Best Nursing Schools California
A registered nurse (RN) is an important position in any healthcare setting. RNs are in high demand in California, with nurses earning the highest salary in the state.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are well more than 30,000 registered nurses working in hospitals and clinics across California.
The report shows that RNs in California earn as much as US$ 113,000 annually on average. Various reports have predicted an incredible rise in demand for nurses in California between 2020 and 2035.
This bodes extremely well for aspiring nurses looking to join nursing schools in the state.
Best Nursing Schools in California
To make the decision easier for you, we’ve shortlisted around eight top nursing schools in the state of California.

Best Nursing Schools California
1 – California State University, Bakersfield
California has numerous nursing schools across the state. It also boasts of the lowest in-state tuition for nursing courses in the United States. The California State University, Bakersfield is the top choice for nursing schools in the state.
It is located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This gives it a college-town feel. The nursing program offers numerous options for undergraduate students.
You can choose the conventional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
You can also enroll in its RN-to-BSN course of 15 months. Similar to other renowned nursing schools, the University of California, Bakersfield has a noticeably high NCLEX passing rate. It is also a nationally recognized university.
Highlights of University of California, Bakersfield
- Annual in-state tuition – US$ 7,499
- NCLEX passing rate – 92%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
2 – California State University, Fullerton
The California State University, Fullerton campus is located just north of Anaheim. This is one of the top nursing schools not just in California but also in the United States.
It houses more than 40,000 students and is ethnically diverse. This nursing school offers low in-state tuition and a quiet location.
There are two main options for students who are pursuing nursing courses. You can get enrolled in the direct-entry BSN course or you can choose to study the conventional BSN degree course.
The direct-entry BSN course is aimed at incoming freshmen. This course provides you with a nursing degree in your freshman year.
The conventional CSUF course is aimed at current students who plan to become registered nurses. This course admits only 5 to 10 students per year, making it a significantly tougher program in terms of getting admission.
Highlights of California State University, Fullerton
- Annual in-state tuition – US$ 6,797
- NCLEX passing rate – 55%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
3 – University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine is an all-around high-quality nursing school. It is ranked as one of the top public schools by the US News & World Report.
This school is renowned for its commitment to diversity. Apart from this, graduates from this school are also likely to get higher-paying employment than the national average.
The major undergraduate nursing course in the school is the conventional BSN degree course.
Although only about 2.5% of applicants get enrolled in this course, the graduates tend to get better employment with higher salaries.
If you manage to get enrolled in this school, you can expect a fruitful and successful career in nursing.
Highlights of University of California, Irvine
- Annual in-state tuition – US$ 11,442
- NCLEX passing rate – 07%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
4 – California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach also offers one of the top nursing programs in the state. The school boasts of a premier nursing course. This assures students that they get the best nursing education available in the country.
The school mainly offers the conventional BSN and MSN courses. The BSN course includes three different track options – a traditional track, an RN-to-BSN track and an accelerated course option. This nursing school also boasts of one of the highest NCLEX pass rates for its graduates.
Highlights of California State University, Long Beach
- Annual in-state tuition – US$ 6,850
- NCLEX passing rate – 25%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
5 – California State University, Los Angeles
The California State University, Los Angeles remains one of the most sought-after nursing schools in the state. The school is close to numerous large and renowned hospitals in Log Angeles.
The school offers an accelerated BSN course for non-RNs, which is certainly unique as compared to other nursing schools.
This nursing program is aimed at bachelor’s degree holders and recently-graduated candidates. You can complete this course in just 15 months. In the end, students are more than ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN test.
Highlights of California State University, Los Angeles
- Annual in-state tuition – US$6,782
- NCLEX passing rate – 4%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
6 – California State University, Sacramento
The California State University, Sacramento campus is one of the most diverse nursing schools in the state. Tens of thousands of students from across California and the United States enroll in Sacramento State University.
The school attracts top-scoring students from across the country. It offers one of the best BSN programs. This is designed for freshmen without any prior nursing experience.
Its RN-to-BSN course is also available for currently-employed nurses who wish to complete their degree. The school also boasts of one of the highest NCLEX pass rates too.
Highlights of California State University, Sacramento
- Annual in-state tuition – US$7,392
- NCLEX passing rate – 53%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
7 – San Diego State University
The San Diego State University was established back in 1897. It teaches more than 36,000 students annually. It is also one of California’s top public schools today.
The nursing school at SDSU offers four main nursing programs – BSN, RN-to-BSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and an LVN-RN course.
The SDSU also offers it is nursing students an option to study abroad, which is certainly very rare. It also boasts of a low in-state tuition rate with an exceptional NCLEX passing rate.
