Nursing in California
California has 290 nursing schools running 336 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 92.9%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $140,270; nurse practitioners, $168,520. California is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in California
149 of California’s 336 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 90.9% — 4.4 points above the 86.5% national average.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 97 | 94% (92 rated) |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 54 | 91% (46 rated) |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. 14 programs tied at 100% — the five with the most nursing graduates are shown. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Ventura CollegeVentura · Associate Degree100%
- Moorpark CollegeMoorpark · Associate Degree100%
- Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier · Associate Degree100%
- Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmington · Associate Degree100%
- Sierra CollegeRocklin · Associate Degree100%
What Nurses Earn in California
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in California is $42,720 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $36,220 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| California | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $140,270 | $168,520 |
| Median hourly | $67.44 | $81.02 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $101,260 | $120,340 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $213,320 | $240,830 |
| Employed in state | 338,940 | 25,120 |
Licensing in California
California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A California license covers California only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate California license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the California board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: Rev. 7/9/2026 (rates: 2024/2025 Jul-Jun year) (1), 2026-07-12 (live DCA License Search) (2).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in California?
California has 290 nursing schools running 336 board-approved programs — 167 RN programs and 169 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in California?
The median California RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 92.9%, and the average across programs was 90.9% — 4.4 points above the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in California?
Registered nurses in California earn a median of $140,270 a year ($67.44 an hour), $42,720 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $168,520 (BLS, May 2025).
Is California a compact nursing state?
California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A California license covers California only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate California license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.