California offers an abundant assortment of educational opportunities for aspiring nurses. If you live in California and want to become a nurse, there are plenty of schools here to help you do just that. Before enrolling in one of these schools, though, you need to figure out which one is right for you. That is why we have created this list of the top 50 nursing programs in California, based on NCLEX pass rates and total annual cost of attendance. Read on to see if any of these schools has the degree you need.
Top 10 Best Nursing Programs in California
| School Name | NCLEX Pass Rate | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College | 98% | $5,563 |
| American River College | 95% | $5,539 |
| Victor Valley College | 95% | $5,549 |
| Golden West College | 92% | $5,577 |
| San Joaquin Delta College | 92% | $5,517 |
| Cerritos College | 88% | $5,539 |
| Mission College | 85% | $5,581 |
| Solano Community College | 84% | $5,551 |
| MiraCosta College | 100% | $5,771 |
| Los Angeles Harbor College | 98% | $5,839 |
For information about the data detailed below, please refer to the resource list at the bottom of this page.
Top 50 Best Nursing Programs in California 2023
1. Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is located in Santa Monica, CA. It made it to the top of our list because o its incredibly low cost of attendance and equally high NCLEX pass rate. The average in-state tuition for this school is $1,128 a year, but that increases significantly to $8,298 a year for out of state students. This school only has a graduation rate of 28%, but it has an average student population of 42,660. That means that nearly 12,000 students enrolling in this school make it to graduation each year.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,563
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
2. American River College
American River College in Sacremento, CA is a great nursing school for entry level nurses. It has a strong NCLEX pass rate and a low cost of attendance that just about anyone can afford. The average in-state tuition rate here is $1,104, and the average out of state tuition rate is $6,096. ARC has a graduation rate of 20% and a student population of 32,868. If you live in the area and want to become a licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, or nursing assistant, this school could help you do that.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,539
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: Certificate, ADN
3. Victor Valley College
Victor Valley College is situated in Victorville, CA. It is one of the few schools in the area that offers degree programs in nursing. The in-state tuition at VVC is $1,114 on average, and the out of state tuition average is $4,306. The graduation rate for this school is not great at 14%, but the NCLEX pass rate of 95% indicates that most nursing students from here come out with a license to practice. There is an average of 16,928 students in this school every year.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,549
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
5. Golden West College
Golden West College is located in beautiful Huntington Beach, CA. If the scenery around the school does not get you interested in attending, perhaps the cost of attendance will. The average in-state student at GWC pays $1,142 a year for tuition, and the average out of state student pays $5,294 a year. This school has a graduation rate of 29% and an average student population of 18,155.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,577
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
6. San Joaquin Delta College
San Joaquin Delta College is located in Stockton, CA. It is accredited by one of the most important national accreditation boards in the country when it comes to nursing education. The average in-state tuition rate for SJDC is $1,082, and the annual average for out of state students is $6,362. The graduation rate for this school is 26%, and the student population is 26,015. With 1 out of every four students graduating from this school at the end of their degrees, there is a good chance that you will do well here.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,517
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
7. Cerritos College
Located in Norwalk, CA, Cerritos College is a wonderful school for health science careers like nursing and certified medical assisting. This RN school in California has a low in-state tuition rate of $1,104 and a fairly low out of state tuition rate of $6,048. The graduation rate for CC averages out to be 22%, with the student population sitting at around 27,724 students per year. The associate’s degree program here takes less than two years to complete with full-time study.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,539
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
8. Mission College
Mission College is located in Santa Clara, CA, and it is home to about 16,238 students per year. The average in-state student at this school pays $1,146 a year in tuition while the average out of state student pays about $6,042. This school has a graduation rate of 25%, which means that one out of every four students here comes out with a degree. If you focus hard on your classes, you could soon be part of that graduating class.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,581
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 85%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
9. Solano Community College
Solano Community College is nestled in the heart of Fairfield, CA. This school offers low tuition rates and ample living solutions, making it a great place to go if you want an authentic college experience. The average in-state tuition for this school is $1,116, and the average out of state tuition is $7,026. The graduation rate at SCC is 18%, and the average student population is 16,207 per year.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,551
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 84%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
10. MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA. This school is one of the few on this list to have a 100% NCLEX pass rate, which means that every graduate from here who decides to take their licensure exam passes. Talk about a guaranteed great education! The average in state tuition at this school is $1,336 a year, and the average out of state tuition is about $5,228 per year. MCC boasts a graduation rate of 28% for its 21,722 students.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,771
