Top Online Nursing Programs in California (CA)
Learn how you can start or advance your RN nursing career in California through flexible online programs from accredited schools.
Earning your nursing degree online from a nearby university in California can be a smart way to become a registered nurse or advance your RN career to the next level. Online nursing programs in California combine high-quality, in-person training with the affordability, convenience and safety of online coursework. RNs and other nurses continue to be in high demand across the nation and California, making this the perfect time to start your education.
Yet it can be tough to find the right nursing school, especially when you’re looking to study online. EduMed.org has released its annual ranking of the best online nursing schools in California going into 2025, with a complete breakdown of the essential data and information you need to make a smart higher education decision.
See which colleges and universities in CA have the best combinations of quality, affordability, and student services, and read which program essentials contribute to our top contenders’ success.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Private
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, California
Public
California State University-Chico
Chico, California
Public
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, California
Public
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, California
Public
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, California
Public
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Private
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
Private
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, California
Private
Compton College
Compton, California
Public
Find Online California Nursing Programs Near You
- Nursing Schools in Los Angeles (Online & Campus)
- Nursing Schools in Sacramento (Online & Campus)
- Nursing Schools in San Diego (Online & Campus)
- Nursing Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area (Online & Campus)
- Nursing Schools in Southern California (Online & Campus)
Types of Online RN Programs in California
There are a variety of online and hybrid programs for students interested in a degree in nursing, some of which depend on how much experience you have in the medical field. Whether you’re just starting out as an undergrad with no experience, or already far along in your nursing career, there’s an online nursing program in California for you. Check out some of the most popular programs below.
Online RN Bridge Programs in California
LVN to RN Programs
This type of online program is for licensed vocational nurses who already provide basic care and usually work under physicians and registered nurses. By enrolling in an online bridge program they can provide a wider range of care, further their career, and have more opportunities available to them. The program at Mount Saint Mary’s in Los Angeles, for instance, does not offer a bachelor’s degree but after 26 units of courses does make the student eligible to take California examination for the R.N. Licensure. Other LVN to RN programs award an associate or bachelor’s degree after completing the curriculum.
RN to BSN Programs
Designed for RNs who want to pursue their bachelor’s degree while they continue working, these programs are opportunities for nurses to grow as leaders, widen their skill set, improve their mastery, and open new doors to career options. This last component is especially worth considering, as many hospitals will hire BSNs before RNs, or have a policy of only hiring those applicants who’ve completed their BSN.
RN to MSN Programs
RNs who decide to pursue their Masters of Science in Nursing can accelerate their education timeline by enrolling in an online RN to MSN program. Taking their current knowledge and education, these programs can typically be completed in three years. Earning a master’s degree can lead to higher pay and more advanced careers, such as becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse administrator.
Online Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programs
MSN Programs
A graduate nursing degree can offer nurses an opportunity to broaden their expertise or hone in on a specific area and specialize in one of a variety of clinical or non-clinical area. While it is possible to enroll in an online MSN program without prior nursing experience, it is more common for applicants to have first completed their BSN or ADN degree.
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Both an online DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and online nursing PhD are terminal degrees, meaning it’s the highest degree in that field. Which one you choose to pursue will largely depend on what type of work you want do. A DNP is primarily designed for those who want to become nurse practitioners while a PhD will focus more heavily on the research side.
Post-Graduate Certificate
These are programs are designed for nurses who have completed a post-graduate degree but are still looking to expand their skillset, allowing them focus on one area for a short but thorough study. For example, a nurse may want to learn more about trauma care, AIDS treatment, oncology, and more.
FAQs About Online Nursing Degrees in California
How Much Does an Online RN Program Cost in California?
Costs for online degrees can vary widely and it’s important to have a sense of how much a degree will cost before enrolling in a program. Online nursing programs in California can cost anywhere from $6,000 to over $25,000, depending whether or not students have transfer credits and whether they are attending a public or private college. Here’s a look at the costs of three online RN programs in California to give you a better idea of how much your degree will cost.
RN to BSN Program
Total Credits: 120 credits (including transfer credits)
Cost: Part-time $2,063 to $2,480 per term / Full-time: $3,269 to $3,986 per term
RN to BSN Program
Total Credits: 120 credits (including transfer credits)
Cost: ~$16,000
How do I get into an online RN program in California?
A majority of the online RN programs in California are bridge programs, meaning they require students to have already obtained their RN license before they can go on to pursue a BSN or MSN. For example, at CSU Fullerton, applicants are expected to have their RN certification within the first semester of the program in order to attend full-time. Applicants must meet the university prerequisites, which include completing 60 semester units from a regionally accredited university, and courses like English Composition and College Level Math, in addition to the School of Nursing’s own prerequisites, like microbiology with a lab, and statistics.
How long do online RN programs take in California?
Depending on the degree, it can take anywhere from 12 months, as in the case of accelerated ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) designed for applicants with no RN license but who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, two to three years for MSN degrees, and four to six years for PhD or Doctorate of Nursing. For example, CSU San Marcos’s accelerated ABSN is an online program that can be completed in 14 months. USC’s online MSN program is offered as a full-time (five semesters) or part-time (eight semesters) program and takes between 21 and 33 months to complete.
