by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health Sciences & Services](/majors/health-care-professions/health-services-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 151 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health sciences & services schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health sciences & services, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in health sciences & services, no school beat Skyline College this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #2 place for health sciences & services. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #3 place for health sciences & services. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Canada College one of the best values for health sciences & services. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in health sciences & services this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $9,776. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #8 among the best values for health sciences & services. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College placed #9 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Pasadena City College placed #10 among the best values for health sciences & services. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $9,191. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #11 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best values for health sciences & services. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #13 position for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #14 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College landed the #15 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $5,939. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #16 for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College landed the #17 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Health Sciences & Services graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $9,024. Early-career health sciences & services graduates make about $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #19 for value in health sciences & services this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services 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.
Hartnell College placed #20 among the best values for health sciences & services. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #21 for value in health sciences & services this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Sacramento City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health sciences & services schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #23 among the best values for health sciences & services. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Health Sciences & Services graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #24 spot for health sciences & services value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for health sciences & services graduates is $14,105. Health Sciences & Services graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College placed #25 among the best values for health sciences & services. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the health sciences & services program here. Soon after graduation, health sciences & services degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health sciences & services:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 151 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.