For our 2024 rankings, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac collected data on nearly 3,000 nursing schools and campuses throughout the United States. We evaluated each school on three dimensions:
- The institution’s academic prestige and perceived value
- The breadth and depth of nursing programs offered
- Student success, particularly on the NCLEX licensure examination
We then combined these assessments into an overall score and ranked the schools accordingly. For a detailed description of our assessment methodology and dimension weights, please see here.
#1: University of California, San Francisco
Over the past decade, the UCSF School of Nursing has received more research funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other nursing school. The university’s master of science in nursing program offers more than a dozen tracks, including several clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner roles. In addition, UCSF conducts a master’s entry program in nursing (MEPN) which prepares non-nurses for initial licensure. MEPN graduates have achieved an outstanding 94% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination over the past decade. The university also offers an online master of science in healthcare administration and interprofessional leadership (MS-HAIL), a doctor of nursing practice degree, and PhD tracks in both nursing and sociology.
#2: University of California, Los Angeles
The UCLA School of Nursing has earned numerous national accolades. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the school among the top 25 nationwide for graduate nursing studies. UCLA is also ranked #12 in NIH research funding for nursing schools over the past decade. Approximately 600 nursing students are enrolled across the university’s BSN, MSN, and PhD programs. The MSN program offers a direct-entry track for non-nurses which leads to CNL certification, as well as numerous advanced practice tracks in various NP and CNS specialties. UCLA students are well-prepared for licensure: the school’s BSN graduates have achieved an 87% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, while direct-entry MSN candidates have scored an 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#3: Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University has prepared professional nurses for a century. Undergraduates can enroll in either a traditional or accelerated BSN program. Across the two pathways, SMU graduates 350-400 BSN students each year who have passed the NCLEX exam at an 89% rate over the past decade. Just as impressively, the school’s entry-level MSN program, which graduates 80-100 students annually, has an 88% NCLEX exam pass rate over that same time period. MSN students may prepare for careers as a case manager or family nurse practitioner. The university also offers a DNP degree with specializations in anesthesia, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. All SMU nursing students have access to global medical mission opportunities as well as the Health Sciences Simulation Center, one of the region’s most advanced healthcare simulation facilities.
#4: West Coast University
West Coast University operates two campuses in Los Angeles – the North Hollywood nursing school and the downtown Center for Graduate Studies – with additional sites in Orange County and Ontario. The school’s modern campuses feature LEED buildings and state-of-the-art simulation centers. Traditional BSN and LVN-to-BSN degree programs are available in all three cities. The BSN program has grown rapidly since its recent launch, with over 1,000 graduates in each of the past five years. During that timeframe, WCU students have averaged an impressive 91% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination. The university also offers a wealth of online nursing programs including RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, four MSN tracks, and an FNP certificate.
#5: Western University of Health Sciences
The College of Graduate Nursing at Western University of Health Sciences launched the nation’s first online curriculum for family nurse practitioners. The school also established the first DNP and direct-entry MSN programs in Southern California. CGN’s direct-entry MSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a strong 92% rate over the past decade. In addition to direct entry, the MSN program offers a bridge option for RNs with an associate degree in nursing. MSN students can choose to specialize as administrative nurse leaders, clinical nurse leaders, ambulatory care nurses, or family nurse practitioners. A post-master’s FNP certificate is also available.
#6: Loma Linda University
At Loma Linda University, students have access to the largest medical simulation center in the United States. They are also proximally located to Loma Linda University Medical Center, which hosts some of the nation’s largest clinical programs. Undergraduate pathways include the traditional BSN, accelerated BSN for non-nursing degree-holders, LVN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. LLU graduates more than 150 students annually from its prelicensure BSN pathways, with a solid 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The university also offers MSN tracks for aspiring CRNAs, nurse administrators, and nurse educators, in addition to DNP and nursing PhD programs.
#7: University of San Diego
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science in the top tier of graduate nursing schools. USD offers a direct-entry MSN option for non-nurses; this pathway graduates 50-60 new nurses each year and has maintained a 92% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Existing nurses can pursue an MSN in eight different areas of emphasis, a DNP with two entry points (post-BSN, post-MSN), or a PhD with three entry points (post-BSN, post-MSN, post-DNP). In addition to a diverse collection of graduate offerings, Hahn provides the opportunity to participate in international mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
#8: California State University, Long Beach
The CSULB School of Nursing graduates 100-200 new nurses annually through its prelicensure BSN program, which features both traditional and second-degree pathways. These students have enjoyed a stellar 97% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past ten years. CSULB also offers an RN-to-BSN completion program and a broad range of MSN degrees and graduate nursing certificates. MSN students can specialize in one of six nurse practitioner fields, advanced public health nursing, or nursing and health systems executive management. Certificates are also available for six NP roles: adult-gerontology acute care, adult-geriatric, family, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health, and women’s health.
#9: University of California, Irvine
The Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing offers BSN, MSN, PhD, and DNP degrees. The BSN program accepts freshman applicants and transfers from other schools. Each class is small with ~50 students, and BSN graduates have maintained a healthy 87% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The program’s innovative curriculum features a desirable concentration in Community and Population Health. UC Irvine’s PhD in Nursing Science offers four broad focal areas: health promotion and disease prevention, health disparities and diversity, disease and symptom management, and health services and policy. In 2018, the university launched a DNP curriculum which provides both a post-master’s track and a family nurse practitioner (FNP) track. The FNP concentration is the first and only program of its kind currently offered by a University of California campus.
