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2027 Best Health Professions Schools in California

342 Colleges in the United States
102,213 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$60,917 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.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 342 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health professions students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Health Professions in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health professions education in California.

Top Schools in Health Professions

1

Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 school for health professions. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 55 health professions degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $61,010 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

Students looking for a strong health professions program will find one at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 health professions students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,427 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

3

A rank of #3 makes San Diego State University one of the top schools for health professions. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 942 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $83,000 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $18,633 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at San Diego State University

4

A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for health professions. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 532 health professions students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in health professions from San Jose State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for health professions. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 772 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $114,272 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from University Of California Los Angeles

6

University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for health professions this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 674 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $50,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,280 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California San Diego

7

University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 404 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $63,691 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

8

University Of Southern California landed the #8 spot for health professions this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 1,817 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of Southern California earn around $91,418 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,458. More information about a degree in health professions from University Of Southern California

9
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best health professions schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 60 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $47,274 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full health professions details for Santa Clara University

10
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #10 among the best health professions schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 196 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $79,753 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the health professions program at Stanford University

11

California State University Long Beach placed #11 among the best health professions schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 813 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $91,713 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $18,162 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for California State University Long Beach

12

California State University Chico came in at #12 for health professions this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 285 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $97,911 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,240 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for California State University Chico

13

California State University Stanislaus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best health professions schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 255 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $128,102 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,403 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Stanislaus

14

California State University Sacramento ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,176 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $106,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,924. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Sacramento

15

University Of California Davis landed the #15 spot for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 403 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $110,680 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,470. See the full health professions program report for University Of California Davis

16
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #16 among the best health professions schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 474 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $126,185 in their early career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full health professions details for University Of San Francisco

17

San Francisco State University placed #17 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 504 health professions degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $109,120. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,170 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from San Francisco State University

18
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #18 spot for health professions this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 94 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Sonoma State University earn around $135,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Get the full health professions details for Sonoma State University

19

Samuel Merritt University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 883 health professions degrees were awarded at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of Samuel Merritt University earn a median of $130,637 early in their careers. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for Samuel Merritt University

20

Loyola Marymount University placed #20 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $55,470 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from Loyola Marymount University

21

California State University Monterey Bay landed the #21 spot for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 103 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $117,088 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,489 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Monterey Bay

22

California State University Fullerton came in at #22 for health professions this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 859 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $131,453 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,402. Read more about the health professions program at California State University Fullerton

23
Palo Alto University crest
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto University came in at #23 for health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Palo Alto, Palo Alto University is a small private not-for-profit university. Palo Alto University awarded about 135 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Palo Alto University generally make around $59,295. Typical student debt for the program is $20,334. See the full health professions program report for Palo Alto University

24

California State University East Bay came in at #24 for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 464 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $112,444. Typical student debt for the program is $18,840. See the full health professions program report for California State University East Bay

25

University Of California Irvine ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 790 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $61,626. Students borrow a median of $14,432 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for University Of California Irvine

Rest of the Top 50 Health Professions Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Mti College crest
Mti College
Sacramento, CA
40
41
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
50

Additional Health Professions Award Winners

These schools also stood out for health professions:

Rank School Location
#51 Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Aliso Viejo, CA
#52 Gavilan College Gilroy, CA
#53 Carrington College California Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill, CA
#54 Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA
#55 University Of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA
#56 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
#57 Carrington College California Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#58 Skyline College San Bruno, CA
#59 California State University Fresno Fresno, CA
#60 Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA
#61 Carrington College California San Leandro San Leandro, CA
#62 College Of San Mateo San Mateo, CA
#63 University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences San Marcos, CA
#64 Solano Community College Fairfield, CA
#65 Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health Los Angeles, CA
#66 Carrington College California Stockton Stockton, CA
#67 Saint Marys College Of California Moraga, CA
#68 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for health professions:

View All Health Professions Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 342 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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