California’s Top-Rated Nursing Schools and Programs of 2024
Nurses in California have a competitive salary that is unmatched by other states. With its beautiful beaches, breathtaking national parks, and abundant culture, California is a great place to live. Top that with some of the top universities to attend, California makes a great place to be a nurse.
A study by the University of California San Francisco shows that RN employment has remained stable in California over the past four years. However, an increase in nurses leaving the field for retirement and childcare issues combined with a decreased enrollment in nursing programs have reduced the supply of RNs. This estimated shortage of nurses in California means that there will be no shortage of jobs to choose from in the top-paying state for nurses.
The Best Nursing Schools in California
Learn more about the best nursing schools in California to help determine which college may be the best fit for you.
Our site has ranked the best nursing schools in California based on the NCLEX pass rate as posted on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The schools are categorized into Associate Degree Nursing programs (ADN) and Bachelor of Science (BSN) programs.
ADN Programs:
#1 California ADN Nursing Program
Ohlone College
Ohlone College, located in Fremont, CA, offers an associate degree program that can be completed in four semesters and one summer term upon admission into the program.
In 2022, Ohlone College graduated 35 students, and 100% passed the NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt. Their program curriculum uses the caring practices model that integrates the ten caring practices into its theory and clinical classes.
Average Tuition
In-State: $1,196
Out-of-State: $7,052
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$1,196 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$7,052 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2022 |
100% |
| Program Completion Rate 2019-2021 |
60% |
| Job Placement 2019-2021 |
75% |
| Students Enrolled |
9,060 |
| Institution Type |
Public Community College |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
27% |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
#2 California ADN Nursing Program
Sierra College
Sierra College, located in Rocklin, CA, offers an associate degree nursing program that you can complete in two years after completing your prerequisite courses.
Prior to being admitted into the program, students must complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills with a cumulative score of 62% or higher. In the 2021/2022 calendar year, Sierra College graduated 63 nursing students, and 100% of them passed their NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt. The college also offers an ADN to BSN merger track and an LVN to RN upward mobility program.
Average Tuition
In-State: $1,156
Out-of-State: $7,900
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$1,156 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$7,900 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2022 |
97.3% |
| Program Completion Rate 2019-2021 |
85.7% |
| Job Placement 2019-2021 |
100% |
| Students Enrolled |
18,314 |
| Institution Type |
Public College |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
Not given |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the ACEN |
#3 California ADN Nursing Program
Gavilan College
Gavilan College, located in Gilroy, CA, offers a nursing program called a “Career Ladder” program. There are three steps to complete this program: Obtain your certified nursing assistant (CNA) license, complete the licensed vocational nurse (LVN) program, then complete the registered nurse (RN) program.
The LVN to RN program takes one year to complete. In 2022, Gavilan College graduated 21 nursing students, and 100% passed their NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.
Average Tuition
In-State: $1,166
Out-of-State: $7,214
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$1,166 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$7,214 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2022 |
$1,166 |
| Program Completion Rate 2019-2021 |
90% |
| Job Placement 2019-2021 |
Not given |
| Students Enrolled |
1,460 |
| Institution Type |
Public Community College |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
Not given |
| Accreditation |
No |
#4 California ADN Nursing Program
San Diego City College
San Diego City College, located in San Diego, is one of the top-ranked schools of nursing in CA. Known for its consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates, its program prepares entry-level RNs across the health and illness continuum. The curriculum aims to provide a positive, innovative learning model for students that aids in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Average Tuition
In-State: $1,144
Out-of-State: $8,512
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$1,144 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$8,512 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2022 |
98.41% |
| Program Completion Rate 2021 |
91.04% |
| Job Placement 2020 |
89% |
| Students Enrolled |
15,066 |
| Institution Type |
Public Community College |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
77% |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the ACEN |
BSN Programs:
#1 California BSN Nursing Program
Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers an online BSN program for residents of California. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in California with limited clinical placements. It is a highly selective and competitive program, offering clinical placements throughout Los Angeles and the Orange County area.
To be considered for this placement, applicants must take and pass the ATI TEAS exam with a minimum score of 60% and a reading subtest score of at least 60. They also offer an online RN to BSN program designed for ADN nurses to complete their BSN.
Average Tuition
In-State: $7,452
Out-of-State: $7,452
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$7,452 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$7,452 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
100% |
| Admission Rate |
100% |
| Retention Rate |
100% |
| Students Enrolled |
104,919 |
| Institution Type |
Online Private University |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
100% |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
#2 California BSN Nursing Program
California State University-Fullerton
California State University-Fullerton’s practice model teaches students to practice as members of a collaborative team. This model helps maximize the health of human beings in diverse communities. Their evidence-based teaching strategies help students achieve the student learning outcomes and prepares them to be RNs.