#10: University of San Francisco
The USF School of Nursing and Health Professions was the first California institution to offer a DNP for working nurses. The school also offers prelicensure BSN and MSN programs, an online MSN program with two entry points (post-ADN, post-BSN), and a traditional campus-based MSN program at several locations in the San Francisco and Sacramento metropolitan areas. USF’s combined “4+1” bachelor’s and master’s program culminates with an MSN-CNL, master of public health (MPH), MS in behavioral health, or MS in health informatics. Prelicensure students consistently perform well on their licensure exams: over the past decade, 88% of BSN graduates and 90% of direct-entry MSN graduates have passed the NCLEX-RN exam on their first try.
#11: Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing has a program for every career objective. Undergraduates can pursue a four-year BSN, an LVN-to-BSN bridge, an RN-to-BSN completion program, or the Two-Plus-Two BSN. The final option is a unique track designed for APU transfer students. Prelicensure BSN candidates have passed the NCLEX exam at a solid 84% first-time rate over the past decade. The university’s MSN curriculum features specialties in nursing education, school nursing, two clinical nurse specialist areas, and four nurse practitioner roles. Azusa Pacific University also offers a DNP program, a nursing PhD program, and eight post-master’s nursing certificates.
#12: San José State University
SJSU’s Valley Foundation School of Nursing offers several education pathways. Undergraduates may pursue a traditional BSN, an RN-to-BSN completion program, or the unique post-baccalaureate Wound & Ostomy Education Program. The latter option prepares WOC nurses for certification by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board. SJSU graduates 80-120 prelicensure BSN students annually, who have enjoyed an impressive 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. At the graduate level, SJSU offers an MSN degree with two specialty areas (nurse educator, family nurse practitioner) and a post-master’s DNP pathway. The cohort-based DNP program is conducted primarily online, with one mandatory on-campus meeting at the start of each semester.
#13: California State University, Fullerton
The School of Nursing at California State University, Fullerton has several graduate programs ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, including nurse midwifery and nurse anesthesia. Numerous other degree options are available, including LVN-to-BSN, traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, four MSN specializations (leadership, nurse educator, school nursing, women’s healthcare), and a post-master’s DNP program. CSU Fullerton also offers a school nurse services credential (SNSC) and a post-SNSC MSN pathway for those who already hold the credential. Over the past decade, graduates of the traditional and accelerated BSN programs have collectively passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam at a solid 92% rate.
#14: University of California, Davis
The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis offers several different nursing education pathways. Options include a master’s entry program in nursing with PHN certification, a traditional MSN program with leadership and FNP tracks, and a nursing science and healthcare leadership PhD. Graduates of the master’s entry program are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Students in the FNP specialization have the option to enroll in a dual-track pathway which prepares them simultaneously for the professions of family nurse practitioner and physician assistant. These are the only FNP and physician assistant programs where students learn together to practice collaboratively with clinicians in a variety of settings.
#15: California State University, Los Angeles
Cal State LA’s Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing offers a breadth of educational pathways. Graduate students can pursue an MSN degree, a post-master’s certificate, or a DNP degree. The MSN program has specialty tracks in nursing administration, nursing education, and four nurse practitioner fields. Existing MSN-holders can pursue a graduate certificate in any specialty area. The school’s DNP program is offered through a consortium with Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach. Cal State LA’s undergraduates have three options: traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated 15-month BSN (formerly the entry-level MSN program). Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN students have enjoyed a strong 95% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination.
#16: California Baptist University
Students at California Baptist University’s College of Nursing have the opportunity to donate their time, resources, and care through community outreach programs that provide services such as feeding the homeless. Students distribute clothing and food, participate in disaster preparedness, and travel overseas to work alongside nationals in education and health training. The college’s offerings include BSN, entry-level MSN (ELMSN), traditional MSN, and DNP degree programs. Post-master’s certification is also available in five distinct specializations. Over the past decade, BSN graduates have achieved an 86% first-time NCLEX exam pass rate. Their colleagues in the ELMSN program have enjoyed an 85% pass rate over the same time period.
#17: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a non-profit university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Additionally, several of the university’s nursing programs are programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The School of Nursing offers a breadth of graduate programs including five MSN role specialties, three post-graduate certificates, and a DNP curriculum with both BSN and MSN entry points. Courses are led by faculty-practitioners who are experts in their respective fields. Coursework for all programs is conducted predominantly online. The MSN program also features optional immersions, while the DNP program with FNP role specialty requires one on-campus clinical intensive. Graduates are prepared to seek employment in their chosen role specialty: nurse educator, nurse executive, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
#18: California State University, Fresno
The School of Nursing at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) offers a traditional prelicensure BSN program, an MSN degree, and a DNP program. Over the past decade, BSN graduates achieved a noteworthy NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 88%. The MSN has two options: CNS/NE or primary care/NP. Several credential options are also available: a post-baccalaureate school nurse services credential, a post-master’s PMHNP, or a post-master’s NP. Part of the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Nursing at Fresno State offers a variety of clinical placements at major hospitals such as St. Agnes Medical Center and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.
#19: University of Massachusetts Global
UMass Global’s Marybelle and S. Paul Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions is known for blending advanced technology and immersive learning. Most coursework is delivered online, with students gathering periodically for three- to five-day sessions at the school’s high-tech Immersive Learning and Simulation Center. UMass Global offers an accelerated prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN completion pathway, a post-master’s DNP, and two nurse practitioner specialties (family across the lifespan, psychiatric and mental health). Each NP specialty may be pursued through either a BSN-to-DNP degree program or a post-doctoral certificate program. The school also teaches a unique online Survival Spanish course, designed to provide healthcare professionals with basic Spanish communication skills and an understanding of Latino culture.