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
11. Los Angeles Harbor College
Los Angeles Harbor College is located in Wilmington, CA. It has a fantastic NCLEX pass rate with nearly all of the students from the ADN program here passing their licensure exams on the first try. The average price for tuition here is $1,404 a year for California residents and $7,104 a year for everyone else. The school’s low graduation rate of 13% may seem scary, but keep in mind that that is for all degree programs, not just nursing. In total, this school has an average student population of 14,553.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,839
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
12. Palomar College
Palomar College in San Marcos, CA has a couple different degree programs to choose from as a nurse. Either one could lead you to an entry level position and bigger educational paths in the future. The average price for in state tuition at this school is $1,444, and the average cost for out of state tuition is $7,264. The graduation rate here is 27% for a student population of 35,407. Nearly all the nursing grads from PC end up getting their licenses after graduation.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,879
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: Diploma, ADN
13. San Diego City College
San Diego City College is fittingly located in San Diego, CA. This school has a relatively high student population, but it still manages to keep its prices low. The average in state student here pays $1,435 a year in tuition, and the average out of state student pays $7,135 a year. The graduation rate here is 11% and the student population is 24,688. Most students can complete the ADN program here in less than two years.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,870
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 97%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
14. Pasadena City College
As you may expect, Pasadena City College is located in Pasadena, CA. This school made it this far up on our list because of its outstanding NCLEX pass rate and low tuition costs. The average in state tuition for this school is just $1,200 a year while the average out of state tuition is $6,168. PCC has a higher graduation rate than most of the other schools on our list, with 37% making it out with a degree. In total, there is an average of 32,765 students in attendance here.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,635
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
15. Mendocino College
Mendocino College is a lesser-known college in Ukiah, CA that deserves far more attention than it gets. This school offers small classroom sizes, low tuition rates, high exam score averages, and much more. The average cost of tuition for an in state student here is $1,412 while the average price for an out of state student is $7,412. MC has a 17% graduation rate and a low student population of 5,928. If you are looking for some place quaint to learn, this is a great option to keep in mind.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,847
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
16. College of the Canyons
The College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, CA. This school is home to an average of 27,534 students, and many of them are enrolled in nursing degrees. There are three levels of degrees to choose from, and any one of them may be right for you. The average cost of tuition for in state students at this school is $1,204 while the average price for out of state students is $5,500. This learning institution has a graduation rate of 27%.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,639
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: Certificate, ADN, BSN
17. Butte College
Butte College is located in Oroville, CA. The school offers both a certificate and an associate’s degree in nursing, which means that you have the option to choose how far you go with your education. Butte College offers the following programs: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Licensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree Registered Nurse (LVN-RN), and Associate Degree Registered Nurse (RN). The average cost of tuition for California residents is $1,356 a year, and the average price for out of state students is $6,156 a year. This school has a graduation rate of 25% and a student population of 16,587.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,791
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 86%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: Certificate, ADN
18. College of the Desert
College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA. The temperatures in this area are fairly high throughout the year, but the education you get in that heat is top-notch. The average price of in state tuition here is $1,327 a year, and the average price for out of state tuition is $6,647. The graduation rate is 21% for a student population of 11,801. If you can stand a little heat, this is a wonderful school to attend.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,762
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 82%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
19. East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College is situated in Monterey Park, CA. It has a lower NCLEX pass rate than a lot of other schools on this list, but it makes up for that in low tuition rates. The average in-state student at this school pays $1,102 a year for their degree program, and the average out of state student pays $6,802 a year. With a graduation rate of 21% and a student population of 56,395, this school is a great option for any aspiring nurse.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,537
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 62%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
20. Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College is located in Walnut, CA. It has an average cost of in-state tuition at $1,162 and an average out of state tuition rate at $7,422 for one year. This school has a good graduation rate, with 31% of students making it to graduation. With an average of 36,309 students per year, this school is certainly a sight to see.
