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Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California

42 Schools Ranked
$21,127 Avg Student Debt

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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 42 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular graduate certificate programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
112 Total Awards
$9,570 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named San Diego State University the most popular school in California for healthcare students working on their graduate certificate. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 112 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at SDSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full San Diego State University Report

113 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,477 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the # 2 spot on the list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 113 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,477 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

CSULB does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full California State University - Long Beach Report

#3

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
102 Total Awards
$61,396 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern California landed the # 3 spot on the list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at USC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 82% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Southern California

91 Total Awards
$8,477 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at CSUN, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 91% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on California State University - Northridge

#5

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
84 Total Awards
$8,738 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend San Francisco State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SFSU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full San Francisco State University Report

#6

Keck Graduate Institute

Claremont, California
69 Total Awards
$24,498 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Keck Graduate Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their graduate certificate. KGI is located in Claremont, California and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 graduate certificates to qualified students.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $24,498 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at KGI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 4% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Keck Graduate Institute

#7

University of California - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
61 Total Awards
$12,999 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - San Francisco ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 61 students in 2020-2021.

Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UCSF. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#8

Biola University

La Mirada, California
56 Total Awards

Biola University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 56 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Biola, 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 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

52 Total Awards
$28,264 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,870 Avg Student Debt

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 52 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $24,870 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

Since the graduate programs at CDU are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

#10

National University

La Jolla, California
40 Total Awards

National University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. National University is located in La Jolla, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that National University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
31 Total Awards
$31,058 Average Tuition & Fees

Loma Linda University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Loma Linda, California, and it awarded 31 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Loma Linda University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 22% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

28 Total Awards
$22,709 Average Tuition & Fees

Western University of Health Sciences landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

Western University of Health Sciences does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 0% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Western University of Health Sciences Report

#13

Brandman University

Irvine, California
26 Total Awards
$12,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Brandman University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Brandman is located in Irvine, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Brandman is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on Brandman University

#13

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
26 Total Awards
$18,207 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,015 Avg Student Debt

Northcentral University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 26 students in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $22,015 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Northcentral University are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Northcentral University

#15

Scripps College

Claremont, California
22 Total Awards

Scripps College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Claremont, California that handed out 22 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Scripps College

23 Total Awards
$10,989 Average Tuition & Fees

West Coast University - Orange County came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. West Coast University - Orange County is a private for-profit institution located in Anaheim, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

Since the graduate programs at West Coast University - Orange County are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full West Coast University - Orange County Report

#17

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
19 Total Awards
$14,160 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,850 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their graduate certificate. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 graduate certificates to qualified students.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $18,850 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UC Berkeley, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of California - Berkeley Report

#17

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
19 Total Awards
$8,219 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Cal State LA. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Report

#19

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
16 Total Awards
$9,161 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - San Marcos landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. This fairly large public school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 16 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at CSUSM. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - San Marcos Report

#20

Mills College

Oakland, California
15 Total Awards
$36,443 Average Tuition & Fees

Mills College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. Mills is located in Oakland, California and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Mills is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full Mills College Report

11 Total Awards
$8,087 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Fresno ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. This large public school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 11 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.

Fresno State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on California State University - Fresno

#22

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
8 Total Awards
$54,521 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Samuel Merritt University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Oakland, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Samuel Merritt University. In 2019-2020 about 23% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Samuel Merritt University

#23

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California
7 Total Awards

University of Phoenix - California landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. University of Phoenix - California is a small private for-profit school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UOPX - California. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 9% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - California

5 Total Awards
$8,494 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate healthcare programs. Located in Carson, California, the fairly large public school handed out 5 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at CSUDH. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Report

#25

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
4 Total Awards
$27,250 Average Tuition & Fees

University of San Francisco ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 4 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at USFCA. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of San Francisco

Most Popular Healthcare Graduate 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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