College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Health Professions Schools in California

152 Colleges in the United States
99,413 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$60,416 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health Professions degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 402 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best health professions schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Health Professions in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Health Professions

1

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in health professions. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 52 health professions degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health professions, ranking #2. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 555 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $63,675 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 2,019 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $91,589 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,458. Read more about the health professions program at University Of Southern California

4

San Diego State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 821 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $83,573 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,633. More information about a degree in health professions from San Diego State University

5

A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for health professions. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 919 health professions students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $100,345 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,162. Read more about the health professions program at California State University Long Beach

6

San Jose State University placed #6 among the best health professions schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 552 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. See the full health professions program report for San Jose State University

7

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for health professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 752 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $114,921 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California Los Angeles

8

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #8 position for health professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $40,920 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,559. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California Santa Cruz

9
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #9 among the best health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 184 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $79,753. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at Stanford University

10

University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 662 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $53,628. Typical student debt for the program is $15,280. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California San Diego

11
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #11 spot for health professions this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 health professions degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $47,274 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at Santa Clara University

12

California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 1,224 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $106,660 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,924 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Sacramento

13

California State University Chico placed #13 among the best health professions schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 293 health professions students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $92,328 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,240 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Chico

14
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #14 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 520 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $124,996 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the health professions program at University Of San Francisco

15

Loyola Marymount University placed #15 among the best health professions schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 40 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $55,470. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full health professions details for Loyola Marymount University

16
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $135,306. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Get the full health professions details for Sonoma State University

17

University Of California Irvine came in at #17 for health professions this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 743 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $62,355 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,432 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for University Of California Irvine

18

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 545 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from San Francisco State University earn around $108,016 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,009 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at San Francisco State University

19
Mti College crest
Mti College
Sacramento, CA

Mti College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Mti College awarded about 299 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $27,177 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,981 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for Mti College

20

Samuel Merritt University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 884 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Samuel Merritt University generally make around $130,445. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from Samuel Merritt University

21

Mt San Antonio College earned the #21 position for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. About 412 health professions degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $83,966. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $11,152 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at Mt San Antonio College

22

California State University Fullerton placed #22 among the best health professions schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 917 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $128,847. Typical student debt for the program is $16,402. Read more about the health professions program at California State University Fullerton

23

California State University East Bay earned the #23 position for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 501 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $108,462 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,840 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at California State University East Bay

24

University Of California Davis placed #24 among the best health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 335 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Davis earn around $63,408 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,470 in student loans. Get the full health professions details for University Of California Davis

25
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Scripps College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in health professions from Scripps College

Rest of the Top 50 Health Professions Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions ranking:

26
Palo Alto University crest
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA
27
28
29
30
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Health Professions Award Winners

These schools also stood out for health professions:

Rank School Location
#57 Carrington College California Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#59 West Coast University Orange County Anaheim, CA
#60 Carrington College California Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill, CA
#65 Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA
#66 Mount St Marys College Los Angeles, CA
#69 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
#71 Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science Los Angeles, CA
#102 West Coast University Ontario Ontario, CA
#110 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
#114 San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova Rancho Cordova, CA
#120 City College Of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
#126 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
#146 Merced College Merced, CA
#180 Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine Llc San Diego San Diego, CA
#298 West Coast University Los Angeles North Hollywood, CA

Honorable Mentions

A few more health professions schools worth a look:

View All Health Professions Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 402 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options