- Total Annual Cost*: $5,597
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 82%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
21. Sierra College
Sierra College is located in Rocklin, CA. It has a 100% NCLEX pass rate, which means that you are sure to get a great education if you go here for your associate’s degree. Most students are able to complete their schooling in under two years with full time scheduling. The price for in-state tuition here is usually around $1,125 per year, and the cost for out of state tuition is around $7,425. This school has a graduation rate of 27% and maintains a student population of 24,750.
- Total Annual Cost*: $12,260
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
22. California State University – Bakersfield
California State University – Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA, and it is one of the several branches of CSU to make it on our list. At this branch, most in state students spend about $6,709 a year on tuition, and most out of state students spend about $17,869 a year. The graduation rate for this branch is 39%, and the student population is a modest 9,496. If you live near the town of Bakersfield, this could be a great school for you.
- Total Annual Cost*: $19,931
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 97%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
23. California State University – Channel Islands
California State University – Channel Islands is obviously located in the Channel Islands, CA. This school has a better graduation rate than the Bakersfield branch, but it costs a little more money to attend. The average price for in-state tuition at this school is $6,316, and the average cost for out of state tuition is $17,476 a year. More than half of the students who enroll in this school come out with a degree, with a graduation rate of 51%. There are only 4,644 students at the Channel Islands branch of CSU.
- Total Annual Cost*: $20,951
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
24. California State University – Long Beach
California State University – Long Beach is situated in Long Beach, CA, surrounded by fantastic views and places to explore. This branch of CSU has an average in state tuition rate of $6,240 and an average out of state tuition rate of $17,400. The graduation rate here is 57%, which is an improvement over the other branches higher on the list. However, the student population is also a lot higher at 37,145.
- Total Annual Cost*: $21,975
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
25. California State University – Northridge
California State University – Northridge is in Northridge, CA, and it offers a wide variety of degrees for you to choose from. Most students from California spend an average of $6,520 in tuition per year, while students from other states pay about $17,680 per year for their degrees. The graduation rate here is 48%, and the student population is 39,844. This is one of the largest branches of CSU out there and one of the most sought after ones as a result.
- Total Annual Cost*: $23,359
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
26. California State University – Stanislaus
California State University – Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA. This school has a better tuition rate than some of the other CSU branches on this list, but it has a slightly lower NCLEX pass rate. The cost of tuition for an in-state student here is about $6,584 a year, whereas the price for an out of state student is about $17,744. The graduation rate at this school is 49%, and the student population is 9,724.
- Total Annual Cost*: $20,075
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
27. National University
National University in La Jolla, CA is a great place to go to school for all levels of nursing education. Here you can learn how to become a nursing assistant, a nurse practitioner, and everything in between. This is one of only a handful of nursing schools in the state that offers a doctorate in nursing practice. The average price of tuition for in state and out of state students is $14,670 a year. This school maintains a graduation rate of 24% and a student population of 28,885.
- Total Annual Cost*: $18,503
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP
28. De Anza College
De Anza College is located in Cupertino, CA. It offers low tuition rates for all students, but it does not have quite as high of an NCLEX pass rate as some other schools on this list. The average cost of tuition for in state students at this school is $1,661, and the average cost for out of state students is $6,215. DAC has a strong graduation rate at 61%, but it has a fairly high student population of 37,760.
- Total Annual Cost*: $6,096
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
29. San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA, just as you might assume it is. This school has nursing programs available for undergraduate and graduate level nurses, so you can explore a variety of careers while you are here. The average cost of tuition for in state students here is $6,450 a year, and the average cost for out of state students is $17,610. This school has a graduation rate of 47% and a student population of 32,508.
- Total Annual Cost*: $10,885
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 87%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
30. Carrington College
Carrington College is located in Sacremento, CA. This is one of the smallest schools on our list, with only 2,087 students in attendance each year. Te tuition rates here are the same for Californians and people from other states. They average about $14,380 a year for someone who is going to school full time. Carrington has a graduation rate of 50%, which means you should have a good chance at getting a degree if you go to school here.
- Total Annual Cost*: $18,213
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 86%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN
31. Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA. This school has wonderful credentials and a fantastic NCLEX pass rate, but it does not offer the affordable tuition you might be looking for. The average cost of tuition for in-state students here is $8,996, and the average cost for out of state students is $19,586 per year. SSU has a 55% graduation rate, which is pretty high compared to some other schools on here. There are approximately 9,194 enrolled at SSU every year.
