by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 561 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among health professions schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,152 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $83,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the health professions program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #4. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $81,514 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $90,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,693 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $110,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Diego City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. 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. Early-career health professions graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College landed the #8 spot for health professions value this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #9 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Canada College came in at #10 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Cerritos College earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. That is a strong return on a $16,332 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #14 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,139. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $94,337. That is a strong return on a $16,139 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College placed #17 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Grossmont College landed the #18 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Imperial Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. 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 health professions graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $77,226. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #20 spot for health professions value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,402 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $128,847. Set against $16,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Ana College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,469 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,527. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $93,111. Set against $15,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #23 position for value in health professions this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $23,403. Early-career health professions graduates make about $128,061. That is a strong return on a $23,403 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College landed the #24 spot for health professions value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the health professions program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #25 position for value in health professions this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
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 · 561 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 204 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.