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2023 Best Value Colleges for Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in California

110 Ranked Colleges
18,633 Degrees Awarded
$4,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 322,592 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 18,633 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $90,600 and $21,020 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 110 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.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

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

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

1

Out of the 110 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 246 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Nursing Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 252 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Nursing at UCLA

3
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Out of the 110 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Fresno City College landed the #3 spot on the list. Fresno City College is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 202 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno City College is $2,556 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at Fresno City College

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 167 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at California State University - Fresno

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 449 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Fullerton

6

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 260 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,657 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUDH.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Full CSUDH Nursing Report

6
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Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 110 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Mt. SAC is $2,412 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Mt. San Antonio College Nursing Report

8
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Glendale Community College
Glendale, California

With a ranking of #8, Glendale Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. GCC is a fairly large school located in Glendale, California that handed out 174 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Glendale Community College is $3,722 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Glendale Community College

9
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

Ventura College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Ventura, California, and it awarded 82 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ventura College is $321 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Ventura College

10
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Moorpark College
Moorpark, California

Moorpark College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Moorpark College is located in Moorpark, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Moorpark College is $516 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Moorpark College

11
Pasadena City College crest
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California

Pasadena City College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Pasadena City College is $3,153 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Pasadena City College Nursing Report

12
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Butte College
Oroville, California

Butte College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Butte College is located in Oroville, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $5,170 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Butte College

13

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $4,122 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Nursing at Stan State

14

California State University - Long Beach landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 356 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Nursing Report

15
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Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, California

With a ranking of #15, Santa Monica College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SMC is a large school located in Santa Monica, California that handed out 106 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,954 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Santa Monica College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing at Santa Monica College

16
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 89 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $501 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Sequoias.

Read full report on Nursing at College of the Sequoias

17
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Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Golden West College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Golden West College is $3,094 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Golden West College Nursing Report

18

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 124 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,238 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Full CSUB Nursing Report

19

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 50 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Nursing Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $10,006 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Davis Nursing Report

20
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saddleback College is a fairly large public school situated in Mission Viejo, California. It awarded 176 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,091 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saddleback College.

Full Saddleback College Nursing Report

21
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

With a ranking of #21, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento City College is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sacramento City College is $5,022 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Nursing at Sacramento City

22
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 100 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,287 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 more about Nursing at University of Southern California

23
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Cypress College
Cypress, California

Cypress College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cypress, California, and it awarded 59 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,302 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cypress College.

Full Cypress College Nursing Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for california nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing at University of California - Irvine

25
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Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school handed out 54 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,728 for California Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Nursing at SRJC

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Notes and References

References

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