If you are searching for the most outstanding nursing schools in California, this article has covered you with a list of top California universities offering nursing courses, their tuition fees, and other vital information about those institutions that might interest you.
Anyone who wants to be an outstanding practicing nurse in California should enroll in a well-accredited nursing school in the city, which will offer you the best practical studies and a certificate of qualification after graduation.
Criteria For Choosing a Perfect Nursing School
Before picking the perfect nursing school to suit your choice, you need to consider the followings:
- Annual tuition and total program cost
- Cost of living in the area
- Cost of living at the school
- Scholarships, grants, and federal aid offered
- Acceptance rate
- Length of the program
- Potential program outcomes
- Distance from hospitals
- Accreditation
What are the Top Best Nursing Schools in California?
1. California State University, Fullerton
With an annual in-State tuition fee of $6,995 and NCLEX Pass Rate of 96.97%, the California State University, Fullerton, has ranked high among California’s best and most unique nursing schools.
Located just north of Anaheim, the school is home to nearly 40,000 students and is also an accredited nursing institution with a reasonable tuition rate for in-state students. All students who are interested in BSN have four options, which are:
- Traditional BSN
- Accelerated BSN
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Pathway, and
- R.N. to BSN
2. California State University, Bakersfield
If you are in California and want a well-accredited institution, the California state university, Bakersfield, is a perfect option for you, as they have a pass rate of about 98.08% and an annual in-state tuition of about $15,270.
This outstanding school also has unique online programs. The school is roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, with stunning building structures and well-equipped learning facilities for practical education.
This institution’s nursing program offers plenty of options for all admitted undergraduate students, including a traditional BSN and a 15-month RN-to-BSN. The school has a high NCLEX pass rate.
3. California State University, Los Angeles
Ranking 3rd in our list of best nursing colleges in California is the California State University, Los Angeles, with an annual In-State Tuition: of $6,782 and a good NCLEX Pass Rate of 95.4%.
This school is home to various hospitals where California State University, Los Angeles, nursing students can complete their clinical and perfect themselves greatly for actual duties after graduation.
The school also offers four programs for undergraduate nursing students, which include:
- Traditional BSN
- RN-BSN
- ADN-BSN Collaborative Program
- Accelerated BSN
4. California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, is Located in the state capitol and has an annual In-State Tuition of around $7,484 and an NCLEX Pass Rate of approximately 97.33%, with standing building structures and well-equipped learning facilities to help better their students.
This school accepts both in-state and international students, with a good acceptance and tuition fee. An RN-BSN program and an LVN to BSN program are also available for current nurses wanting to complete a BSN in the school.
5. University of California, Irvine
Ranking in the 5th position in our list of best nursing institutions in California is the well-known university of California, Irvine, with an annual In-State Tuition fee of around $11,928 and an NCLEX Pass rate of 88.64%.
This school, known to be accredited, is also considered one of the nation’s top public schools in the state. This school’s graduates tend to have higher salaries than the national average for recent grads.
6. University of California, San Francisco
The University of California, San Francisco is another great option for anyone that wants to do great in the nursing field, as they have an annual In-State Tuition of around $54,980 and an NCLEX Pass Rate of around 88.%.
You might love to know that UCSF offers a traditional BSN and an accelerated MSN, and their three-year program is for current bachelor’s degree holders who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
7. California State University, Long Beach
Having an annual In-State Tuition of around $6,834 and an NCLEX Pass Rate: of 99.3%, California State University, Long Beach, has also gotten a spot among the best nursing schools in California and also offers unique online programs with experts to help you develop significantly in your career path.
You might love to know that the great California State University, Long Beach is home to beautiful beaches and beaches, along with one of the top nursing programs in the state with a reasonable acceptance rate and graduation rate.
All admitted students who want to do great in the nursing field should be assured that they will get one of the best educations available in the institution, as the university offers BSN and MSN programs.
8. University of California, Los Angeles
Having an NCLEX Pass Rate of 90.91%, and an annual In-State Tuition of $13,804, the famous University of California, Los Angeles, also got a spot among the individual nursing schools in California. The school is also among the most recognized worldwide for its outstanding performance.
This outstanding school is home to one of the top nursing schools in California, and it has one traditional BSN program for incoming freshman and transfer students.
9. California State University, Stanislaus
Having an annual In-State Tuition of $5,742 and an NCLEX Pass Rate of 97.83% has also gotten a spot among California’s most outstanding nursing schools and is well-accredited.
This school has two campuses. One is in Turlock, and the other is in Stockton. The institution also has 4 BSN options, which are:
- Traditional BSN, known for new students
- Accelerated BSN, which is for students who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- LVN-BSN
- And an online RN-BSN
10. San Diego State University
San Diego State University is the home of the Aztecs. This outstanding school has been educating students since 1897, having an annual In-State Tuition fee of $8,174 and an NCLEX Pass Rate of 95.8% with well-established building structures and learning facilities.
With the outstanding performances of this school, it is currently home to more than 36,000 students, has entrenched itself as one of the top public schools in California, and offers four programs in Traditional BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and LVN-RN.
Importance of Nursing Program’s Accreditation
An accredited school offers more fantastic opportunities, and an unaccredited nursing institution might make you ineligible for specific federal funding.
We all should know that accrediting agencies are responsible for setting minimum standards for education programs and ensuring specific programs meet their rigorous standards.
Furthermore, many employers only accept nurses with a BSN from an accredited school, so if your school is not accredited, you risk employment opportunities from more prominent companies.
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Nursing Colleges in California
Can Nursing School Tuition Fees Change?
Yes, nursing school tuition fees can change with time because every college and university reserves the right to change their tuition rates at any given time, and various factors can also affect a schools tuition fee, and those factors are:
1. Transfer credits
2. Completed competency exams
3. Amount of credits taken per year
4. Financial aid awards
What is the Easiest Nursing School to Get into in California?
According to findings, California State University, Bakersfield, is the most accessible California nursing school to enter, with an acceptance rate of around 78%.
What is the Number 1 Best Nursing Program in California?
According to the chart rank from the U.S. News and World Report, the popularly known University of California-San Francisco is ranked number 1 as the best nursing school in California.
Is it Hard to get into a Nursing School in California?
Most top nursing institutions in California have a high competition rate, but if you can meet their requirements on time, you have a higher chance of gaining admission.
Conclusion
Although we have dozens of excellent nursing school options in California, you can only attend one. We have offered you a list of outstanding nursing schools in California.
Please remember that the yearly tuition rates listed in this article will vary for each student depending on factors like transfer credits, completed competency exams, amount of credits taken per year, and financial aid awards.
We assume you have gotten the perfect choice of school needed. The next step is to take your time to visit the different school portals above and contact their admission offices, where you can learn more about their various application requirements.
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