2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in California

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in registered nursing in California. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $91,961. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the registered nursing program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

3

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,152 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $98,926 early in their careers. Set against $16,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,332 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $97,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $12,834 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $90,156 early in their careers. Set against $12,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in registered nursing this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,718. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $92,486. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.

10

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $119,692. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

11

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $77,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

12

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College landed the #12 spot for registered 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.

14

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #14 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

15

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,869. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

17

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,964 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $122,354. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $91,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College earned the #19 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $8,729. Registered 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.

20

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,739 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $98,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,739 median debt.

21

Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA

Solano Community College came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College earned the #22 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $99,544. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

24

College Of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA

College Of The Redwoods ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.