- Total Annual Cost*: $24,976
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 98%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
32. San Jose State University
San Jose State University is conveniently located in San Jose, CA. The school offers degree programs to prepare you for work as a Home Health Care Nurse, Hospital Staff Nurse, School Nurse, Advice Nurse, Case Manager, Administrator, Educator, Sub-Acute Nurse, Health Clinic Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Nurse Manager, and Primary Care Nurse. The average price for in state tuition here is $7,303 a year, and the average price for out of state tuition is $16,231. SJSU has a graduation rate of 47% and a student population of 32,568.
- Total Annual Cost*: $23,471
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
33. California State University – Chico
California State University – Chico is located in Chico, CA. This school has a much higher price tag than most of the other CSU branches on our top 50 nursing programs in California, which is why it is a little further down on our list. The school has an in state tuition rate of $8,440 a year, on average. Out of state tuition is more than double that at about $19,600 a year. CSU – Chico has a graduation rate of 57% and a student population of 17,115.
- Total Annual Cost*: $24,109
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 93%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
34. Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College Angwin, CA $26,850 $26,850 43% 1,987
- Total Annual Cost*: $38,168
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: ACEN, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN, BSN
35. San Diego State University
San Diego State University is fittingly located in San Diego, CA. This school offers a variety of degree programs for nursing students and other students in the medical field, both at the graduate level and the undergraduate level. The average price for in state tuition here is $6,766 a year, and the average price for out of state tuition is $17,926. The school has a strong graduation rate of 66%, which means that 2 out of every 3 students in attendants come out with a degree. The average student population at this university is 32,595 pupils a year.
- Total Annual Cost*: $25,013
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
36. Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University is in the heart of Azusa, CA. The school has a wide range of nursing degrees to choose from, including a doctorate of nursing practice. Students from all states pay about $32,256 a year for tuition, which is higher than the cost of most other schools on this list. The graduation rate at APU is 63%, and the student population is 11,586. If you need to get your BSN quickly, this school offers one of the only accelerated RN to BSN programs in the state.
- Total Annual Cost*: $36,089
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 87%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP
37. California State University – Fullerton
California State University – Fullerton is the last branch of CSU to make it on our list. It is located in Fullerton, CA and offers classes for both undergraduate and graduate students in the nursing field. The average cost of tuition for a California resident at this school is $6,186, but that price more than doubles to $17,346 for out of state students. The graduation rate here is 51%, and the student population is 39,103.
- Total Annual Cost*: $23,437
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 80%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
38. California Baptist University
California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA. This small private university offers a great nursing degree program, but that program comes at a price. The average cost of tuition for both in state and out of state students here is $28,122 a year. The school has a graduation rate of 59% and an average student population of 6,575. While many of the teachings here are mentioned in association with Christianity, students of all backgrounds may enroll.
- Total Annual Cost*: $41,175
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 79%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
39. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University, located in Fresno, CA, is a great school to go to if you want a lot of degree programs to choose from. On top of their MSN and BSN program, FPU offers plenty of health science degrees for you to explore. 100% of the students that come to this school receive some sort of financial aid to help pay for their expenses. That comes in handy since the average tuition is $25,716 a year. The graduation rate for this school is 59%, and the student population is 4,665.
- Total Annual Cost*: $36,837
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 78%
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
40. Concordia University – Irvine
Concordia University – Irvine is located in Irvine, CA. It has several degree programs in nursing that you can use to advance your career. The NCLEX pass rate for this school is fantastic, but the price drops it down a lot on our list. The average tuition rate for this university is $29,630, and the graduation rate is 52%. If you want to be one of the 4,261 students who attend this school each year, you should have a great education ahead of you.
- Total Annual Cost*: $42,513
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 97%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: Certificate, ADN, BSN
41. University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco is a namesake in San Francisco, CA, offering a number of great degree programs for nurses, physicians, and more. This school may be expensive to attend, but 70% of the students here manage to get scholarships and grants. The average cost of tuition is $40,294 a year for undergraduate programs. You can go as high as the doctorate level with your nursing degree here. The graduation rate for USF is 67% and the student population is 11,473.
