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California Nursing Colleges

161 Colleges
19,384 Yearly Graduations
$36,085 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$25,449 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly nursing graduations, California is ranked #4 in the country with 19,384 degrees handed out in 2021. The average in-state tuition for students attending college in California is $9,021 a year, while the average out-of-state tuition is $15,696 a year.

An estimated 33% of college students in California take out loans, with the average loan amount being $6,362 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
1,307 Yearly Degrees
$22,516 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,990 undergraduates at West Coast University - Orange County, of which 2,510 are full-time, and there are 4,330 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at West Coast University - Orange County is 4.0 years.

Approximately 92% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $8,455 a year. West Coast University - Orange County has a 0.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from West Coast University - Orange County is $83,706.

#2

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
778 Yearly Degrees
$35,178 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,413 students at West Coast University - Los Angeles in total, 2,144 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

Approximately 100% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $12,139 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from West Coast University - Los Angeles is $83,706.

#3

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
739 Yearly Degrees
$50,510 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 736 undergraduates at Samuel Merritt University, of which 535 are full-time, and there are 2,050 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.

Samuel Merritt University has a 0.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Samuel Merritt University is $124,182.

#4

West Coast University - Ontario

Ontario, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
698 Yearly Degrees
$35,178 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,254 full-time undergraduates at West Coast University - Ontario, and 2,408 students altogether. For undergraduates at West Coast University - Ontario, the average graduation time is 4.0 years.

89% of West Coast University - Ontario students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $19,753 a year. West Coast University - Ontario has a 0.5% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $83,706 during the early-career years.

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
680 Yearly Degrees
$41,510 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 9,006 students at Azusa Pacific in total, 4,498 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 3,804 are full-time. It takes the average Azusa Pacific undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Around 33% of accepted students are men, and 67% are women.

Roughly 50% of students at Azusa Pacific take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,329 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $49,365 during the early-career years.

#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
466 Yearly Degrees
$53,472 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 5,852 undergraduates at USFCA, of which 5,572 are full-time, and there are 10,068 students altogether. It takes the average USFCA undergraduate about 4.1 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 70%. Of the accepted students, 34% are men and 66% are women.

Roughly 51% of students at USFCA take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $9,915 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from USFCA with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $64,896 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#7

United States University

San Diego, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
451 Yearly Degrees
$5,700 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 128 undergraduates at USU, of which 51 are full-time, and there are 1,981 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Approximately 50% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $9,500 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.7% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $50,997 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
449 Yearly Degrees
$6,976 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at California State University - Fullerton is 42,051, of which 36,975 students are undergraduates and of those, 29,721 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at Cal State Fullerton is 89%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

About 68% of students who apply get accepted. Around 38% of accepted students are men, and 62% are women.

Approximately 26% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,718 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.5% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $45,657 during the early-career years.

#9

National University

La Jolla, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
423 Yearly Degrees
$13,320 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at National University is 18,070, of which 8,441 students are undergraduates and of those, 3,292 are full-time. It takes the average National University undergraduate about 4.8 years to complete their degree.

Around 89% of students who apply get accepted. Around 50% of accepted students are men, and 50% are women.

55% of National University students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,381 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from National University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $53,072 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#10

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
Public Public vs. Private
356 Yearly Degrees
$6,846 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at California State University - Long Beach is 40,069, of which 34,216 students are undergraduates and of those, 29,110 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 24 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 42%. Of the accepted students, 38% are men and 62% are women.

Approximately 28% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,354 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $46,059 during the early-career years.

#11

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
Public Public vs. Private
321 Yearly Degrees
$7,727 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 15,040 undergraduates at CSUSM, of which 12,381 are full-time, and there are 16,367 students altogether. For undergraduates at CSUSM, the average graduation time is 4.9 years.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Around 35% of accepted students are men, and 65% are women.

Approximately 36% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,834 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from CSUSM with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $46,208 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#12

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
Public Public vs. Private
316 Yearly Degrees
$7,392 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 32,293 students at Sac State in total, 29,296 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 24,068 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Sac State is 5.0 years.

