2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 38 schools in California to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found California State University - Monterey Bay to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in California.
Students from California who attend CSUMB full time pay an average of $7,218 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,098. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUMB accumulate an average of $16,303 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CSUMB is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Read full report on California State University - Monterey Bay
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of California - Los Angeles is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Students from California who attend UCLA full time pay an average of $13,258 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $43,012. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UCLA accumulate an average of $16,277 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at UCLA, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 38 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the # 3 spot on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CSUDH is $7,060. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,940. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,973 in loans while pursuing their degree.
CSUDH is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.Some students may be able to take online classes at CSUDH. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Sonoma State University is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SSU is $7,988. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,868. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,130 in student loans.
SSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 38 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Sacramento landed the # 5 spot on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sac State is $7,392. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,272. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Sac State accumulate an average of $19,924 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Sac State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on California State University - Sacramento
University of San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $53,472 to cover tuition and fees at USFCA. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,881 in student loans.
USFCA is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list.
Students from California who attend Stan State full time pay an average of $7,644 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,524. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,714 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Stan State. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list.
The average tuition and fees at MSMU is $45,388. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $30,131 in loans while pursuing their degree.
MSMU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Dominican University of California landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at DUofC is $47,910. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from DUofC accumulate an average of $27,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
DUofC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #10, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $41,510 to cover tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Azusa Pacific accumulate an average of $27,666 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Azusa Pacific. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list.
Bachelor’s Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $32,281 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at National University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
California State University - Channel Islands did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list.
Students from California who attend CSUCI full time pay an average of $6,817 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,697. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,841 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CSUCI does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on California State University - Channel Islands
With a ranking of #13, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
The average tuition and fees at PLNU is $39,500. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,219 in loans while pursuing their degree.
PLNU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 25% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
California State University - San Marcos ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.
Students from California who attend CSUSM full time pay an average of $7,727 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,607. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUSM accumulate an average of $18,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at CSUSM, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
San Jose State University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
In-state students pay an average of $7,852 in tuition and fees if they attend San Jose State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,732.
Online courses are available at San Jose State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Vanguard University of Southern California landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
Vanguard does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $37,700. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,961 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since Vanguard is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Read full report on Vanguard University of Southern California
San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $8,136 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SDSU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,016. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,150 in student loans.
SDSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Chico did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.
Students from California who attend Chico State full time pay an average of $7,864 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,744. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,135 in student loans.
Chico State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
California State University - East Bay landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cal State East Bay is $6,995. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,875. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,301 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cal State East Bay does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Pacific Union College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.
If you want to attend PUC, expect to pay an average of $32,103 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
PUC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
San Francisco State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SFSU is $7,304. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,184. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,482 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SFSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Simpson University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.
If you want to attend Simpson U, expect to pay an average of $35,800 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,361 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Simpson U. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
California State University - Long Beach ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CSULB is $6,846. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,726. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSULB accumulate an average of $17,689 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CSULB does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.
If you want to attend Fresno Pacific, expect to pay an average of $33,452 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,110 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Fresno Pacific, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 8% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
California State University - Fullerton came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cal State Fullerton is $6,976. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,856. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of $17,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Cal State Fullerton does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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