2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in California
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for nursing practice in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $156,309. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,938 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $138,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $87,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #4 place for nursing practice. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
United States University placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the city of San Diego, United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,108. Students borrow a median of $32,641 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of United States University earn a median of $120,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,641 median debt.
California Baptist University came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $35,718. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,966. Set against $35,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science placed #8 among the best values for nursing practice. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $132,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego landed the #9 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $23,795. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $124,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #10 among the best values for nursing practice. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $128,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Coast University Orange County came in at #11 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,506. Students borrow a median of $38,145 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $112,084. Set against $38,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #12 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $107,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
