by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 114 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for health professions students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 17,224 associate degrees in health professions to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The health professions associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality health professions program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for health professions students working on their associate degree.
The health professions school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in California.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in health professions. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Any student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in health professions has to check out Loma Linda University. Located in the large suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Loma Linda University
It is difficult to beat Pacific College if you want to pursue an associate degree in health professions. Pacific College is a small private for-profit college located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa.More information about a associate in health professions from Pacific College
It is difficult to beat Mount Saint Mary's University if you want to pursue an associate degree in health professions. Located in the city of Los Angeles, MSMU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Mount Saint Mary’s University
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in health professions. Located in the small city of Rancho Cordova, is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova
Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College, Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Carrington College, Sacramento
is a fairly small private for-profit college located in the midsize city of Temecula.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula
Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Western Career College-Pleasant Hill is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Carrington College-Pleasant Hill
Cuesta College is a medium-sized public college located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.More information about a associate in health professions from Cuesta College
Delta is a large public college located in the large city of Stockton.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Delta College
Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Saddleback College
L.A. County School of Nursing is a fairly small public college located in the city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in health professions from Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health
Located in the city of Bakersfield, is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield
Fresno City College is a very large public college located in the city of Fresno.More information about a associate in health professions from Fresno City College
PUC is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Angwin.More information about a associate in health professions from Pacific Union College
Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Foothill College
is a fairly small private for-profit college located in the city of Ontario.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
Cypress College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Cypress.More information about a associate in health professions from Cypress College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, CA |
| 19 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA |
| 20 | Butte College | Oroville, CA |
| 21 | Merced College | Merced, CA |
| 22 | San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA |
| 23 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 24 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA |
| 25 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
Explore all the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 35 | 1,277 |
| Nevada | 35 | 1,031 |
| Washington | 33 | 3,938 |
| Hawaii | 24 | 320 |
| Alaska | 22 | 250 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 5,625 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 3,763 |
| Allied Health Professions | 2,984 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 1,367 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 1,055 |
| Dental Support Services | 799 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 654 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 372 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 304 |
| Communication Sciences | 110 |
