Best Value Healthcare Programs (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Santa Rosa Junior College (CA) has the highest-paying healthcare program in EDsmart Data's analysis, at $144,949 in first-year earnings. Across 5,296 programs reporting earnings, the median is $35,735 with $14,346 in median federal debt.
Key Facts
- Top program: Santa Rosa Junior College ($144,949 year-1 earnings)
- Median year-1 earnings: $35,735
- Median federal debt: $14,346
- Programs with earnings data: 5,296
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Highest-paying healthcare certificates and associate degrees
Registered nursing leads short healthcare credentials
Our analysis finds Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (associate) pays $75,929 in year one, the most of any sub-baccalaureate healthcare field.
Fields with at least 8 programs reporting first-year earnings.
Healthcare program value by field
| Field | Credential | Year-1 earnings | Year-5 earnings | Median debt | Debt as % of year-1 pay | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $75,929 | $82,778 | $31,417 | 41.4% | 963 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Certificate | $72,018 | $82,512 | $27,007 | 37.5% | 38 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate | $66,896 | $64,167 | $22,874 | 34.2% | 215 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate | $64,606 | $68,523 | $26,969 | 41.7% | 589 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Certificate | $58,398 | $55,363 | $19,518 | 33.4% | 10 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate | $57,680 | $61,754 | $25,469 | 44.2% | 28 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate | $52,782 | $61,771 | $18,262 | 34.6% | 623 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Associate | $51,863 | $59,564 | $24,363 | 47.0% | 66 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | $49,850 | $57,682 | $15,064 | 30.2% | 264 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate | $43,544 | $51,981 | $19,115 | 43.9% | 9 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate | $41,132 | $42,499 | $25,250 | 61.4% | 452 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Associate | $40,285 | $52,166 | $17,918 | 44.5% | 56 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | Associate | $39,586 | $49,098 | $8,250 | 20.8% | 8 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Certificate | $39,359 | $40,725 | $15,403 | 39.1% | 24 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Associate | $38,836 | $42,409 | $15,687 | 40.4% | 35 |
| Public Health | Associate | $37,907 | $49,175 | $30,117 | 79.4% | 15 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate | $36,094 | $39,425 | $24,299 | 67.3% | 247 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Associate | $35,250 | $47,355 | $26,497 | 75.2% | 20 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate | $33,614 | $39,419 | $3,454 | 10.3% | 88 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate | $32,731 | $36,069 | $14,750 | 45.1% | 415 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Associate | $31,784 | $33,042 | $31,427 | 98.9% | 11 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate | $30,810 | $34,040 | $9,500 | 30.8% | 586 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate | $28,256 | $30,653 | $9,500 | 33.6% | 184 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate | $28,194 | $33,356 | $9,500 | 33.7% | 302 |
| Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies | Certificate | $26,830 | $27,968 | $9,500 | 35.4% | 13 |
Top 50 best-value healthcare programs by first-year earnings
| Rank · School | State | Program | Credential | Year-1 earnings | Median debt | Earnings per $1 of debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Santa Rosa Junior College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $144,949 | $16,072 | $9.02 |
| 2. Crafton Hills College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | $137,601 | $25,311 | $5.44 |
| 3. Columbia College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $135,014 | — | — |
| 4. Modesto Junior College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $132,845 | $12,500 | $10.63 |
| 5. City College of San Francisco | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $132,732 | $19,000 | $6.99 |
| 6. Carrington College-Sacramento | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $127,627 | $35,314 | $3.61 |
| 7. Xavier College School of Nursing | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Certificate | $127,429 | — | — |
| 8. Ohlone College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate | $126,722 | — | — |
| 9. Yuba College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $126,376 | $13,500 | $9.36 |
| 10. Anne Arundel Community College | MD | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | $123,249 | $22,458 | $5.49 |
| 11. American River College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $120,729 | $15,973 | $7.56 |
| 12. Delaware County Community College | PA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Certificate | $120,063 | $27,125 | $4.43 |
| 13. Napa Valley College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $119,174 | — | — |
| 14. Chabot College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $117,900 | — | — |
| 15. Merced College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $114,478 | $9,500 | $12.05 |
| 16. Napa Valley College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate | $112,105 | — | — |
| 17. Cabrillo College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | $111,804 | — | — |
| 18. Skyline College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate | $110,516 | — | — |
| 19. Allan Hancock College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $110,306 | $17,666 | $6.24 |
| 20. Evergreen Valley College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $110,166 | — | — |
| 21. Shasta College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $110,101 | $14,375 | $7.66 |
| 22. Sacramento Ultrasound Institute | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate | $107,769 | $19,300 | $5.58 |
| 23. Sacramento City College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $107,620 | $10,750 | $10.01 |
| 24. Santa Barbara City College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $107,260 | $19,122 | $5.61 |
| 25. Cabrillo College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Certificate | $107,167 | $16,500 | $6.49 |
| 26. Butte College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $106,753 | $15,500 | $6.89 |
| 27. Hartnell College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $106,652 | $15,750 | $6.77 |
| 28. Nevada Career Institute | NV | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,883 | $33,342 | $3.18 |
| 29. Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,883 | $33,342 | $3.18 |
| 30. Glendale Career College-North-West College-MFSON | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,883 | $33,342 | $3.18 |
