by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 5,712 associate degrees in registered nursing to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The registered nursing associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for registered nursing students working on their associate degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in registered nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Mount Saint Mary's University is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s University
Modesto Junior College is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Located in the medium-sized city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Modesto Junior College
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in registered nursing needs to take a look at Merced College. Merced Community College District is a large public college located in the city of Merced.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Merced College
Carrington College, Sacramento is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit college located in the large suburb of Sacramento.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Carrington College, Sacramento
Located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa, SRJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Santa Rosa Junior College
Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the large city of Riverside.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Riverside City College
Located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Pacific College
City College of San Francisco is a fairly large public college located in the large city of San Francisco.More information about a associate in registered nursing from City College of San Francisco
SWC Chula Vista is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Chula Vista.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southwestern College
Located in the rural area of Angwin, PUC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Pacific Union College
Butte College is a large public college located in the rural area of Oroville.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Butte College
MSJC is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized suburb of San Jacinto.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Mt. San Jacinto College
Located in the midsize suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Yuba College
Located in the large city of Stockton, Delta is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from San Joaquin Delta College
Here are some additional great schools for Registered Nursing students in the state of California that almost earned our Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 16 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
| 17 | San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | Ontario, CA |
| 18 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA |
| 19 | San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA |
| 20 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA |
| 21 | Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA |
| 22 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
| 23 | Moorpark College | Moorpark, CA |
| 24 | Ventura College | Ventura, CA |
Explore all the Best Registered Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 288 | 1,825 |
| Oregon | 260 | 608 |
| Nevada | 185 | 519 |
| Hawaii | 79 | 135 |
Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.
