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Cheapest Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills offers health sciences programs at just $3,659 net cost, making quality healthcare education accessible in a state where housing costs alone can exceed many college tuitions. The $17,441 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options reflects California's complex funding market, where Cal Grant assistance helps public universities maintain affordability despite the state's high living costs. Graduates enter a healthcare market driven by Silicon Valley's aging tech workforce, expanding biotech companies like Genentech and Gilead, and the nation's largest Medicare population. Sacramento State graduates earn $42,682 annually, demonstrating strong returns even from affordable programs. California's healthcare sector employs over 2.4 million workers, creating steady demand for allied health professionals across specialties from medical technology to health administration. The concentration of public universities in this ranking shows how the CSU system successfully balances cost control with career preparation.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
6 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
7 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
8 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
9 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
10 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
11 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
12 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
13 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
14 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
15 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
16 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
17 $16,599 $14,600 42.3%
18 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
19 $20,170 $11,976 32.5%
20 $21,100 68.6%
21 $21,557 $6,600
22 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
23 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
24 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
25 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
26 $31,058 $13,320 50.0%
27 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
28 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
29 $33,072 $28,800 43.5% 65.6%
30 $50,168 $43,550 73.8% 81.9%
31 $50,218 $50,666 76.3% 93.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the huge variation in graduation rates across affordable California health programs?

Graduation rates span from 45.5% at CSU East Bay to 69.9% at CSU Long Beach, reflecting differences in student support services and admission selectivity. Long Beach accepts only 39.95% of applicants compared to East Bay's 96.20% acceptance rate. More selective programs typically see higher completion rates due to better-prepared incoming students. Regional economic factors also influence persistence, as students in expensive areas like the Bay Area may work more hours while studying.

How do earnings compare between the most affordable health science programs?

Sacramento State graduates earn the highest at $42,682 annually, followed closely by San Francisco State at $40,768 despite similar net costs of around $11,000-$13,000. Fresno State graduates earn $38,289 with a much lower $6,480 net cost, offering excellent value. Geographic location strongly influences earnings, with Bay Area and Sacramento region salaries reflecting higher local healthcare wages. Even the lowest-earning programs at around $30,000 provide solid entry points into California's expanding healthcare sector.

Does attending a more expensive California health program guarantee better job outcomes?

Not necessarily. Fresno Pacific University charges $35,558 in tuition but lacks published earnings data, while CSU Fresno costs only $6,980 and produces graduates earning $38,289. CSU Sacramento graduates out-earn many from costlier programs despite moderate pricing. Public universities benefit from established clinical partnerships with major healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente and UC Health. The key factor appears to be regional job markets rather than tuition levels.

Where do California's most affordable health science programs cluster geographically?

The cheapest options concentrate in Los Angeles County, with CSU Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles, and Fullerton all under $6,000 net cost. Central Valley schools like Fresno State and Stanislaus also maintain very low costs at $6,480 and $5,671 respectively. Bay Area programs cost significantly more, with San Francisco State at $12,882 and East Bay at $11,276 net. This pattern reflects both housing costs and state funding formulas that provide more aid to students in expensive regions.

Is student debt a major concern for California health science graduates?

Debt levels remain manageable across most programs, ranging from $12,415 at CSU Stanislaus to $19,331 at CSU Chico. The median debt of around $15,000-$17,000 is well below national averages for health programs. California's solid financial aid system, including Cal Grants and institutional support, helps keep borrowing low. Given starting salaries of $30,000-$42,000, most graduates can expect reasonable debt-to-income ratios under 40%.

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