Average Tuition
In-State: $6,976
Out-of-State: $18,856
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$6,976 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$18,856 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
98.67% |
| Admission Rate |
59.4% |
| Retention Rate |
87% for full-time students,
62% for part-time students |
| Students Enrolled |
35,401 |
| Institution Type |
Public University |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
5% |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the CCNE |
#3 California BSN Nursing Program
California State University-Bakersfield-BSN
California State University-Bakersfield provides high-quality education to prepare students for their nursing careers by incorporating biological, physical, and social sciences with a variety of specialties.
CSU offers a traditional BSN program that takes one year of prerequisites and three years of focused nursing courses to complete. In addition to this, they also offer an RN to BSN program that is all online and designed for ADN nurses to complete their BSN.
Average Tuition
In-State: $7,579
Out-of-State: $19,459
Show More
| Average In-State Tuition |
$7,579 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition |
$19,459 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 2022 |
98.36% |
| Admission Rate |
85.2% |
| Retention Rate |
75% for full-time students,
34% for part-time students |
| Students Enrolled |
9,367 |
| Institution Type |
Public University |
| Percent Online Enrollment |
Not given |
| Accreditation |
Yes-by the CCNE |
How to Choose a Nursing Program in California
When choosing a nursing program in California, you will want to look at the NCLEX-RN pass rates, admission and retention rates, and job placement rates. Programs with a high NCLEX-RN pass rate shows that they provide their students with the tools and support to succeed and prepare them well to be RNs. You also want to consider the cost of the program and scholarship opportunities, as a BSN program usually takes longer to complete. However, most ADN programs require you to meet your general education requirements before entering the program, so make sure you know what is required before entering the program.
Accreditation is also an important piece when choosing a nursing program. Programs that have undergone the accreditation process must meet specific standards to be accredited, and some state boards of nursing may only accept programs that are accredited. If you are considering continuing your education, some schools may only transfer the credits earned while receiving your RN if it was from an accredited program. Additionally, some employers may only hire nurses who have completed their degrees through an accredited program.
Why Become a Nurse in California
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, California not only employs the largest number of nurses in the nation at 325,620, but also ranks number one for the highest wages for nurses, with a mean annual salary of $133,340.
California is also a desirable state to live in. California is known for its pleasant weather, beautiful beaches, breathtaking national parks, and cultural diversity. There is something for everyone to enjoy in California.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in California
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the annual wage for nurses in California is $133,340, well above the national average of $66,784. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) earn a mean wage of $158,130.
The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, with about 203,200 openings for registered nurses projected each year. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transferred to different occupations or who left the labor workforce to retire.
| Top Paying California Cities for RNs |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA |
$164,760 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA |
$160,020 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA |
$158,340 |
Citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, at https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home (visited February 25, 2022).
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in California
Candidates can take multiple steps and paths to become an RN and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Each candidate must complete a program approved by the California Board of Nursing. There are currently over 100 nursing programs in California, including both ADN and BSN programs. Upon completing an approved nursing program, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
After gaining experience as an RN, some nurses return to school to obtain their APRN. After you have completed an APRN program, you will need to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) exam.
Each nursing license has specific requirements that need to be met to maintain your licensure. The table below outlines the steps to become an RN or APRN and the necessary licenses to maintain.
RN Requirements
These are the steps to take to become an RN in California:
- Enroll in an Associate Degree in Nursing Program (ADN) OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN).
- An ADN program usually takes two years, while a BSN program usually takes four years. Courses can be taken in person or online. However, both programs may offer a part-time track that will take longer.
- After completing your chosen nursing program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam. In addition, you must submit your transcripts, proof of graduation, and
complete a criminal background check to the state board of nursing to receive your license.
- Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire on the last day of the month following your birth date.
- Once you’ve received your RN license for California, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education credits related to nursing every two years to maintain your license.
APRN Requirements
These are the steps to take to become an APRN in California:
- Candidates must hold an active RN license to practice in the state of California.
- RNs must have earned their BSN before entering an APRN program.
- RNs need to enter an accredited nursing program to earn their Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
- Once an APRN program has successfully been completed, you will be required to pass a certification exam for one of the following roles:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Certified Registered Anesthetist
- APRNs are not required to complete additional continuing education beyond the 30 hours needed for their RN license in California.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in California
Is California a good place for nurses to work?
California is a great place to work. It offers the highest wages for nurses nationwide and employs the most nurses compared to any other state. This state also contains some of the top-rated hospitals in the country, including the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital in Stanford, and UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco.
Is California a compact state for nursing?
No, California is not currently a compact state for nursing. Therefore, to practice nursing in California, you must apply for a nursing license in that state.
What are the requirements for RNs in California?
To practice nursing in California, you must complete an approved nursing program and pass your NCLEX-RN exam. Once you have your nursing license, you must renew it every two years. Before renewing your RN license, you need to complete 30 hours of continuing education hours. Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, not two years, and will expire on the last day of the month following your birth date.
How much does a California RN license cost?
Upon graduating from a nursing program, you must sit for your NCLEX-RN exam and pass this to receive your California nursing license. The cost of the NCLEX-RN exam in California is $350. It costs $190 to renew your California nursing license.
