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Nursing Schools in California: All 336 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates

California has 290 schools running 336 board-approved nursing programs — 167 RN-track and 169 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across California programs is 90.9%, 4.4 points above the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.

336
Approved programs
290
Schools
90.9%
Avg RN pass rate (2025)
86.5%
National RN average

Best Nursing Schools in California by NCLEX Pass Rate

Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding. 14 programs are tied at 100% — the first 10 are shown alphabetically.

  1. 1
    Los Angeles Harbor College
    Wilmington · Associate Degree
    100%
  2. 2
    Mendocino College
    Ukiah · Associate Degree
    100%
  3. 3
    Miracosta College
    Oceanside · Associate Degree
    100%
  4. 4
    Monterey Peninsula College
    Monterey · Associate Degree
    100%
  5. 5
    Moorpark College
    Moorpark · Associate Degree
    100%
  6. 6
    Rio Hondo College
    Whittier · Associate Degree
    100%
  7. 7
    San Diego City College
    San Diego · Associate Degree
    100%
  8. 8
    Santa Monica College
    Santa Monica · Associate Degree
    100%
  9. 9
    Sierra College
    Rocklin · Associate Degree
    100%
  10. 10
    University of California, Irvine
    Irvine · Entry Level Master's Degree
    100%

What Nursing School Costs in California — and What Graduates Earn

Tuition, admissions and graduate-earnings figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, matched to 180 of 290 California schools. Earnings are program-level — the median for graduates of that school's own nursing program, not all its alumni.

$1,334
Median public tuition / yr
99 schools
$45,354
Median private tuition / yr
16 schools
$98,165
ADN grad pay, 1 yr out
50 programs
$102,028
BSN grad pay, 1 yr out
30 programs

Median federal loan debt for BSN graduates in California is $19,710 (30 programs). Sticker tuition is the whole school's published price, not the nursing program's alone, and it ignores aid — the number that decides whether a program pays off is what you actually pay plus the wages you give up while enrolled. Run your own numbers in the ROI calculator or read the full cost of becoming an RN.

Every Approved Nursing Program in California

Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.

336 of 336 programs · “—” = not published for that program · tuition is the school’s published in-state price for one year, before aid; grad pay is the median for that program’s own graduates, one year out