- Total Annual Cost*: $57,117
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP
42. Simpson University
Simpson University is located in Redding, CA. This school offers a solid BSN program that takes about four years to complete. With a student population of only 1,565, SU has small classroom sizes that put you in close contact with your professors. The average tuition rate for this school is $23,300, and the graduation rate is 41%.
- Total Annual Cost*: $34,633
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 71%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
43. Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University is in Oakland, CA, and it offers nursing programs for undergrads and grad students alike. If you want to become a nurse manager, nurse educator, or nurse practitioner, you have a good chance of doing that through the MSN program at SMU. All of this information comes at a price though, with the average student spending $39,456 a year in tuition. The graduation rate here is 78%, and the student population is 1,826.
- Total Annual Cost*: $43,289
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 85%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
44. Mount St. Mary’s College
Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA is one of the smallest learning institutions in L.A. With only 3,205 students in attendance here; you should have plenty of chances to speak one-on-one with your professors. The average price of tuition for this school is $33,852 a year for both in state and out of state students. The graduation rate is 57%.
- Total Annual Cost*: $48,215
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 84%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: ADN, BSN
45. Dominican University of California
Dominican University of California is nestled in San Rafael, CA, and it offers nursing degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level. This school has a great NCLEX pass rate, which makes up for its costly tuition rates. The average student here pays $39,050 a year for tuition, plus books, fees, and more. The graduation rate for DUC is 57%, and the student population is 2,580.
- Total Annual Cost*: $56,823
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 83%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
46. University of San Diego
As indicated by its name, the University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA. This school offers multiple nursing degrees at the graduate level, so you can pursue the highest paying nursing careers with help from this school. The price of tuition is pretty high here at $41,392 per year, but 72% of students get scholarships and grants to pay for their education. The graduation rate for this school is 76%, and there are about 9,341 in attendance here.
- Total Annual Cost*: $57,135
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 83%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: MSN, DNP
47. Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University has two prestigious accreditations for their nursing degree programs. This school is located in San Diego, CA, much like many other colleges that offer nursing degrees. If you choose to attend this school, you will pay an average of $30, a year for tuition. The graduation rate for PLNU is an incredibly high 75%, which means that 3 out of 4 students who enroll at this school come out with a degree. The student population for this school is 4,228.
- Total Annual Cost*: $44,003
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 80%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
48. Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University of Southern California is in the gorgeous city of Costa Mesa, CA. This school would be a little higher on our list if it had a slightly higher NCLEX pass rate. With that in mind, the average tuition rate for this school is $29,250, and the graduation rate is 54%. There are approximately 2,777 enrolled at VUSC every year, and you could very well be one of them in the near future.
- Total Annual Cost*: $41,963
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 80%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
49. Holy Names University
Holy Names University is located in Oakland, CA. This is a great school to attend if you are not sure how high you want to go with your nursing education. You can choose to complete your BSN before decided to enroll in the school’s MSN program. The average cost of tuition for this university is $33,020 a year. The graduation rate is 39%, and the student population is a low 1,616.
- Total Annual Cost*: $47,321
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 67%
- Accreditation: CCNE, CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
50. Biola University
We round off our list of the top 50 nursing schools in California with Biola University in La Mirada, CA. If we had ranked our schools based on small class sizes, BU would have been at the top. This school has a tiny student population of 319, making it a great place to be for those who want one-on-one training. The average tuition rate here is $32,142 a year, and the graduation rate is 86%.
- Total Annual Cost*: $45,291
- NCLEX Pass Rate: 50%
- Accreditation: CBRN
- Nursing Programs: BSN
* = Based on average in-state tuition rates, plus the estimated cost of living and other expenses. The extra expenses were determined by the type of school, public or private.
RESOURCES
- ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs Search: Used to identify schools accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
- CCNE Accredited Nursing Programs Search: Used to identify schools accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- CBRN Pre-Licensure RN Programs List: Used to identify schools accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System: Used to find the average student population and graduation rates for each university. Note that the data is based on statistics from the 2011-2012 academic year.
- NCLEX Pass Rates: Used to verify the National Council Licensure Examination passing rates for students from each school from the 2012-2013 academic year. Percentages were rounded to whole numbers.
- CNN Money College Cost Calculator: Used to find the average total annual cost, in-state tuition, and out-of-state tuition for each college or university.