California Nursing Schools with Approved Pre-Licensure RN Programs
| School Name | School Type | Available Program Type(s) | Primary Campus Location(s) | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Name | School Type | Available Program Type(s) | Primary Campus Location(s) | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021) |
Source: California Board of Registered Nursing; Most recent data as of February 2022
RN Licensing Information and Requirements in California
Planning ahead and taking note of California’s specific RN licensing requirements can save you time and a potential headache down the road. While there’s occasional overlap between California’s requirements, which can be found at California’s Board of Nursing Page, and those of other states, knowing which ones are specific to California is critical to your success. Here’s what you’ll need to do to become licensed as an RN in California after you graduate from your nursing program.
1
Provide Academic Transcripts
In order to take the NCLEX-RN you will need to provide academic transcripts from your school or schools. This can be done electronically by logging into your student account and ordering official transcripts. Keep in mind that the board does not accept unofficial transcripts, so be sure to follow your school’s instructions for submitting those. They must include all completed coursework, as well as the degree awarded and date conferred.
2
Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
Applicants for the NCLEX-RN must have completed their associate degree or bachelor’s degree. A list of all associate degree programs approved by the board of nursing in California (including on campus, or online) can be found here.
3
Pay Application Fees
Applicants who completed a board-approved RN program in California will need to pay the following fees:
Application Fee: $300
Interim Permit (optional): $100
Fingerprint Card: $49.00
4
License Renewal and Continuing Education
There are three main components for renewing an RN license in California. The first is the CE (Continuing Education) requirement. For this, an RN must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education. More information on what qualifies can be found here. Applicants who are renewing their license to an active status must provide the Department of Justice with a full set of fingerprints. More information about the fingerprint requirement can be found here. Finally, applicants must report if they’ve had a license disciplined by a government agency or other disciplinary body and if they’ve been convicted of a crime in any state, U.S. territory, military court, or other country since their last renewal. More info on reporting discipline and convictions can be found here.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in California
In California, there will be a 12.90% increase in registered nurse positions in the coming years, making it an excellent time to earn a nursing degree. In fact, 23,420 new jobs will be added annually. Nationwide, there will also be an upward trend, with the profession growing by 5.60%, or 193,100 new jobs created yearly. The salaries you can earn as a registered nurse also make your education a worthwhile endeavor. Across the state, you can earn between $83,510 and $194,240. On average, the salary for these professionals is $133,990. However, keep in mind that specific earnings depend on the region you work in. In Napa, you can earn between $110,770 and $206,510, with the average salary being $170,200. Merced nurses earn an average of $120,930, with a range between $87,920 and $146,600. For more details, review the data we compiled below.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| California | 333,700 | 376,900 | 43,200 | 12.90% | 23,420 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83,510 | $133,990 | $194,240 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $81,510 | $125,350 | $168,100 |
| Chico, CA | $101,440 | $136,250 | $162,940 |
| El Centro, CA | $87,000 | $110,980 | $145,060 |
| Fresno, CA | $97,010 | $131,390 | $181,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,050 | $129,000 | $170,140 |
| Merced, CA | $87,920 | $120,930 | $146,600 |
| Modesto, CA | $100,240 | $131,060 | $201,750 |
| Napa, CA | $110,770 | $170,200 | $206,510 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $84,520 | $123,570 | $169,310 |
| Redding, CA | $96,970 | $131,160 | $160,180 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $90,840 | $127,070 | $173,430 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $101,670 | $157,810 | $207,920 |
| Salinas, CA | $102,320 | $135,130 | $161,060 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $98,350 | $132,750 | $168,810 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $119,010 | $181,240 | $221,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $119,220 | $179,210 | $211,380 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $98,000 | $133,700 | $184,310 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $97,390 | $133,700 | $182,540 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $100,710 | $128,300 | $157,120 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $101,600 | $147,010 | $210,580 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $99,150 | $136,090 | $191,850 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $107,840 | $187,080 | $225,970 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | $89,400 | $124,390 | $162,450 |
| Yuba City, CA | $239,000+ | $239,000+ | $239,000+ |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Online California Nursing Resources
- California Board of Nursing Here you’ll find resources about state requirements, educational opportunities and materials, and other relevant news. They also have contacts listed for phone and email if you have questions they don’t cover on their website.
- The California Nurses Association This is the California affiliate of National Nurses United, the country’s largest labor union for nurses. Staying up to date on what they’re working towards is a good way to find out which issues are currently impacting nurses – they are also a resource for CE.
- The California Hospital Association This not-for-profit corporation does advocacy work on behalf of hospitals throughout the state. Their primary goal is to champion California’s hospitals and to “support their work to care for all Californians in all ways.”
- California Nursing Student Association This organization’s mission is to help nursing students transition to professional settings “through leadership development, education, mentorship, advocacy, activism, and stewardship.”
- Association of California Nurse Leaders The goal of this association is help nurses become better leaders and through that improve the work they do, as well as the work of other nurses around them.
