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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California

59 Colleges in California
8,469 Bachelor's Degrees
$85,684 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #2 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 59 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 8,469 bachelor's degrees in nursing to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in nursing matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality nursing program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Master's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for nursing.

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.


 

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
759 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in nursing has to look into West Coast University - Orange County. West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Anaheim. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 759 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at West Coast University - Orange County in the most recent data year.

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually earn an average of $77,900 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County

2
651 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Best Quality In CA
$77,900 Median Salary

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at West Coast University - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university located in the large city of North Hollywood. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 651 nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University - Los Angeles in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients generally earn about $77,900 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Los Angeles

3
597 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#11 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Azusa Pacific University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

There were approximately 597 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $86,700 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Azusa Pacific University

4
534 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In CA
$77,900 Median Salary

West Coast University - Ontario is a popular choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Ontario, West Coast University - Ontario is a private for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 534 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at West Coast University - Ontario in the most recent data year.

After graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients typically make around $77,900 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Ontario

5
529 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Oakland. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 529 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the nursing program at Samuel Merritt University get $16,716 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University

6
345 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#21 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were about 345 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at CSUSM in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, nursing bachelor's recipients typically make about $83,300 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - San Marcos

7
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, CA
326 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#29 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of La Jolla.

There were approximately 326 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $81,100 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from National University

8
295 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#23 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Cal State Fullerton is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fullerton.

There were about 295 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $83,800.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - Fullerton

9
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
260 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#8 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

USFCA is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 260 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $86,700 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of San Francisco

10
253 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#16 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Sac State is a very large public university located in the city of Sacramento.

There were about 253 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available.

Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from California State University - Sacramento earn a boost of around $20,916 over the average earnings of nursing majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - Sacramento


 

Best Nursing Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 229 1,449
Oregon 178 928
Nevada 117 1,106
Hawaii 115 401
Alaska 79 132

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 8,306
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 59
Nursing Administration 51
Nursing Science 47
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 6

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Health 2,522
Health Sciences & Services 2,340
Communication Sciences 1,227
Health & Medical Administrative Services 1,075
Allied Health Professions 523
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences 257
Alternative Medicine & Systems 164
Dental Support Services 152
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 121
Mental & Social Health Services 101

Notes and References

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