Nursing Schools in California: Campus & Online Programs (2026)

California has 45 campus-based nursing schools plus 39 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). West Coast University leads the in-state list with a 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Registered nurses in California earn about $148,330/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.

Campus-Based Nursing Schools in California

Nursing schools with a campus in California, ranked by NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and program quality.

Online Nursing Programs Available to California Residents

These accredited schools are based outside California but enroll California residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and California Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.

How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in California

We separate schools with a physical campus in California from accredited online programs that enroll California residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from California. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.

Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.

What to Look for in a California Nursing School

The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.

Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.

Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in California often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside California, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within California and is approved by the California Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.

Nursing Career Outlook in California

Registered nurses in California earn an average of $148,330 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. California is expected to see particularly strong demand in major metro areas and rural health systems.

BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Californiaoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.

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