Aberdeen InstituteVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN———
All Healthcare InstituteStantonVN Approved ProgramPN———
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaAssociate DegreeRN$1,156—93.9%
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaVN Approved ProgramPN$1,156——
Allied Medical & Health Services Inc.GlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN———
American Career CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN——94.9%
American Career College, AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN$42,900program year$60,281—
American Career College, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN$42,900program year$60,281—
American Career College, OntarioOntarioVN Approved ProgramPN$42,900program year$52,792—
American River CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN$1,288$98,95194.4%
American University of Health SciencesSignal HillBaccalaureate DegreeRN$24,575$94,81691%
Angeles InstituteArtesiaVN Approved ProgramPN$31,715program year$52,303—
Angeles UniversityLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN——90.5%
Angeles University, City of IndustryCity Of IndustryVN Approved ProgramPN———
Angeles University, GlendaleGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN———
Annenberg School of NursingResedaVN Approved ProgramPN$23,525program year——
Annenberg School of Nursing, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN———
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterAssociate DegreeRN——97.1%
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterVN Approved ProgramPN———
Ardent CollegeOrangeVN Approved ProgramPN———
Arizona College of NursingOntarioBaccalaureate DegreeRN——85.1%
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaBaccalaureate DegreeRN$44,458$105,52182.2%
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$44,458——
Bakersfield Adult SchoolBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN———
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldAssociate DegreeRN$1,430$86,31294%
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN$1,430——
Beaumont Adult SchoolBeaumontVN Approved ProgramPN$31,206program year$50,638—
Biola UniversityLa MiradaBaccalaureate DegreeRN$48,984$93,62990.5%
Blake Austin CollegeVacavilleVN Approved ProgramPN$37,035program year$48,106—
Butte CollegeOrlandVN Approved ProgramPN$1,356——
Butte Community CollegeOrovilleAssociate DegreeRN——91.4%
Cabrillo CollegeAptosAssociate DegreeRN$1,270—88.7%
California Baptist UniversityRiversideBaccalaureate DegreeRN$41,228$92,44186.6%
California Baptist UniversityRiversideEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$41,228—95%
California Career CollegeCanoga ParkAssociate DegreeRN$71,000program year$98,48696.5%
California Career Institute AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN———
California Career Institute CentinelaHawthorneVN Approved ProgramPN———
California Northstate UniversityRancho CordovaBaccalaureate DegreeRN$57,463——
California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho MirageAssociate DegreeRN$33,500program year——
California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho MirageVN Approved ProgramPN$33,500program year$51,543—
California State University, BakersfieldBakersfieldBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,090—93.9%
California State University, Channel IslandsCamarilloBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,159$103,48486%
California State University, ChicoChicoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,472$113,18193.2%
California State University, East BayHaywardBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,583$124,39286.8%
California State University, FresnoFresnoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,350$96,89094.7%
California State University, FullertonFullertonBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,470$103,02894.9%
California State University, Long BeachLong BeachBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,350$100,17898.8%
California State University, Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,160$98,81196.1%
California State University, NorthridgeNorthridgeBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,458$106,78085.5%
California State University, SacramentoSacramentoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,018$116,00196.6%
California State University, San BernardinoSan BernardinoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,093$93,14294.1%
California State University, San MarcosSan MarcosBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,082$103,79995.2%
California State University, StanislausTurlockBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,246$119,35692.5%
Career Care InstituteLancasterAssociate DegreeRN$31,717program year—85.2%
Career Care Institute, LancasterLancasterVN Approved ProgramPN———
Career Care Institute, Moreno ValleyMoreno ValleyVN Approved ProgramPN———
Career Care Institute, OxnardOxnardVN Approved ProgramPN———
Career Development Institute, Inc.Los AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN$33,578program year$56,099—
Carrington CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN——94.8%
Carrington College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN———
Carrington College, Rancho MirageRancho MirageVN Approved ProgramPN———
