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Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California

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2023 Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

62 Schools Ranked
$8,697 Avg Tuition & Fees*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for healthcare students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 62 schools in California to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
42 Total Awards
$8,912 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Santa Barbara City College the best value school in California for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 42 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SBCC are $8,912 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SBCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

SBCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list.

Read full report on Santa Barbara City College

#2

Merced College

Merced, California
68 Total Awards
$7,444 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Merced College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Merced Community College District is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 68 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Merced Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $7,444 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Merced Community College District. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Merced Community College District also made our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list, coming in at #3.

Read More…

#3

Crafton Hills College

Yucaipa, California
162 Total Awards
$8,498 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Crafton Hills College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Yucaipa, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 162 basic certificate awards in 2020-2021.

CHC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,498 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CHC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

CHC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list.

Read full report on Crafton Hills College

#4

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California
319 Total Awards
$8,702 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cuesta College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 319 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 per year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Cuesta College also took the #5 spot in our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California rankings.

Full Cuesta College Report

#5

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
375 Total Awards
$8,952 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 375 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 a year.

SRJC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SRJC also is in the top 10% of our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Report

#6

Butte College

Oroville, California
254 Total Awards
$7,848 Average Tuition & Fees

Butte College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 254 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Butte College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,848 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

In addition to its great value ranking, Butte College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list.

Read full report on Butte College

#7

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, California
366 Total Awards
$9,012 Average Tuition & Fees

Los Angeles City College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, the fairly large public school awarded 366 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Los Angeles City College are $9,012 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Los Angeles City College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Los Angeles City College also claimed a spot on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Full Los Angeles City College Report

#8

Victor Valley College

Victorville, California
487 Total Awards
$9,374 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Victor Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Victor Valley College is a public institution located in Victorville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 487 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Victor Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,374 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Victor Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Victor Valley College also claimed a spot on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Victor Valley College

#9

Canada College

Redwood City, California
19 Total Awards
$9,006 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Canada College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Canada College is located in Redwood City, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Canada College are $9,006 a year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Canada College also is in the top 15% of our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking.

Read More…

#10

Cabrillo College

Aptos, California
24 Total Awards
$8,630 Average Tuition & Fees

Cabrillo College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. Cabrillo College is a medium-sized public school situated in Aptos, California. It awarded 24 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 per year.

Cabrillo College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Cabrillo College also did well on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Cabrillo College Report

#10

San Joaquin Delta College

Stockton, California
42 Total Awards
$9,072 Average Tuition & Fees

San Joaquin Delta College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. San Joaquin Delta College is a fairly large public school located in Stockton, California that handed out 42 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delta are $9,072 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delta. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its great value ranking, Delta is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list.

Full San Joaquin Delta College Report

#12

Palomar College

San Marcos, California
176 Total Awards
$9,940 Average Tuition & Fees

Palomar College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Palomar College is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 176 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Palomar College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,940 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Palomar College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Palomar College

#13

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, California
294 Total Awards
$8,338 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Sequoias ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Visalia, California, the fairly large public school awarded 294 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Sequoias are $8,338 per year.

One thing to take note of is that College of the Sequoias does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full College of the Sequoias Report

#14

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California
35 Total Awards
$10,032 Average Tuition & Fees

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 35 students in 2020-2021.

Mt. SAC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,032 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mt. SAC. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

West Hills College-Lemoore

Lemoore, California
18 Total Awards
$10,590 Average Tuition & Fees

West Hills College-Lemoore came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small public school located in Lemoore, California that handed out 18 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at West Hills College-Lemoore are $10,590 per year.

One thing to take note of is that West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full West Hills College-Lemoore Report

#16

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, California
73 Total Awards
$8,682 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Canyons came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. College of the Canyons is a public institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 73 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

College of the Canyons undergraduate students pay an average of $8,682 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of the Canyons. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on College of the Canyons

#17

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, California
7 Total Awards
$10,790 Average Tuition & Fees

Foothill College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. Foothill College is a public institution located in Los Altos Hills, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Foothill College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,790 in tuition and fees each year.

Online courses are available at Foothill College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Foothill College

#18

Moorpark College

Moorpark, California
96 Total Awards
$7,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Moorpark College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Moorpark, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 96 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moorpark College are $7,398 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Moorpark College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Moorpark College Report

#19

Ventura College

Ventura, California
32 Total Awards
$7,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Ventura College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate healthcare programs. Ventura College is a fairly large public school located in Ventura, California that handed out 32 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ventura College are $7,398 a year.

Ventura College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#20

American River College

Sacramento, California
70 Total Awards
$10,168 Average Tuition & Fees

American River College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. American River is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at American River are $10,168 a year.

One thing to take note of is that American River does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on American River College

#21

Yuba College

Marysville, California
5 Total Awards
$7,488 Average Tuition & Fees

Yuba College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Yuba College is located in Marysville, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Yuba College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 39% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California
23 Total Awards
$7,214 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Gavilan College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. Gilroy, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 23 students in 2020-2021.

Gavilan College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,214 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gavilan College. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Gavilan College

#23

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
94 Total Awards
$10,120 Average Tuition & Fees

Riverside City College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California ranking. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in Riverside, California that handed out 94 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

Riverside City College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,120 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Riverside City College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Riverside City College

#24

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, California
185 Total Awards
$8,554 Average Tuition & Fees

Golden West College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in California list. Huntington Beach, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 185 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Golden West College are $8,554 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Golden West College. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Golden West College Report

#25

Glendale Community College

Glendale, California
18 Total Awards
$7,531 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Glendale Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their basic certificate. GCC is a fairly large public school situated in Glendale, California. It awarded 18 basic certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GCC are $7,531 a year.

GCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 58% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Best Value Healthcare Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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