by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 440 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health professions schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for health professions in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #2 place for health professions. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $17,233 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $83,096. Set against $17,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,192. That is a strong return on a $16,139 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Moorpark College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,075. Health Professions graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #6 among the best values for health professions. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $90,156. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,843. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,403 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $128,102. That is a strong return on a $23,403 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Solano Community College placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #12 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $77,226. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $63,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Oxnard College landed the #15 spot for health professions value this year. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,402. Early-career health professions graduates make about $131,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Monica College came in at #18 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $15,527. Health Professions graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $94,663 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College came in at #20 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $81,196. That is a strong return on a $11,254 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Golden West College came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $21,500. Health Professions graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,152 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $84,277 early in their careers. Set against $11,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #24 for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College placed #25 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $117,283. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
These schools also placed among the best values for health professions this year:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | Mission College | Santa Clara, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | Lake Washington Institute Of Technology | Kirkland, WA | Full Report |
| #54 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA | Full Report |
| #55 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA | Full Report |
| #57 | Grays Harbor College | Aberdeen, WA | Full Report |
| #58 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | California State University Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #60 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | Full Report |
| #61 | Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | Full Report |
| #62 | Taft College | Taft, CA | Full Report |
| #63 | Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno, NV | Full Report |
| #64 | California State University Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | Full Report |
| #65 | California State University East Bay | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #66 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in health professions:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 440 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 440 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.