by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 109 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for health professions students pursuing a associate degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 19,800 associate degrees in health professions during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The health professions associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality health professions program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for health professions students working on their associate degree.
The health professions school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in California.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in health professions. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Any student who is interested in an associate degree in health professions has to take a look at Loma Linda University. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Loma Linda University
It is difficult to beat Carrington College, Sacramento if you want to pursue an associate degree in health professions. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College, Sacramento is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Carrington College, Sacramento
It's difficult to beat Mount Saint Mary's University if you want to pursue an associate degree in health professions. Located in the city of Los Angeles, MSMU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Mount Saint Mary’s University
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in health professions. Located in the small city of Rancho Cordova, is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova
Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Western Career College-Pleasant Hill is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Carrington College-Pleasant Hill
Located in the city of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from City College of San Francisco
SRJC is a large public college located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa.More information about a associate in health professions from Santa Rosa Junior College
Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Riverside City College
MJC is a large public college located in the medium-sized city of Modesto.More information about a associate in health professions from Modesto Junior College
Located in the small city of Merced, Merced Community College District is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Merced College
Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Foothill College
Located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Orange Coast College
Located in the large city of Chula Vista, SWC Chula Vista is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Southwestern College
is a fairly small private for-profit college located in the midsize city of Temecula.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula
Pacific College is a fairly small private for-profit college located in the city of Costa Mesa.More information about a associate in health professions from Pacific College
Cuesta College is a fairly large public college located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo.More information about a associate in health professions from Cuesta College
Located in the suburb of Los Angeles, CDU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in health professions from Butte College
PUC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Angwin.More information about a associate in health professions from Pacific Union College
is a small private for-profit college located in the city of Ontario.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
Located in the large city of Bakersfield, is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in health professions from San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health Professions Associate Degree Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Canada College | Redwood City, CA |
| 23 | Mt. San Jacinto College | San Jacinto, CA |
| 24 | Yuba College | Marysville, CA |
| 25 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 26 | San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA |
| 27 | Grossmont College | El Cajon, CA |
| 28 | Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa, CA |
| 29 | Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA |
| 30 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
| 31 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA |
| 32 | San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA |
| 33 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA |
| 34 | Cerritos College | Norwalk, CA |
| 35 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA |
| 36 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
Explore all the Best Health Professions Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 35 | 1,277 |
| Nevada | 35 | 1,031 |
| Washington | 33 | 3,938 |
| Hawaii | 24 | 320 |
| Alaska | 22 | 250 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 5,712 |
| Allied Health Professions | 4,271 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 4,204 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 1,827 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 1,154 |
| Dental Support Services | 801 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 797 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 406 |
| Public Health | 200 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 152 |