#20: California State University, San Marcos
CSU San Marcos launched its School of Nursing in the fall of 2006. The university now offers four BSN pathways including traditional, accelerated, LVN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN. Approximately 150-200 students complete the prelicensure BSN pathways each year. These graduates have enjoyed a stellar 96% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. CSU San Marcos also has five MSN concentrations: clinical nurse leader, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and nursing education. In 2008, the school opened a satellite campus in Temecula which offers accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs to the expanding communities of southwest Riverside County.
#21: Stanbridge University
Stanbridge University offers four distinct nursing programs: a prelicensure associate degree in vocational nursing, a prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN completion program, and an MSN degree with an emphasis in education. Prelicensure students receive hands-on training in the university’s high-fidelity simulation and nursing skills labs, along with the opportunity to work in the first synthetic human cadaver lab on the West Coast. Stanbridge graduates have achieved a 90% NCLEX-PN pass rate from the Los Angeles campus, a 96% NCLEX-PN pass rate from the Irvine campus, and a remarkable 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past five years. The RN-to-BSN and MSN programs are both conducted 100% online on the school’s proprietary Edverum platform, providing maximum flexibility for working nurses.
#22: University of Southern California
The University of Southern California conducts an online MSN. Offered through the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, the MSN is designed for RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least one year of clinical experience. This evidence-based nursing program prepares family nurse practitioners to provide comprehensive care to individuals and communities. Students will complete clinical experiences at family practices, pediatric offices, urgent care facilities, internal medicine clinics, and community health clinics. Graduates of the program are trained to offer integrative care to infants, children, adolescents, and adults throughout their lives.
#23: San Diego State University
The SDSU School of Nursing combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience at several venues. Facilities include a media lab, a health assessment lab, a nursing fundamentals skills labs, and the Sharp Healthcare Human Patient Simulation Center. Undergraduates can pursue a traditional BSN degree or an RN-to-BSN completion program. SDSU graduates 100-150 traditional BSN students each year, with a remarkable 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past six years. Graduate students can select an MSN concentration in either advanced practice nursing of adults and the elderly or nursing leadership in healthcare systems.
#24: Sonoma State University
The Department of Nursing at Sonoma State University has educated more than 4,000 nurse professionals over the past forty years. Undergraduate pathways include a traditional four-year BSN program and an ADN-to-BSN Collaborative Nursing Education Continuum Model (CNECM) offered in partnership with Napa Valley College, College of Marin, Santa Rosa Junior College, Solano Community College, and Mendocino College. The university graduates 10-40 students annually from the traditional BSN program, with an impressive 98% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate over the past decade. Graduate nursing students can pursue an MSN degree or a post-master’s certificate with an FNP emphasis.
#25: California State University, Sacramento
The Sacramento State School of Nursing enrolls more than 550 students across its BSN and MSN programs. The BSN curriculum offers two pathways: a traditional four-year degree and an RN-to-BSN completion program. Approximately 100-180 students graduate from the traditional BSN program each year. They have achieved an NCLEX pass rate of 97% over the past decade, an amazing streak for a program of this size. The RN-to-BSN pathway includes an innovative collaboration with three local community colleges to facilitate seamless transition from ADN to BSN. Sacramento State’s MSN program prepares BSN-educated nurses for advanced practice roles in administration, clinical practice, education, and school nursing.
#26: California State University, Stanislaus
The School of Nursing at California State University, Stanislaus (Stanislaus State) offers seven degree pathways. Options include a traditional BSN, an LVN-to-BSN pathway, an RN-to-BSN track for local nurses with an associate degree, an online RN-to-BSN with 24/7 accessibility, an accelerated second BSN (ASBSN), an MSN program, and an MSN degree with FNP concentration. All nursing students will participate in the School of Nursing Simulation Program. Simulation is integrated into the School of Nursing curriculum to provide experiential learning opportunities throughout the program. Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN graduates achieved an outstanding NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 97%.
#27: Point Loma Nazarene University
The School of Nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University offers several unique opportunities. These include a study abroad program which Open Doors ranked #15 in the nation, the LoveWorks short-term mission program, and a Health Promotion Center which serves residents of City Heights, a low-income multicultural area of San Diego. BSN candidates can pursue a traditional, LVN-to-BSN, or RN-to-BSN pathway to their degree. Graduates of the BSN program have consistently scored well on their licensure exams, with a strong 86% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. PLNU also conducts an MSN degree program with a general track and three CNS specializations: adult / gerontology, family / individual health, and pediatrics.
#28: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is the second-most diverse four-year private nonprofit college in the nation. The university’s Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing has historically offered an RN-to-BSN pathway, an entry-level MSN, and two nurse practitioner specializations (family and psychiatric-mental health) with both MSN and post-master’s certificate options. The entry-level MSN is designed for students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree who wish to prepare for initial RN licensure. Graduates have achieved an 86% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past five years. In the fall of 2021, the School of Nursing expanded its program offerings to include a prelicensure BSN track and a post-master’s DNP curriculum. The latter is the first doctoral degree program in CDU’s storied history.
