2023 Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California
A healthcare student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 174 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Sierra College the most popular school in California for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Sierra College is a public institution located in Rocklin, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 819 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sierra College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,900. Associate Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $16,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Sierra College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fresno City College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 591 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,304 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Fresno City College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,504. On average, associate degree students take out $8,252 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Fresno City College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in San Mateo, California that handed out 475 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $21,393 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 174 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Carrington College, Sacramento landed the # 4 spot on the list. This small private for-profit school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 374 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Carrington College, Sacramento accumulate an average of $29,267 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Carrington College, Sacramento does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at West Coast Ultrasound Institute helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular healthcare schools in California. This small private for-profit school is located in Beverly Hills, California, and it awarded 362 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at West Coast Ultrasound Institute is $18,600. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $25,264 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Saddleback College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Mission Viejo, California, the fairly large public school handed out 356 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Saddleback College is $1,332. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,292. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Saddleback College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Southwestern College is a fairly large public school located in Chula Vista, California that handed out 319 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,342 in tuition and fees if they attend SWC Chula Vista full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,434. Associate Degree recipients from SWC Chula Vista accumulate an average of $11,239 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SWC Chula Vista. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Diablo Valley College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Pleasant Hill, California, and it awarded 302 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,312 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Diablo Valley. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,328. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,188 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Diablo Valley. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 42% took at least some of their classes online.
Citrus College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Citrus College is a public institution located in Glendora, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 284 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Citrus College full time pay an average of $1,196 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,804. Associate Degree recipients from Citrus College accumulate an average of $18,558 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Citrus College. In 2019-2020 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Ana College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Santa Ana, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 258 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SAC full time pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,684. Associate Degree recipients from SAC accumulate an average of $11,579 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SAC. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Unitek College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Unitek College is a private for-profit institution located in Fremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 258 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,323 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Unitek College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
With a ranking of #12, CBD College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Community Based Education and Development is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 244 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $24,116 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Community Based Education and Development is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a private for-profit institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 240 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $20,946 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia 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 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree healthcare programs. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 237 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,328 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,952. Associate Degree recipients from SRJC accumulate an average of $12,716 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
SRJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California list. Delta is a public institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 222 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,761 in student loans. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Delta, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Mendocino College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Mendocino College is a public institution located in Ukiah, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 206 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,423 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mendocino College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,443. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,626 in student loans. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Mendocino College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Riverside City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 202 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Riverside City College full time pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,120. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,247 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Riverside City College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.
Mt. San Antonio College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. This large public school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 200 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mt. SAC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,032. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,559 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Mt. SAC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cuesta College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Cuesta College is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 199 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,338 in tuition and fees if they attend Cuesta College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,702. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,466 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.
Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Stanbridge University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Located in Irvine, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 199 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $30,645 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Stanbridge. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 2% took at least some of their classes online.
El Camino College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. El Camino College is a fairly large public school located in Torrance, California that handed out 192 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,144 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend El Camino College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,008. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at El Camino College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Modesto Junior College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Modesto Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Modesto, California that handed out 186 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,274 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MJC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,550. On average, associate degree students take out $11,121 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
MJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Skyline College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Skyline College is a medium-sized public school located in San Bruno, California that handed out 183 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,464 in tuition and fees if they attend Skyline College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,734. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $5,702 in student loans. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Skyline College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 1% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
American Career College - Anaheim did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Anaheim, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from American Career College - Anaheim accumulate an average of $26,778 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at American Career College - Anaheim. During the 2019-2020 year, about 12% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Long Beach City College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 173 students in 2020-2021.
Students from California who attend Long Beach City College full time pay an average of $1,556 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,444. Associate Degree recipients from Long Beach City College accumulate an average of $9,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Long Beach City College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 27 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular healthcare schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
28 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA |
29 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
30 | Butte College | Oroville, CA |
31 | West Hills College-Lemoore | Lemoore, CA |
32 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
33 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
34 | Merritt College | Oakland, CA |
35 | Platt College - Los Angeles | Alhambra, CA |
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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