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

California has 293 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
293
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%

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 · “—” = no 2025 first-time pass rate published by the board

Aberdeen InstituteVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN—
All Healthcare InstituteStantonVN Approved ProgramPN—
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaAssociate DegreeRN93.9%
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Allied Medical & Health Services Inc.GlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN—
American Career CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN94.9%
American Career College, AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN—
American Career College, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN—
American Career College, OntarioOntarioVN Approved ProgramPN—
American River CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN94.4%
American University of Health SciencesSignal HillBaccalaureate DegreeRN91%
Angeles InstituteArtesiaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Angeles UniversityLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN90.5%
Angeles University, City of IndustryCity Of IndustryVN Approved ProgramPN—
Angeles University, GlendaleGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN—
Annenberg School of NursingResedaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Annenberg School of Nursing, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN—
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterAssociate DegreeRN97.1%
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterVN Approved ProgramPN—
Ardent CollegeOrangeVN Approved ProgramPN—
Arizona College of NursingOntarioBaccalaureate DegreeRN85.1%
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaBaccalaureate DegreeRN82.2%
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN—
Bakersfield Adult SchoolBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldAssociate DegreeRN94%
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
Beaumont Adult SchoolBeaumontVN Approved ProgramPN—
Biola UniversityLa MiradaBaccalaureate DegreeRN90.5%
Blake Austin CollegeVacavilleVN Approved ProgramPN—
Butte CollegeOrlandVN Approved ProgramPN—
Butte Community CollegeOrovilleAssociate DegreeRN91.4%
Cabrillo CollegeAptosAssociate DegreeRN88.7%
California Baptist UniversityRiversideBaccalaureate DegreeRN86.6%
California Baptist UniversityRiversideEntry Level Master's DegreeRN95%
California Career CollegeCanoga ParkAssociate DegreeRN96.5%
California Career Institute AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN—
California Career Institute CentinelaHawthorneVN Approved ProgramPN—
California Northstate UniversityRancho CordovaBaccalaureate DegreeRN—
California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho MirageAssociate DegreeRN—
California Nurses Educational InstituteRancho MirageVN Approved ProgramPN—
California State University, BakersfieldBakersfieldBaccalaureate DegreeRN93.9%
California State University, Channel IslandsCamarilloBaccalaureate DegreeRN86%
California State University, ChicoChicoBaccalaureate DegreeRN93.2%
California State University, East BayHaywardBaccalaureate DegreeRN86.8%
California State University, FresnoFresnoBaccalaureate DegreeRN94.7%
California State University, FullertonFullertonBaccalaureate DegreeRN94.9%
California State University, Long BeachLong BeachBaccalaureate DegreeRN98.8%
California State University, Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN96.1%
California State University, NorthridgeNorthridgeBaccalaureate DegreeRN85.5%
California State University, SacramentoSacramentoBaccalaureate DegreeRN96.6%
California State University, San BernardinoSan BernardinoBaccalaureate DegreeRN94.1%
California State University, San MarcosSan MarcosBaccalaureate DegreeRN95.2%
California State University, StanislausTurlockBaccalaureate DegreeRN92.5%
Career Care InstituteLancasterAssociate DegreeRN85.2%
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—
Carrington CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN94.8%
Carrington College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
Carrington College, Rancho MirageRancho MirageVN Approved ProgramPN—
Carrington College, SacramentoSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Carrington College, San JoseSan JoseVN Approved ProgramPN—
Carrington College, Santa MariaSanta MariaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Carrington College, VisaliaVisaliaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Central Coast CollegeSalinasVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cerritos CollegeNorwalkAssociate DegreeRN96.4%
Cerro Coso Community CollegeRidgecrestVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cerro Coso Community College, BishopBishopVN Approved ProgramPN—
Chabot CollegeHaywardAssociate DegreeRN0%
Chaffey CollegeRancho CucamongaAssociate DegreeRN93.2%
Chaffey CollegeChinoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Chamberlain UniversityRancho CordovaBaccalaureate DegreeRN89.1%
Chamberlain University - IrwindaleIrwindaleBaccalaureate DegreeRN79.8%
