Today's Top Online RN to BSN Programs in California

Many California-based online RN to BSN programs allow students to earn their bachelor’s degree fully-online. However, some may have clinical requirements or on-campus meetups that must be completed in-person. Clinical requirements typically take place in program-approved, professional medical environments. These hands-on experiences prepare students for work in the field and provide an opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations.

As for the online classes, they are often available in what’s called an asynchronous format. This allows you to complete assignments and watch lectures not just from anywhere, but at any time of your choosing. Other classes feature a synchronous format, where you’ll log in to a class at a predetermined time and interact with professors and classmates in real-time.

They are very affordable, with very reasonable per-credit hour tuition rates. Yet it’s still important to research the overall cost to ensure the online California RN to BSN program to confirm that it’s still a good investment for you. Every school will have different tuition and fees, and your total cost will largely come down to how many credits you’re able to transfer in and how many the program requires.

When considering online RN to BSN programs in California, public institutions almost always cost less, especially if you’re a California resident. Remember that tuition fees aren’t the only costs; additional fees include books and other university- and student-related expenses. Many schools, including California State University-Fullerton, may charge an additional fee to its online students.

To give you a better sense of what you can expect to pay for your degree program, we’ve listed three RN to BSN online California programs below.

California State
University-San Marcos

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated

Total Credits: 38

$313/credit

California State
University-Bakersfield

RN-BSN (15-Month) Program

Total Credits: 60

$232/credit

California State
University-Fullerton

RN-BSN Program

Total Credits: 24

$239/credit

About one to two years. California universities with RN-to-BSN online programs know that practically all of their students will want to continue working while in school. With the working RN in mind, many of these programs provide accelerated options to allow students to complete their degrees in just over a year.

For example, California State University-Chico offers a structured, 15-month program that runs from June until the following August, accommodating the around-the-clock schedules of RNs. Azusa Pacific University also offers a 100% online program that you can finish in 15 months. Bolstering an already convenient online program, the accelerated program is taught sequentially with new courses offered every five to ten weeks. While it’s common to finish the degree in about 15 months, some schools allow students to earn a BSN even faster. For example, at California Baptist University, students can graduate in a year.

The precise admission standards vary slightly from school to school, but all online RN to BSN programs in California require that you possess an active registered nurse license in good standing. While many schools accept students with out-of-state RN licenses, some programs, such as Stanislaus State and Cal State-Chico, require both California residency and licensure.

Prior coursework plays a significant role in determining which applicants to admit. Minimum GPA thresholds can vary—Azusa Pacific University requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 whereas Stanislaus State expects 2.75 or above. Many schools require successful completion of prerequisite courses such as microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. As applicants already hold RN licensure, standardized test scores are not typically considered when making admissions decisions.

Many RNs pursue a BSN degree to earn higher salaries. Sometimes this pay bump comes immediately after graduation, but often, the BSN allows nurses to apply for positions that pay more, but require a bachelor’s degree. On average, RNs in California make $81,927 per year; nurses with BSN degrees, on the other hand, command average salaries of nearly $98,011 annually (as of February 2024). That’s nearly a 24% increase. It’s a simple equation—more education results in more pay.

In addition to a BSN degree, nurses can expand career opportunities through continuing education courses, certificate programs, and active participation in professional organizations. A BSN degree can also make it easier to earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. This can open up even room for professional growth, such as becoming an advanced practice registered nurse.