#29: California State University, Chico
CSU Chico’s School of Nursing serves the rural communities of Northern California in several innovative ways. In addition to RN refresher courses, the university operates a Rural California Nursing Preceptorship Program that provides nursing students with rural and semi-rural clinical experiences. CSU Chico also administers the Rural Northern California Clinical Simulation Center Partnership, dubbed the Rural SimCenter. The School of Nursing graduates approximately eighty prelicensure BSN students in each class. These students have achieved a phenomenal 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. CSU Chico also offers an online RN-to-BSN completion program and an online MSN program with nurse educator and nurse leader tracks.
#30: National University
National University is the first academic institution in the world to pursue and achieve Planetree Recognition. The School of Health and Human Services offers ten programs within the Department of Nursing, spanning the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate options include a traditional BSN, a post-bachelor’s BSN, an LVN-to-BSN pathway, and an online RN-to-BSN. Graduate offerings include an MSN program, two post-graduate nurse practitioner certificates (family and psychiatric-mental health), and a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) degree. National University produces 200-300 prelicensure BSN graduates annually, and these students have achieved a noteworthy 91% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the past decade.
#31: Vanguard University
Vanguard University launched its first nursing program in 2006. Since then, the school has added several additional programs including a prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN pathway, an MSN degree, and a post-master’s adult gerontology CNS certificate. The prelicensure BSN is designed for freshman and transfer students who are not licensed RNs. The RN-to-BSN is for students currently enrolled in an ADN dual enrollment program at another institution who seek to complete a bachelor’s degree. The MSN is for licensed RNs who already hold a bachelor’s degree, while the twenty-week CNS certificate is for licensed RNs who already hold a master’s degree.
#32: Concordia University Irvine
The nursing program at Concordia University has a new campus, known as Park Place Campus, which features a large skills lab, three simulation labs with sophisticated mannequins, additional classrooms, and a nursing station where students can practice hands-on nursing skills. The school offers an MSN degree and several BSN pathways, including LVN-to-BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-to-BSN. Students in all programs will complete a curriculum designed around Dr. Jean Watson’s philosophy of caring in nursing, while working closely with faculty role models. Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN graduates have achieved an excellent 96% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.
#33: Dominican University of California
The Nursing Department at Dominican University of California is part of the School of Health and Natural Sciences (HNS). The largest school in the university, HNS offers a prelicensure BSN that allows students to gain invaluable hands-on experience in a mock hospital/clinic setting, housed within a state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center. At the time of graduation, students will have completed over 1,000 clinical hours. The HNS nursing program welcomes high school graduates, transfer applicants, and those who have served in the military. Over the past decade, the program has graduated 70-130 students annually, with a cumulative NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of approximately 81%.
#34: San Francisco State University
As part of SFSU’s commitment to social justice, most of the School of Nursing’s community health practicums are located in underserved San Francisco neighborhoods. The university offers three BSN pathways: a traditional BSN on the SFSU campus, a traditional BSN on the Cañada College campus in Redwood City, and an RN-to-BSN program. Over the past decade, prelicensure BSN graduates have scored a solid NCLEX pass rate of 84%. The MSN program also has three pathways: entry-level, accelerated entry-level, and traditional. Entry-level students have performed even better on the NCLEX exam, with a 90% pass rate over the past decade. The MSN curriculum includes CNS, administration, public health, and FNP emphasis areas.
#35: Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University has expanded with the opening of its second campus in California. Launched in spring 2021, the program at the new Irwindale campus aims to meet the state’s growing demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses. The onsite BSN program can be completed in as little as three years of year-round study, instead of the typical four years with summers off. Students can study and learn at the SIMCARE CENTER, which provides high-tech simulated patient care in clinical learning environments, and the Center for Academic Success, which delivers comprehensive academic resources and support for students. The new Irwindale location complements the university’s existing campus in Sacramento, which launched in 2016. BSN students from the Sacramento campus have a phenomenal 96% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination since that program’s inception.
#36: Xavier College
Established in 2005 by a professional RN, Xavier College offers both LVN and ADN pathways for aspiring nurses. The 11-month LVN certificate prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Xavier College typically graduates 70-90 students annually from the LVN program. These students have maintained a strong 87% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade. Xavier College recently launched an ADN program requiring 62 semester units of general education and nursing core courses. The inaugural graduating class scored a 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. The LVN and ADN programs both feature laboratory and clinical components. Clinical practice takes place on campus and at healthcare facilities throughout Stockton, California.
#37: Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary’s University launched the first BSN program in the state of California. Today, the university provides a variety of options for earning either a BSN or an MSN degree. The BSN program offers three pathways (traditional, accelerated second degree, RN-to-BSN) and enables students to earn a California Public Health Nursing Certificate as part of their studies. BSN graduates have posted an 80% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The MSN program features specialty tracks in leadership and administration, nurse educator, and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist. The final specialization is also offered as a post-MSN certificate.
#38: California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Channel Islands (CSU Channel Islands) has several degree options for nurses. Pathways include the Bridge ADN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, and traditional prelicensure BSN. Bridge ADN students can complete the program in as little as 15 months. The RN-to-BSN pathway is administered through Extended University; it takes approximately 22 months to complete, including summers. The traditional BSN program has 2.5-year and three-year options, including summers. Over the past decade, graduates of the traditional BSN program have posted an outstanding NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 97%.
#39: California State University, San Bernardino
The Department of Nursing at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) offers a traditional prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN pathway for California-licensed RNs, and a hybrid online MSN program with several specializations. For the past decade, the traditional BSN program has produced 100-150 graduates annually. These students have enjoyed a solid NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 88%. CSUSB’s graduate tracks include a population-based MSN, a nurse educator MSN, and an advanced community/public health nursing MSN. These specializations require an additional 57, 65, and 71 units of study, respectively, above the core MSN course load of 51 units.
