Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in California | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org's Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in California
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | $47,700 total | 12 months | CCNE |
| University of California - Irvine | $700 per credit hour | 2 years | CCNE |
| University of California - Davis | $131,451 total | 18 months | CCNE |
| University of San Diego | $124,250 total | 18 months | CCNE |
We're highlighting four direct-entry MSN programs in California. These programs are a mix of public and private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 12 and 24 months to complete, and they all come with that cherished California weather.
The MSN program through Charles R. Drew University in LA is meant to be a full-time program that will take students two years to complete. There are two starts every year:
- Fall semesters begin in August, with applications due by July 1st
- Spring semester starts in January with applications due by November 1st the preceding year
The program is heavily research-focused and in-person, so students can expect a heavy on-campus and hands-on curriculum. Clinical experiences are focused on nearby LA health facilities, including: the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and the Girl's Club of Los Angeles.
Program Highlights
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- School Type: Private
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- Research-focused, in-person curriculum
- Two admission cycles per year (Fall and Spring)
Non-Resident: $49,174.31/yr
This full-time, two-year program utilizes a high-tech clinical simulation to ensure that even students from a non-nursing background are ready and equipped to enter the nursing profession upon graduation.
Along with an on-campus simulation lab, the program places students at clinical sites in UCI Health and in the local community. With the emphasis on community, the MSN through CA-Irvine also gives students the option to take advantage of a special concentration in Community and Population Health, making the program an ideal one for anyone interested in getting involved at a public health level.
Program Highlights
- Location: Irvine, CA
- School Type: Public
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Concentration in Community and Population Health
- High-tech clinical simulation lab
- Clinical placements at UCI Health
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The UC Davis MSN program prepares students to become certified as public health nurses, in addition to their MSN degree. It is an accelerated, 18-month program that takes place in person, so students should be prepared for an intense, fast pace that includes summers, weekends, and evenings.
The program is full-time (part-time students are not allowed) and is expected to be completed in six terms. There's also a required on-campus orientation at the start of the summer semester where students can meet their professors, engage in networking, and learn more about the exciting work ahead.
Program Highlights
- Location: Sacramento, CA
- School Type: Public
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- Public health nurse certification included
- Full-time only, completed in six terms
The University of San Diego offers a unique feature that students in other programs may not ever get the chance to experience: paid, professional actors who participate in clinical simulations that allow students person-to-person training. The program also reflects USD's commitment to social justice, so students graduate with a strong background in compassion, cultural awareness, and community. Students attend this full-time program in four terms, with two admission cycles per year.
Program Highlights
- Location: San Diego, CA
- School Type: Public
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- Clinical simulations with professional actors
- Two admission cycles per year
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in California
Direct-entry MSN programs in California are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor's in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 16 months to a few years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in California. For instance, California does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual California hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in California
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN programs varies by program. The most affordable program is the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which comes in under $48,000. On the highest end of our list is UC Davis, coming in at $131,451 total.
The other two programs fall in the middle of the two, but you should also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in California
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in California differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in California will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in California Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in California are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in California
NP Salary in California
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that "the average wage for nurse practitioners in California is $173,190, or $83.26 per hour." This is much higher than the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year. California is currently the highest-paying state for NPs.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, California is home to 20,980 NPs.
Where Can You Work? APRN Jobs in California
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in California are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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