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California Nursing Colleges

161 Colleges
$36,737 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$26,638 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In 2021, 19,384 students received a nursing degree from a college in California, making it rank #4 in terms of graduations. Students who live in the state can take advantage of in-state tuition averaging $9,184 a year, while students from out-of-state may pay a higher average tuition of $16,050 a year.

About 35% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,660 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$22,889 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
83% Freshmen Loans

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. West Coast University - Orange County has a freshman retention rate of 92%, which is a good sign that once students arrive at the school, they want to stay.

Roughly 83% of students at West Coast University - Orange County take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $16,194 a year. West Coast University - Orange County has a 0.1% 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 $88,331.

#2

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$36,140 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
75% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,413 students at West Coast University - Los Angeles in total, 2,144 are full-time undergraduates. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at West Coast University - Los Angeles is 4.0 years.

75% of West Coast University - Los Angeles students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $9,907 a year. West Coast University - Los Angeles has a 0.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from West Coast University - Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $88,331 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#3

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$50,171 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,050 students at Samuel Merritt University in total, 736 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 535 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.

The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Samuel Merritt University is $131,716.

#4

West Coast University - Ontario

Ontario, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$36,140 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
92% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at West Coast University - Ontario is 2,408, which includes 2,254 full-time undergraduates. West Coast University - Ontario has a freshman retention rate of 92%, which is a good sign that once students arrive at the school, they want to stay.

92% of West Coast University - Ontario students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $18,714 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $88,331 during the early-career years.

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$42,330 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
37% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Azusa Pacific University is 9,006, of which 4,498 students are undergraduates and of those, 3,804 are full-time. For undergraduates at Azusa Pacific, the average graduation time is 4.3 years.

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Around 32% of accepted students are men, and 68% are women.

Roughly 37% of students at Azusa Pacific take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,629 a year. Azusa Pacific has a 1.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Azusa Pacific with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $51,213 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$55,532 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
48% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,068 students at USFCA in total, 5,852 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 5,572 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

About 71% of students who apply get accepted. Around 32% of accepted students are men, and 68% are women.

48% of USFCA students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,042 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 USFCA is $69,451.

#7

United States University

San Diego, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$6,200 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
75% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at United States University is 1,981, of which 128 students are undergraduates and of those, 51 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

75% of USU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,694 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.2% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from USU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $48,227 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
$7,007 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
17% Freshmen Loans

There are 42,051 students at Cal State Fullerton in total, 36,975 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 29,721 are full-time. Cal State Fullerton has a freshman retention rate of 87%, which is a good sign that once students arrive at the school, they want to stay.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 59%. Of the accepted students, 38% are men and 62% are women.

17% of Cal State Fullerton students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,004 a year. Cal State Fullerton has a 0.8% 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 $47,742 during the early-career years.

#9

National University

San Diego, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$13,320 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 8,441 undergraduates at National University, of which 3,292 are full-time, and there are 18,070 students altogether. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at National University is 4.8 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 55%. Of the accepted students, 48% are men and 52% are women.

National University has a 1.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from National University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $58,241 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#10

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
Public Public vs. Private
$6,884 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

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 23 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 47%. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Roughly 19% of students at CSULB take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,931 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $47,495 during the early-career years.

#11

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
Public Public vs. Private
$7,733 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
23% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at California State University - San Marcos is 16,367, of which 15,040 students are undergraduates and of those, 12,381 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 25 to 1.

Around 93% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Roughly 23% of students at CSUSM take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,241 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $47,944 during the early-career years.

#12

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
Public Public vs. Private
$7,484 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
18% Freshmen Loans

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

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 41% are men and 59% are women.

18% of Sac State students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $4,818 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $50,076 during the early-career years.

#13

Unitek College

Fremont, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
67% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,618 full-time undergraduates at Unitek College, and 3,618 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 50 to 1.

67% of Unitek College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,892 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Unitek College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $56,501 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#14

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
37% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is 2,462, which includes 2,462 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

37% of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $12,023 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is $58,579.

Public Public vs. Private
$7,060 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
10% Freshmen Loans

There are 18,687 students at CSUDH in total, 16,022 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 12,451 are full-time. For undergraduates at CSUDH, the average graduation time is 5.1 years.

Around 90% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 40% are men and 60% are women.

Roughly 10% of students at CSUDH take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,608 a year. CSUDH has a 0.8% 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 CSUDH is $46,109.

#16

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,401 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
12% Freshmen Loans

There are 44,589 students at UCLA in total, 31,636 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 31,068 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at UCLA is 97%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

The acceptance rate at UCLA is 11%, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. Of the accepted students, 41% are men and 59% are women.

Roughly 12% of students at UCLA take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,965 a year. UCLA 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 UCLA is $57,920.

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,174 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

There are 31,491 undergraduates at SDSU, of which 28,084 are full-time, and there are 36,334 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 26 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 38%. Around 37% of accepted students are men, and 63% are women.

Roughly 19% of students at SDSU take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,608 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from SDSU is $51,614.

#18

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
$6,805 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
11% Freshmen Loans

There are 22,832 undergraduates at Cal State LA, of which 19,425 are full-time, and there are 26,745 students altogether. For undergraduates at Cal State LA, the average graduation time is 5.1 years.

Around 91% of students who apply get accepted. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

Roughly 11% of students at Cal State LA take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,592 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $43,519 during the early-career years.

Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$14,954 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
59% Freshmen Loans

There are 872 students at CDU in total, 241 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 168 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at CDU is 4.3 years.

About 63% of students who apply get accepted. Around 34% of accepted students are men, and 66% are women.

Roughly 59% of students at CDU take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,944 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from CDU is $67,299.

#20

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$38,058 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
63% Freshmen Loans

There are 11,317 students at Cal Baptist in total, 8,109 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 7,243 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at Cal Baptist is 4.4 years.

About 64% of students who apply get accepted. Around 33% of accepted students are men, and 67% are women.

Approximately 63% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $7,823 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Cal Baptist is $50,413.

#21

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$37,332 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Loma Linda University is 4,468, of which 1,168 students 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 0.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Loma Linda University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $83,433 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#22

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
Public Public vs. Private
$7,899 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
17% Freshmen Loans

There are 27,701 undergraduates at San Jose State, of which 23,317 are full-time, and there are 36,208 students altogether. For undergraduates at San Jose State, the average graduation time is 5.0 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 84%. Around 47% of accepted students are men, and 53% are women.

Roughly 17% of students at San Jose State take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,350 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $60,196 during the early-career years.

#22

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$46,740 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
64% Freshmen Loans

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. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at MSMU is 4.3 years.

Around 90% of students who apply get accepted. Around 3% of accepted students are men, and 97% are women.

64% of MSMU students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $5,805 a year. MSMU has a 1.6% 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 $58,473 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$6,995 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
17% Freshmen Loans

There are 13,141 undergraduates at Cal State East Bay, of which 10,473 are full-time, and there are 16,253 students altogether. It takes the average Cal State East Bay undergraduate about 4.9 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 82%. Of the accepted students, 42% are men and 58% are women.

Roughly 17% of students at Cal State East Bay take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,148 a year. Cal State East Bay has a 1.3% 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 Cal State East Bay is $55,576.

#25

Fresno City College

Fresno, California
Public Public vs. Private
$1,330 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 22,278 students at Fresno City College in total, 6,012 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 23 to 1.

Fresno City College has a 1.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Fresno City College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $27,419 during the early years of their career after graduation.

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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