#40: Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University provides rigorous evidence-based nursing education in a supportive Christian atmosphere, guided by dedicated faculty who hold decades of industry experience. At the undergraduate level, the university has long conducted an RN-to-BSN offering at its North Fresno campus. This completion program prepares students to take their associate degree to the next level, with a focus on clinical decision-making, holistic care, and community and public health nursing. In August 2022, the university will expand its undergraduate offerings by welcoming a cohort of 24 students to its new prelicensure BSN program. At the graduate level, Fresno Pacific University offers an MSN degree with a family nurse practitioner emphasis. The curriculum covers assessment, prevention, and instruction, with a focus on primary care across the lifespan including practicums that prepare participants for this specialty.
#41: Biola University
Biola University’s Department of Nursing is part of the School of Science, Technology, and Health. The Department offers a traditional prelicensure BSN that was recently ranked sixth on Niche’s list of the Best Colleges for Nursing in California. Program highlights include opportunities for global health experiences in variety of countries and a state-of the-art simulation lab with multiple advanced patient simulators. The simulation lab provides the opportunity for students to experience a variety of clinical realities, from the intensive care unit to the delivery suite. Over the past decade, BSN graduates of Biola University’s Department of Nursing achieved a noteworthy NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 86%.
#42: American University of Health Sciences
American University of Health Sciences is a private Christian university that prepares students for careers in the healthcare professions. The school emphasizes service to others both locally and abroad. AUHS’s nursing programs feature small class sizes, hands-on learning opportunities, and experienced faculty. A recent partnership with Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science allows for additional work and learning opportunities in underserved communities. The prelicensure BSN program graduates 60-80 students annually, with a notable 83% NCLEX exam pass rate over the past decade. AUHS also offers an RN-to-BSN pathway for existing registered nurses to complete their baccalaureate education.
#43: Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health has been a fully functioning training school for nurses since 1901. Each year, the School of Nursing graduates 80-100 ADN students across two tracks: a traditional two-year pathway and an advanced placement option for licensed vocational nurses. These graduates have posted a phenomenal 94% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade. Clinical nursing experiences are conducted at Los Angeles County Department of Health Services hospitals, including Los Angeles County + USC, Olive View-UCLA, Harbor-UCLA Medical Centers, and Comprehensive Health Centers and Clinics.
#44: Simpson University
The Betty M. Dean School of Nursing at Simpson University offers a prelicensure BSN and an RN-to-BSN track. The traditional BSN program combines nursing and general education courses with opportunities to work alongside community healthcare leaders. Students will complete a professional portfolio, which showcases accomplishments and leads to increased employment opportunities. Since the inception of the prelicensure BSN program, graduates have maintained an exceptional 94% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. The RN-to-BSN program is an accelerated pathway that caters to working RNs who want to develop professional skills. The program is offered on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.
#45: Weimar University
Weimar University provides an educational experience rooted in four core competencies: health and wellness, labor and service, evangelism, and academic excellence. The Nursing Department offers two undergraduate options: a four-semester ADN program for students with no prior nursing experience, and a 12-month RN-to-BSN degree completion pathway. The ADN program offers advanced placement options for LVNs and military personnel, and it prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. ADN graduates have scored a phenomenal 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate since the program’s launch. Weimar nursing students receive extensive clinical training in skilled nursing facilities, acute care hospitals, outpatient settings, the Weimar University NEWSTART Lifestyle Program, and the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program.
#46: California State University, Dominguez Hills
The School of Nursing at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) resides in the College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing. The nursing program accepts registered nurses or students who are currently enrolled in a community college nursing program. Options include a pre-BSN dual enrollment program, an RN-to-BSN pathway, and an MSN degree with administrator, educator, CNS parent-child, and FNP specializations. A post-master’s certificate in nursing education is available, as well as a specialized public health nurse certificate for RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.
#47: California State University, Northridge
The College of Health and Human Development at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) houses the Department of Nursing, which has a nursing curriculum geared specifically to the needs of the local community. Programs include the ADN-to-BSN Community College Collaborative, the accelerated BSN, and the RN-to-BSN pathway for existing nurses. A public health nurse (PHN) certificate is also available. The Collaborative links CSUN with designated California Community College partners to enable students to earn a BSN degree in just over 2.5 years. Applicants for all programs are eligible to receive credit for military education and experience. Over the past decade, accelerated BSN graduates have achieved an outstanding NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 92%.
#48: Touro University California
The School of Nursing at Touro University California offers programs designed for RNs who have already earned either an ADN or BSN degree. The school’s MSN program builds upon the strong foundation of ADN-to-BSN education. Graduates of the program may sit for the CNL national certification exam and are eligible for PHN certification through the California Board of Registered Nursing. The school’s DNP program prepares graduates to conduct advanced nursing practice and to sit for the FNP national certification exam.
