Skip to main content

Best Value Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Fresno stands out among the state's health services programs, delivering $38,289 in early career earnings at just $6,480 net cost. This 5.9 to 1 return on investment reflects the strong demand for healthcare workers across California's $3.5 trillion economy. The state's aging population and tech-driven wellness sector create opportunities from Silicon Valley startups developing health apps to major medical centers like UCSF and Cedars-Sinai. Public universities dominate the value equation, with CSU campuses claiming eight of the top ten spots for affordability. Net costs range from $5,646 at Cal State Fullerton to over $50,000 at Dominican University of California. Private institutions like United States University report the highest earnings at $48,823 but require careful cost analysis. Sacramento State graduates earn $42,682 annually, the second-highest figure among public options. The Cal Grant program helps qualifying students by covering tuition at public universities, making these programs accessible to middle and lower-income families throughout the state.
31
Programs
$3,659 – $50,218
Net Price Range
$36,304
Avg. Program Earnings
58.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

31 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $38,289 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $5,646 $31,640 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
3 $5,918 $30,409 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
4 $10,512 $42,682 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
5 $11,276 $39,686 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
6 $12,882 $40,768 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
7 $21,557 $48,823 $6,600
8 $14,838 $33,043 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
9 $16,174 $28,327 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
10 $25,321 $32,569 $13,160 8.8%
11 $31,058 $39,729 $13,320 50.0%
12 $27,384 $29,685 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
13 $16,599 $14,600 42.3%
14 $20,170 $11,976 32.5%
15 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
16 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
17 $21,100 68.6%
18 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
19 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
20 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
21 $33,072 $28,800 43.5% 65.6%
22 $50,168 $43,550 73.8% 81.9%
23 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
24 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
25 $50,218 $50,666 76.3% 93.2%
26 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
27 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
28 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
29 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
30 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
31 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Fresno the top value for health services students?

CSU Fresno combines the lowest net cost at $6,480 with solid earnings of $38,289, creating the best return on investment among California programs. The university maintains a 95% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn above the state median for this field. With a 55% graduation rate, students can expect reasonable completion timelines in the Central Valley's growing healthcare market.

How do private universities compare to public options for health services programs?

Private institutions charge significantly more, with costs ranging from $21,557 at United States University to $50,218 at Dominican University. However, United States University graduates earn $48,823 annually, the highest among all programs. Most private schools show mixed results, with National University graduates earning $39,729 but carrying $28,334 in debt compared to much lower debt loads at public universities.

Does location within California affect program value and career outcomes?

San Diego and San Francisco area schools generally cost more but don't always deliver proportional earnings increases. San Francisco State University charges $12,882 net cost for $40,768 in earnings, while Sacramento State costs $10,512 but graduates earn $42,682. The Central Valley and Inland Empire campuses like Fresno and San Bernardino offer the best cost-to-earnings ratios despite lower living costs in these regions.

What graduation rates can health services students expect at California universities?

Graduation rates vary significantly, from just 8.8% at Ashford University to 78.3% at San Diego State University. Most CSU campuses maintain rates between 45% and 70%, with Fullerton and Long Beach leading at nearly 70%. San Diego State achieves the highest completion rate but also has the most selective admissions at 39% acceptance compared to over 90% at most other programs.

Is the Cal Grant program sufficient to cover health services education costs?

Cal Grant covers the $7,000-8,000 tuition at most CSU campuses, making the published tuition essentially free for qualifying students. However, net costs still range from $5,646 to $16,174 due to living expenses, books, and fees. Students at private universities face much higher costs since Cal Grant only covers a portion of their $13,000-50,000 annual charges.

More Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Rankings

Cheapest Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General in California Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Under $20,000 in California

Related

All Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Programs Best Colleges in California Best Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General in California

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.