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

102 Ranked Colleges
15,938 Degrees Awarded
$3,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 266,651 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across California, there were 15,938 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 102 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Registered Nursing Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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

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

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 246 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at California State University - Los Angeles

2
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fresno City College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Fresno City College is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 202 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,556 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno City College.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Fresno City College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 155 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Full Fresno State Registered Nursing Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 423 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #13 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Cal State Fullerton

5
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Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mt. San Antonio College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mt. SAC is a large public school situated in Walnut, California. It awarded 110 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mt. SAC is $2,412 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Mt. SAC

5

Out of the 102 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 256 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Registered Nursing Report

7
GCC crest
Glendale Community College
Glendale, California

Glendale Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. GCC is a public institution located in Glendale, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 174 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Glendale Community College is $3,722 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 GCC Registered Nursing Report

8
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, California

With a ranking of #8, Ventura College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ventura College is a fairly large school located in Ventura, California that handed out 82 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Full Ventura College Registered Nursing Report

9
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Moorpark College
Moorpark, California

Moorpark College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Moorpark, California, this fairly large public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

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

Full Moorpark College Registered Nursing Report

10
Pasadena City College crest
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California

Pasadena City College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Pasadena City College is a public institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Pasadena City College

11
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, California

Butte College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Oroville, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 113 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Butte College is $5,170 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Butte College

12

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,122 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stan State.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Stan State

13

California State University - Long Beach landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 248 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full CSULB Registered Nursing Report

14
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Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, California

With a ranking of #14, Santa Monica College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Monica, California, this large public school awarded 106 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SMC is $3,954 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Registered Nursing at SMC

15
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College of the Sequoias
Visalia, California

College of the Sequoias ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large school located in Visalia, California that handed out 89 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Registered Nursing at College of the Sequoias

16
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Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California

Golden West College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Huntington Beach, California, this fairly large public school handed out 85 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Golden West College is $3,094 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Golden West College

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 124 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $5,238 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - Bakersfield

18
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

Saddleback College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saddleback College is a public institution located in Mission Viejo, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 176 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saddleback College is $4,091 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Saddleback College

19
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California

Sacramento City College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 61 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sacramento City College is $5,022 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Sacramento City

20
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, California

Cypress College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cypress College is a public institution located in Cypress, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cypress College is $5,302 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Cypress College Registered Nursing Report

21
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,728 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Registered Nursing Report

22
Riverside City College crest
Riverside City College
Riverside, California

Riverside City College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 166 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,737 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Riverside City College.

Full Riverside City College Registered Nursing Report

23

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 163 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,985 for california registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSB.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - San Bernardino

24
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, California

Palomar College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Palomar College is $4,221 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Palomar College

25
City College of San Francisco crest
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

City College of San Francisco landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City College of San Francisco is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend City College of San Francisco is $5,577 for California Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full City College of San Francisco Registered Nursing Report

Notes and References

References

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