Carrington College, SacramentoSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN$22,182program year$60,778—
Carrington College, San JoseSan JoseVN Approved ProgramPN$22,404program year$60,778—
Carrington College, Santa MariaSanta MariaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Carrington College, VisaliaVisaliaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Central Coast CollegeSalinasVN Approved ProgramPN$18,614program year——
Cerritos CollegeNorwalkAssociate DegreeRN$1,364—96.4%
Cerro Coso Community CollegeRidgecrestVN Approved ProgramPN$1,384——
Cerro Coso Community College, BishopBishopVN Approved ProgramPN———
Chabot CollegeHaywardAssociate DegreeRN$1,150—0%
Chaffey CollegeRancho CucamongaAssociate DegreeRN$1,184—93.2%
Chaffey CollegeChinoVN Approved ProgramPN$1,184——
Chamberlain UniversityRancho CordovaBaccalaureate DegreeRN——89.1%
Chamberlain University - IrwindaleIrwindaleBaccalaureate DegreeRN——79.8%
Charles A. Jones Career and Education CenterSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN$25,000program year$60,282—
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mervyn M. Dymally College of NursingLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN——65.7%
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mervyn M. Dymally College of NursingLos AngelesEntry Level Master's DegreeRN——86.7%
Citrus CollegeGlendoraAssociate DegreeRN$1,204—92.9%
Citrus CollegeGlendoraVN Approved ProgramPN$1,204——
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoAssociate DegreeRN$1,696$100,03192.2%
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoVN Approved ProgramPN$1,696——
Clement Career CollegeGardenaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Clovis Adult EducationClovisVN Approved ProgramPN$12,000program year$53,287—
Cni CollegeSanta AnaBaccalaureate DegreeRN——82.4%
Cni CollegeSanta AnaVN Approved ProgramPN———
College of MarinKentfieldAssociate DegreeRN$1,558$98,89388.1%
College of Nursing & TechnologyChatsworthVN Approved ProgramPN———
College of San MateoSan MateoAssociate DegreeRN$1,332—90%
College of the CanyonsSanta ClaritaAssociate DegreeRN$1,166$97,45789.8%
College of the DesertPalm DesertAssociate DegreeRN$1,326$91,84889.1%
College of the DesertPalm DesertVN Approved ProgramPN$1,326——
College of the RedwoodsEurekaAssociate DegreeRN$1,198$98,70382.9%
College of the Redwoods, Del NorteCrescent CityVN Approved ProgramPN———
College of the Redwoods, EurekaEurekaVN Approved ProgramPN———
College of the SequoiasVisaliaAssociate DegreeRN$1,394$98,92689.2%
College of the SiskiyousYrekaAssociate DegreeRN$1,444$92,905—
College of the SiskiyousYrekaVN Approved ProgramPN$1,444——
Comfort Paradise Training InstituteAlhambraVN Approved ProgramPN———
Compton CollegeComptonAssociate DegreeRN$1,142—80.4%
Concorde Career College, Garden GroveGarden GroveVN Approved ProgramPN$35,777program year$49,589—
Concorde Career College, North HollywoodNorth HollywoodVN Approved ProgramPN$34,979program year$56,444—
Concorde Career College, San BernardinoSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN$18,070program year$51,132—
Concorde Career College, San DiegoSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN$18,689program year$60,979—
Concordia University IrvineIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN$43,480$102,32495.1%
Contra Costa CollegeSan PabloAssociate DegreeRN$1,312$101,06480%
Contra Costa Medical Career CollegeAntiochVN Approved ProgramPN$10,335program year——
Copper Mountain CollegeJoshua TreeAssociate DegreeRN——87.8%
Copper Mountain CollegeJoshua TreeVN Approved ProgramPN———
Cordoba Medical InstituteRancho CordovaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Corona Norco Adult SchoolCoronaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipaVN Approved ProgramPN$1,188——
Cuesta CollegeSan Luis ObispoAssociate DegreeRN$1,350$99,00095.2%
Cuesta College, North CountySan Luis ObispoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Cypress CollegeCypressAssociate DegreeRN$1,150—98.5%
Dalrada Career InstituteSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN———
De Anza CollegeCupertinoAssociate DegreeRN$1,571—97.5%
Dominican University of CaliforniaSan RafaelBaccalaureate DegreeRN$52,161$97,76278.2%
Downey Adult SchoolDowneyVN Approved ProgramPN$4,499program year——
East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey ParkAssociate DegreeRN$1,238$81,49894.6%
El Camino CollegeTorranceAssociate DegreeRN——91%
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan JoseAssociate DegreeRN$1,366$82,87998.2%
Feather River CollegeQuincyVN Approved ProgramPN———
First Lady PermanenteTurlockVN Approved ProgramPN———
Fresno Adult SchoolFresnoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Fresno City CollegeFresnoAssociate DegreeRN$1,334$91,96178.2%
Fresno Pacific UniversityFresnoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$36,660—79.3%
Gavilan CollegeGilroyAssociate DegreeRN$1,508—95.8%
Gavilan CollegeGilroyVN Approved ProgramPN$1,508——
Genesis Medical CollegeTustinVN Approved ProgramPN———
Glendale Career CollegeGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN$76,557program year$59,140—
Glendale Community CollegeGlendaleAssociate DegreeRN$1,191—98%
Golden West CollegeHuntington BeachAssociate DegreeRN$1,380$82,98494.8%
