120,862. That is a strong return on a $32,641 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Pacific College one of the best values for family practice nurse/nursing. Pacific College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Pacific College earn a median of $59,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science came in at #6 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,250. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $132,827. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science admits about 39% of applicants.
National University earned the #7 position for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $37,375 in student loans. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of National University earn a median of $134,792 early in their careers. Set against $37,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of San Diego came in at #8 for value in family practice nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $23,795. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #9 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Typical student debt for family practice nurse/nursing graduates is $27,471. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $128,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for family practice nurse/nursing value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the family practice nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $136,250. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
West Coast University Orange County ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,506. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Early-career family practice nurse/nursing graduates make about $112,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of San Francisco ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family practice nurse/nursing schools. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Family Practice Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family practice nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $127,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[Family Practice Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/family-practice-nurse-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
