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2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

72 Ranked Colleges
5,887 Degrees Awarded
$2,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 313,362 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $67,065 and had an average of $26,282 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 18,266 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $87,508 and $30,286 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 5,887 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 72 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of San Mateo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSM is a medium-sized public school situated in San Mateo, California. It awarded 48 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

CSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSM is $22 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at CSM

#2

Ventura College

Ventura, California

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ventura College landed the #2 spot on the list. Ventura College is a fairly large school located in Ventura, California that handed out 81 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Ventura College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $506 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Ventura College

#3

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of the Sequoias. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Visalia, California, this fairly large public school awarded 98 degrees to qualified associates’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

College of the Sequoias not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $590 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Full College of the Sequoias Nursing Report

#4

Fresno City College

Fresno, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fresno City College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 211 students in 2019-2020.

Fresno City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,582 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read full report on Nursing at Fresno City College

#5

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cerritos College landed the #5 spot on the list. Cerritos College is a large public school situated in Norwalk, California. It awarded 71 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cerritos College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,407 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Nursing at Cerritos College

#6

Moorpark College

Moorpark, California

Moorpark College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Moorpark College is located in Moorpark, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Moorpark College is $320 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Moorpark College

#7

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Clarita, California, this large public school awarded 106 diplomas to qualified associates’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

College of the Canyons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend College of the Canyons is $3,392 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at College of the Canyons

#8

Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Ana, California, and it awarded 96 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

SAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Ana College is $3,801 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Santa Ana College

#9

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California

With a ranking of #9, Golden West College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $1,941 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Golden West College

#10

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, California

Pasadena City College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 85 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $2,158 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pasadena City College.

Read more about Nursing at Pasadena City College

#11

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mt. SAC is a large school located in Walnut, California that handed out 53 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $898 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. San Antonio College.

Read full report on Nursing at Mt. SAC

#12

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, California

Long Beach City College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Long Beach City College is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 86 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Long Beach City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Long Beach City College is $2,529 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Long Beach City College Nursing Report

#13

Yuba College

Marysville, California

Yuba College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Yuba College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Yuba College is $3,506 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Yuba College

#14

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California

Sacramento City College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento City is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sacramento City has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City is $4,126 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Sacramento City Nursing Report

#15

Citrus College

Glendora, California

With a ranking of #15, Citrus College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Citrus College is a fairly large public school situated in Glendora, California. It awarded 38 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Citrus College is $1,885 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Citrus College Nursing Report

#16

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it awarded 91 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,741 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saddleback College.

Full Saddleback College Nursing Report

#17

Riverside City College

Riverside, California

Riverside City College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 177 students in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,620 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Riverside City College.

Read full report on Nursing at Riverside City College

#18

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 111 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $5,026 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Nursing Report

#19

Butte College

Oroville, California

Butte College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Oroville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s nursing degrees to 117 students in 2019-2020.

Butte College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,057 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Butte College.

Read more about Nursing at Butte College

#20

Cypress College

Cypress, California

Cypress College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Cypress College is located in Cypress, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 86 associates’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Cypress College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cypress College is $2,782 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Cypress College

#21

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Whittier, California, this fairly large public school handed out 77 degrees to qualified associates’s nursing students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,797 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend RHCCD.

Read more about Nursing at Rio Hondo College

#22

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

City College of San Francisco ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. City College of San Francisco is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,818 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City College of San Francisco.

Read full report on Nursing at City College of San Francisco

#23

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara City College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SBCC is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 69 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,058 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Santa Barbara City College.

Read full report on Nursing at Santa Barbara City College

#24

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 122 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Bakersfield College is $4,086 for california associate degree nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bakersfield College Nursing Report

#25

Palomar College

San Marcos, California

Palomar College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Palomar College is a large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 43 associates’s nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Palomar College is $2,891 for California Associate Degree Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Palomar College

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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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