[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3877 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health professions students.
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,000. Health Professions graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $88,033 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
A rank of #4 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $90,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,152 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $89,517. That is a strong return on a $11,152 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for health professions. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,527 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $93,111. That is a strong return on a $15,527 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #7 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #9 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,250. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $11,006 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $89,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,316 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $60,505. Set against $7,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #13 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $34,175. That is a strong return on a $16,332 median debt.
Solano Community College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the health professions program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College landed the #15 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College earned the #16 position for value in health professions this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,180 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $57,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College came in at #18 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #19 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,500. Early-career health professions graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #20 position for value in health professions this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $75,820 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $17,763 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $62,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned the #22 position for value in health professions this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,640 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $36,981. Set against $8,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #23 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Orange Coast College came in at #24 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,000. Health Professions graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $68,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College landed the #25 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,347 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Butte College earn a median of $98,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,347 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health professions:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3877 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1024 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).
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