Charles A. Jones Career and Education CenterSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mervyn M. Dymally College of NursingLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN65.7%
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mervyn M. Dymally College of NursingLos AngelesEntry Level Master's DegreeRN86.7%
Citrus CollegeGlendoraAssociate DegreeRN92.9%
Citrus CollegeGlendoraVN Approved ProgramPN—
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoAssociate DegreeRN92.2%
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Clement Career CollegeGardenaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Clovis Adult EducationClovisVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cni CollegeSanta AnaVN Approved ProgramPN—
CNI CollegeSanta AnaBaccalaureate DegreeRN82.4%
College of MarinKentfieldAssociate DegreeRN88.1%
College of Nursing & TechnologyChatsworthVN Approved ProgramPN—
College of San MateoSan MateoAssociate DegreeRN90%
College of the CanyonsSanta ClaritaAssociate DegreeRN89.8%
College of the DesertPalm DesertAssociate DegreeRN89.1%
College of the DesertPalm DesertVN Approved ProgramPN—
College of the RedwoodsEurekaAssociate DegreeRN82.9%
College of the Redwoods, Del NorteCrescent CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
College of the Redwoods, EurekaEurekaVN Approved ProgramPN—
College of the SequoiasVisaliaAssociate DegreeRN89.2%
College of the SiskiyousYrekaAssociate DegreeRN—
College of the SiskiyousYrekaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Comfort Paradise Training InstituteAlhambraVN Approved ProgramPN—
Compton CollegeComptonAssociate DegreeRN80.4%
Concorde Career College, Garden GroveGarden GroveVN Approved ProgramPN—
Concorde Career College, North HollywoodNorth HollywoodVN Approved ProgramPN—
Concorde Career College, San BernardinoSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Concorde Career College, San DiegoSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Concordia University IrvineIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN95.1%
Contra Costa CollegeSan PabloAssociate DegreeRN80%
Contra Costa Medical Career CollegeAntiochVN Approved ProgramPN—
Copper Mountain CollegeJoshua TreeAssociate DegreeRN87.8%
Copper Mountain CollegeJoshua TreeVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cordoba Medical InstituteRancho CordovaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Corona Norco Adult SchoolCoronaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cuesta CollegeSan Luis ObispoAssociate DegreeRN95.2%
Cuesta College, North CountySan Luis ObispoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Cypress CollegeCypressAssociate DegreeRN98.5%
Dalrada Career InstituteSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN—
De Anza CollegeCupertinoAssociate DegreeRN97.5%
Dominican University of CaliforniaSan RafaelBaccalaureate DegreeRN78.2%
Downey Adult SchoolDowneyVN Approved ProgramPN—
East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey ParkAssociate DegreeRN94.6%
El Camino CollegeTorranceAssociate DegreeRN91%
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan JoseAssociate DegreeRN98.2%
Feather River CollegeQuincyVN Approved ProgramPN—
First Lady PermanenteTurlockVN Approved ProgramPN—
Fresno Adult SchoolFresnoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Fresno City CollegeFresnoAssociate DegreeRN78.2%
Fresno Pacific UniversityFresnoBaccalaureate DegreeRN79.3%
Gavilan CollegeGilroyAssociate DegreeRN95.8%
Gavilan CollegeGilroyVN Approved ProgramPN—
Genesis Medical CollegeTustinVN Approved ProgramPN—
Glendale Career CollegeGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN—
Glendale Community CollegeGlendaleAssociate DegreeRN98%
Golden West CollegeHuntington BeachAssociate DegreeRN94.8%
Grossmont CollegeEl CajonAssociate DegreeRN96.1%
Grossmont Health Occupations CenterSanteeVN Approved ProgramPN—
Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsFresnoAssociate DegreeRN89.6%
Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsConcordBaccalaureate DegreeRN93.4%
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—
Hartnell CollegeSalinasAssociate DegreeRN95%
Hartnell CollegeSalinasVN Approved ProgramPN—
High Desert Medical CollegeLancasterAssociate DegreeRN—
High Desert Medical College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
High Desert Medical College, LancasterLancasterVN Approved ProgramPN—
High Desert Medical College, TemeculaTemeculaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Homestead Schools, Inc., Costa MesaCosta MesaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Homestead Schools, Inc., TorranceTorranceVN Approved ProgramPN—
Honor Health SciencesEl CentroVN Approved ProgramPN—
Imperial Valley CollegeImperialAssociate DegreeRN95.6%
Imperial Valley CollegeImperialVN Approved ProgramPN—
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—
Lassen Community CollegeSusanvilleAssociate DegreeRN—
Lassen Community CollegeSusanvilleVN Approved ProgramPN—
Lausd - Maxine Waters Employment Preparation CenterLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN—
Lausd North Valley Occupational CenterMission HillsVN Approved ProgramPN—
