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Explore and compare 161 top-ranked, accredited schools in California. Our directory combines verified NCLEX-RN pass rates, IPEDS tuition data, and CCNE/ACEN accreditation status with authentic insights from our allnurses community members. Rankings are based on our Ranking Methodology, a 100-point composite score across 6 weighted categories.
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Sources: U.S. Dept of Education / IPEDS / College Scorecard / Editorial Team
NOTE: Program offerings and tuition are subject to change. Verify details directly with the institution.
With annual in-state tuition at $1,180, San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. It offers 2 nursing programs across various degree levels.
ADN, LPN
Concordia University-Irvine is a private nonprofit institution in Irvine, California. Annual in-state tuition is $43,480.
BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP
California State University-Los Angeles is a public school in Los Angeles, California offering nursing education. It offers 7 nursing programs across various degree levels.
BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
California State University-Dominguez Hills is a public school in Carson, California offering nursing education. Annual in-state tuition is $7,449.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, MSN-PMHNP, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
With annual in-state tuition at $1,156, Napa Valley College in Napa, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. The school reports a 32% graduation rate.
ADN Program Available
A public institution, California State University-Bakersfield serves students in Bakersfield, California. Annual in-state tuition is $8,090.
BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Homestead Schools is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Torrance, California with about 158 students. The school reports a 93% graduation rate.
BSN Program Available
One of the larger institutions in the state, California State University-Northridge is a public school in Northridge, California with over 38,313 students. The school reports a 56% graduation rate.
BSN Program Available
Career Networks Institute is a smaller private for-profit institution in Santa Ana, California with about 1,133 students. The school reports a 89% graduation rate.
ADN, BSN, LPN, RN-BSN
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private nonprofit institution in Costa Mesa, California. Annual in-state tuition is $41,700.
BSN, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in San Marcos, California, California State University-San Marcos is a public institution. The acceptance rate is 95%.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert
Based in Loma Linda, California, Loma Linda University is a private nonprofit institution. Graduates earn a median of $89,816 within ten years.
ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert
With annual in-state tuition at $1,142, Compton College in Compton, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. The school reports a 17% graduation rate.
ADN Program Available
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public school in Seaside, California offering nursing education. Annual in-state tuition is $7,779.
BSN Program Available
A public institution, California State University-Channel Islands serves students in Camarillo, California. Graduates earn a median of $62,152 within ten years.
BSN Program Available
With annual in-state tuition at $1,158, MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. Total enrollment is about 11,500 students.
ADN, CNA
Career Care Institute is a smaller private for-profit institution in Lancaster, California with about 620 students. The school reports a 69% graduation rate.
ADN Program Available
A private for-profit institution, West Coast University-Ontario serves students in Ontario, California. Annual in-state tuition is $36,854.
BSN Program Available
With annual in-state tuition at $1,156, Irvine Valley College in Irvine, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. The school reports a 56% graduation rate.
ADN Program Available
With annual in-state tuition at $1,146, San Diego City College in San Diego, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. The school reports a 24% graduation rate.
ADN Program Available
With annual in-state tuition at $1,334, Reedley College in Reedley, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. Graduates earn a median of $38,493 within ten years.
ADN, LPN
With annual in-state tuition at $1,164, Santiago Canyon College in Orange, California is among the more affordable public options in the region. Graduates earn a median of $44,956 within ten years.
ADN Program Available
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public school in Arcata, California offering nursing education. Annual in-state tuition is $8,250.
BSN Program Available
Chamberlain University-California is a smaller private for-profit institution in Rancho Cordova, California with about 751 students. Annual in-state tuition is $21,271.
BSN Program Available
Ashford University in San Diego, California is a private for-profit institution with a 100% graduation rate and over 28,004 students. Annual in-state tuition is $11,960.
BSN Program Available
| # | School Name | Location | In-State | Completion Rate | Programs | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | $1,180 | 30.7% | 2 | |
| 102 | Concordia University-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $43,480 | 62.8% | 3 | |
| 103 | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $7,160 | 52% | 7 | |
| 104 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | $7,449 | 46.7% | 8 | |
| 105 | Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | $1,156 | 31.7% | 1 | |
| 106 | California State University-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | $8,090 | 49.5% | 5 | |
| 107 | Homestead Schools | Torrance, CA | 93.3% | 1 | ||
| 108 | California State University-Northridge | Northridge, CA | $7,458 | 56.1% | 1 | |
| 109 | Career Networks Institute | Santa Ana, CA | 89.3% | 4 | ||
| 110 | Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa, CA | $41,700 | 57.6% | 5 | |
| 111 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | $8,082 | 55.3% | 7 | |
| 112 | Loma Linda University | Loma Linda, CA | 7 | |||
| 113 | Compton College | Compton, CA | $1,142 | 16.5% | 1 | |
| 114 | California State University-Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA | $7,779 | 62.4% | 1 | |
| 115 | California State University-Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | $7,159 | 55.1% | 1 | |
| 116 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA | $1,158 | 42.9% | 2 | |
| 117 | Career Care Institute | Lancaster, CA | 69.1% | 1 | ||
| 118 | West Coast University-Ontario | Ontario, CA | $36,854 | 60% | 1 | |
| 119 | Irvine Valley College | Irvine, CA | $1,156 | 56.3% | 1 | |
| 120 | San Diego City College | San Diego, CA | $1,146 | 23.9% | 1 | |
| 121 | Reedley College | Reedley, CA | $1,334 | 37.5% | 2 | |
| 122 | Santiago Canyon College | Orange, CA | $1,164 | 46.3% | 1 | |
| 123 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Arcata, CA | $8,250 | 46.1% | 1 | |
| 124 | Chamberlain University-California | Rancho Cordova, CA | $21,271 | 1 | ||
| 125 | Ashford University | San Diego, CA | $11,960 | 99.7% | 1 |
