Best master of science in nursing (MSN) programs in California

A master of science in nursing (MSN) is the best degree option for professional nurses looking to advance their careers. While a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) can lead to advancement opportunities as well, an MSN or higher is highly desired by hospitals, universities, and other medical facilities seeking skilled administrators, educators, and managers. Most MSN programs require 18-24 months to complete.

An entry-level master’s in nursing (ELM) is the best master’s degree route for non-nurses. The ELM program is designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in another field, and it usually takes 1-2 years to complete (depending on transfer credits).

MSN degree-holders have access to a wide variety of career paths including nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, nurse manager, and nursing home administrator. Graduates can expect an outstanding hiring and earnings outlook for these positions. Expected employment growth for nurse managers and administrators is 21% for the 2012-2022 decade and 31% for nurse anesthetists, midwives, and practitioners. The average salary for managers and administrators is $88,500 nationwide and an impressive $118,040 in the state of California. The average salary for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners as a group is $96,460 nationwide. In California, average annual earnings are $163,570 for nurse anesthetists, $120,450 for nurse midwives, and $110,590 for nurse practitioners.

We’ve compiled below the accredited California schools that offer some of the state’s top master of science in nursing (MSN) programs.

Fresno

California State University, Fresno
2345 East San Ramon Avenue | Fresno, California 93740
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Fresno Pacific University
Five River Park Place West, Suite 303 | Fresno, California 93720
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
School Address Programs offered
California State University, Fresno 2345 East San Ramon Avenue
Fresno, California 93740
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Fresno Pacific University Five River Park Place West, Suite 303
Fresno, California 93720
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

Inland Empire

California Baptist University
8432 Magnolia Avenue | Riverside, California 92504
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway | San Bernardino, California 92407
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Loma Linda University
11262 Campus Street | Loma Linda, California 92350
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
School Address Programs offered
California Baptist University 8432 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, California 92504
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, California 92407
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Loma Linda University 11262 Campus Street
Loma Linda, California 92350
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing

Los Angeles County

Azusa Pacific University
901 East Alosta Avenue | Azusa, California 91702
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, Dominguez Hills
1000 East Victoria Street | Carson, California 90747
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard | Long Beach, California 90840
  • MSN: Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing and Health Systems Executive Management
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive | Los Angeles, California 90032
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
1748 East 118th Street | Los Angeles, California 90059
  • Entry Level MSN
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Mount Saint Mary's University
12001 Chalon Road | Los Angeles, California 90049
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Leadership and Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
University of California, Los Angeles
700 Tiverton Avenue | Los Angeles, California 90095
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Southern California
University Park | Los Angeles, California 90089
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
West Coast University
12215 Victory Boulevard | North Hollywood, California 91606
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Advanced Generalist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Nursing Informatics
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Western University of Health Sciences
309 East Second Street | Pomona, California 91766
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Address Programs offered
Azusa Pacific University 901 East Alosta Avenue
Azusa, California 91702
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, Dominguez Hills 1000 East Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, California 90840
  • MSN: Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing and Health Systems Executive Management
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
California State University, Los Angeles 5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, California 90032
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 1748 East 118th Street
Los Angeles, California 90059
  • Entry Level MSN
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Mount Saint Mary's University 12001 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, California 90049
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Leadership and Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
University of California, Los Angeles 700 Tiverton Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90095
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Southern California University Park
Los Angeles, California 90089
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
West Coast University 12215 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood, California 91606
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Advanced Generalist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Nursing Informatics
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Western University of Health Sciences 309 East Second Street
Pomona, California 91766
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Modesto

California State University, Stanislaus
One University Circle | Turlock, California 95382
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Address Programs offered
California State University, Stanislaus One University Circle
Turlock, California 95382
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Orange County

California Southern University
600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 1100 | Costa Mesa, California 92626
  • MSN: Healthcare Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leader
California State University, Fullerton
800 North State College Boulevard | Fullerton, California 92831
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Stanbridge University
2041 Business Center Drive, Suite 107 | Irvine, California 92612
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Education
University of California, Irvine
802 West Peltason Drive | Irvine, California 92697
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Vanguard University
55 Fair Drive | Costa Mesa, California 92626
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Address Programs offered
California Southern University 600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 1100
Costa Mesa, California 92626
  • MSN: Healthcare Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Executive Leader
California State University, Fullerton 800 North State College Boulevard
Fullerton, California 92831
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Stanbridge University 2041 Business Center Drive, Suite 107
Irvine, California 92612
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Education
University of California, Irvine 802 West Peltason Drive
Irvine, California 92697
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Vanguard University 55 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, California 92626
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Sacramento

California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street | Sacramento, California 95819
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of California, Davis
2570 48th Street | Sacramento, California 95817
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
School Address Programs offered
California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street
Sacramento, California 95819
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of California, Davis 2570 48th Street
Sacramento, California 95817
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing

San Diego County

California State University, San Marcos
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road | San Marcos, California 92096
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
National University
16875 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 150 | San Diego, California 92127
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive | San Diego, California 92106
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive | San Diego, California 92182
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
United States University
830 Bay Boulevard | Chula Vista, California 91911
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park | San Diego, California 92110
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
700 Windy Point Drive | San Marcos, California 92069
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
School Address Programs offered
California State University, San Marcos 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, California 92096
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
National University 16875 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 150
San Diego, California 92127
  • Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Point Loma Nazarene University 3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
United States University 830 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, California 91911
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, California 92110
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 700 Windy Point Drive
San Marcos, California 92069
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Educator
  • MSN: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

San Francisco Bay metro area

Dominican University of California
50 Acacia Avenue | San Rafael, California 94901
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Holy Names University
3500 Mountain Boulevard | Oakland, California 94619
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Samuel Merritt University
3100 Telegraph Avenue | Oakland, California 94609
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue | San Francisco, California 94132
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
San Jose State University
One Washington Square | San Jose, California 95192
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of California, San Francisco
Two Koret Way | San Francisco, California 94143
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street | San Francisco, California 94117
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Address Programs offered
Dominican University of California 50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, California 94901
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Holy Names University 3500 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland, California 94619
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Samuel Merritt University 3100 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, California 94609
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing
San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California 94132
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
San Jose State University One Washington Square
San Jose, California 95192
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of California, San Francisco Two Koret Way
San Francisco, California 94143
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing
University of San Francisco 2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, California 94117
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Sonoma

Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue | Rohnert Park, California 94928
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
School Address Programs offered
Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, California 94928
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

Vallejo / Fairfield area

Touro University California
1310 Club Drive | Vallejo, California 94592
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Address Programs offered
Touro University California 1310 Club Drive
Vallejo, California 94592
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Other California cities

California State University, Chico
400 West First Street | Chico, California 95929
  • Master of Science in Nursing
School Address Programs offered
California State University, Chico 400 West First Street
Chico, California 95929
  • Master of Science in Nursing
Category: 
California