#49: California State University, East Bay
California State University East Bay (Cal State East Bay) houses the Department of Nursing & Health Sciences. Nursing students here may choose from two pathways within the BSN program. One is a traditional prelicensure option, which features two years of pre-nursing requirements and 2.5 years of nursing courses. The other is an RN advanced placement program, which is open only to students who hold California registered nurse licensure. This program can be completed in one year of full-time study, or two years part-time. Over the past decade, 100-125 annual graduates of the traditional BSN program have earned an 89% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
#50: California State University, Bakersfield
The Department of Nursing at California State University, Bakersfield (DON CSUB) has three active programs: a traditional prelicensure BSN, an RN-to-BSN pathway, and an MSN degree with an FNP focus. Since 1970, more than 2,400 students have completed a BSN degree at DON CSUB. The school remains the only public university in the region where students can earn a BSN. Over the past decade, BSN graduates have achieved an impressive NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 96%. Established in 1987, the MSN program has also produced hundreds of graduates who remain in Bakersfield and the surrounding Kern County area, serving as leaders in the local healthcare community.
#51: Glendale Career College
Glendale Career College traces its roots in vocational training back more than seventy years. The college offers a breadth of health career programs including dental assisting, medical assisting, nursing, and surgical technology. Nursing students can pursue three distinct pathways: a vocational nursing certificate, an associate of arts (AA) degree, or an RN-to-BSN completion program. The LVN certificate program has graduated 35-70 students annually for more than a decade, while the AA degree program graduated its first cohort of 90 students in 2019. Students from both programs perform well on their licensure exams: LVN graduates have a 77% NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade, while the AA class of 2021 scored a 91.3% NCLEX-RN pass rate.
#52: California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) offers programs for graduates of ADN programs and those who hold a current California RN license. Two pathways are available: ADN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN. The BSN degree can be obtained in approximately 12 to 15 months full-time or 18 months part-time, depending on the pathway. Courses are offered through Extended Education in a hybrid model, blending online and face-to-face in order to maximize access opportunities for students.
#53: United States University
United States University is a regionally accredited, student-centered university that provides professional and personal education opportunities, with a special outreach to underserved groups. The school’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers in-demand programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, including an online RN-to-BSN pathway and an MSN program with specializations in family nurse practitioner, healthcare leadership, and nurse education. The MSN program is conducted in an online-hybrid format, and students may also earn a certificate in health informatics.
#54: Pacific Union College
The Pacific Union College nursing program begins with the ASN degree, which prepares students for RN licensure. Students may then continue on to complete the course requirements for the BSN degree. An LVN-to-RN pathway is also available. The ASN degree is offered in a traditional two-year nursing program format, while the LVN-to-RN and RN-to-BSN programs are offered in non-traditional core week formats designed for working healthcare professionals. Over the past decade, 80-90 annual graduates of the ASN program have achieved a noteworthy NCLEX-RN exam pass rate of 88%.
#55: Career Development Institute
Career Development Institute opened its doors in 1998. The school began with courses for aspiring certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and restorative nursing assistants. In 2003, CDI became the only approved California nursing school with a mobile classroom, allowing the school to expand its reach and directly engage with the community. More recently, CDI launched an LVN certificate program that offers small class sizes, unique clinical rotations, tutoring services, and free job placement. Approximately thirty students graduate from the LVN program each year. These students have earned an impressive 93% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam over the past decade.
#56: Holy Names University
The Department of Nursing at Holy Names University prepares its graduates to advocate for health and social justice. Program offerings include a prelicensure BSN and an ADN-to-BSN pathway. Students enjoy small class sizes, a state-of-the art nursing simulation lab, and access to labs at Kaiser and Washington Hospitals. The BSN program may be completed in three years and two summers, while the ADN-to-BSN – an accelerated, hybrid program – may be completed in as little as 15 months. BSN graduates from the past two years have a perfect 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
#57: Homestead Schools
Homestead Schools has provided education to aspiring healthcare professionals for nearly thirty years. The school offers several nursing degree and certificate programs. The nursing assistant program prepares students to take the state examination for CNA certification, while the vocational nursing program prepares students for LVN licensure. Homestead’s LVN graduates have achieved approximately an 87% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure examination over the past five years. The school also offers an RN-to-BSN program that may be completed in just five semesters.
#58: Glendale Community College
The Department of Nursing at Glendale Community College offers an ADN program that prepares graduates for entry-level positions at hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare environments. Sample nursing courses include Essentials of Medication Administration, Nursing Perspectives, Maternal Child Health, and Psychiatric Nursing. Graduates of the ADN program at Glendale Community College are prepared to seek positions at major area healthcare providers such as Adventist Health Glendale, Glendale Memorial Hospital, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Over the past decade, approximately 70-100 ADN graduates annually have achieved a strong 94% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
#59: American Career College
American Career College provides nursing education at four campuses in Southern California: Los Angeles, Lynwood, Ontario, and Orange County. The school’s vocational nursing program is available at all four sites. This diploma program offers an entry-level curriculum that prepares students to work as LVNs in medical offices, clinics, HMOs, acute care hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Graduates have frequently passed the NCLEX-PN licensure exam at an 88-97% rate over the last three years. To meet Southern California’s growing need for registered nurses, ACC also recently launched a new ADN program at the school’s Los Angeles campus. Coursework includes medical-surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, behavioral health, geriatrics, and leadership, with corequisite clinical practicums for each class.
#60: Casa Loma College
Casa Loma College boasts more than 10,000 graduates who have pursued professions in nursing and allied healthcare. The school offers an online RN-to-BSN program designed for registered nurses with an unencumbered California license and an associate degree or diploma from an accredited nursing school. The RN-to-BSN program allows students to transfer as many as 85 of the 120 credits required for graduation. Students complete the remaining 35 credits of nursing education, general education, and clinical fieldwork at Casa Loma College. This accelerated curriculum can be completed in just three semesters, or as little as 48 weeks. Nursing coursework focuses on leadership, management, research, theory, and public health. Clinical experiences are completed locally in an approved agency with a qualified preceptor.
