2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California
[Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
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2027 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Hartnell College earned the #1 spot for value among practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in California. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,000. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $63,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Modesto Junior College one of the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in practical nursing & nursing assistants will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #3. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants 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, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,382. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $65,467. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,692. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College came in at #7 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Shasta College came in at #8 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Mission College landed the #9 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $39,232. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College came in at #12 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College came in at #13 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. 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. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,102. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #14 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Antelope Valley College came in at #16 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Chaffey College placed #17 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Folsom Lake College came in at #18 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Miracosta College placed #19 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
College Of The Redwoods placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $20,000. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,332. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Barbara City College placed #22 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $21,090. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Medanos College earned the #23 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,500. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Los Medanos College earn a median of $32,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #24 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $14,105. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 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.
Copper Mountain Community College came in at #25 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the rural area of Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,390, while out-of-state students pay about $13,590. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,281 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in practical nursing & nursing assistants:
More Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings
View All Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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.
