Top Nursing Schools in Southern California: Online & Campus
Explore Southern California’s top-ranked nursing schools and find the online or campus program near you that best fits your budget, career goals, and learning preferences.
From Santa Barbara to San Diego, there are dozens of accredited nursing schools in Southern California that can help you take the first or next step in your nursing career (and advantage of the area’s high demand for nursing professionals). So, no matter where you live or what your goals are, you’re sure to find a great nursing program nearby.
This guide has all the information you need to find best nursing school and program in Southern California for you. You’ll find a list of this year’s top online and in-person programs, while also learning about the range of degree and certificate program options available, where to get help paying for your nursing education, and how much you could earn after you graduate. Keep reading to find out which Southern California nursing schools made our list and begin your search to find your perfect match.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, California
Public
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, California
Public
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California
Private
Compton College
Compton, California
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Southern California
As a prospective nurse, you have an abundant range of types of nursing and certificate programs you can choose from. To help you decide which nursing program in Southern California is right for you, continue reading to find links to schools offering the programs you’re looking for and discover what could be a good fit.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Southern California
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The ADN is a two-year, full-time program offering a time-efficient and cost-saving pathway to RN license eligibility. Curriculums include general education and nursing didactic coursework along with the clinical practice hours necessary to qualify for the NCLEX-RN. ADN programs are available through many community colleges.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
BSN programs prepare students for taking the NCLEX-RN and careers as registered nurses. They also provide additional general education and other coursework to broaden and deepen your knowledge base and make you more attractive to employers. Traditional BSN programs are available in four-year formats for first-time freshmen with little or no previous college experience and two-year formats for students who’ve already completed their first two years of college.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can apply credits from those programs to an Accelerated (or Second Degree) BSN program to save time and money. Accelerated BSNs typically require 1½ to two years to complete and include all the didactic coursework and clinical practice hours required to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Direct-entry MSN (Master’s Entry or Entry-Level Master’s) programs provide a direct path to leadership and advanced practice nursing roles to students with no prior nursing experience. In most cases, admission into a direct-entry MSN program requires a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. Curriculums combine nursing classes with clinical practice hours that fulfill all academic requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Southern California for Current Nurses
LVN to RN and LVN to BSN Programs
LVN to RN and LVN to BSN programs provide current vocational nurses with a convenient path to advance their careers by becoming RNs. LVN to RN programs are either LVN to ADN programs for students planning future career advancement by earning a BSN or graduate nursing degree or LVN to RN certificate programs leading to NCLEX-RN and RN licensure eligibility but not a degree. LVN to BSN programs are available from colleges and universities and typically take four years.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
An RN to BSN provides current registered nurses with ADNs an affordable and time-saving format for earning their BSN degrees. Most nursing schools in Southern California offer their RN to BSN programs in part-time formats with fully- or partially-online coursework. Programs run 18 to 24 months.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
The Master of Science in Nursing degree is for nurses seeking specialized training for moving into advanced nursing practice and leadership roles. RN to MSN programs are for current RNs with ADNs or nursing diplomas but not BSN degrees. Programs sometimes also award a BSN.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Southern California
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Traditional MSN programs are for current RNs with BSN degrees. Curriculums combine nursing theory courses, often online, with clinical practice hours components that vary in length depending on the specialization. Completion times depend on specialization and study pace, but 1 ½ to two-year program lengths are common.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
The PhD in Nursing prepares nurses for careers in advanced research and post-secondary education. The DNP degree prepares them for senior positions in healthcare administration and nursing practice. Program lengths vary from two to seven years, sometimes longer, depending on credential type, specific academic requirements, and study pace.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Post-graduate nursing certificates provide students with nursing master’s or doctoral degrees a way to expand their practices into specialized nursing fields without having to earn an additional degree. Nursing schools usually offer certificates in several specializations. Program lengths and clinical hour requirements vary by specialization, but most certificates can be earned in 12 to 18 months.
Examples of Southern California Nursing Schools with this Program
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Southern California
There are practically as many financial aid resources for nursing students as there are nursing schools in Southern California. These resources include scholarships and grants, work study programs, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, and assistantships and fellowships (mostly for grad students). For those currently serving or who have served in the military, there’s the GI Bill and other valuable VA educational benefits.
Most nursing students primarily look to student loans available from several sources with the biggest being the U.S. Government. The federal government is also a major provider of loan repayment opportunities for nursing students.
For detailed information on funding resources from the State of California, visit this California Student Aid Commission. For more information on paying for your nursing program in Southern California, check out EduMed’s guides to financial aid, nursing scholarships, and graduating from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Southern California: Licensing Requirements
Practice as a registered nurse in Southern California requires an RN license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing. There are two methods for obtaining California RN licensure. Individuals holding a current and active RN license from another state, U.S. Territory, or Canada can qualify for their California RN license via the Licensure by Endorsement process. Those seeking their first RN license use the Licensure by Examination method that includes passing the NCLEX-RN.
For a look at the specific steps for obtaining your California RN license by examination, visit EduMed’s guide to nursing schools in California.
Earnings for RNs and APRNs in Southern California
If you're considering a career in registered nursing or are currently a nurse looking to advance, you're likely excited about the future. However, you may also be concerned about your potential earnings after completing your studies. In California, registered nurses earn between $83,510 and $194,240, with an average salary of $133,990. Keep in mind that salaries vary depending on where in Southern California you work.
In the San Diego-Carlsbad area, the 10th percentile of workers earn $98,350, while the 90th percentile earn $168,810. On average, RNs make $132,750. Similarly, in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande area, the 10th percentile of nurses earn $98,000, and the 90th percentile make $184,310 annually. The average RN salary is $133,700.
In Bakersfield, the salary range for nurses is $81,510 to $168,100, with an average salary of $125,350. For more specific salary information, review the table below.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83,510 | $133,990 | $194,240 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $81,510 | $125,350 | $168,100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,050 | $129,000 | $170,140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $84,520 | $123,570 | $169,310 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $98,350 | $132,750 | $168,810 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $98,000 | $133,700 | $184,310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $100,710 | $128,300 | $157,120 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $107,840 | $187,080 | $225,970 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Additional Southern California Nursing Resources
American Nurses Association – California
Association of California Nurse Leaders
California Nursing Students’ Association
National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Los Angeles
Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California
Southern California Association of Occupational Health Nurses
Southern California Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses
