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2024 Best Health Professions Schools in California

188 Colleges in California
89,646 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$49,039 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #2 in popularity, health professions is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 188 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of health professions. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 89,646 degrees in health professions during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Health Professions School

Best Health Professions Schools in California The health professions program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Health Professions rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for health professions schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Health Professions Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Health Professions
Bachelor's Degrees in Health Professions
Master's Degrees in Health Professions
Doctor's Degrees in Health Professions

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Health Professions Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Health Professions in California

The schools below may not offer all types of health professions degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top California Schools in Health Professions

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
196 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
18.4% Growth in Graduates

Stanford University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in health professions. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were roughly 196 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health professions program at Stanford University earn $19,199 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health professions from Stanford University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,950 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$87,257 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in health professions needs to check out University of Southern California. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1950.0000000000002 health professions students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from University of Southern California make $38,218 more than the typical health professions grad.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of Southern California

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,515 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
12.1% Growth in Graduates

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in health professions. Located in the large suburb of San Marcos, USAHS is a private for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

There were approximately 1515 health professions students who graduated with this degree at USAHS in the most recent year we have data available. Health Professions degree recipients from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences earn a boost of about $21,306 above the average earnings of health professions graduates.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
560 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
2.0% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in health professions has to look into University of California - Berkeley. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 560 health professions students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Health Professions degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley receive an earnings boost of about $14,618 above the average income of health professions majors.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of California - Berkeley

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
918 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$96,872 Median Starting Salary

Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Oakland.

There were approximately 918 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health professions program at Samuel Merritt University earn $47,833 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health professions from Samuel Merritt University

6
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,446 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
10.9% Growth in Graduates

Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.

There were about 1446 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from Loma Linda University earn $30,805 more than the typical health professions grad.

More information about a degree in health professions from Loma Linda University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
936 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$91,288 Median Starting Salary

Western University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Pomona.

There were roughly 936 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Western University of Health Sciences in the most recent year we have data available. Health Professions degree recipients from Western University of Health Sciences earn a boost of about $42,249 above the average income of health professions graduates.

More information about a degree in health professions from Western University of Health Sciences

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
150 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$76,871 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Los Angeles, West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies is a private for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 150 health professions students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health professions degree program at West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies get $27,832 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in health professions from West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
785 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
9.4% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 785 health professions students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Health Professions degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles get an earnings boost of around $30,245 above the average income of health professions majors.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of California - Los Angeles

10
Pacific College crest
Pacific College
Costa Mesa, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$67,730 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

There were roughly 92 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Pacific College in the most recent data year. Health Professions degree recipients from Pacific College earn a boost of about $18,691 over the typical income of health professions majors.

More information about a degree in health professions from Pacific College

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
934 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
13.6% Growth in Graduates

UCSF is a small public university located in the city of San Francisco.

There were about 933.9999999999999 health professions students who graduated with this degree at UCSF in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from University of California - San Francisco earn $39,872 more than the average health professions grad.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of California - San Francisco

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
863 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
7.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 22nd out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 863 health professions students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from San Diego State University make $10,078 more than the standard health professions student.

More information about a degree in health professions from San Diego State University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
623 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
8.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCSD is a great university overall.

There were approximately 623 health professions students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health professions degree program at University of California - San Diego make $5,223 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of California - San Diego

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
604 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
9.6% Growth in Graduates

Pacific College San Diego is a small private for-profit college located in the large city of San Diego.

There were about 604 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Pacific College San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the health professions program state that they receive average early career wages of $25,797.

More information about a degree in health professions from Pacific College of Health and Science

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
832 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$64,475 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were about 832 health professions students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Health Professions degree recipients from University of California - Irvine receive an earnings boost of approximately $15,436 over the average income of health professions graduates.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of California - Irvine

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
586 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
3.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Stockton, Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 40th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 586 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Pacific in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health professions major at University of the Pacific make $43,089 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of the Pacific

17
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
40 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$45,119 Median Starting Salary

SCU is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Santa Clara. A Best Colleges rank of #50 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 40 health professions students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the health professions program make about $45,119 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in health professions from Santa Clara University

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
458 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
34.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of San Diego, USU is a private for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 18th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 458 health professions students who graduated with this degree at USU in the most recent year we have data available. Those health professions students who get their degree from United States University earn $67,564 more than the typical health professions graduate.

More information about a degree in health professions from United States University

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,596 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
26.4% Growth in Graduates

West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Anaheim.

There were approximately 1596 health professions students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University - Orange County in the most recent year we have data available. Health Professions degree recipients from West Coast University - Orange County get an earnings boost of approximately $30,537 above the typical income of health professions majors.

More information about a degree in health professions from West Coast University - Orange County

20
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
568 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$106,873 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 24th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 568 health professions students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health professions program at University of San Francisco make $57,834 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health professions from University of San Francisco

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
785 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$70,002 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 43rd out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 785 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent data year. Health Professions degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University earn a boost of approximately $20,963 over the average earnings of health professions majors.

More information about a degree in health professions from Azusa Pacific University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,033 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$58,037 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 28th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 1033 health professions students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from California State University - Long Beach earn $8,998 more than the standard health professions grad.

More information about a degree in health professions from California State University - Long Beach

23
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
220 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
16.8% Growth in Graduates

Foothill College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. This college ranks 21st out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 220 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from Foothill College make $48,328 more than the typical health professions graduate.

More information about a degree in health professions from Foothill College

24

is a fairly small private for-profit college located in the city of Rancho Cordova.More information about a degree in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
260 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$77,704 Median Starting Salary

MSMU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 52nd out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 260 health professions students who graduated with this degree at MSMU in the most recent data year. Those health professions students who get their degree from Mount Saint Mary's University make $28,665 more than the typical health professions graduate.

More information about a degree in health professions from Mount Saint Mary’s University

Rest of the Top Best Health Professions Schools in California

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Honorable Mentions

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 Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
29 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
30 San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula Temecula, CA
31 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
32 West Coast University - Los Angeles North Hollywood, CA
33 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
34 University of Redlands Redlands, CA
35 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
36 Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill, CA
37 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA

Best Health Professions Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Health Professions Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 37 9,810
Oregon 37 5,641
Hawaii 36 1,125
Nevada 35 4,165
Alaska 33 571

View All Rankings >

Health Professions Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 18,633
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 12,446
Allied Health Professions 8,587
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 8,037
Health Sciences & Services 6,956
Health & Medical Administrative Services 6,833
Public Health 5,117
Dental Support Services 4,009
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 3,158
Mental & Social Health Services 2,890

View All Health Professions Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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