About 83% of students who apply get accepted. Around 38% of accepted students are men, and 62% are women.

30% of Sac State students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,191 a year. Sac State has a 3.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $47,905 during the early-career years.

#13

Unitek College

Fremont, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
302 Yearly Degrees

The total student population at Unitek College is 3,618, which includes 3,618 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 44 to 1.

Approximately 85% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $10,458 a year. The student loan default rate of 6.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Unitek College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $55,238 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#14

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
261 Yearly Degrees

There are 2,462 students at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in total, 2,462 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

57% of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $8,177 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is $53,047.

Public Public vs. Private
260 Yearly Degrees
$7,060 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at California State University - Dominguez Hills is 18,687, of which 16,022 students are undergraduates and of those, 12,451 are full-time. It takes the average CSUDH undergraduate about 5.1 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 81%. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

Approximately 16% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,472 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $43,481 during the early-career years.

#16

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
252 Yearly Degrees
$13,258 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 44,589 students at UCLA in total, 31,636 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 31,068 are full-time. It takes the average UCLA undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

This a very selective school with only 14% of students getting accepted. Around 43% of accepted students are men, and 57% are women.

26% of UCLA students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,243 a year. UCLA has a 1.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $55,427 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
Public Public vs. Private
249 Yearly Degrees
$8,136 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 36,334 students at SDSU in total, 31,491 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 28,084 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at SDSU. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

About 37% of students who apply get accepted. Around 40% of accepted students are men, and 60% are women.

29% of SDSU students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,017 a year. SDSU has a 2.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from SDSU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $48,314 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#18

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
246 Yearly Degrees
$6,785 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 26,745 students at Cal State LA in total, 22,832 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 19,425 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 25 to 1.

About 76% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 38% are men and 62% are women.

Roughly 14% of students at Cal State LA take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $4,598 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Cal State LA is $42,517.

Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
246 Yearly Degrees
$14,186 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 872, of which 241 students are undergraduates and of those, 168 are full-time. It takes the average CDU undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

This a very selective school with only 25% of students getting accepted. Around 23% of accepted students are men, and 77% are women.

82% of CDU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,417 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from CDU is $65,724.

#20

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
240 Yearly Degrees
$37,018 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at California Baptist University is 11,317, of which 8,109 students are undergraduates and of those, 7,243 are full-time. For undergraduates at Cal Baptist, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

About 80% of students who apply get accepted. Around 33% of accepted students are men, and 67% are women.

67% of Cal Baptist students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,696 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $46,036 during the early-career years.

#21

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
224 Yearly Degrees
$36,412 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 4,468 students at Loma Linda University in total, 1,168 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 865 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1.

The student loan default rate of 0.6% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $78,124 during the early-career years.

#22

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
Public Public vs. Private
216 Yearly Degrees
$7,852 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 36,208 students at San Jose State in total, 27,701 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 23,317 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at San Jose State. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 67%. Of the accepted students, 45% are men and 55% are women.

Approximately 33% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,718 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from San Jose State is $57,540.

#22

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
216 Yearly Degrees
$45,388 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Mount Saint Mary’s University is 2,745, of which 2,071 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,607 are full-time. It takes the average MSMU undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

Around 89% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 3% are men and 97% are women.

Approximately 85% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $7,306 a year. MSMU has a 3.3% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from MSMU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $57,246 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
207 Yearly Degrees
$6,995 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at California State University - East Bay is 16,253, of which 13,141 students are undergraduates and of those, 10,473 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Cal State East Bay is 4.9 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 73%. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Roughly 35% of students at Cal State East Bay take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,606 a year. Cal State East Bay has a 4.4% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Cal State East Bay with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $52,563 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#25

Fresno City College

Fresno, California
Public Public vs. Private
202 Yearly Degrees
$1,304 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,012 full-time undergraduates at Fresno City College, and 22,278 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 25 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $3,046 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 13.0% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Fresno City College is $26,535.