Highlights of San Diego State University
- Annual in-state tuition – US$8,136
- NCLEX passing rate – 91%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – No
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
8 – California State University, Stanislaus
The California State University, Stanislaus has campuses at Turlock and Stockton. The school offers four main options for those pursuing a nursing course. You can choose between an RN-BSN, an online RN-BS, an LVN-BSN or a conventional BSN course.
Students in this school are known to get in-depth experience through the school’s clinical programs. The school’s low in-state tuition and high NCLEX passing rate also attract thousands of students here.
Highlights of California State University, Stanislaus
- Annual in-state tuition – US$7,644
- NCLEX passing rate – 21%
- Conventional nursing course – Yes
- Online classes – Yes
- Accelerated course – Yes
- Bridge – Yes
Conclusion
This is our list of the top nursing schools in the state of California. Make sure to do your research before selecting any of the above-given options.
You can compare these schools according to priority and then select the best-suited one.
For detailed information about nursing courses and other relevant information, feel free to visit the specific nursing school’s official website.
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FAQs
What is the #1 nursing school in California? ›
What is the number 1 nursing program in California? U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of California-San Francisco as the top nursing school in the state.
Which nursing program is easiest to get into in California? ›San Diego State University School of Nursing As One of the Easiest Nursing Schools to get into in California. The School of Nursing was established as a baccalaureate program within San Diego State University in 1953, with a Master's program being added in 1982.
Which CSU nursing programs are not impacted? ›Currently, six campuses are not impacted, says Grommo. These are CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU East Bay, Cal Maritime and Stanislaus State.
What is the #1 nursing school in the US? ›#1: Duke University
The National League for Nursing has designated the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) a Center of Excellence on six separate occasions. The school consistently ranks among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's top MSN and DNP programs.
- Pathophysiology. In this course, students learn how different anatomical systems work and how diseases or injuries affect these systems. ...
- Pharmacology. ...
- Medical Surgical 1 (also known as Adult Health 1) ...
- Evidence-Based Practice.
RNs in California make the top salaries in the nation, earning 49.8% higher than the national average. California RNs earn an average yearly salary of $124,000 and an average hourly pay rate close to $60.
What is the quickest RN program? ›An associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) are the two most common fast track options. With each of these ways to receive nursing instruction, they require passing the NCLEX licensure examination.
What is the easiest RN program to get into? ›- B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN) Western Governors University. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN-to-BSN Purdue University Global. ...
- BS - Nursing RN to BSN Online at Arizona State University. ...
- RN to BSN Utica University.
Health Assessment: the hardest semester of nursing school
Health assessment will likely be one of the initial courses you'll take in nursing school, and it involves delving into the various body systems and learning how to assess patients from head to toe.
California has the worst nursing shortage in the United States. It's predicted that by 2030, California will be in need of over 44,000 nurses. Other states with major hospital staff shortages include New Mexico, Vermont, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Arizona.
What Cal State is best for nursing? ›
- University of California--Los Angeles.
- University of California--Davis.
- University of California--Irvine.
- University of San Diego.
- University of San Francisco.
- California State University--Fullerton.
- University of Southern California.
- California State University--Los Angeles.
There's a rumor circulating on the internet that The Guinness Book of Work Records has declared a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing to be the toughest of all bachelor's degrees to obtain. There's no truth to this claim.
What state are nurses the happiest? ›- Minnesota (Quality of life ranking #2, Hospital rating by nurses 86%)
- Wisconsin (Quality of life ranking #3, Hospital rating by nurses 88%)
- Oregon (Quality of life ranking #18, Hospital rating by nurses inconclusive)
Health Assessment and Promotion is one of the most important classes you take in nursing school. Having a firm grasp on the fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology will prove helpful as you navigate your way through Health Assessment and Promotion.
Which field of nursing is hardest? ›- Intensive Care Unit nurses (ICU) ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment and these nurses work with patients who have significant injuries and disease with added morbidity risks. ...
- Emergency Department nurses. ...
- Neonatal ICU. ...
- OR nursing. ...
- Oncology Nursing. ...
- Psychiatric Nursing.
- Social Sciences (Intro Psychology, Sociology, etc.)
- Humanities.
- Intro to Speech (or Communication)
- English Composition.
- History.
- Using Information Technology.
- Oncology. There's no surprise that this specialty is near the top of the list. ...
- Hospice. ...
- Medical-Surgical. ...
- Geriatric Care. ...
- Emergency Room. ...
- Psychiatry. ...
- Correctional Nursing.
- Gento. 4.4 $90.16per hour. 33 reviews481 salaries reported.
- Stanford Health Care. 3.9 $82.13per hour. 840 reviews85 salaries reported.
- John Muir Health. 3.9 $78.95per hour. ...
- Aya Healthcare. 4.2 $74.12per hour. ...
- UCSF Medical Center. 4.1 $71.92per hour. ...
- Show more companies.
