Best nursing schools in California: Largest to smallest

Registered nurses (RNs) make up the nation’s largest healthcare occupation, with a growing population of more than 2.7 million nationwide and a total of 252,940 in the state of California alone. There are also 97,420 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in California and over 61,000 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in the state. California’s nursing population is so great that, according to a 2014 report by the US Health Occupations Center, nearly 17,000 future RNs and LVNs graduate from the state's nursing schools each year.

The state offers multiple paths to becoming an RN including the associate's degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), entry-level master’s degree in nursing (MSN), LVN 30-unit option, and a program for military corpsmen. With the exception of the military option, these programs may be completed at any of the states 200+ accredited nursing schools. These institutions range from large public universities with a diverse collection of nursing program offerings (and a smaller price tag) to private colleges with smaller class sizes and the cutting-edge programs in high demand by today’s top healthcare employers.

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Aspiring LVNs and CNAs must complete a state-approved certificate program and obtain certification to work in the state. LVNs must additionally pass the NCLEX-PN, a national licensure exam. Certificate programs are offered in abundance at roughly 175 California community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and even at some traditional colleges and universities.

Below is a list of California nursing schools that offer some of the best accredited nursing programs in the country. For convenience, we've organized them by class size from largest to smallest.