Surgical Tech Programs in California

California has 30 schools with surgical technologist programs in this directory: 5 public and 25 private. Together they graduated 663 students from these programs in the latest federal count.

Published program tuition runs from $750 to $41,219, with a median of $40,112 across the 25 programs that report a program price.

Graduates earned a median of $62,401 one year after finishing, where the Department of Education reports earnings for the program.

The largest programs by graduates are at American Career College-Los Angeles, American Career College-Ontario and Glendale Career College.

30
Schools with this program
663
Graduates last year
$40,112
Median program tuition
$62,401
Median earnings, 1 yr after

All 30 surgical tech programs in California

Sorted by size. Tap a name for details.

American Career College-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$40,605
Length
20 months
Graduates last year
89
Median earnings, 1 yr
$65,184
Type
Private for-profit

American Career College-Ontario

Ontario, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$40,605
Length
20 months
Graduates last year
59
Median earnings, 1 yr
$63,396
Type
Private for-profit

Glendale Career College

Glendale, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$40,112
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
41
Type
Private for-profit

Premiere Career College

Irwindale, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$29,600
Length
15 months
Graduates last year
39
Type
Private for-profit

American Career College-Anaheim

Anaheim, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$40,605
Length
20 months
Graduates last year
29
Median earnings, 1 yr
$65,184
Type
Private for-profit

North-West College-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA

Award
Associate degree and Certificate
Program tuition
$750
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
26
Median earnings, 1 yr
$44,399
Type
Private for-profit

CBD College

Los Angeles, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$34,117
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
22
Median earnings, 1 yr
$57,309
Type
Private nonprofit

North-West College-West Covina

West Covina, CA

Award
Associate degree and Certificate
Program tuition
$40,112
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
22
Median earnings, 1 yr
$59,597
Type
Private for-profit

North-West College-Riverside

Riverside, CA

Award
Associate degree and Certificate
Program tuition
$40,112
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
19
Median earnings, 1 yr
$44,399
Type
Private for-profit

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA

Award
Certificate and Associate degree
Tuition (in-state, yearly)
$1,356
Graduates last year
17
Type
Public

Career Networks Institute

Santa Ana, CA

Award
Certificate and Associate degree
Program tuition
$37,415
Length
20 months
Graduates last year
15
Median earnings, 1 yr
$60,922
Type
Private for-profit

San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula

Temecula, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$41,219
Length
15 months
Graduates last year
13
Median earnings, 1 yr
$70,320
Type
Private for-profit

Skyline College

San Bruno, CA

Award
Certificate and Associate degree
Tuition (in-state, yearly)
$1,332
Graduates last year
13
Median earnings, 1 yr
$110,516
Type
Public

North-West College-Anaheim

Anaheim, CA

Award
Associate degree and Certificate
Program tuition
$40,112
Length
19 months
Graduates last year
12
Median earnings, 1 yr
$44,399
Type
Private for-profit

North-West College-San Diego

San Diego, CA

Award
Associate degree
Program tuition
$40,112
Length
18 months
Graduates last year
6
Type
Private for-profit

Las Positas College

Livermore, CA

Award
Associate degree
Tuition (in-state, yearly)
$1,348
Type
Public

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, CA

Award
Certificate and Associate degree
Tuition (in-state, yearly)
$1,158
Type
Public

Common questions

How much does surgical technologist training cost in California?

The median published tuition is $40,112 (range $750 to $41,219, 25 programs reporting). The lowest listed prices are at North-West College-Long Beach ($750), Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD ($9,989) and Premiere Career College ($29,600). Public community and technical colleges often charge less but report tuition per year rather than per program, so check each school's net price calculator.

How long does surgical technologist school take?

Programs that report a length take a median of 19 months to finish (12 to 20 months). Certificates are shorter; associate degrees usually take about two years.

How much do surgical technologist graduates earn?

Across 18 programs with reported outcomes, the median graduate earned $62,401 one year after finishing (U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard). Earnings vary by program and local labor market.

Are there public surgical technologist programs in California?

Yes. 5 public schools offer it, including Southwestern College, Skyline College, Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD, Las Positas College and MiraCosta College.

Data: U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2024-25 and College Scorecard (October 2026 release). Listings change; confirm details with the school before you go. How this directory is built.