2026 Best Healthcare Schools in California
Looking for the best Healthcare degree programs in California? Our ranking highlights 668 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search analyzed 469 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Healthcare Degree Schools in California
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in California. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read more about Stanford University
Request InformationUniversity Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on this year's Healthcare ranking in California. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Request InformationA rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top choices in California. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about University Of Southern California
Request InformationYou'll be in good company at University Of The Pacific, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stockton, CA. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on University Of The Pacific
Request InformationOut of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, Dominican University Of California landed the #5 spot. Set in San Rafael, CA, Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on Dominican University Of California
Request InformationUniversity Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot in California this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Healthcare student debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Request InformationMerced College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Merced College is a public school based in Merced, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Read the full report on Merced College
Request InformationNotre Dame De Namur University placed #8 among Healthcare schools in California. Based in Belmont, CA, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 7% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,792. Typical Healthcare student debt is $26,524. Read the full report on Notre Dame De Namur University
Request InformationFoothill College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Foothill College is a public school based in Los Altos Hills, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Foothill College Healthcare students take on a median of $11,595 in debt. Read the full report on Foothill College
Request InformationUniversity Of Redlands ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Redlands, CA. About 67% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Typical Healthcare student debt is $27,175. More on University Of Redlands
Request InformationMendocino College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Ukiah, CA, Mendocino College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,423, with out-of-state students paying around $10,003. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full Mendocino College profile
Request InformationWest Hills College Lemoore ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Lemoore, CA, West Hills College Lemoore is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, with out-of-state students paying around $10,954. West Hills College Lemoore Healthcare students take on a median of $9,687 in debt. Get the full West Hills College Lemoore report
Request InformationUniversity Of San Francisco came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Typical Healthcare student debt is $23,935. More on University Of San Francisco
Request InformationMount St Marys College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. The median Healthcare program debt is $27,555. More on Mount St Marys College
Request InformationCalifornia State University Stanislaus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. California State University Stanislaus Healthcare students take on a median of $14,813 in debt. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
Request InformationCanada College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Canada College is a public school based in Redwood City, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Canada College
Request InformationCuesta College placed #17 among Healthcare schools in California. Cuesta College is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $18,958. Read the full report on Cuesta College
Request InformationLoyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. The median Healthcare program debt is $22,248. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
Request InformationSan Jose State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. See the full San Jose State University profile
Request InformationCalifornia State University San Marcos ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. This public school is set in San Marcos, CA. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Read more about California State University San Marcos
Request InformationBiola University landed the #21 spot in California this year. Set in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. The median Healthcare program debt is $25,308. Read the full report on Biola University
Request InformationSanta Barbara City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Santa Barbara City College is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Barbara City College
Request InformationVanguard University Of Southern California placed #23 among Healthcare schools in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Costa Mesa, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,700. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Vanguard University Of Southern California
Request InformationAzusa Pacific University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Azusa, CA. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,458. Typical Healthcare student debt is $23,709. Read more about Azusa Pacific University
Request InformationCalifornia State University Sacramento did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. California State University Sacramento posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best Healthcare Degree Schools in California
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of California Davis placed #26 among Healthcare schools in California. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. University Of California Davis Healthcare students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. Read more about University Of California Davis
Request InformationNational University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on National University
Request InformationPacific Union College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Angwin, CA, Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Union College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,173. The median Healthcare program debt is $29,400. See the full Pacific Union College profile
Request InformationCrafton Hills College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Yucaipa, CA, Crafton Hills College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,188 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,556. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read more about Crafton Hills College
Request InformationButte College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Oroville, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Butte College report
Request InformationAshford University placed #31 among Healthcare schools in California. Based in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical Healthcare student debt is $39,515. Read more about Ashford University
Request InformationMt San Antonio College landed the #32 spot in California this year. Set in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Mt San Antonio College report
Request InformationUniversity Of San Diego landed the #33 spot in California this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. The median Healthcare program debt is $23,795. Read more about University Of San Diego
Request InformationPoint Loma Nazarene University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Point Loma Nazarene University
Request InformationSan Joaquin Delta College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Stockton, CA, San Joaquin Delta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Get the full San Joaquin Delta College report
Request InformationCabrillo College placed #36 among Healthcare schools in California. Cabrillo College is a public school based in Aptos, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Cabrillo College Healthcare students take on a median of $10,425 in debt. Read more about Cabrillo College
Request InformationSanta Rosa Junior College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school based in Santa Rosa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Request InformationNapa Valley College did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Napa, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,908 for out-of-state students. More on Napa Valley College
Request InformationUnited States University landed the #39 spot in California this year. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,108. Typical Healthcare student debt is $32,641. More on United States University
Request InformationSan Diego State University did well this year, earning the #40 position. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read more about San Diego State University
Request InformationCalifornia State University Chico placed #41 among Healthcare schools in California. Based in Chico, CA, California State University Chico is a public institution. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. The median Healthcare program debt is $18,591. More on California State University Chico
Request InformationFresno Pacific University landed the #42 spot in California this year. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fresno, CA. Fresno Pacific University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,660. Graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Read more about Fresno Pacific University
Request InformationKeck Graduate Institute placed #43 among Healthcare schools in California. Set in Claremont, CA, Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Keck Graduate Institute Healthcare students take on a median of $19,250 in debt. More on Keck Graduate Institute
Request InformationYuba College landed the #44 spot in California this year. This public school is set in Marysville, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Read more about Yuba College
Request InformationCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. California State University Dominguez Hills Healthcare students take on a median of $15,886 in debt. More on California State University Dominguez Hills
Request InformationGavilan College landed the #46 spot in California this year. Gavilan College is a public school based in Gilroy, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $5,939. See the full Gavilan College profile
Request InformationWest Hills College Coalinga placed #47 among Healthcare schools in California. Set in Coalinga, CA, West Hills College Coalinga is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,384, while out-of-state students pay about $10,954. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full West Hills College Coalinga profile
Request InformationModesto Junior College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Modesto, CA, Modesto Junior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Typical Healthcare student debt is $8,575. See the full Modesto Junior College profile
Request InformationVictor Valley College landed the #49 spot in California this year. Based in Victorville, CA, Victor Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Victor Valley College report
Request InformationCalifornia State University Long Beach ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Read more about California State University Long Beach
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).