Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in California

California has a plethora of incredible state schools, and residents can take advantage of lower in-state tuition. California State University, Bakersfield, is no exception. Located roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cal State Bakersfield has the feel of a college town.

The nursing program offers plenty of options for undergraduate students, including a traditional BSN and a 15-month RN-to-BSN. Like most California schools, Cal State Bakersfield has a high NCLEX pass rate and is a nationally recognized university. 

Located just north of Anaheim is another excellent school in the CSU system, California State University, Fullerton. Home to nearly 40,000 students, this ethnically diverse school has a low in-state tuition rate and a great location. Students interested in a BSN have five options: 

• Traditional BSN: The traditional BSN route is perfect for direct-entry freshman students
• Upper Division Transfer BSN: This pathway is for upper-division transfer students who are interested in earning a BSN
• Accelerated BSN: CSUF has one of the top ABSN programs in California for students with non-nursing bachelor's degrees
• RN to BSN: CSU Fullerton offers a quick, cheaper route for ADN-educated RNs to earn a BSN
• LVN to BSN: This LVN to BSN program helps LVNs advance their careers and education, earning a BSN that prepares them for the NCLEX exam and RN licensure

Considered by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top public schools, the University of California, Irvine is an all-around high-quality school. UC Irvine has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity, and graduates tend to have higher salaries than the national average for recent grads.

The main undergraduate nursing program – a traditional BSN – also boasts high graduate employment and salaries, but only 2.5% of all applicants are admitted. If students are lucky enough to count themselves among those selected, they’ll be set up for an incredibly successful nursing career.

California State University, Long Beach is home to beautiful beaches and beaches, along with one of the top nursing programs in the state. CSULB’s nursing program has a lofty goal of becoming the premier nursing program, so nursing students can rest assured that they’re getting one of the best educations available. The university offers BSN and MSN programs. There are two main BSN routes students may take:

• Traditional BSN
• RN to BSN

The NCLEX pass rate of the recent graduating class speaks to the student outcomes.  

Los Angeles, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, is home to various hospitals where California State University, Los Angeles nursing students can complete their clinicals.

There are four programs for undergraduate nursing students:

• Traditional BSN: for direct-entry freshmen
• RN-BSN: A one-year program for ADN-educated RNs
• ADN-BSN Collaborative Program: a dual enrollment program with local junior colleges that facilitates seamless entry into Cal State LA
• Accelerated BSN: for those with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field

One of the most recognized institutions in the world is the University of California, Los Angeles. So, it should be no surprise that UCLA is also home to one of the top nursing schools in California. UCLA has one traditional BSN program that is for incoming freshman and transfer students.

Most students will be interested in earning their BSN before anything else, although the master’s and doctoral level degrees offered by UCLA are among the top in the state, too. The price is higher than other state schools, but in-state students will still pay a lower tuition rate. 

Located in the state capitol, California State University, Sacramento is one of the most diverse schools in the nation. Students come from across California – and the US – to study at Sac State. One of the university’s top draws is the traditional BSN program, perfect for incoming freshmen that don’t have any nursing experience. An RN-BSN program and an LVN to BSN program are also available for current nurses that want to complete a BSN. Along with other state schools, Sac State is an excellent value for California residents, and they boast one of the highest NCLEX pass rates on this list.

San Diego State University, home of the Aztecs, has been educating students since 1897. Now home to more than 36,000 students, SDSU has entrenched itself as one of the top public schools in California. The nursing school at SDSU has four main programs:

• Traditional BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN
• LVN-RN

UCSF offers a traditional BSN and an accelerated MSN. This three-year MSN program is for current bachelor’s degree holders who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Keep in mind that the tuition rate can change depending on which nursing option you choose. 

California State University, Stanislaus has two campuses – one in Turlock and the other in Stockton. Of course, not all students will study on campus. There are four BSN options:

• Traditional BSN
• Accelerated BSN: for students who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
• LVN-BSN
• Online RN-BSN

When it’s time for clinicals, CSU Stanislaus states that students will be placed “as far south as Madera and as far north as Stockton.” This is meant to give nurses extra exposure and more experience. Of course, the low tuition and high NCLEX pass rate are reasons to look at CSU Stanislaus, too.