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. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,933 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend CSUMB full time pay an average of $7,323 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,203. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUMB accumulate an average of $15,037 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CSUMB. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 38 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 9,851 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UCLA is $13,401. Out-of-state students pay an average of $43,473. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UCLA accumulate an average of $15,421 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at California State University - Dominguez Hills helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in California. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,761 students in 2021-2022.
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. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,788 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CSUDH. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Read full report on California State University - Dominguez Hills
Out of the 38 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Sonoma State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,258 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SSU is $8,060. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,940. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,857 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means California State University - Sacramento is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 7,486 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Sac State is $7,484. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,364. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,817 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Sac State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of San Francisco landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 1,626 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $55,532 to cover tuition and fees at USFCA. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from USFCA accumulate an average of $21,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that USFCA does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Located in Turlock, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,553 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,734 in tuition and fees if they attend Stan State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $19,614. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,229 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Stan State, 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. MSMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 429 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at MSMU is $46,740. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,565 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that MSMU does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Dominican University of California came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in San Rafael, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 394 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $49,426 to cover tuition and fees at DUofC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,811 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DUofC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific 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 #10 on the list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Azusa, California that handed out 1,526 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $42,330 to cover tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific. 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 $22,646 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Azusa Pacific, 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 32% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, National University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 1,758 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,754 in loans while pursuing their degree.
National University 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. In fact, around 70% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. CSUCI is a medium-sized public school situated in Camarillo, California. It awarded 1,895 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CSUCI is $6,817. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,697. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUCI accumulate an average of $17,928 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSUCI. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 935 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend PLNU, expect to pay an average of $41,100 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,967 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. In fact, around 23% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - San Marcos 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 #14 on the list. Located in San Marcos, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,567 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,733 in tuition and fees if they attend CSUSM full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,613. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from CSUSM accumulate an average of $18,185 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CSUSM. In 2020-2021 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school awarded 7,362 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,899 in tuition and fees if they attend San Jose State full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,779.
San Jose State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Vanguard University of Southern California ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Vanguard is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 420 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Vanguard does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $38,700. This amount may 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 $20,667 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Vanguard. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
San Diego State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in San Diego, California, the large public school handed out 8,969 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend SDSU full time pay an average of $8,174 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,054. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,840 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SDSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,117 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Chico State is $7,972. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,852. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,500 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Chico State does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
California State University - East Bay came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,876 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cal State East Bay full time pay an average of $6,995 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,875. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,431 in student loans.
Cal State East Bay 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, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pacific Union College 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 #20 on the list. PUC is located in Angwin, California and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 119 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,678 to cover tuition and fees at PUC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
One thing to take note of is that PUC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. San Francisco State University is a large public school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 6,087 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $7,524 in tuition and fees if they attend SFSU full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,404. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,707 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SFSU does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Simpson University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Redding, California, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 214 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Simpson U is $37,480. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,797 in student loans.
Simpson U 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. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 9,259 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CSULB is $6,884. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,764. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,381 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that CSULB does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 93% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Fresno Pacific University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Fresno Pacific is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 684 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Fresno Pacific, expect to pay an average of $34,188 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,208 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 fact, around 41% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
California State University - Fullerton 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 #25 on the list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9,717 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $7,007 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cal State Fullerton. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,887. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,465 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Cal State Fullerton. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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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