2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in the Far Western Region. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

3

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,152. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $98,926. Set against $16,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,075. Early-career nursing graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

5

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $119,692. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Nursing graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $97,457 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $16,332 median debt.

9

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $90,156. Set against $12,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $13,718 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $92,486. Set against $13,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

12

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $122,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

14

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

15

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $89,869. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $77,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,739. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $98,493. Set against $16,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

20

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $8,729. Nursing graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $117,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $99,544. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $91,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,375. Nursing graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $156,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

24

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $104,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Merced College earn a median of $107,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.