#61: Unitek College
The Fremont campus of Unitek College has been recognized as a School of Excellence by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The campus offers a breadth of nursing education pathways including an LVN certificate, a postlicensure Associate of Science in Vocational Nursing (ASVN), a prelicensure BSN, and an RN-to-BSN completion program. ASVN graduates have the option to skip the first three semesters of the BSN program should they choose to further their education. The college also offers the LVN certificate program at satellite campuses in Bakersfield, Concord, Hayward, Sacramento, San Jose, and South San Francisco. Systemwide, Unitek graduates approximately 100 BSN students and 800 LVN students annually. Licensure exam pass rates are strong: the most recent graduating class scored an 84% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam and a 90% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
#62: California Southern University
With an emphasis on faculty mentors who are also skilled nursing professionals, the School of Nursing at Cal Southern offers accredited programs leading to the BSN or MSN degree. The BSN program has two options. The Early Start pathway is designed for individuals with a diploma or degree from an accredited nursing school who have not yet taken the NCLEX-RN exam. The traditional RN-to-BSN pathway is for licensed registered nurses. Both pathways explore areas such as evidence-based practice and research, pathopharmacology, and informatics. BSN graduates are prepared to seek advancement opportunities in the field. Cal Southern’s MSN program has healthcare administration, nurse educator, and nurse executive leader concentrations. MSN graduates are prepared to pursue senior positions in a broad array of healthcare settings. California Southern University is a member of the American InterContinental University System.
#63: Smith Chason School of Nursing
Smith Chason School of Nursing is a private postsecondary vocational college with a main campus in Los Angeles and branch campuses in Ontario and Phoenix. The school’s two California campuses offer a vocational nursing program that consists of 1,536 clock hours and 79.5 credit hours of study. This 15-month diploma prepares students as entry-level healthcare providers who are responsible for rendering basic nursing care. Over the past decade, the school’s LVN graduates have maintained a strong 80% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. To complement the vocational nursing diploma, Smith Chason recently launched a 24-month associate of science degree in nursing. This program prepares students for initial RN licensure with an evidence-based approach that promotes practical and critical reasoning skills. Finally, for post-licensure students, the school offers an 18-month RN-to-BSN degree completion program that enables working nurses to complete their baccalaureate education.
#64: Pacific College
Pacific College offers a variety of nursing programs. Options include an LVN diploma, an AS in vocational nursing, an online BSN for registered nurses, and an MSN degree for aspiring family nurse practitioners. The LVN programs are designed for nurses seeking entry-level positions, while the BSN and MSN programs are for working RNs seeking advanced skills to build upon their prior education and employment. Coursework for the MSN is conducted online, and clinical experiences are completed at local facilities. Pacific College’s LVN students typically maintain NLCEX-PN exam pass rates in the 75-85% range.
#65: California Career College
California Career College has provided nursing education for nearly twenty years. The school’s initial curriculum focused exclusively on an 18-month vocational nursing certificate. More recently, the college added a 24-month associate degree in registered nursing. Each program prepares students for the respective version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). LVN graduates of California Career College have averaged a 68% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam over the past decade. ADN graduates have performed even better, with an 87% NCLEX-RN pass rate since the program’s launch and a 90% pass rate during the most recent academic year.
#66: Cuesta College
Cuesta College offers LVN, ADN, and ADN-to-BSN pathways. The collaborative ADN-to-BSN program allows Cuesta ADN students to enroll in nursing courses at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) during summers after their first and second years of Cuesta’s program. Students earn their BSN degree one year after completing their ADN at Cuesta College. Graduates of Cuesta’s ADN program have maintained a 97% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the past decade; in fact, four out of the last seven graduating classes have a perfect 100% pass rate. Over the same time period, Cuesta’s LVN graduates achieved an 87% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam.
#67: CNI College
CNI College has been rated one of the top nursing schools in Orange County. Centrally located and serving all of Southern California, the college spans approximately 52,000 square feet of learning space. Facilities include a student union, spacious classrooms, state-of-the-art simulation laboratories, and a surgical operating room. CNI College offers an array of programs for aspiring healthcare professionals, including a prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing and an RN-to-BSN completion pathway. The prelicensure BSN program incorporates a mix of online learning, classroom instruction, and mandatory clinical experiences. The RN-to-BSN program combines 100% online classwork with a 90-hour clinical practicum.
#68: North-West College
Considered a leader in allied health education, North-West College has produced more than 45,000 graduates over the past fifty years. The school offers a licensed vocational nursing program that may be completed at any of its five campus locations. The program prepares students to work in medical offices, clinics, doctor’s offices, HMOs, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. NCLEX-PN pass rates vary by campus, with the Riverside location leading the pack: this campus has graduated 75-150 students annually, while posting an 80% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Graduates of North-West College enjoy a job placement rate of 70% or higher across all locations, including an 87% job placement rate for alumni of the Pasadena campus.
#69: Moorpark College
Moorpark College offers a nationally accredited ADN that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to thrive in an evolving healthcare industry. The program consists of 36 nursing-specific units as well as general education degree requirements. Sample courses include advanced nursing science, clinical nursing lab, and nursing skills laboratory. Class sizes for the program range from 47 to 87 students, and a new cohort of nursing students begins the program each spring and fall. Over the past decade, Moorpark’s ADN graduates have achieved an outstanding 96% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.