Grossmont CollegeEl CajonAssociate DegreeRN$1,332—96.1%
Grossmont Health Occupations CenterSanteeVN Approved ProgramPN———
Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsFresnoAssociate DegreeRN$37,638program year$93,68189.6%
Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsConcordBaccalaureate DegreeRN$37,638program year—93.4%
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, ConcordConcordVN Approved ProgramPN———
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, FresnoFresnoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, ModestoModestoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, SacramentoSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, San JoseSan JoseVN Approved ProgramPN———
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, Willow CenterLa PuenteVN Approved ProgramPN$2,123program year——
Hartnell CollegeSalinasAssociate DegreeRN$1,404—95%
Hartnell CollegeSalinasVN Approved ProgramPN$1,404$63,321—
High Desert Medical CollegeLancasterAssociate DegreeRN$52,047program year——
High Desert Medical College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN———
High Desert Medical College, LancasterLancasterVN Approved ProgramPN$52,047program year$49,021—
High Desert Medical College, TemeculaTemeculaVN Approved ProgramPN$52,047program year——
Homestead Schools, Inc., Costa MesaCosta MesaVN Approved ProgramPN$35,750program year$50,456—
Homestead Schools, Inc., TorranceTorranceVN Approved ProgramPN———
Honor Health SciencesEl CentroVN Approved ProgramPN———
Imperial Valley CollegeImperialAssociate DegreeRN$1,148$77,22695.6%
Imperial Valley CollegeImperialVN Approved ProgramPN$1,148——
Inland Career Education CenterSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Institute of Technology, ClovisClovisVN Approved ProgramPN———
Institute of Technology, ModestoModestoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Institute of Technology, ReddingReddingVN Approved ProgramPN———
Integrity College of HealthPasadenaVN Approved ProgramPN$36,248program year$51,193—
Lassen Community CollegeSusanvilleAssociate DegreeRN$1,144——
Lassen Community CollegeSusanvilleVN Approved ProgramPN$1,144——
Lausd - Maxine Waters Employment Preparation CenterLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN———
Lausd North Valley Occupational CenterMission HillsVN Approved ProgramPN———
Lemoore CollegeLemooreAssociate DegreeRN$1,384$99,99297.1%
Loma Linda UniversityLoma LindaBaccalaureate DegreeRN—$98,61091.4%
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachAssociate DegreeRN$1,556—92.9%
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachVN Approved ProgramPN$1,556——
Los Angeles City CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN$1,238$83,69979.6%
Los Angeles County College of Nursing & Allied HealthLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN—$89,53694%
Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmingtonAssociate DegreeRN$1,238$91,233100%
Los Angeles Job Corps CenterLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN———
Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmarVN Approved ProgramPN$1,238——
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland HillsAssociate DegreeRN$1,238—96.8%
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN$1,238—88.9%
Los Angeles Trade-Tech CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN$1,238—91.8%
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley GlenAssociate DegreeRN$1,238—85.7%
Los Medanos CollegePittsburgAssociate DegreeRN$1,312—93.6%
Los Medanos CollegePittsburgVN Approved ProgramPN$1,312——
Lotus Medical Career CollegePomonaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Lynwood Community Adult SchoolLynwoodVN Approved ProgramPN———
Madera Community CollegeMaderaAssociate DegreeRN$1,378—92.9%
Madera Community CollegeMaderaVN Approved ProgramPN$1,378——
Marian College, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN$27,712program year$58,726—
Marian College, Van NuysVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN$27,712program year$58,726—
Marsha Fuerst School of NursingGlendaleAssociate DegreeRN——86.9%
Medical Allied Career Center, Inc.Santa Fe SpringsVN Approved ProgramPN$37,000program year$65,387—
Medical Career CollegeFremontVN Approved ProgramPN———
Mendocino CollegeUkiahAssociate DegreeRN$1,423$113,261100%
Mendocino CollegeUkiahVN Approved ProgramPN$1,423——
Merced CollegeMercedAssociate DegreeRN$1,200$107,02497.9%
Merced CollegeMercedVN Approved ProgramPN$1,200$31,349—
Merritt CollegeOaklandAssociate DegreeRN$1,258—89.5%
Meta PolytechnicChula VistaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Miracosta CollegeOceansideAssociate DegreeRN$1,158—100%
Miracosta CollegeOceansideVN Approved ProgramPN$1,158——
Mission CollegeSanta ClaraAssociate DegreeRN$1,438—93.9%
Mission CollegeSanta ClaraVN Approved ProgramPN$1,438——
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoAssociate DegreeRN$1,282$99,33991.2%
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoVN Approved ProgramPN$1,282——
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMontereyAssociate DegreeRN$1,188—100%
Moorpark CollegeMoorparkAssociate DegreeRN$1,426$105,599100%
Moriah Medical CollegeSanta ClaritaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Mount Saint Mary's University - Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN——84.1%
Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnutAssociate DegreeRN$1,364$92,48692.9%
Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnutVN Approved ProgramPN$1,364——
Mt. San Jacinto College, MVCMenifeeAssociate DegreeRN——91.2%
Napa Valley CollegeNapaAssociate DegreeRN$1,156—82.5%
National Career CollegePanorama CityVN Approved ProgramPN$31,325program year——
National UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$13,284$99,71487.8%
North Orange County Regional Occupational ProgramAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN———
North-West College, AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN$18,491program year$52,487—
North-West College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN$76,557program year——
North-West College, Long BeachLong BeachVN Approved ProgramPN$37,419program year$52,487—
North-West College, PomonaPomonaVN Approved ProgramPN$37,419program year$52,487—
North-West College, RiversideRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN$37,419program year$52,487—
North-West College, San DiegoSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN$76,557program year$59,140—
North-West College, South GateSouth GateVN Approved ProgramPN———
North-West College, Van NuysVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN$37,419program year$62,356—
North-West College, West CovinaWest CovinaVN Approved ProgramPN$37,419program year$50,771—
Northern California Nursing AcademyDaly CityVN Approved ProgramPN———
Nurse AcademyNational CityVN Approved ProgramPN$37,775program year——
Nurses' Development Center, Inc.CypressVN Approved ProgramPN———
Ohlone CollegeNewarkAssociate DegreeRN$1,202—91.3%
Pacific CollegeCosta MesaAssociate DegreeRN$38,025program year—95.8%
Pacific College, Costa MesaCosta MesaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Pacific College, LakewoodLakewoodVN Approved ProgramPN———
Pacific College, OntarioCosta MesaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Pacific Times Healthcare CollegeCoronaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Pacific Union CollegeAngwinAssociate DegreeRN$37,173$110,69692.4%
Palo Verde CollegeBlytheAssociate DegreeRN$1,288—83.3%
Palo Verde College, Nursing and Allied HealthBlytheVN Approved ProgramPN———
Palomar CollegeSan MarcosAssociate DegreeRN$1,354—93.7%
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaAssociate DegreeRN$1,180$90,15694.3%
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaVN Approved ProgramPN$1,180——
Pepperdine UniversityMalibuBaccalaureate DegreeRN$69,918——
Pepperdine UniversityMalibuEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$69,918——
Platt College, AlhambraAlhambraVN Approved ProgramPN———
Platt College, RiversideRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN$14,922——
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$46,250$97,29696.3%
Porterville CollegePortervilleAssociate DegreeRN$1,438—95.7%
Prestige Career CollegeHuntington ParkVN Approved ProgramPN———
Professional Medical Careers InstituteWestlake VillageVN Approved ProgramPN———
Project Heartbeat CollegeOaklandVN Approved ProgramPN———
Quest Nursing Education CenterPleasantonVN Approved ProgramPN———
Reedley CollegeReedleyVN Approved ProgramPN$1,334——
Regan Career InstituteEl MonteVN Approved ProgramPN$22,175program year——
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierAssociate DegreeRN$1,388$95,666100%
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierVN Approved ProgramPN$1,388——
Riverside City CollegeRiversideAssociate DegreeRN$1,428$89,86996.6%
Riverside City College, School of NursingRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN$1,428——
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN$1,288$100,62296%
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN$1,288——
Saddleback CollegeMission ViejoAssociate DegreeRN$1,156—98.8%
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoragaBaccalaureate DegreeRN$57,803——
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandBaccalaureate DegreeRN—$119,48679.3%
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandEntry Level Master's DegreeRN——85%
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan BernardinoAssociate DegreeRN$1,196—89.1%
San Diego City CollegeSan DiegoAssociate DegreeRN$1,146—100%
San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,728$100,22191%
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$7,950$117,53281.8%
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$7,950—73.9%
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStocktonAssociate DegreeRN$1,180$97,84384.6%
San Joaquin Valley CollegeVisaliaAssociate DegreeRN$22,052program year$97,01192.5%
San Leandro Adult and Career Education CenterSan LeandroVN Approved ProgramPN———
Santa Ana CollegeSanta AnaAssociate DegreeRN$1,180$98,49395.1%
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta BarbaraAssociate DegreeRN$1,240$101,95596.7%
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta BarbaraVN Approved ProgramPN$1,240——
Santa Monica CollegeSanta MonicaAssociate DegreeRN$1,156—100%
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta RosaAssociate DegreeRN$1,318$100,80096.5%
Shasta CollegeReddingAssociate DegreeRN$1,197$99,54496.5%
Shasta CollegeReddingVN Approved ProgramPN$1,197——
Sierra CollegeRocklinAssociate DegreeRN$1,446—100%
