2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among health professions schools in California. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the health professions program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #3 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. Early-career health professions graduates make about $83,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,000. Health Professions graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $81,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #5. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College placed #6 among the best values for health professions. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the health professions program here. 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 landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.
Pasadena City College landed the #8 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,834. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #9 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,693 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $110,796 early in their careers. Set against $18,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Canada College earned the #10 position for value in health professions 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. 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. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #11 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, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,332. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $34,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the health professions program here. 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.
Oxnard College came in at #13 for value in health professions 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.
Golden West College came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, 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.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for health professions value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #16 position for value in health professions this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Imperial Valley College landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. 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.
Solano Community College landed the #18 spot for health professions value this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the health professions program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,527 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $93,111 early in their careers. Set against $15,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,139. Health Professions graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $94,337 early in their careers. Set against $16,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Moreno Valley College landed the #22 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #23 among the best values for health professions. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,469 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $55,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,469 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,402 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $128,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health professions:
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 402 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 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.