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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California

14 Colleges in the United States
$15,296 Avg Student Debt
$44,466 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Badge [Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants](/majors/health-care-professions/practical-nursing-assistants/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools to find the best return on investment for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Patient Care Technician (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Patient Care Technician (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Medical Assisting (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 13
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 11 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 11
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 11 offers with relevance >= 0.8

2026 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in practical nursing & nursing assistants, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

1
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Our analysis ranked Hartnell College the best value for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants in California. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $63,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Imperial Valley College earned it the #2 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,176. 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.

3
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. 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.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #4 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

5
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gavilan College earned it the #5 place for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 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.

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6

College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $10,288. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Riverside City College placed #7 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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.

8

Pasadena City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. 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. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $9,191. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College earned the #9 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.

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Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

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Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College earned the #11 position for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College placed #12 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $13,180. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

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Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College placed #15 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.

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Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College landed the #16 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. 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. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $39,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA

Los Medanos College came in at #17 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Pittsburg, Los Medanos College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Los Medanos College generally make around $32,581. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Typical student debt for practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College landed the #19 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.

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Modesto Junior College placed #20 among the best values for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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City College Of San Francisco came in at #21 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.

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Cerro Coso Community College landed the #22 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants value this year. Cerro Coso Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Ridgecrest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,384, compared with $11,254 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,963 ten years after entry.

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Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the practical nursing & nursing assistants program here. Early-career practical nursing & nursing assistants graduates make about $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.

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Copper Mountain Community College came in at #24 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Joshua Tree, Copper Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,390, with out-of-state students paying around $13,590. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,281.

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Lassen Community College came in at #25 for value in practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Lassen Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Susanville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $9,280 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,994 ten years after entry.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s practical nursing & nursing assistants value ranking:

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Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA
27
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College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA
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29
30
31
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Pacific College
Costa Mesa, CA
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33
34
35
36
37
38
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Homestead Schools
Torrance, CA
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46
47
Angeles Institute crest
Angeles Institute
ARTESIA, CA
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50
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National Career College
Panorama City, CA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 120 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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