Lemoore CollegeLemooreAssociate DegreeRN97.1%
Loma Linda UniversityLoma LindaBaccalaureate DegreeRN91.4%
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachAssociate DegreeRN92.9%
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachVN Approved ProgramPN—
Los Angeles City CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN79.6%
Los Angeles County College of Nursing & Allied HealthLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN94%
Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmingtonAssociate DegreeRN100%
Los Angeles Job Corps CenterLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN—
Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmarVN Approved ProgramPN—
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland HillsAssociate DegreeRN96.8%
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN88.9%
Los Angeles Trade-Tech CollegeLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN91.8%
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley GlenAssociate DegreeRN85.7%
Los Medanos CollegePittsburgAssociate DegreeRN93.6%
Los Medanos CollegePittsburgVN Approved ProgramPN—
Lotus Medical Career CollegePomonaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Lynwood Community Adult SchoolLynwoodVN Approved ProgramPN—
Madera Community CollegeMaderaAssociate DegreeRN92.9%
Madera Community CollegeMaderaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Marian College, Los AngelesLos AngelesVN Approved ProgramPN—
Marian College, Van NuysVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN—
Marsha Fuerst School of NursingGlendaleAssociate DegreeRN86.9%
Medical Allied Career Center, Inc.Santa Fe SpringsVN Approved ProgramPN—
Medical Career CollegeFremontVN Approved ProgramPN—
Mendocino CollegeUkiahAssociate DegreeRN100%
Mendocino CollegeUkiahVN Approved ProgramPN—
Merced CollegeMercedAssociate DegreeRN97.9%
Merced CollegeMercedVN Approved ProgramPN—
Merritt CollegeOaklandAssociate DegreeRN89.5%
Meta PolytechnicChula VistaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Miracosta CollegeOceansideVN Approved ProgramPN—
MiraCosta CollegeOceansideAssociate DegreeRN100%
Mission CollegeSanta ClaraAssociate DegreeRN93.9%
Mission CollegeSanta ClaraVN Approved ProgramPN—
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoAssociate DegreeRN91.2%
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMontereyAssociate DegreeRN100%
Moorpark CollegeMoorparkAssociate DegreeRN100%
Moriah Medical CollegeSanta ClaritaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Mount Saint Mary's University - Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN84.1%
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnutVN Approved ProgramPN—
Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnutAssociate DegreeRN92.9%
Mt. San Jacinto College, MVCMenifeeAssociate DegreeRN91.2%
Napa Valley CollegeNapaAssociate DegreeRN82.5%
National Career CollegePanorama CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
National UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN87.8%
North Orange County Regional Occupational ProgramAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, AnaheimAnaheimVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, Long BeachLong BeachVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, PomonaPomonaVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, RiversideRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, San DiegoSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, South GateSouth GateVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, Van NuysVan NuysVN Approved ProgramPN—
North-West College, West CovinaWest CovinaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Northern California Nursing AcademyDaly CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
Nurse AcademyNational CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
Nurses' Development Center, Inc.CypressVN Approved ProgramPN—
Ohlone CollegeNewarkAssociate DegreeRN91.3%
Pacific CollegeCosta MesaAssociate DegreeRN95.8%
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 DegreeRN92.4%
Palo Verde CollegeBlytheAssociate DegreeRN83.3%
Palo Verde College, Nursing and Allied HealthBlytheVN Approved ProgramPN—
Palomar CollegeSan MarcosAssociate DegreeRN93.7%
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaAssociate DegreeRN94.3%
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Pepperdine UniversityMalibuBaccalaureate DegreeRN—
Pepperdine UniversityMalibuEntry Level Master's DegreeRN—
Platt College, AlhambraAlhambraVN Approved ProgramPN—
Platt College, RiversideRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN—
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN96.3%
Porterville CollegePortervilleAssociate DegreeRN95.7%
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—
Regan Career InstituteEl MonteVN Approved ProgramPN—
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierAssociate DegreeRN100%
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierVN Approved ProgramPN—
Riverside City CollegeRiversideAssociate DegreeRN96.6%
Riverside City College, School of NursingRiversideVN Approved ProgramPN—
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoAssociate DegreeRN96%
