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

20 Colleges in California
358 Doctor's Degrees
$134,867 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #5 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after doctor's degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 20 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 358 doctor's degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Doctor's Degree

Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California The nursing doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of nursing students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.


 

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in nursing.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Doctorate

1
96 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#14 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Brandman University if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing. Located in the city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 96 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Brandman in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $121,500 in their early career salary.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Brandman University

2
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
47 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of San Francisco if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing. Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 47 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their doctor's degree from University of San Francisco receive $37,733 more than the standard nursing graduate.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of San Francisco

3
46 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#8 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

University of San Diego is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in nursing. USD is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Diego. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 46 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at USD in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, nursing doctorate recipients typically earn around $112,900 in their early careers.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of San Diego

4
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
25 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Loma Linda University if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in nursing. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 25 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Loma Linda University

5
23 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#5 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large city of San Francisco, UCSF is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 23 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UCSF in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of California - San Francisco

6
20 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#13 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were roughly 20 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent data year.

Nursing doctor's degree recipients from California State University - Fullerton earn a boost of around $15,033 over the typical earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from California State University - Fullerton

6
20 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#3 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 20 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from University of California - Los Angeles

8
17 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#1 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 17 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Samuel Merritt University

9
15 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#15 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

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

There were roughly 15 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fresno State in the most recent year we have data available.

Doctorate recipients from the nursing major at California State University - Fresno earn $9,433 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from California State University - Fresno

10
13 Annual Doctor's Degrees
#6 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for doctor's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 13 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Western University of Health Sciences in the most recent data year.

More information about a doctorate in nursing from Western University of Health Sciences


 

Best Nursing Colleges in the Far Western US Region

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 115 247
Oregon 102 40
Nevada 58 61
Hawaii 53 39
Alaska 20 3

View All Rankings >

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

Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Nursing Practice 139
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 77
Registered Nursing 58
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 33
Nursing Administration 18
Nursing Science 14
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 9
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 6
School Nursing 3
Clinical Nurse Specialist 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 1,829
Medicine 1,656
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences 1,207
Dentistry 741
Alternative Medicine & Systems 583
Chiropractic 277
Optometry 242
Public Health 56
Communication Sciences 42
Mental & Social Health Services 39

Notes and References

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