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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 312 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.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in health professions in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for health professions. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. 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. Health Professions graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $83,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #5 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $16,139 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,192. That is a strong return on a $16,139 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $97,843. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. That is a strong return on a $12,834 median debt.
Cerritos College placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,332. Early-career health professions graduates make about $34,175. That is a strong return on a $16,332 median debt.
Canada College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $23,403 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $128,102. That is a strong return on a $23,403 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Imperial Valley College earned the #11 position for value in health professions this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College earned the #12 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Hartnell College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,321. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $5,500. Health Professions graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #15 among the best values for health professions. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $15,527 to complete the health professions program here. 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.
Solano Community College earned the #16 position for value in health professions this year. 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. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,500. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. 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.
California State University Bakersfield placed #18 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, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Modesto Junior College landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,254 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $81,196. That is a strong return on a $11,254 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College came in at #21 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $117,283. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #22 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #23 among the best values for health professions. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $91,138. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College landed the #24 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Cypress College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value health professions schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in health professions:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | California State University Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | Pomona, CA | Full Report |
| #54 | Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | Full Report |
| #55 | California State University Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #57 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | Full Report |
| #58 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Full Report |
| #60 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | Full Report |
| #61 | Mendocino College | Ukiah, CA | Full Report |
| #62 | California State University San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | Full Report |
| #63 | Los Angeles Southwest College | Los Angeles, CA | Full Report |
This list is compiled 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 · 312 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 312 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.