Other California Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Riverside City College 196
27 San Francisco State University 192
28 University of California - San Francisco 191
29 Carrington College, Sacramento 187
30 University of Phoenix - California 180
31 Point Loma Nazarene University 169
32 California State University - Fresno 167
33 California State University - San Bernardino 163
34 University of San Diego 147
35 Pacific Union College 146
36 Brandman University 143
37 California State University - Stanislaus 140
38 Concordia University, Irvine 139
39 Career Networks Institute 133
39 Bakersfield College 133
41 California State University - Bakersfield 124
42 San Joaquin Delta College 123
42 California State University - Chico 123
44 Long Beach City College 119
45 Western University of Health Sciences 117
46 Butte College 114
47 Modesto Junior College 112
48 Mt. San Antonio College 110
48 Dominican University of California 110
50 Santa Monica College 106
51 Chamberlain University - California 103
52 Antelope Valley College 102
53 University of Southern California 100
54 San Bernardino Valley College 99
54 California State University - Channel Islands 99
56 American University of Health Sciences 93
57 Southwestern College 92
57 California State University - Northridge 92
59 College of the Sequoias 89
59 Solano Community College 89
59 Sonoma State University 89
62 Saddleback College 88
63 Glendale Community College 87
64 San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia 85
64 Golden West College 85
66 American Career College - Los Angeles 84
67 Santa Ana College 83
67 Vanguard University of Southern California 83
69 Ventura College 82
70 Sacramento City College 81
70 Los Angeles City College 81
72 Stanbridge University 80
72 City College of San Francisco 80
72 College of the Redwoods 80
75 Pacific College 79
76 College of the Canyons 76
76 Palomar College 76
76 Grossmont College 76
76 Los Angeles Trade Technical College 76
80 Glendale Career College 75
80 Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health 75
82 California State University - Monterey Bay 74
83 Evergreen Valley College 73
84 El Camino College 72
85 Santa Barbara City College 71
86 University of California - Irvine 68
86 Moorpark College 68
86 Cabrillo College 68
89 Los Angeles Harbor College 67
89 University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 67
91 Merced College 66
92 American River College 65
93 Hartnell College 64
93 Compton College 64
95 Citrus College 63
96 San Diego City College 62
96 Pasadena City College 62
96 Rio Hondo College 62
99 MiraCosta College 60
100 Allan Hancock College 59
100 Los Angeles Valley College 59
100 Cypress College 59
103 Yuba College 58
103 Shasta College 58
105 Imperial Valley College 57
106 College of the Desert 56
107 East Los Angeles College 55
107 Mt. San Jacinto College 55
107 Santa Rosa Junior College 55
107 Cerritos College 55
111 Cuesta College 54
112 Chaffey College 53
113 Mission College 52
114 College of San Mateo 50
114 University of California - Davis 50
116 De Anza College 49
117 Los Angeles Pierce College 47
118 Los Angeles Southwest College 43
118 Napa Valley College 43
120 College of Marin 41
121 Los Medanos College 40
122 Simpson University 39
123 West Hills College-Lemoore 38
124 Sierra College 37
125 California Career College 36
126 Contra Costa College 35
126 Fresno Pacific University 35
126 Victor Valley College 35
129 Copper Mountain Community College 33
130 Touro University California 32
131 Chabot College 31
131 Holy Names University 31
133 Monterey Peninsula College 30
134 Biola University 29
135 Career Care Institute 26
136 Platt College - Los Angeles 23
136 Mendocino College 23
138 Gavilan College 22
139 Porterville College 20
140 Lassen Community College 19
140 Ohlone College 19
142 World Mission University 18
142 Glendale Career College - Brightwood-Teachout 18
142 The University of Arizona Global Campus 18
145 Angeles College 17
146 Carrington College-San Jose 10
147 Cerro Coso Community College 8
148 Reedley College 6
149 College of the Siskiyous 2
150 Homestead Schools 1
150 Feather River Community College District 1
152 Merritt College 0
152 Humboldt State University 0
152 Northcentral University 0
152 University of Antelope Valley 0
152 Platt College - Riverside 0
152 Integrity College of Health 0
152 High Desert Medical College 0
152 Irvine Valley College 0
152 Hacienda La Puente Adult Education 0
152 Casa Loma College 0

References

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