Are you an aspiring nurse wishing to study in one of the top nursing schools in California? This page contains the information that you have been looking for regarding these schools including the programs offered by each school.
Whether you are a registered nurse (RN) looking forward to obtaining your BSN degree, or you already have a BSN degree and now want to further your education and expertise, there are lots of good nursing schools in California where you can achieve this. We have listed them in this post. If you want to enroll in a BSN, BSN-MSN, MSN, FNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, APN, Ph.D., or a certificate program, thoroughly go through these schools we listed to make your choice.
These nursing schools in California are all open to international students. In the USA, there are thousands of nursing schools where international students can study and earn their desired degrees, but you have to bear in mind that you will pay higher, sometimes two times what in-state citizens pay, and there are some things you should know before studying abroad.
Obtaining a BSN degree gives you more qualifications both in theory and practice and makes you more competitive and highly employable, think then of what a higher degree could do for you.
Top Nursing Schools in California
University of Califonia, Los Angeles
University of San Diego, San Diego
University of San Francisco, San Francisco
University of California, Davis
San Diego State University
The University of Califonia, Irvine
National University, San Diego
University of Califonia, San Francisco
Califonia State University, Long Beach
Point Loma Nazarene University
1. University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA School of Nursing has consistently been ranked among the top 20 nursing colleges in the nation by U.S News & World Report. It is a public nursing school founded in 1949. It is ranked the #14 best nursing school for Masters, and #16th best nursing school for Bachelors in the USA. The UCLA School of Nursing is honored both for the education it provides and the research it conducts. Currently, it is the #24th largest NIH Research Funding recipient among schools of nursing.
Programs: UCLA School of Nursing offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a 2-year Master of Science in Nursing program, a 2-year Master of Science to APRN program, a 4-year Doctor of Philosophy program, and a 2-year Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Application Fee: $120
Financial Aid: Four financial aid options are available: scholarships, loans, Grants, and Part-time student jobs. Here’s a quick tip: apply to work at UCLA and be eligible for discounts as an employee, or work at ASUCLA and get a 50% discount on-campus dining discount. Before you think of applying for these aids, you should first fill out the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). Make sure you complete the application before the deadline of April 2.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $12,264 (MSN), $12,522 (BSN), $12,264 (PhD), $9,829/quarter (DNP)
Admission Rate: 9%
Location: 700 Tiverton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
2. University of San Diego, San Diego
University of San Diego School of Nursing, Hahn School of Nursing is ranked in the top 10% best nursing school for Masters in the nation by U.S News & World Report, and the 6th best nursing school in California by Nurse Journal.
Programs: Nursing programs offered at the University of San Diego School of Nursing include certificate programs, Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.
Application Fee: $50
Financial Aid: Scholarships, Loans, and grants are also available, but first, you must complete the FAFSA form on the school’s scholarship page to be considered for these funds.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: ranges from $25,000 to $141,000 depending on degree and specialization.
Admission Rate: 38%
Location: 5998 Alcalá ParkSan Diego, CA 92110.
3. University of San Francisco, San Francisco
The University of San Franciso School of Nursing and Health Professions is a public university that has been providing nursing education for 70 years now since its establishment in ii954. USF School of Nursing and Health Sciences is ranked among the top 10% of all nursing schools in the nation for their undergraduate and Master’s Programs.
Programs: USFF Nursing School offers three undergraduate program majors, a BSN-MSN (Dual Degree) program, a BSN program, and a BS (Public Health) program, five master’s programs, four Doctoral programs, and two non-degree programs and certificates. Students in our graduate programs have the opportunity to gain clinical practice in more than 200 of the Bay Area’s top healthcare organizations.
Application Fee: $105
Financial Aid: School of Nursing & Health Professions Scholarships, external scholarship opportunities, financial aid for undocumented students, and federal loans. The first step for applying for any of these aids is to register and submit your FAFSA.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $29,610 (Masters), $25,360 (Doctorate), $27,990 (DClinPsych)
Admission Rate: 23%
Location: 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117.
4. University of Califonia, Davis
UC Davis School of Nursing, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing is among the leading nursing schools in California, and it is well known for its innovative research, education, and practice. it is ranked as the 23rd best school for master’s programs in the nation by U.S News & World Report.
Programs: Master’s Entry program in nursing, M.H.S. physician assistant program, DNP-FNP program., Ph. D program.
Application Fee: $135
Financial Aid: Available.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $43,058 (DNP), $39,852 -summer, $29,889 -fall, (DNP-FNP), $14,567 (Ph.D.)
Admission Rate: 25%
Location: 2570 48th St, Sacramento, CA 95817.
5. San Diego State University
San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Nursing is another great nursing school in California. It is currently ranked the #5th best nursing school in the state with a high NCLEX pass rate of 90.67%. SDSU School of Nursing provides innovative community engagement opportunities with regional hospitals, clinics, schools, and healthcare agencies to advance student learning and workforce development.
