12 Best RN to BSN Programs in California in 2023

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Registered nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who want to expand their career opportunities and education can attend a school offering an RN to BSN program. After completing the program, the student will hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), opening up many career opportunities.

However, choosing which RN to BSN program is best for you can sometimes be challenging. To help your search, we've compiled information on prerequisites, requirements, salaries, and the 12 best programs available in California in 2023.

What Is a BSN?

A BSN is a bachelor's degree program that teaches students basic nursing skills in addition to skills in leadership, research, quality, health promotion, and safety.  

Successful completion of an ADN program or a BSN program allows students to sit for the NCLEX exam and obtain their RN license, but a BSN program takes education a step further with more in-depth skills and coursework.

The most significant difference between an ADN-prepared RN and a BSN-prepared RN is that a BSN nurse has more career opportunities and the potential for a higher pay rate. 

RN to BSN Prerequisites and Requirements

All RN to BSN programs typically require the applicant to have an active RN license. Beyond that, there are generally core courses that students must complete with a minimum GPA set by the program. These courses may include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

• English Composition 
• Speech or Interpersonal Communication 
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Child/Human Development
• Liberal Arts Elective
• General Chemistry with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Anatomy with lab
• Physiology 
• College Algebra
• Statistics
• Human Nutrition 

Related: 10 Best RN to BSN Programs in 2023

It is always important to check the admission requirements for the program of interest to ensure you will meet all needs before applying. 

The requirements and prerequisite courses to enter an RN to BSN program will vary depending on your chosen program.

Best RN to BSN Programs in California in 2023

The following schools have been selected based on allnurses' methodology of surveying our readers to understand what they value most while selecting schools with the addition of NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, price, mode, duration, and admission rates of hundreds of the most prominent nursing schools in the United States. 

1. California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) School of Nursing

In Fullerton, CA, CSUF ranks first on California's list of best RN to BSN programs. CSUF offers part-time and full-time online tracks with 20:1 student-to-faculty ratios and 38% admission rates. 

• Cost: $3,833/semester for in-state; $10,049/semester for out-of-state
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-5 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 69% 

2. San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Nursing

SDSU School of Nursing calls San Diego home. Students can enter the RN to BSN program in the fall or Spring semester. The university offers the program in a hybrid format with online and in-person requirements. Student-to-faculty ratios are 22:1, and admission rates are 35%.  

• Cost: $3,197/semester for in-state; $9,253/semester for out-of-state
• Length: 12 months for full-time students; 18-24 months for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 68% 

3. California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) School of Nursing 

Located in Chico, California, CSU Chico offers an online RN to BSN program for working students, with the only in-person requirements being clinical rotations. Admission rates sit at 58% with 21:1 student-to-faculty ratios. 

• Cost: $3,791/semester for in-state students; $10,571/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 2 semesters for full-time students; 3 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 64% 

4. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) School of Nursing

Located in Long Beach, CA, CSULB RN to BSN students can take classes their first year part-time and merge with the BSN students for full-time coursework in their second year. Admission rates are at 28% with 23:1 student-to-faculty ratios. 

• Cost: $3,981/semester for in-state students; $8,913/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students 
• Graduation Rate: 73% 

5. California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) School of Nursing

Located in Sacramento, CA, CSUS offers both fall and Spring semester start dates for their RN to BSN program, which is 100% online. Admission rates are 63%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 21:1. 

• Cost: $3,832/semester for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students 
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 72%

6. San Francisco State University (SFSU) School of Nursing

In San Francisco, CA, SFSU offers a Spring semester start for the RN to BSN program. The program is in a hybrid format with both online and on-campus requirements. Student-to-faculty ratios are 23:1, and admission rates are 68%.  

• Cost: $3,926/semester for in-state students; $9,262/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 67% 

7. California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) School of Nursing

San Bernardino, CA, is home to CSUSB School of Nursing, which offers an online RN to BSN program with a fall semester start. Admission rates are 59%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 23:1.  

• Cost: $3,811/semester for in-state students; $9,247/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 51%

8. California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) School of Nursing

In Hayward, CA, CSUEB offers an online RN to BSN program. To be eligible for the program, students must have been RN graduates or have completed a diploma program (within the last six months). Admission rates are 71%, with student-to-faculty ratios of 27:1. 

• Cost: $3,763/semester for in-state students; $9,199/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students 
• Graduation Rate: 57%

9. Azusa Pacific University (APU) School of Nursing 

In Azusa, CA, APU offers a fully online RN to BSN program and an in-person option at four different Southern California locations. Admission rates are 92%, with a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio.  

• Cost: $6,133/Semester
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 5 semesters for part-time students

10. Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Nursing 

Located in Loma Linda, CA, LLU has three start times for the RN to BSN program, autumn quarter, Winter quarter, and Summer quarter. The school offers the program in an online format with admission rates at 41% and low student-to-faculty ratios at 11:1. 

• Cost: $4,876/quarter
• Length: 2-4 quarters for full-time students; 4-6 quarters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 87%

11. California Baptist University (CBU) School of Nursing

Located in Riverside, CA, CBU offers three start times of fall, Summer, or Spring for the fully online RN to BSN program. Admission rates are 79%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 14:1. 

• Cost: $450/unit, depending on how many units students transfer; the total can range from $13,500 to $24,300 
• Length: 12-24 months
• Graduation Rate: 70%

12. California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) School of Nursing

In Bakersfield, CA, CSUB offers students a fully online RN to BSN program with a fall start date. Admission rates are 54%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 21:1.  

• Cost: $3,733/semester for in-state students; $9,699/semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 3 semesters for full-time students; 4-6 semesters for part-time students
• Graduation Rate: 52%

RN to BSN Salary Expectations

Often a motivating factor for current RNs to pursue a BSN is a pay increase. Beyond that, BSN-prepared nurses can leverage their education to stand out above other applicants.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California RNs can expect a mean wage of $133,340 annually. This wage is much higher than the national average. 

Salary expectations will vary depending on multiple factors, including geographical area, experience, and field of work. BSN-prepared nurses can also further their education, opening up even more job opportunities than nurses with an ADN or diploma.  

FAQ and Additional Readings

Q: What can a BSN do that an RN cannot?

A: A baccalaureate-prepared nurse has more opportunities in positions such as leadership or education and advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Related: 10 Best BSN to MSN Programs in 2023

Q: Do healthcare facilities require nurses to have a BSN? 

A: This requirement will vary from facility to facility, but surveys by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that 40% of hospitals or healthcare facilities require new-hire nurses to have a BSN and many more have a strong preference.