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.

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#16 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $95,473
Average Debt $46,656
Program Size 26
Holy Names University
4 Year
Oakland, CA
Holy Names University, located in Oakland, CA has 26 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $95,473.
Acceptance Rate 43%
Undergraduates 294 students
Tuition $35,666
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#17 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $94,408
Average Debt $30,196
Program Size 132
Pacific Union College
4 Year
Angwin, CA
Pacific Union College, located in Angwin, CA has 132 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $94,408.
Acceptance Rate 45%
Undergraduates 268 students
Tuition $29,064
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#18 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $92,124
Average Debt $13,842
Program Size 214
California State University-Northridge
4 Year
Northridge, CA
California State University-Northridge, located in Northridge, CA has 214 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $92,124.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 10,247 students
Tuition $6,569
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#19 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $91,868
Average Debt $26,465
Program Size 335
Loma Linda University
4 Year
Loma Linda, CA
Loma Linda University, located in Loma Linda, CA has 335 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $91,868.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,333 students
Tuition N/A
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#20 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $91,744
Average Debt $35,979
Program Size 116
American University of Health Sciences
4 Year
Signal Hill, CA
American University of Health Sciences, located in Signal Hill, CA has 116 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $91,744.
Acceptance Rate 100%
Undergraduates 63 students
Tuition $23,223
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#21 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $91,300
Average Debt $21,496
Program Size 82
Vanguard University of Southern California
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
Vanguard University of Southern California, located in Costa Mesa, CA has 82 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $91,300.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 517 students
Tuition $30,050
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#22 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $91,291
Average Debt $13,344
Program Size 359
California State University-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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California State University-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 359 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $91,291.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 6,512 students
Tuition $6,355
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#23 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $91,152
Average Debt $20,137
Program Size 207
California State University-Channel Islands
4 Year
Camarillo, CA
California State University-Channel Islands, located in Camarillo, CA has 207 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $91,152.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,718 students
Tuition $6,547
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#24 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $90,678
Average Debt $22,500
Program Size 97
University of California-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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University of California-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 97 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $90,678.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition N/A
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#25 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $90,678
Average Debt $22,500
Program Size 97
UCLA
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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UCLA, located in Los Angeles, CA has 97 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $90,678.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition $12,763
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#26 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $90,504
Average Debt $24,872
Program Size 963
Azusa Pacific University (APU)
4 Year
Azusa, CA
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Azusa Pacific University (APU), located in Azusa, CA has 963 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $90,504.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 2,792 students
Tuition $34,754
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#27 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $90,146
Average Debt $17,266
Program Size 500
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF)
4 Year
Fullerton, CA
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California State University-Fullerton (CSUF), located in Fullerton, CA has 500 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $90,146.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 10,530 students
Tuition $6,437
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#28 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $88,933
Average Debt $29,616
Program Size 63
Simpson University
4 Year
Redding, CA
Simpson University, located in Redding, CA has 63 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $88,933.
Acceptance Rate 52%
Undergraduates 353 students
Tuition $25,200
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#29 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $88,739
Average Debt $20,897
Program Size 239
California State University-San Bernardino
4 Year
San Bernardino, CA
California State University-San Bernardino, located in San Bernardino, CA has 239 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $88,739.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 4,571 students
Tuition $6,577
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#30 Best College for Registered Nursing
Average Salary $88,250
Average Debt $23,996
Program Size 418
University of Phoenix-California
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
University of Phoenix-California, located in Costa Mesa, CA has 418 students majoring in Registered Nursing. On average, graduates earn $88,250.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 4,165 students
Tuition $9,818
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Other Major Rankings
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