1. San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara, CA. The San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara, California, metro area pays RNs the highest-average salary in the United States. According to BLS data, RNs in San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara metro area make $155,230 annually, which is $72,480 higher than the national average.
What type of RN gets paid the most? ›- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $202,000.
- Nursing Administrator – $120,000.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse – $120,000.
- General Nurse Practitioner – $118,000.
- Critical Care Nurse – $118,000.
- Certified Nurse Midwife – $114,000.
- Informatics Nurse – $102,000.
Can I study nursing for one year? ›
The One Year Higher Certificate in Nursing (R169) is a one year programme. The objective of this programme is to prepare a nurse practitioner who will be able to demonstrate basic nursing care in all Health Care settings.
Is adn the same as RN? ›Is an ADN the same as an RN? An ADN is a two-year nursing degree that leads to becoming an RN. The RN credential is more than holding the degree: It includes earning an RN diploma, ADN, or BSN degree, passing the NCLEX, and completing state licensing requirements.
Can I study nursing for 6 months? ›Six month In-service Certificate programmes/short courses
As an enrolled nurse (EN) or registered nurse (RN), you can develop your career by specialising in one or more fields of health care.
- School Nurse. ...
- Labor and Delivery Nurse. ...
- Case Management Nurse. ...
- Nurse Educator. ...
- Parish Nurse. ...
- Travel Nurse.
Licensed Vocational or Practical Nurse
Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are some of the lowest-paid nursing roles, but that is due to the fact that the educational requirements are less than most other types of nurses.
Critical care nursing is typically seen as the most stressful nursing job and is associated with the highest rate of burnout among nurses. In fact, according to a report published by the Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC), critical care nurses have the highest rates of burnout syndrome among their colleagues.
What state has the easiest nursing school? ›- South Dakota State University. South Dakota State University has been educating nurses at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels for over 80 years. ...
- Cox College. ...
- Illinois State University. ...
- Regis university. ...
- Drexel university.
- Maine: 1-2 weeks.
- Maryland: 2-3 days.
- Missouri: 2 weeks.
- Nevada: 1-2 weeks.
- North Carolina: 1-2 weeks.
- North Dakota: 1-2 weeks.
- Texas: 2 weeks.
- Vermont: 3-5 business days.
Most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA or higher. Some set their limit at a 3.0 GPA. This is important to find out during the research phase of your accelerated nursing program search.
How many hours a day should you study while in nursing school? ›Everyone is different, but in general, it is recommended that nursing school students study anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. Committing class material to memory is essential to becoming a registered nurse, so the more time studying, the better!
Why do nursing students drop out? ›
The most recurrent themes regarding the reasons behind BSN drop-out were: understanding that they were not suited to be nurses, perception of missing/lack of psychological, physical and practical resources needed to successfully cope with both nursing school and the nursing profession, inconsistencies between the image ...
Is the Nclex harder than nursing school? ›Unlike nursing school exams, which test for knowledge, the NCLEX tests your ability to apply and analyze situations using the nursing knowledge you gained in school. Logic and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization, are emphasized in this test—making it much more difficult and comprehensive.
What is the average age of nurses? ›The median age of a registered nurse is 52 years old. 9.4% of the RN and 8.1% of the LPN/LVN workforce are men. The number of male nurses has tripled over the past 50 years. In the Pacific region of the U.S., 30.5% of nurses are people of color, the largest percentage in the country.
Which area of nursing is the least stressful? ›- Nurse Educators. ...
- Institutional Nurses. ...
- Research Nurses. ...
- Public Health Nurses. ...
- Occupational Health Nurses. ...
- Case Management Nurses. ...
- Home Health Nurses. ...
- Clinic Nurses.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist. Average: $195,610/year. ...
- Dean of nursing. Average: $188,778/year. ...
- General nurse practitioner. Average: $120,680/year. ...
- Certified nurse midwife. ...
- Gerontological nurse practitioner. ...
- Family nurse practitioner. ...
- School nurse. ...
- Nurse educator.
Becoming a Registered Nurse is a solid career choice when it comes to job security, salary potential, and fulfillment. For nurses who plan to work in California, the rewards and opportunities are even more promising. The average registered nurse salary in California is often higher than any other state!
Why do nurses make so much in California? ›High demand, the high cost of living and union power underlie the higher salaries of California's registered nurses. Burger said the nurse's union has also played a role in assuring that nurses have access to pension plans and that they retire with health benefits.
Which Cal State is the hardest to get into? ›The hardest Cal State to get into is the Cal Poly San Luis, Obispo. It has an acceptance rate of 28%, the lowest among CSUs. It also has the highest average SAT score requirement of 1340 and an average ACT score of 29, also the highest among the CSUs.
