2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California

1

Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health the best school in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small public university. About 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $89,536. Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health graduates carry a median of $19,224 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health

2

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

A rank of #2 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 83 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

3

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 131 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Butte College earn a median of $65,467 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,382 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Butte College

4

Pacific College
Costa Mesa, CA

Pacific College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #4 spot this year. Pacific College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Pacific College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Pacific College generally make around $59,213. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Pacific College

5

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Hartnell College awarded about 69 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $63,321. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Hartnell College

6

Carrington College California Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Carrington College California Sacramento came in at #6 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 122 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California Sacramento in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Carrington College California Sacramento earn a median of $62,907 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,104 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Carrington College California Sacramento

7

Carrington College California San Jose
San Jose, CA

Carrington College California San Jose ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 40 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College California San Jose in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Carrington College California San Jose generally make around $62,907. Typical student debt for the program is $25,104. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Carrington College California San Jose

8

Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. There were roughly 148 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Allan Hancock College in the most recent data year. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Allan Hancock College

9

San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria
Santa Maria, CA

San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria placed #9 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria is a small private for-profit institution. About 45 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria generally make around $51,744. Typical student debt for the program is $15,684. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria

10

San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 67 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,744 in their early career. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield

11

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Riverside City College awarded about 287 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Riverside City College earn around $37,102 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Riverside City College

12

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College placed #12 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. About 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Imperial Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Typical student debt for the program is $6,176. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Imperial Valley College

13

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College earned the #13 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. Modesto Junior College awarded about 76 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Modesto Junior College earn around $36,525 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Modesto Junior College

14

Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College placed #14 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. About 64 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Mission College

15

San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage, CA

San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage placed #15 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Mirage, San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage is a small private for-profit institution. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage awarded about 27 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage earn around $51,744 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,712 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Mirage

16

San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
Visalia, CA

San Joaquin Valley College Visalia came in at #16 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Visalia. There were roughly 47 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at San Joaquin Valley College Visalia in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Visalia earn a median of $51,744 early in their careers. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for San Joaquin Valley College Visalia

17

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 79 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Long Beach City College

18

Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College came in at #18 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Gavilan College awarded about 28 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Gavilan College graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Gavilan College

19

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #19 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. Southwestern College Chula Vista awarded about 114 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $49,358 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Southwestern College Chula Vista

20

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College placed #20 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Sacramento City College awarded about 33 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Sacramento City College

21

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College landed the #21 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. There were roughly 65 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Citrus College in the most recent data year. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Citrus College

22

Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College landed the #22 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. Rio Hondo College awarded about 27 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Rio Hondo College earn around $95,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete this degree. Get the full practical nursing & nursing assistants details for Rio Hondo College

23

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #23 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 16 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for American River College

24

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #24 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. There were roughly 39 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Shasta College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree. Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Shasta College

25

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College landed the #25 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 27 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from Pasadena City College