1. California State University, Bakersfield

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,857 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

California has a plethora of incredible state schools, and residents can take advantage of low in-state tuition. California State University, Bakersfield is no exception. Located roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cal State Bakersfield has the feel of a college town. The nursing program offers plenty of options for undergraduate students, from a traditional BSN to a 15-month RN-to-BSN. Like most California schools, Cal State Bakersfield has a high NCLEX pass rate and is a nationally-recognized university. 

2. California State University, Fullerton

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,560 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.5%

Traditional: Yes

Online: Yes

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Located just north of Anaheim is another excellent school in the CSU system, California State University, Fullerton. Home to nearly 40,000 students, this ethnically diverse school has a low in-state tuition rate and a great location. Nursing students interested in a BSN have two main options: a direct-entry BSN and traditional BSN. The direct-entry BSN is for incoming freshman, and you’ll being your nursing degree your freshman year. The traditional CSUF pathway is for current students that want to become RNs. The CSUF pathway only admits 5-10 students per year, so this is a tougher program to enter. 

3. University of California, Irvine

Annual In-State Tuition: $13,360 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Considered by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top public schools, the University of California, Irvine is an all-around high-quality school. UC Irvine has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity, and graduates tend to have higher salaries than the national average for recent grads. The main undergraduate nursing program – a traditional BSN – also boasts high graduate employment and salaries, but only 2.5% of all applicants are admitted. If students are lucky enough to count themselves among those selected, they’ll be set up for an incredibly successful nursing career.

4. California State University, Long Beach

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,460 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

California State University, Long Beach is home to beautiful beaches and beaches, along with one of the top nursing programs in the state. CSULB’s nursing program has a lofty goal of becoming the premier nursing program, so nursing students can rest assured that they’re getting one of the best educations available. The main focus of the nursing school are the traditional BSN and MSN, the first of which has three different track options: a traditional track, an RN-BSN track, and an accelerated option. The NCLEX pass rate of the recent graduating class speaks to the student outcomes.  

5. California State University, Los Angeles

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,383 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.94%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Los Angeles, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, is home to various hospitals where California State University, Los Angeles nursing students can complete their clinicals. Of the nursing programs offered, the accelerated BSN for non-RNs is perhaps the most interesting. Intended for current bachelor’s degree holders and recent grads, this program can take as little as 15 months to complete. By the end of the program, students will be ready to take the NCLEX-RN – something which most grads pass on their first try. 

6. University of California, Los Angeles

Annual In-State Tuition: $12,920 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.23%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: No

Bridge: No

One of the most recognized institutions in the world, the University of California, Los Angeles. So, it should come as no surprise that UCLA is also home to one of the top nursing schools in California. Most students are going to be interested in earning their BSN before anything else, although the master’s and doctoral level degrees offered by UCLA are among the top in the state, too. The price is higher than other state schools, but in-state students will still pay a low tuition rate. 

7. California State University, Sacramento

Annual In-State Tuition: $6,900 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.64%

Traditional: Yes

Online: No

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Located in the state capitol, California State University, Sacramento is one of the most diverse schools in the nation. Students come from across California – and the US – to study at Sac State. One of the university’s top draws is the BSN program, perfect for incoming freshmen that don’t have any nursing experience. An RN-BSN program is also available for current nurses that want to complete a degree. Along with other state schools, Sac State is an excellent value for California residents, and they boast one of the highest NCLEX pass rates on this list.

Best Nursing Schools In Los Angeles

Methodology: Ranking The Best Nursing Schools In Los Angeles

Whether you’re starting your career or going back to school, a nursing degree is an economic and financial decision you want to see pay off. That’s why the TopRNtoBSN ranking of the best nursing schools in southern California focuses on data that tells students what to expect: Cost, Salary Expectations, and Student Reviews. Our data comes from IPEDS and Niche, and all programs are accredited and trustworthy.

1. UCLA

The UCLA School of Nursing is recognized among the best nursing schools in Southern California and one of the best nursing schools in Los Angeles. The nursing programs at UCLA are offered at the bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral levels. These multi-level degree programs have received the approval of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UCLA’S Neuropsychiatric Hospital is considered among the elite nursing schools in the country, and one of the first nursing teaching hospitals to receive these honors from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The University of California, at Los Angeles (UCLA), was established in 1919 and is one of the oldest campuses within the University of California System. UCLA is a public institution of higher education with a 400+urban campus that serves more than 45,000 students. UCLA is recognized as one of the few public ivy schools in the United States.

Degree: BSN, MSN, DNP

2. University Of California, Irvine

The University of California Irvine’s School of Nursing is considered one of the best nursing schools in Southern California. As one of the best nursing schools in Los Angeles, UCI’s nursing programs (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level) have been accredited by the CCNE – the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. UCI’s nursing school offers an impressive student to faculty ratio of 8:1.