Which nursing is the most stressful? ›The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
Is nursing harder than stem? ›While other STEM majors, such as engineering and biology, may rank higher in difficulty level and student GPA averages than nursing does, this does not mean that nursing school is a walk in the park. Nursing is a highly competitive field to which many are currently flocking.
Is nursing school harder than med school? ›
However, don't take it for granted that nursing school will be much easier than medical school, especially in an accelerated format. Both offer a unique set of challenges and demand the utmost in student commitment and work rate. When comparing the different benefits offered through nursing school vs.
Can you live comfortably as a RN? ›The short answer Heck YES. the longer answer: One of the nicest things about being a Nurse is that you can- within reason- also work overtime. So if there is something you want- you can actually earn a bit more money and put it aside for that.
Where is the best place to live as a nurse? ›- Atlanta, Georgia. ...
- Boston, Massachusetts. ...
- San Diego, California. ...
- Los Angeles, California. ...
- New York City, New York. ...
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ...
- San Antonio, Texas. ...
- El Paso, Texas.
Compassion is one of the most important qualities for every healthcare provider. We accept it is our responsibility to put patients first, not to cause harm, to deliver good medical care and to maintain confidentiality.
How do you get all A's in nursing school? ›- Follow the nursing exam study guide. ...
- Focus on the material covered in class. ...
- Think in terms of action, not facts. ...
- Form a study group. ...
- Skim-read first. ...
- Use outside sources. ...
- Know your learning style. ...
- Use downtime as study time.
When deciding on a school nurse to fill the needs of a school health office there are many qualities to look for to know the nurse will be able to handle the position: Caring nature. Empathetic. Keep detailed records.
What college in California has the best nursing program? ›- University of California--San Francisco.
- University of California--Los Angeles.
- University of California--Davis.
- University of California--Irvine.
- University of San Diego.
- University of San Francisco.
- California State University--Fullerton.
- University of Southern California.
- Johns Hopkins University.
- Duke University.
- Emory University.
- University of Pennsylvania.
- University of Washington.
- Columbia University.
- Ohio State University.
- University of Michigan--Ann Arbor.
1. University of San Francisco, San Francisco. About School of Nursing and Health Professions: In 1948, the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit institution of higher learning, implemented a program so that nurses at nearby St.
Which is the best school of nursing? ›- Mater school of nursing.
- Sokoto State college of nursing.
- Odumegwu ojukwu University teaching hospital, school of basic midwifery,nkpor.
- Oyo State school of nursing.
- Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital school of nursing.
- Ondo state school of nursing.
What is the highest paying nurse job in California? ›
General Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner salaries in the top 10th percentile can reach as high as $163,000. Some of the highest paying cities for Nurse Practitioners include: San Jose, CA (Average Salary: $197,870) Napa, CA (Average Salary: $184,700)
San Jose, CA and the surrounding area has average RN salaries of $155,230. This makes San Jose the highest-paying city for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the BLS). In the United States, the average salary for RNs is $82,750. Additionally, the median (50th percentile) is $77,600.
What are the happiest nurses? ›There are countless nursing specialties that one can choose from, especially given the ongoing nursing shortage. But Nurse.org found that nurse educators, home health nurses, nurse managers, OR-perioperative nurses, and pediatric nurses reported the highest levels of job satisfaction.
What is the most popular field of nursing? ›- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. ...
- Operating Room Nurses. ...
- Emergency Room Nurses. ...
- Pediatric Nurses. ...
- General Nurse Practitioners. ...
- Clinical Nurse Specialists. ...
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. ...
- Surgical Nurse Practitioner.
1. Florence Nightingale. Founder of Modern Nursing (1820 to 1920) The history of modern nursing started in 1849, when Florence Nightingale began her first formal nursing training at the Institute of St.
Who is the greatest nurse of all time? ›Florence Nightingale certainly holds the honor of being the most famous nurse on our list. She became a nurse in 1851 and traveled to Turkey to aid British soldiers during the Crimean War.
What is the easiest nursing school to pass? ›School | # of Nursing Students | BSN NCLEX 1st Time Pass Rate |
---|---|---|
Cox College | 236 | 90% |
D'Youville College | 259 | 85% |
Herzing University – Madison | 248 | 53% |
The University of Texas at El Paso | 445 | 98% |
If you're itching to enter the field, the fastest way to become a nurse would be taking the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) route. While you wouldn't actually be an RN, you could complete a Practical Nursing program and be well on your way to launching a nursing career in as few as 12 months.
Which nursing is the easiest? ›- Pre-op Nurse. About the Job: ...
- Travel Nurse. About the Job: ...
- School Nurse. About the Job: ...
- Occupational Health. About the Job: ...
- Assisted Living Facility. About the Job: ...
- Post-op Nurse. About the Job: ...
- Research Nurse. About the Job: ...
- Home Health RN. About the Job: