Nursing Schools in California
The top nursing schools in California will help to provide academic opportunity for college-bound students to navigate a variety of degrees. Nursing degree options found with California colleges include a variety of certificate programs, associate degrees in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), master of science in nursing (MSN), doctorate degrees in nursing science (DNSc), and PhD programs. Additionally, students have the ability to upskill from one degree to another as evidenced in a second degree BSN, RN to BSN, or LPN to BSN program. An array of specialty degree options are also avaialbe from dozens of accredited universities that may include nurse anesthetist and family practice nurse. The time it takes to complete a degree will wholly depend upon your degree path coupled with the school’s accreditation requirements. Undergraduate degree programs will generally take two to four years to complete. Prior to submitting your application for a nursing license from the California Nursing Board, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Explore a full list of programs below or search for the best nursing school in California with our award-winning search platform today.
Browse Nursing Schools in California By Type
- (LVN) Licensed Vocational Nurse (79 Schools)
- (ADN-RN) Registered Nurse (87 Schools)
- (BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (45 Schools)
- (MSN) Master of Science in Nursing (28 Schools)
Top Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Programs in California By Number of Graduates
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs usually take 9 - 12 months to complete and you would have to pass a licensing exam prior to being licensed in the state. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of LVN program students enrolled.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Unitek College | Request Info |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | Request Info |
| Career Care Institute | Request Info |
| American Career College - Ontario | Request Info |
| American Career College - Los Angeles | Request Info |
| American Career College - Anaheim | Request Info |
| Kaplan College - San Diego | |
| Career Networks Institute | Request Info |
| Casa Loma College - School of Nursing and Allied Health | Request Info |
| Kaplan College - Sacramento Campus | |
| CES College | Request Info |
| Stanbridge University | Request Info |
| Downey Adult School | |
| Kaplan College - Vista | |
| North - West College - Riverside | Request Info |
| Angeles Institute | |
| Pacific College | Request Info |
| American Career College at St. Francis | Request Info |
| Blake Austin College | Request Info |
| Western Career College - San Jose |
Top Associate Level Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in California By Number of Graduates
The minimum degree requirement to become a Registered Nurse is to obtain an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, which usually takes about 2 years to complete. You would also have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam prior to being state licensed. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in the program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Fresno City College | Request Info |
| Kaplan College - San Diego | |
| Riverside Community College | Request Info |
| Bakersfield College | Request Info |
| Pasadena City College | Request Info |
| Antelope Valley College | Request Info |
| College of the Canyons | Request Info |
| East Los Angeles College | Request Info |
| Mt San Antonio College | Request Info |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Request Info |
| Modesto Junior College | Request Info |
| Saddleback College | Request Info |
| Unitek College | Request Info |
| El Camino College | Request Info |
| Golden West College | Request Info |
| Santa Ana College | Request Info |
| Grossmont College | Request Info |
| Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health | Request Info |
| Butte College | Request Info |
| Long Beach City College | Request Info |
Top Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in California By Number of Graduates
See the top schools offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. A BSN program usually takes 4 years to complete, and a licensing exam (NCLEX) is also required. Some of these schools may also offer a RN to BSN bridge programs. The top 10 schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their BSN program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Samuel Merritt University | Request Info |
| West Coast University - Los Angeles | Request Info |
| West Coast University - Orange County | Request Info |
| Azusa Pacific University | Request Info |
| West Coast University - Ontario | Request Info |
| California State University - Fullerton | Request Info |
| National University | Request Info |
| California State University - East Bay | Request Info |
| San Francisco State University | Request Info |
| California State University - Sacramento | Request Info |
| California State University - Long Beach | Request Info |
| California State University - Dominguez Hills | Request Info |
| Mount St. Mary's College | Request Info |
| California State University - San Marcos | Request Info |
| San Diego State University | Request Info |
| University of San Francisco | Request Info |
| California State University - Fresno | Request Info |
| San Jose State University | Request Info |
| Loma Linda University | Request Info |
| California State University - San Bernardino | Request Info |
Top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs in California By Number of Graduates
Getting your Master of Science in Nursing will take about 5-7 years from start to finish. You would still need to take a exam prior to being fully licensed to practice in the state. The schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their Master's program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| California State University - Long Beach | Request Info |
| University of California - San Francisco | Request Info |
| California State University - Fullerton | Request Info |
| Azusa Pacific University | Request Info |
| California State University - Dominguez Hills | Request Info |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Request Info |
| San Francisco State University | Request Info |
| California State University - Fresno | Request Info |
| Samuel Merritt University | Request Info |
| California State University - Los Angeles | Request Info |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Request Info |
| Sonoma State University | Request Info |
| San Diego State University | Request Info |
| California State University - Sacramento | Request Info |
| United States University | Request Info |
| California State University - San Marcos | Request Info |
| California State University - San Bernardino | Request Info |
| Loma Linda University | Request Info |
| California Baptist University | Request Info |
| California State University - Stanislaus | Request Info |
Registered Nurses in California can make a salary between $70,000 to $139,000 per year. The list below shows registered nurse salaries in areas throughout California.
- Merced: $101,000
- El Centro: $82,000
- Yuba City: $85,000
- Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale: $100,000
- Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario: $98,000
Nurse's in California Compared to Median Income Averages
+149% Above State Median Income
+175% Above National Median Income
Nurse's in California take home an average 48.92 per hour. Annual earnings for Nurse's working in the State of California average $101,750 which is 149% above the state median income and 175% above the national median income for all occupations. Employment for a Nurse makes up just 0.08% of the working population in California and is limited due to the specific qualifications required along with the schooling involved in this career path. The increasing demand for qualified Nurses coupled with the educational barrier to enter the field is met with a steady supply of eager college graduates anxious to make a long-lasting impact in the lives of others in and around California.
Average Income for a Nurse in California
| Employment | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Nurse | 274,650 | $48.92 | $101,750 |
| State Average | 16,681,200 | $19.67 | $40,913.60 |
| National Average | 153,156,000 | $17.82 | $37,040 |
Source:
Graduate data is from the 2013-2014 school year.
IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.