Simpson UniversityReddingBaccalaureate DegreeRN$39,708$102,61395.4%
Smith Chason School of NursingLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN$19,040—69.8%
Smith Chason School of Nursing, Los Angeles (Formerly Wcui School of Nursing, Los Angeles)Los AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN———
Smith Chason School of Nursing, Ontario (Formerly Wcui School of Nursing, Ontario)OntarioVN Approved ProgramPN———
Solano Community CollegeFairfieldAssociate DegreeRN$1,172—95.5%
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert ParkBaccalaureate DegreeRN$8,624$125,64695.7%
Southeast College Monterey ParkMonterey ParkVN Approved ProgramPN———
Southeast College San BernardinoSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Southwestern CollegeSan DiegoAssociate DegreeRN$1,344—92.2%
Southwestern CollegeSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN$1,344——
Sri Sai Krish InstituteOrangeAssociate DegreeRN$64,500—95.1%
Sri Sai Krish InstituteOrangeVN Approved ProgramPN$64,500——
St. Raphael Nursing SchoolSylmarVN Approved ProgramPN———
Stanbridge UniversityIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN$36,610program year—95.2%
Stanbridge University, IrvineIrvineVN Approved ProgramPN———
Stanbridge University, Los AngelesAlhambraVN Approved ProgramPN———
Stanbridge University, RiversideRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN———
Stanbridge University, San DiegoSan MarcosVN Approved ProgramPN———
Summit College, San BernardinoSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN———
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State UniversitySan JoseBaccalaureate DegreeRN——92.9%
Tri-County Regional Occupational ProgramYuba CityVN Approved ProgramPN———
Tulare Adult SchoolTulareVN Approved ProgramPN———
United Nursing CollegeMurrietaAssociate DegreeRN——86.1%
Unitek CollegeFremontAssociate DegreeRN$38,903program year$120,006—
Unitek CollegeFremontBaccalaureate DegreeRN$38,903program year—86.3%
Unitek College of Nursing BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN$145,648program year——
Unitek College of Nursing ConcordConcordVN Approved ProgramPN$14,518program year——
Unitek College of Nursing FremontFremontVN Approved ProgramPN———
Unitek College of Nursing HaywardHaywardVN Approved ProgramPN———
Unitek College of Nursing OntarioOntarioVN Approved ProgramPN———
Unitek College of Nursing SacramentoSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN$37,964program year——
Unitek College of Nursing San JoseSan JoseVN Approved ProgramPN$38,903program year——
Unitek College of Nursing South San FranciscoSouth San FranciscoVN Approved ProgramPN———
Universal Healthcare Careers CollegeGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN$13,800program year——
University of California, Davis - Betty Irene Moore School of NursingSacramentoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN——89.1%
University of California, IrvineIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN$15,722$87,71591.3%
University of California, IrvineIrvineEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$15,722—100%
University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN$15,203$94,61192.2%
University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$15,203—85.1%
University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN———
University of Massachusetts Global (Program closure 10/20/2024)IrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN——73%
University of Phoenix (Effective 6/13/2019, program not accepting new students)La PalmaBaccalaureate DegreeRN———
University of Phoenix (Effective 7/1/2021, program not accepting new students)OntarioBaccalaureate DegreeRN———
University of Phoenix (Effective 7/1/2021, program not accepting new students)PasadenaBaccalaureate DegreeRN———
University of San Diego-Hahn School of Nursing & Beyster Institute for Nursing ResearchSan DiegoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN——96.4%
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoBaccalaureate DegreeRN$60,492$101,73189.6%
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$60,492—82.9%
University of the PacificSacramentoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$57,080—97.6%
Vanguard UniversityCosta MesaBaccalaureate DegreeRN——96.2%
Ventura CollegeVenturaAssociate DegreeRN$1,426$99,778100%
Ventura Training InstituteCamarilloVN Approved ProgramPN———
Victor Valley CollegeVictorvilleAssociate DegreeRN$1,425$91,13896.9%
Visalia Adult SchoolVisaliaVN Approved ProgramPN———
Weimar UniversityWeimarAssociate DegreeRN——100%
West Coast UniversityNorth HollywoodBaccalaureate DegreeRN——90%
West Los Angeles CollegeCulver CityVN Approved ProgramPN$1,238——
Westcliff UniversityCoronaBaccalaureate DegreeRN$17,670——
Westcliff UniversityCoronaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$17,670——
Western University of Health SciencesPomonaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN——93.1%
Westmont CollegeSanta BarbaraBaccalaureate DegreeRN$53,584——
Westmont CollegeSanta BarbaraEntry Level Master's DegreeRN$53,584——
William Jessup UniversityRocklinBaccalaureate DegreeRN$37,150—100%
Xavier CollegeStocktonAssociate DegreeRN$28,000program year—100%
Xavier CollegeStocktonVN Approved ProgramPN$28,000program year$53,442—
Yuba CollegeMarysvilleAssociate DegreeRN$1,128$117,28383.1%

Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line

The pass rates above are made by students, not buildings. Students who do well start NCLEX-style practice in their first semester — studying for class exams and the boards at the same time. NurseSavvy turns your own course materials into matched NCLEX practice questions from day one — free to try, then $19/mo.

Start freeIs nursing school worth it? Run the numbers →RN salary in California →How to prep from semester 1 →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best nursing school in California by NCLEX pass rate?

14 RN programs in California tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.

How many nursing schools are in California?

California has 290 schools offering 336 board-approved nursing programs: 167 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 169 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in California?

Across California RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 90.9% — 4.4 points above the national average of 86.5%.

How much does nursing school cost in California?

Across California nursing schools we could match to U.S. Department of Education data, median published in-state tuition and fees run $1,334 a year at public schools (99 schools) and $45,354 at private nonprofits (16 schools). That is the whole institution's sticker price per year, before aid — an ADN takes about two years and a BSN four, and most students pay less than sticker. Per-school figures are in the table above.

What do nursing graduates in California earn?

Federal earnings data tracks graduates of each specific nursing program. In California, median earnings one year after finishing are $98,165 for ADN graduates (50 programs) and $102,028 for BSN graduates (30 programs). These are medians of program-level medians and the federal figures lag by a few years, so treat them as a floor for comparison between schools rather than a salary prediction.

What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?

It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.

About this data

Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the California board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.

Tuition, admission rates, graduate earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts, June 10 2026 data release), matched by school name and city to 180 of 290 California schools. Schools the federal data does not cover — hospital-based programs and schools outside federal student-aid reporting — show “—” rather than an estimate. Tuition and admission rates describe the whole institution; earnings and debt are specific to its nursing programs, by credential, and lag the current graduating class by several years.

Nursing schools in other states

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