The University of California, Irvine, was established in 1965 and is a land grant institution of higher learning. UC Irvine’s 1,500+-acre campus is home to more than 35,000 students. UC Irvine is responsible for the administration of the school’s medical center. UCI is considered one of the few public ivy schools in the United States. President Lyndon B Johnson was an integral part of the school’s dedication in 1964.

Degree: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD

3. California State University, Long Beach

California State University’s School of Nursing offers both undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs that have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CSULB is recognized internationally ranked among the best nursing schools in Southern California and offers an employment rate after graduation of 100% for graduate degree holders and 95% for undergraduate degree holders. CSULB is recognized among the best nursing schools in Los Angeles and neighboring areas for basic Bachelor of Science (BSN)programs, RN-to-BSN programs, and the Master of Science in Nursing degree programs.

Cal State Long Beach was established in 1949 as a public institution of higher education. The school’s 300+-acre campus is home to more than 38,000 students studying for more than 150 bachelors, masters, and doctoral level degrees. CSULB ‘s campus is the 3rd largest within the California State University System.

Degree: BSN, MSN

4. California State University, Fullerton

California State University Fullerton’s College of Health and Human Development is considered one of the best nursing schools in Southern California. CSUF offers a variety of nursing degree programs that have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). As one of the best nursing schools in Los Angeles, CSUF offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral nursing degree programs. The school also offers accelerated nursing degree programs and completion programs, like the RN to Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) or Licensed Vocation Nursing to BSN degree program.

Cal State Fullerton was established in 1957. CSUF is one of the 23 member schools that make up the California State University system. The school’s urban campus serves nearly 40,000 students studying for the more than 100-degree program available. CSUF is recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution of higher learning.

Degree: RN-BSN, MSN, DNP

5. California State University, Northridge

California State University’s Northridge’s College of Health and Human Development is recognized among the best nursing schools in Los Angeles, as well as one of the best nursing schools in Southern California. Cal State Northridge offers CCNE accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees for transfer students – those who already hold a Registered Nursing (RN) license or those students already enrolled in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at an appropriately accredited community college. CSUN is currently creating masters and doctoral programs to be offered shortly.

Cal State Northridge is a public institution of higher education that was established in 1958. The school’s campus is home to more than 38,000 students studying for more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. CSUN holds the distinction of having the largest undergraduate student enrollment of all the California State University campuses.

Degree: BSN; MSN and DNP in the works

6. California State University, Los Angeles

California State University Los Angeles’ School of Nursing is considered among the best nursing schools in Los Angeles, offering nursing degrees that have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). As one of the best nursing schools in Southern California, CSULA provides nursing degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, with an accelerated Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree program with a program duration of fifteen months.

Cal State Los Angeles was established in 1947 and is a land-grant, public institution of higher education. CSULA’s 170+-acre hilltop campus serves more than 26,000 students studying from the school’s eight colleges/schools. The school’s campus is home to a space program that is funded by NASA and two unique high school opportunities for younger students. CSULA is recognized as a university that is Hispanic serving.

Degree: BSN, MSN, DNP

7. California State University, Dominguez Hills

California State University Dominguez Hills offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree programs for students who are either enrolled in a community college accredited nursing program or those students who already hold a Registered Nurse (RN) license. The school also offers several master’s level nursing degree programs. As one of the best nursing schools in Southern California, CSUDH provides diverse BSN and MSN options for nursing students. Graduate nursing students enrolled at one of the best nursing schools in Los Angeles can opt for specialties as a Pediatric Nurse, an Adult-Gerontology Nurse, a Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Administrator.

Cal State Dominguez Hills was established in 1960. The school’s urban campus sits on the oldest land grant area in Southern California, known as Rancho San Pedro. CSUDH holds the distinction of being one of the most ethnically (and economically) diverse institutions of higher education in the western half of the country. The school is regularly recognized among the universities in the country that bestows the most degrees to African American students.

Degree: RN-BSN, MSN

8. California State University, San Bernardino

California State University’s San Bernardino is ranked among one of the best nursing schools in Southern California. CSUSB’s nursing degree programs have received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which is one of the reasons the university has been recognized among the best nursing schools in Los Angeles. CSUSB offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program, an RN to BSN degree program, plus a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program.

Cal State San Bernardino is a public space-grant institution of higher education that was established in 1965. The school operates two campuses, rural campus in Palm Desert and a main suburban campus in San Bernardino. Together, these campuses serve more than 20,000 students. CSUSB operates one of the few museums that has received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.

Degree: BSN, MSN