Programs: BS programs (direct and transfer), RN-BS Program, two MSN programs (APN and Leadership in Health Care Systems), and an Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults & the Elderly program.
Application Fee: $70
Financial Aid: FAFSA and Dream Act Aid are available. You can visit the school’s website for proper guidance on how to apply.
Accreditation: American Association of Colleges and Nursing.
Annual Tuition: $5,742(in-state), $17,622(out-of-state)
Admission Rate: 35%
Location: 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182.
6. The University of California, Irvine
UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing is one of the top nursing schools in California that provides quality education built upon scholarly research and evidence-based practice in an environment that nurtures the desire to drive improvement continually.
Programs: Nursing programs offered at UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing include BSN programs, Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, DNP programs (Post-Masters), DNP-FNP programs, Doctor of Philosophy programs, and UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program.
Application Fee: The fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all international applicants.
Financial Aid: available for nursing students are the Elizabeth C. Tierney Nursing Scholarship, Mary Hannacker Scholarship, Feizel & Dorothy Wafarn MEPN in Maternal Health, and several other scholarships.
Accreditation: Western Association Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Annual Tuition: $12,522 (undergraduate), $12,264 (graduate)
Admission Rate: about 25%
Location: 510 E. Peltason Drive, Irvine, CA 92697
7. National University San Diego
The National University San Diego School of Nursing is a top-rated private nursing school. The school integrates person-centered principles into the curriculum for all of its healthcare programs and it is the first academic institution in the world to achieve this. National University San Diego School of Nursing offers both online and offline certificates and programs.
Programs: BSN, RN-BSN, Undergraduate Certificates, MSN, FNP (postgraduate) programs, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (postgraduate), Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership.
Application Fee: $0
Financial Aid: FAFSA of $692 to $6895, Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship, Transfer to Success Scholarship, the Collegiate Honor Award, the Presidential Tuition Scholarship, and the Veterans’ Victory Scholarship
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Annual Tuition:
Admission Rate: about 25%
Location: 9388 Lightwave Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
8. University of California, San Francisco
UCSF Nursing School is public and it ranked as the #10 best nursing school in or masters program in the whole of California by US. The UCSF School of Nursing’s dedicated nurse scientists, clinicians, students, and staff share a common drive to make the world a better place.
Programs: BSN Entry to DNP (Advanced Nursing Focus), post-master’s Entry to DNP, Ph.D. (Nursing Doctoral Program, and Social Doctoral Program), MS Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership, UC Psychiatric Mental Health NP Certificate.
Application Fee: $105 and $125 for international students.
Financial Aid: University grants & scholarships, outside scholarships, loans, work-study, veterans benefits, Housing, food & transportation, and Emergency funding.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Annual Tuition: $12,852 (in-state), $25,097 (out-of-state)
Admission Rate: 23%
Location: 500 Parnassus Ave MU-201W, San Francisco, CA 94143.
9. California State University, Long Beach
California State University Long Beach (CSULB) School of Nursing is a large public and great nursing school with a 10,600-square-foot nursing building containing several classrooms and laboratories for clinical practicals. This clinic provides preventative health care education to parents of students throughout the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.
Programs: BSN program, RN-BSN program ( online and on-campus options), Step-Up Bridge program, and BS to DNP programs.
Application Fee: $70
Financial Aid: University grants & scholarships, outside scholarships, loans, work-study, veterans benefits, Housing, food & transportation aids, and Emergency funding.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Annual Tuition: $16,392
Admission Rate: 47%
Location: 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90840.
10. Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) School of Nursing offers a conducive environment to its students so they can explore and provide optimal healthcare through hands-on experience and research. PLNU School of Nursing also offers various pathways to suit your educational goals and specialties.
Programs: BSN programs, LVN to BSN RN to BSN (both online and hybrid), MSN programs, DNP programs, and Post-Graduate Certificate Programs.
Application Fee: $55
Financial Aid: Loans, federal work-study, grants, and scholarships.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $22,650 per semester
Admission Rate: 84%
Location: 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106.
Other Top Nursing Schools Worth Mentioning
West Coast University, Ontario
Califonia State University, Fullerton
Califonia State University, San Marcos
Vanguard University of Southern Califonia
Biola University, La Marida
Califonia Baptist University
Azusa Pacific University, Azusa
California State University, Fresno
Vanguard University of Southern California
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles.
Conclusion
There are plenty of nursing schools in California and finding the best of them can be daunting and time-consuming, that is why we have helped you solve this potential difficulty by surfing the internet and bringing together the top 20 nursing schools in California in one post. Kindly go through them and find what suits you, also bear in mind that you need to visit the website of any school you have an interest in for updated information.
FAQs -Top Nursing Schools in California
How Long does it take to get a BSN Degree in California?
It takes 4 years to get a BSN Degree in California. This degree gives you more qualifications and makes you more competitive for employment in higher nursing settings.