2024 Best Colleges for Registered Nursing in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Registered Nursing programs in California. We looked at 49 programs to put our Registered Nursing rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Registered Nursing in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Registered Nursing is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Registered Nursing: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Registered Nursing in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Registered Nursing undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Registered Nursing degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Registered Nursing Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Registered Nursing in California?

California State University-East Bay is the best university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on earnings data. On average, graduates from California State University-East Bay earned an average of $113,585 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Registered Nursing in California?

California State University-Monterey Bay is the cheapest university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,119 to attend California State University-Monterey Bay.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Registered Nursing in California?

University of San Francisco is the most expensive university for majoring in Registered Nursing based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $42,634 to attend University of San Francisco.

Show Less

Sort By:

#1 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $113,585
Average Debt $17,312
Program Size 397
California State University-East Bay
4 Year
Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay, located in Hayward, CA has 397 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $113,585.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 4,631 students
Tuition $6,564
0
Slide this button to indicate your GPA
4.0
My GPA
#2 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $111,769
Average Debt $18,663
Program Size 227
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
Video Rating
San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 227 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $111,769.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
0
4.0
My GPA
#3 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $111,730
Average Debt $19,910
Program Size 870
Samuel Merritt University
4 Year
Oakland, CA
Samuel Merritt University, located in Oakland, CA has 870 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $111,730.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 709 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#4 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $110,878
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 9
Stanbridge University
4 Year
Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University, located in Irvine, CA has 9 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $110,878.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 71 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#5 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $110,432
Average Debt $15,253
Program Size 139
Sonoma State University
4 Year
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, CA has 139 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $110,432.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,461 students
Tuition $7,330
0
4.0
My GPA
#6 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $110,135
Average Debt $10,409
Program Size 71
Pacific College
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
Pacific College, located in Costa Mesa, CA has 71 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $110,135.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 41 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#7 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $108,495
Average Debt $16,823
Program Size 501
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 501 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $108,495.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
0
4.0
My GPA
#8 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $106,421
Average Debt $8,793
Program Size 117
California State University-Monterey Bay
4 Year
Seaside, CA
California State University-Monterey Bay, located in Seaside, CA has 117 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $106,421.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 1,895 students
Tuition $6,119
0
4.0
My GPA
#9 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $101,815
Average Debt $26,011
Program Size 395
University of San Francisco
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
Video Rating
University of San Francisco, located in San Francisco, CA has 395 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $101,815.
Acceptance Rate 64%
Undergraduates 3,307 students
Tuition $42,634
0
4.0
My GPA
#10 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $100,849
Average Debt $18,085
Program Size 73
Fresno Pacific University
4 Year
Fresno, CA
Fresno Pacific University, located in Fresno, CA has 73 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $100,849.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 1,223 students
Tuition $27,954
0
4.0
My GPA
#11 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $99,447
Average Debt $19,712
Program Size 204
California State University-Stanislaus
4 Year
Turlock, CA
California State University-Stanislaus, located in Turlock, CA has 204 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $99,447.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 2,334 students
Tuition $6,704
0
4.0
My GPA
#12 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $99,251
Average Debt $17,151
Program Size 337
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
Video Rating
N/A
San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 337 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $99,251.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
0
4.0
My GPA
#13 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $97,737
Average Debt $31,000
Program Size 187
Dominican University of California
4 Year
San Rafael, CA
Dominican University of California, located in San Rafael, CA has 187 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $97,737.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 510 students
Tuition $42,550
0
4.0
My GPA
#14 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,797
Average Debt $18,687
Program Size 214
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 214 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,797.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
0
4.0
My GPA
#15 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,782
Average Debt $18,429
Program Size 319
California State University-Dominguez Hills
4 Year
Carson, CA
Video Rating
California State University-Dominguez Hills, located in Carson, CA has 319 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,782.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 3,807 students
Tuition $6,213
0
4.0
My GPA
Other Major Rankings
Best Registered Nursing Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings