8 of the Best Nursing Schools in California

Best Nursing Schools California

A registered nurse (RN) is an important position in any healthcare setting. Registered Nurses (RNs) are in high demand in California, and while they are well-compensated.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 332,000 registered nurses work in California.

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The report shows that the mean wage of RNs in California is $137,690. Various reports have predicted an incredible rise in the demand for nurses between 2020 and 2035.

This bodes extremely well for aspiring nurses looking to join nursing schools in the state.

Best Nursing Schools in California

To make the decision easier, we’ve shortlisted around eight top nursing schools in California.

1 – California State University, Bakersfield

California has numerous nursing schools. California State University, Bakersfield, offers competitive in-state tuition rates for nursing courses and is the top choice for nursing schools in the state.

It is located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This gives it a college-town feel. The nursing program offers numerous options for undergraduate students.

You can choose the conventional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

You can also enroll in its RN-to-BSN course of 15 months. California State University, Bakersfield, has a high NCLEX passing rate, indicative of the quality of its nursing program. It is also a nationally recognized university.

Highlights of the University of California, Bakersfield

Annual in-state tuition – $12,522
NCLEX passing rate – 93%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.csub.edu/

2 – California State University, Fullerton

The California State University, Fullerton campus is located just north of Anaheim. It is one of the top nursing schools in California and the United States.

It houses more than 40,000 students and is ethnically diverse. This nursing school offers low in-state tuition and a quiet location.

There are two main options for students who are pursuing nursing courses. You can enroll in the direct-entry BSN course, or you can choose to take the conventional BSN degree course.

The direct-entry BSN course is aimed at incoming freshmen. This course provides you with a nursing degree in your freshman year.

The conventional CSUF course is aimed at current students who plan to become registered nurses. This course admits only 5 to 10 students per year, making it a significantly tougher program for admission.

Highlights of California State University, Fullerton

Annual in-state tuition – $7,074
NCLEX passing rate – 98.67%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

http://www.fullerton.edu/

3 – University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine, is a high-quality nursing school. US News & World Report ranks it as one of the top public schools.

This school is renowned for its commitment to diversity. Graduates from this school are also likely to get higher-paying employment than the national average.

The major undergraduate nursing course in the school is the conventional BSN degree course.

Although only about 2.5% of applicants enroll in this course, graduates tend to get better employment and higher salaries.

If you enroll in this school, you can expect a fruitful and successful career in nursing.

Highlights of the University of California, Irvine

Annual in-state tuition – $12,522
NCLEX passing rate – 83.33%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Online Courses – Yes
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://uci.edu/

4 – California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach, also offers one of the top nursing programs in the state. The school boasts a premier nursing course, which assures students that they get the best nursing education available in the country.

The school mainly offers conventional BSN and MSN courses. The BSN course includes three different track options – a traditional track, an RN-to-BSN track and an accelerated course. This nursing school also boasts of one of its graduates’ highest NCLEX pass rates.

Highlights of California State University, Long Beach

Annual in-state tuition – $6,904
NCLEX passing rate – nearly 100%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.csulb.edu/

5 – California State University, Los Angeles

The California State University, Los Angeles, remains one of the most sought-after nursing schools in the state. The school is close to numerous large and renowned hospitals in Log Angeles.

The school offers an accelerated BSN course for non-RNs, which is certainly unique among nursing schools.

This nursing program is aimed at bachelor’s degree holders and recently graduated candidates. You can complete this course in just 15 months. Ultimately, students are more than ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN test.

Highlights of California State University, Los Angeles

Annual in-state tuition – $6,814
NCLEX passing rate – 95.75%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.calstatela.edu/

6 – California State University, Sacramento

The California State University, Sacramento campus is one of the most diverse nursing schools in the state. Thousands of students from across California and the United States enroll in Sacramento State University.

The school attracts top-scoring students from across the country. It offers one of the best BSN programs. This is designed for freshmen without any prior nursing experience.

Its RN-to-BSN course is also available for currently employed nurses who wish to complete their degree. The school also boasts one of the highest NCLEX pass rates.

Highlights of California State University, Sacramento

Annual in-state tuition – $7,602
NCLEX passing rate – 96.29%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.csus.edu/

7 – San Diego State University

San Diego State University was established in 1897. It currently teaches more than 36,000 students annually and is one of California’s top public schools.

SDSU’s nursing school offers four main nursing programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and an LVN-RN course.

SDSU also offers its nursing students the option to study abroad, which is certainly very rare. It also boasts of a low in-state tuition rate and an exceptional NCLEX passing rate.

Highlights of San Diego State University

Annual in-state tuition – $8,290
NCLEX passing rate – 95.70%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – No
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.sdsu.edu/

8 – California State University, Stanislaus

California State University, Stanislaus, has campuses in Turlock and Stockton. The school offers four main options for nursing students: an RN-BSN, an online RN-BS, an LVN-BSN, or a conventional BSN course.

Students at this school are known to get in-depth experience through the school’s clinical programs. The school’s low in-state tuition and high NCLEX passing rate also attract thousands of students.

Highlights of California State University, Stanislaus

Annual in-state tuition – $7,818
NCLEX passing rate – 97%
Conventional nursing course – Yes
Online classes – Yes
Accelerated course – Yes
Bridge – Yes

https://www.csustan.edu/

Conclusion

This is our list of the top nursing schools in California. Make sure to do your research before selecting any of the above-given options.

You can compare these schools according to priority and select the best-suited one.

Please visit the specific nursing school’s official website for detailed information about nursing courses and other relevant information.

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