For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the California Board of Registered Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of California’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.
#1: Sonoma State University
98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, California 94928
https://www.sonoma.edu98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#2: California State University, Sacramento
97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate6000 J Street
Sacramento, California 95819
https://www.csus.edu97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 146 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#3: California State University, Stanislaus
97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne University Circle
Turlock, California 95382
https://www.csustan.edu97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 75 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#4: California State University, Long Beach
96.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, California 90840
https://www.csulb.edu96.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 147 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#5: California State University, Channel Islands
96.7% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne University Drive
Camarillo, California 93012
https://www.csuci.edu96.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#6: California State University, San Marcos
96.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, California 92096
https://www.csusm.edu96.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 172 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#7: Concordia University Irvine
96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate3337 Michelson Drive, Suite 650
Irvine, California 92612
https://www.cui.edu96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 75 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#8: Chamberlain University - Sacramento
96.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate10971 Sun Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, California 95670
https://www.chamberlain.edu96.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 83 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018-19 through 2020-21#9: California State University, Chico
95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate400 West First Street
Chico, California 95929
https://www.csuchico.edu95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 76 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#10: California State University, Bakersfield
95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, California 93311
https://www.csub.edu95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 54 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#11: California State University, Los Angeles
94.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, California 90032
https://www.calstatela.edu94.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 81 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#12: Simpson University
94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate2211 College View Drive
Redding, California 96003
https://www.simpsonu.edu94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012-13 through 2020-21#13: San Diego State University
93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182
https://www.sdsu.edu93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 139 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#14: California State University, Northridge
92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, California 91330
https://www.csun.edu92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#15: California State University, Fullerton
92.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate800 North State College Boulevard
Fullerton, California 92831
https://www.fullerton.edu92.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 53 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#16: National University
91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate16875 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 150
San Diego, California 92127
https://www.nu.edu91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 256 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#17: San Jose State University
90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne Washington Square
San Jose, California 95192
https://www.sjsu.edu90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 120 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#18: California State University, East Bay
89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, California 94542
https://www.csueastbay.edu89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 107 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#19: Loma Linda University
89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate11262 Campus Street
Loma Linda, California 92350
https://home.llu.edu89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 130 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#20: Samuel Merritt University
89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate3100 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, California 94609
https://www.samuelmerritt.edu89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 383 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#21: California State University, Fresno
88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate2345 East San Ramon Avenue
Fresno, California 93740
https://www.csufresno.edu88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 119 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#22: California State University, San Bernardino
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, California 92407
https://www.csusb.edu88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 112 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#23: University of San Francisco
87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, California 94117
https://www.usfca.edu87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 187 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#24: University of California, Irvine
87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate802 West Peltason Drive
Irvine, California 92697
https://www.uci.edu87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 48 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#25: West Coast University
87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate12215 Victory Boulevard
North Hollywood, California 91606
https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 1181 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#26: University of California, Los Angeles
86.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate700 Tiverton Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90095
https://www.ucla.edu86.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 50 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#27: Biola University
86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, California 90639
https://www.biola.edu86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 40 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#28: Point Loma Nazarene University
86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106
https://www.pointloma.edu86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 64 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#29: California Baptist University
85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate8432 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, California 92504
https://www.calbaptist.edu85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 121 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#30: San Francisco State University
83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California 94132
https://www.sfsu.edu83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 107 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#31: Azusa Pacific University
83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate901 East Alosta Avenue
Azusa, California 91702
https://www.apu.edu83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 317 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#32: American University of Health Sciences
83.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate1600 East Hill Street, Building One
Signal Hill, California 90755
https://www.auhs.edu83.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#33: Dominican University of California
80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate50 Acacia Avenue
San Rafael, California 94901
https://www.dominican.edu80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 98 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#34: Mount Saint Mary's University
79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate12001 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, California 90049
https://www.msmu.edu79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 143 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21#35: Holy Names University
65.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate3500 Mountain Boulevard
Oakland, California 94619
https://www.hnu.edu65.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 21 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012-13 through 2020-21