Today's Top Online RN to BSN Programs in California
See how you can go from RN to BSN nurse in California through fast-track online bridge programs and start your journey to a better nursing career today.
More than 3 million registered nurses currently work in California and that number is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace over the next decade. If you’re one of them and only have an associate degree you can capitalize on this employment demand by earning your BSN degree. For working RNs, stepping up to a BSN can dramatically increase earning potential, boost competitiveness when applying for new positions, pave the way for more advanced nursing degrees, and introduce a new set of critical responsibilities in patient care.
Many California colleges structure their RN-to-BSN programs specifically for working nurses by offering the coursework online. The freedom of online coursework allows you to balance personal and professional obligations while completing your degree and advancing your career. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about online RN to BSN programs in California. Kick off your search by looking through our roster of top programs for 2024.
| # | School Name | Type | Tuition | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University-East BayHayward, CA | Public | $ | 1 | Cal State East Bay's Post-Licensure RN to BSN Program is an online, one-year intensive or two-year part-time program. It is open to students who currently have a California RN license, or will have one before the program begins, and do not yet have a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. All coursework will be completed online with the exception of one field experience course. Program Highlights: Post-Licensure RN to BSN Program
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 |
Online Student %85% |
|||
| 2 | California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA | Public | $ | 1 | The RN to BSN program at California State University-Dominguez Hills is designed for registered nurses or students nearing the completion of their Associate Degree in Nursing Program (ADN) at a regionally accredited institution. The courses are offered online and can be completed at the pace of the student, however, some tests may be given on a specific date and time. Additionally, students will be required to complete in-person clinical hours within their local community. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1 |
Online Student %94% |
|||
| 3 | California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA | Public | $ | 1 | Licensed nurses looking to get their BSN in one year will want to learn more about the program from California State University-Stanislaus. Students in this program take eight-week courses online. Virtual class sessions are designed with flexibility in mind, making this program ideal for a working nurse. Online courses cover topics such as community health, pathophysiology, and nursing research. While all coursework is online, students must complete 90 clinical hours at an approved healthcare facility. Program Highlights: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
Online Student %93% |
|||
| 4 | University of Massachusetts GlobalIrvine, CA | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
Online Student %99% |
||||
| 5 | California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
Online Student %54% |
||||
| 6 | West Coast University-Orange CountyAnaheim, CA | Private for-profit | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
Online Student %79% |
||||
| 7 | Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
Online Student %37% |
Popular RN to BSN Online Programs in California for 2024
There are many factors to consider when choosing among the many online RN to BSN programs in California. They will all help you become a bachelor-prepared RN, but they have differences on how they get you there. From tuition rate to program duration, it’s important to know which program attributes best match your personal and academic needs. To help you get started on your search for a quality program, the team at EduMed researched and spotlighted three accredited programs within the California State University system below.
California State University, Chico
California State University-Chico maintains an enrollment exceeding 17,000 and operates as one of the oldest campuses in the California State University system. The university has plenty of experience training existing RNs into BSN-prepared RNs, as it first offered an RN-to-BSN program in 1954. Over the decades, California State University-Chico has evolved to its current, mostly online program. This flexible nursing degree expands accessibility throughout the predominantly rural region.
CUSC’s 15-month program begins in June and sees students graduating the following August. Applicants must maintain California residency and hold an active California RN license to enroll. Prospective learners must meet all prerequisite requirements and submit transcripts showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. A mandatory advising session, available as an in-person or virtual meeting, acts as an introductory information session for incoming students.
Upon admission, online students engage with coursework covering topics such as public health nursing theory, nursing informatics, and academic writing for nurses. The program is mostly online, although in addition to online courses, students will complete a capstone practicum in community health nursing.
California State University, San Bernardino
Dedicated to professional growth, California State University-San Bernardino’s online RN-to-BSN program strives to provide working RNs with the critical thinking, leadership, and clinical skills necessary to providing exceptional medical care.
Admitting a new cohort each fall semester, this online program requires an in-person orientation. To be eligible to enroll, students must possess an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution along with an active California RN license. In addition to a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, applicants must complete a number of prerequisites ranging from anatomy to advanced English composition.
CSUSB’s RN-to-BSN program is designed to be completed in just four semesters. Coursework covers topics such as community and public health nursing, healthcare ethics, and leadership in nursing. In addition to online classes, degree-seekers must complete 135 hours of onsite clinical work. Graduates from CSUSB’s program can also apply for a Public Health Nurse certificate, opening career opportunities in public health and community-based organizations.
FAQs About RN to BSN Online California Programs
Are RN to BSN programs in California available in a 100% online format?
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.
How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in California?
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
How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in California?
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.
What are the typical admissions requirements for online RN to BSN programs in California?
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.
How much more can I make going from an RN to a BSN nurse in California?
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.
