2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools to find the best return on investment for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Our analysis ranked Hartnell College the best value for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants in California. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $63,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #2 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,176. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 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.
Butte College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,382. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $65,467. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gavilan College earned it the #5 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 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.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,288. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,102. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,191. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #9 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Allan Hancock College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Shasta College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College placed #12 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,180. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Mission College placed #15 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Merced College landed the #16 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Medanos College came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Los Medanos College generally make around $32,581. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College landed the #19 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Cerro Coso Community College landed the #22 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Ridgecrest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, compared with $11,254 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,963 ten years after entry.
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Copper Mountain Community College came in at #24 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,390, with out-of-state students paying around $13,590. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,281.
Lassen Community College came in at #25 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Lassen Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Susanville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $9,280 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,994 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s practical nursing & nursing assistants value ranking:
More Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings
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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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