| 31. North-West College-San Diego | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,883 | $33,342 | $3.18 |
| 32. Glendale Career College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,883 | $33,342 | $3.18 |
| 33. Cochran School of Nursing | NY | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $105,307 | $25,045 | $4.20 |
| 34. Moorpark College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $104,963 | $18,749 | $5.60 |
| 35. Pacific Union College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $104,807 | $30,985 | $3.38 |
| 36. Cuesta College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $104,516 | $10,087 | $10.36 |
| 37. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $104,388 | $26,309 | $3.97 |
| 38. American Career College-Los Angeles | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $104,058 | $32,833 | $3.17 |
| 39. Career Networks Institute | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,690 | $31,281 | $3.31 |
| 40. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,283 | $20,000 | $5.16 |
| 41. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,283 | $20,000 | $5.16 |
| 42. San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,283 | $20,000 | $5.16 |
| 43. Rio Hondo College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,131 | $14,665 | $7.03 |
| 44. Mt San Antonio College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $103,064 | $14,873 | $6.93 |
| 45. Los Angeles Southwest College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,742 | $10,500 | $9.78 |
| 46. Solano Community College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,697 | $14,358 | $7.15 |
| 47. College of the Sequoias | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,557 | $13,454 | $7.62 |
| 48. Kapiolani Community College | HI | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,229 | $19,688 | $5.19 |
| 49. Citrus College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,160 | — | — |
| 50. Ventura College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate | $102,009 | $16,963 | $6.01 |
Healthcare programs with the most earnings per dollar borrowed
Programs reporting both first-year earnings and median debt.
| School | State | Program | Year-1 earnings | Median debt | Earnings per $1 of debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno City College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $101,455 | $8,125 | $12.49 |
| Coastal Pines Technical College | GA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,898 | $5,500 | $12.16 |
| Merced College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $114,478 | $9,500 | $12.05 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Aurora | CO | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $39,970 | $3,454 | $11.57 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix | AZ | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $39,970 | $3,454 | $11.57 |
| Craven Community College | NC | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,922 | $5,886 | $11.37 |
| Central Virginia Community College | VA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $69,379 | $6,143 | $11.29 |
| Gadsden State Community College | AL | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,027 | $6,720 | $10.87 |
| Carl Sandburg College | IL | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,825 | $6,280 | $10.64 |
| Modesto Junior College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $132,845 | $12,500 | $10.63 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston | TX | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Antonio | TX | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-East Valley | AZ | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | AZ | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos | CA | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Renton | WA | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | CO | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Pima Medical Institute-El Paso | TX | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $33,614 | $3,167 | $10.61 |
| Cuesta College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $104,516 | $10,087 | $10.36 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville | TN | Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | $51,107 | $4,977 | $10.27 |
| Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing | MA | Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | $79,295 | $7,878 | $10.07 |
| Walters State Community College | TN | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,461 | $6,625 | $10.03 |
| Sacramento City College | CA | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $107,620 | $10,750 | $10.01 |
| Contra Costa Medical Career College | CA | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $54,619 | $5,500 | $9.93 |
| Mt San Antonio College | CA | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $90,909 | $9,205 | $9.88 |
What the data shows
Value means what you earn for what you pay. The ranking puts first-year earnings first because it is the outcome students feel right away; the earnings-per-dollar column shows which healthcare programs deliver the most pay for each dollar borrowed.
Programs missing from this list are not necessarily bad; many simply have too few federal-aid graduates for the Department of Education to publish earnings.
Methodology
Program figures come from the College Scorecard field-of-study file: one record per institution × 4-digit CIP code × credential level. Earnings are median annual earnings of federal-aid recipients who completed the program and were working and not enrolled, measured 1, 4, and 5 years after completion (in the dollar year of the Scorecard release). Debt is the median federal loan balance (Stafford and Grad PLUS) at completion; private loans and Parent PLUS are excluded. Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education and drop out of each column.
Earnings per $1 of debt = median first-year earnings ÷ median federal debt at completion. Programs without published debt show a dash.
Graduate-only health fields (dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and similar) are excluded, as are health certificates at bachelor's- or graduate-predominant universities, which are usually post-degree credentials (such as nurse anesthesia) rather than entry-level training.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-value healthcare program?
By first-year earnings, Santa Rosa Junior College in CA leads at $144,949, based on College Scorecard program data.
How much do healthcare program graduates earn?
The median program pays $35,735 in the first year after completion.
How much debt do healthcare students take on?
Median federal debt at completion is $14,346 across programs that report it.
Which healthcare certificate pays the most?
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (associate) has the highest median first-year pay at $75,929.
Data sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard institution and field-of-study files (latest release in our extract)