by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 44 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 9,158 bachelor's degrees in nursing to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of nursing for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their bachelor's degree.
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for nursing students seeking a a bachelor's degree.
Samuel Merritt University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Oakland.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing program at Samuel Merritt University get $16,221 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University
Loma Linda University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career income of $98,610.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Loma Linda University
University of San Francisco is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career earnings of $101,731.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of San Francisco
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in nursing has to check out Azusa Pacific University. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at Azusa Pacific University make $2,256 more than the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Azusa Pacific University
MSMU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $99,457 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s University
UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $94,611.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population.
After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $100,178 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - Long Beach
Stan State is a moderately-sized public university located in the small suburb of Turlock.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from California State University - Stanislaus receive an earnings boost of around $16,091 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - Stanislaus
West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit university located in the large city of Anaheim.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $95,859.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County
West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university located in the city of North Hollywood.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career wages of $95,859.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Los AngelesExplore all the Best Nursing Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 226 | 1,465 |
| Oregon | 185 | 825 |
| Nevada | 129 | 1,271 |
| Hawaii | 112 | 354 |
| Alaska | 75 | 160 |
Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 9,054 |
| Nursing Science | 54 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 50 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health | 3,361 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 1,799 |
| Communication Sciences | 1,211 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 1,004 |
| Allied Health Professions | 453 |
| Dental Support Services | 250 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 173 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 110 |
| Alternative Medicine & Systems | 91 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 83 |
