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Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

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2023 Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

38 Schools Ranked
$20,414 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,374 Avg Student Debt*

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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 38 schools in California to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

195 Total Awards
$18,940 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found California State University - Dominguez Hills to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in California. Located in Carson, California, the fairly large public school awarded 195 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CSUDH are $18,940 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,973 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, CSUDH is an excellent choice, since the school is online.If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CSUDH does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

CSUDH did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.

Read full report on California State University - Dominguez Hills

74 Total Awards
$19,098 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means California State University - Monterey Bay is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Seaside, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

CSUMB undergraduate students pay an average of $19,098 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,303 in student loans.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out CSUMB. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

CSUMB also took the #1 spot in our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California rankings.

Read full report on California State University - Monterey Bay

99 Total Awards
$18,697 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means California State University - Channel Islands is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. CSUCI is located in Camarillo, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CSUCI are $18,697 per year. 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.

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#4

United States University

San Diego, California
54 Total Awards
$5,700 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend United States University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. USU is a private for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 54 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USU are $5,700 a year.

USU is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on United States University

255 Total Awards
$19,272 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at California State University - Sacramento helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in California. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 255 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Sac State are $19,272 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,924 in student loans.

Sac State 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 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Sac State did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.

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#6

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
59 Total Awards
$19,868 Average Tuition & Fees

Sonoma State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. SSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 59 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SSU undergraduate students pay an average of $19,868 in tuition and fees each year. 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 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 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

SSU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.

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125 Total Awards
$19,524 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school located in Turlock, California that handed out 125 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Stan State are $19,524 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,714 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Stan State 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 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Stan State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list.

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184 Total Awards
$18,875 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - East Bay landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 184 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cal State East Bay are $18,875 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,301 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Cal State East Bay. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - East Bay Report

154 Total Awards
$18,533 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,360 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Fresno did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

Fresno State undergraduate students pay an average of $18,533 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,360 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Fresno State. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full California State University - Fresno Report

#10

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
137 Total Awards
$18,726 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 137 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSULB are $18,726 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,689 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CSULB. 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.

Read full report on California State University - Long Beach

#11

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
294 Total Awards
$19,607 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 294 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSUSM are $19,607 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,457 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that CSUSM does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full California State University - San Marcos Report

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
136 Total Awards
$19,184 Average Tuition & Fees

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SFSU are $19,184 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,482 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SFSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full San Francisco State University Report

#12

California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, California
373 Total Awards
$18,856 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Fullerton ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 373 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton undergraduate students pay an average of $18,856 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cal State Fullerton. 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.

Full California State University - Fullerton Report

#14

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
159 Total Awards
$18,665 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,712 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school handed out 159 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cal State LA are $18,665 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,712 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cal State LA. 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.

Read full report on California State University - Los Angeles

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
182 Total Awards
$19,732 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jose State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school handed out 182 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

San Jose State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,732 in tuition and fees each year.

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. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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119 Total Awards
$19,744 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 119 students in 2020-2021.

Chico State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,744 in tuition and fees each year. 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Full California State University - Chico Report

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
237 Total Awards
$20,016 Average Tuition & Fees

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. This large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 237 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SDSU are $20,016 a year. 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 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 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Full San Diego State University Report

#18

California State University - Northridge

Northridge, California
92 Total Awards
$18,923 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,166 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Northridge ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN undergraduate students pay an average of $18,923 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,166 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CSUN. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on California State University - Northridge

#19

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
159 Total Awards
$19,093 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,358 Avg Student Debt

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 159 students in 2020-2021.

CSUSB undergraduate students pay an average of $19,093 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $18,358 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CSUSB. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Report

#20

California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California
106 Total Awards
$19,459 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,944 Avg Student Debt

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. CSUB is located in Bakersfield, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSUB are $19,459 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $15,944 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at CSUB. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on California State University - Bakersfield

#21

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California
118 Total Awards
$9,552 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,112 Avg Student Debt

University of Phoenix - California came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Costa Mesa, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

UOPX - California undergraduate students pay an average of $9,552 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $42,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UOPX - California 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 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Phoenix - California Report

#22

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
48 Total Awards
$43,012 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 48 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UCLA are $43,012 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,277 in loans while pursuing 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

UCLA also took the #2 spot in our Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California rankings.

Read full report on University of California - Los Angeles

#23

National University

La Jolla, California
347 Total Awards
$13,320 Average Tuition & Fees

National University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in La Jolla, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 347 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at National University are $13,320 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,281 in student loans.

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. In 2019-2020 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#24

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
46 Total Awards
$43,529 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,722 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Irvine ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 46 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UC Irvine are $43,529 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,722 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UC Irvine 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.

Full University of California - Irvine Report

#25

Brandman University

Irvine, California
4 Total Awards
$12,480 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,173 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Brandman University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 4 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Brandman undergraduate students pay an average of $12,480 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,173 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, Brandman is an excellent choice, since the school is online.

Read full report on Brandman University

Best Value 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

  • 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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