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Saddleback CollegeMission ViejoAssociate DegreeRN98.8%
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoragaBaccalaureate DegreeRN—
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandBaccalaureate DegreeRN79.3%
Samuel Merritt UniversityOaklandEntry Level Master's DegreeRN85%
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan BernardinoAssociate DegreeRN89.1%
San Diego City CollegeSan DiegoAssociate DegreeRN100%
San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoBaccalaureate DegreeRN91%
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoBaccalaureate DegreeRN81.8%
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN73.9%
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStocktonAssociate DegreeRN84.6%
San Joaquin Valley CollegeVisaliaAssociate DegreeRN92.5%
San Leandro Adult and Career Education CenterSan LeandroVN Approved ProgramPN—
Santa Ana CollegeSanta AnaAssociate DegreeRN95.1%
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta BarbaraAssociate DegreeRN96.7%
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta BarbaraVN Approved ProgramPN—
Santa Monica CollegeSanta MonicaAssociate DegreeRN100%
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta RosaAssociate DegreeRN96.5%
Shasta CollegeReddingAssociate DegreeRN96.5%
Shasta CollegeReddingVN Approved ProgramPN—
Sierra CollegeRocklinAssociate DegreeRN100%
Simpson UniversityReddingBaccalaureate DegreeRN95.4%
Smith Chason School of NursingLos AngelesAssociate DegreeRN69.8%
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 DegreeRN95.5%
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert ParkBaccalaureate DegreeRN95.7%
Southeast College Monterey ParkMonterey ParkVN Approved ProgramPN—
Southeast College San BernardinoSan BernardinoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Southwestern CollegeSan DiegoAssociate DegreeRN92.2%
Southwestern CollegeSan DiegoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Sri Sai Krish InstituteOrangeAssociate DegreeRN95.1%
Sri Sai Krish InstituteOrangeVN Approved ProgramPN—
St. Raphael Nursing SchoolSylmarVN Approved ProgramPN—
Stanbridge UniversityIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN95.2%
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 DegreeRN92.9%
Tri-County Regional Occupational ProgramYuba CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
Tulare Adult SchoolTulareVN Approved ProgramPN—
United Nursing CollegeMurrietaAssociate DegreeRN86.1%
Unitek CollegeFremontAssociate DegreeRN—
Unitek CollegeFremontBaccalaureate DegreeRN86.3%
Unitek College of Nursing BakersfieldBakersfieldVN Approved ProgramPN—
Unitek College of Nursing ConcordConcordVN Approved ProgramPN—
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—
Unitek College of Nursing San JoseSan JoseVN Approved ProgramPN—
Unitek College of Nursing South San FranciscoSouth San FranciscoVN Approved ProgramPN—
Universal Healthcare Careers CollegeGlendaleVN Approved ProgramPN—
University of California, Davis - Betty Irene Moore School of NursingSacramentoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN89.1%
University of California, IrvineIrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN91.3%
University of California, IrvineIrvineEntry Level Master's DegreeRN100%
University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesBaccalaureate DegreeRN92.2%
University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesEntry Level Master's DegreeRN85.1%
University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN—
University of Massachusetts Global (Program closure 10/20/2024)IrvineBaccalaureate DegreeRN73%
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 DegreeRN96.4%
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoBaccalaureate DegreeRN89.6%
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN82.9%
University of the PacificSacramentoEntry Level Master's DegreeRN97.6%
Vanguard UniversityCosta MesaBaccalaureate DegreeRN96.2%
Ventura CollegeVenturaAssociate DegreeRN100%
Ventura Training InstituteCamarilloVN Approved ProgramPN—
Victor Valley CollegeVictorvilleAssociate DegreeRN96.9%
Visalia Adult SchoolVisaliaVN Approved ProgramPN—
Weimar UniversityWeimarAssociate DegreeRN100%
West Coast UniversityNorth HollywoodBaccalaureate DegreeRN90%
West Los Angeles CollegeCulver CityVN Approved ProgramPN—
Westcliff UniversityCoronaBaccalaureate DegreeRN—
Westcliff UniversityCoronaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN—
Western University of Health SciencesPomonaEntry Level Master's DegreeRN93.1%
Westmont CollegeSanta BarbaraBaccalaureate DegreeRN—
Westmont CollegeSanta BarbaraEntry Level Master's DegreeRN—
William Jessup UniversityRocklinBaccalaureate DegreeRN100%
Xavier CollegeStocktonAssociate DegreeRN100%
Xavier CollegeStocktonVN Approved ProgramPN—
Yuba CollegeMarysvilleAssociate DegreeRN83.1%

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, for $19/mo after a free 14-day trial.

Start the free trialIs 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 293 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%.

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.

Nursing schools in other states

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