#70: Annenberg School of Nursing
The Annenberg School of Nursing operates on the newly renovated Hirsch Family campus at the acclaimed Los Angeles Jewish Home. The school offers a 13-month vocational nursing diploma, a five-week nurse assistant certificate, and a one-week home health aide program for licensed CNAs. Graduates of the LVN program have achieved a 91% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade, including a perfect 100% pass rate in six of the past seven years. CNA students typically achieve a 96% on-time completion rate and a 70-75% employment rate in the field, while recent HHA students have boasted a performance of 100% on both metrics.
#71: High Desert Medical College
High Desert Medical College offers career-focused training in several healthcare disciplines including dental assisting, medical assisting, veterinary services, and nursing. The college has offered a vocational nursing diploma program for over a decade. Students can select either the one-year fulltime track or the 90-week part-time track; both options include 1,595 total clock hours. Coursework runs the gamut of LVN responsibilities including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, obstetrics, pediatrics, intravenous therapy, and blood withdrawal. HDMC graduates have performed impressively well on the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, posting an 87% first-time pass rate over the past three years.
#72: Saddleback College
Saddleback College is the oldest and southernmost institution governed by the South Orange County Community College District. The school confers associate degrees, certificates, and occupational skills awards across nearly 200 programs. Saddleback College has offered an associate degree in nursing since 1971. The program incorporates a 46-unit nursing curriculum, clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities, and job placement assistance. Approximately 100 students graduate from the ADN program each year. Over the past decade, these graduates have posted an impressive 96% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination.
#73: Premiere Career College
Premiere Career College is a vocational school authorized to operate by the California Bureau for Private and Post-Secondary Education and accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The school’s vocational nursing program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. LVN students enjoy one-on-one coaching, career services assistance, and hands-on experience. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, graduates are prepared for immediate employment in the field. Over the past six years, approximately 40 LVN graduates annually have averaged a 70% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX exam, including an impressive 87% pass rate in 2015.
#74: Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College is one of the top community colleges in California. The school’s Health Sciences Department offers an associate degree in nursing with two pathways: a traditional two-year program and an LVN-to-ADN career ladder program. Career ladder applicants must possess a valid California LVN license, IV certification, and at least one year of direct patient care experience within the past two years. The ADN curriculum requires 74 units of coursework, approximately half of which covers a wide breadth of nursing topics including community-based practice, pharmacology, and women’s healthcare. Santa Monica College typically graduates 40-70 nursing students annually. Over the past decade, these students have averaged an impressive 93% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination.
#75: Napa Valley College
Napa Valley College provides incoming freshmen a unique opportunity to graduate debt-free. A two-year program known as the NVC Promise will pay tuition and fees for all students, regardless of family income, who meet certain matriculation requirements. Napa Valley College offers two prelicensure programs for aspiring nurses: a vocational nursing certificate and an associate degree in nursing. The part-time LVN program accepts a new cohort of thirty students once every two years. LVN graduates have averaged a 76% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam over the past decade. The ADN program requires four semesters of fulltime study and typically graduates thirty students each year. ADN graduates have averaged an 87% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade.
#76: CES College
CES College is a non-profit institution that has provided quality education for twenty-five years. The school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and approved by the California Board for Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). CES College offers a vocational nursing program with clinical experiences that run the gamut of client demographics, illness stages, and healthcare settings. Job placement is an integral part of the program, with recent placements at Kaiser Permanente and the UCLA Hospitals. The vocational nursing program graduates approximately thirty students annually. Three out of the past four graduating classes have scored a 75% or higher first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination.
#77: Riverside City College
Founded in 1916, Riverside City College is the seventh-oldest community college in California. The school’s initial enrollment was 114. Today, Riverside serves more than 20,000 students across dozens of degree and certificate programs. The School of Nursing offers three pathways into the nursing profession: a nursing assistant certificate, a vocational nursing certificate, and an associate degree in professional nursing. The CNA program is approved by the Department of Public Health, the LVN program by the Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians, and the ADN program by the Board of Registered Nursing. The LVN program graduates a relatively small cohort of 30-50 students annually. Over the past decade, they have posted a phenomenal 97% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. The ADN program graduates a much larger class of 160-180 students each year. Their outcomes have been similarly strong, including a 94% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past decade.
#78: Evergreen Valley College
Evergreen Valley College has educated nurses since 1964. The college’s accredited nursing program offers several pathways: a traditional ADN, an LVN-to-RN bridge, and an option for concurrent BSN enrollment in partnership with San Jose State University. The traditional ADN is a two-year program that covers five major components of nursing: the professional role of the nurse, safe and effective care environment, physiological integrity, health promotion and maintenance, and psychosocial integrity. The LVN-to-RN bridge is open to vocational nurses with an active California license. Nursing graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and pursue positions at facilities of all sizes. Over the past decade, 60-80 ADN graduates annually have averaged an outstanding 91% first-time pass rate on the exam.
#79: Chaffey College
Established in 1883, Chaffey College is one of the oldest community colleges in California. The school launched a vocational nursing program in 1955 and an associate degree in nursing program in 1957, making it one of the state’s first ADN programs. The LVN curriculum emphasizes practice-oriented courses and clinical experiences at facilities such as Brookside Healthcare and Kindred Hospital. Approximately 40-50 LVN students graduate each year, and they typically achieve a first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate between 70% and 80%. The ADN program explores patient-centered care and evidence-based practice. Clinical sites include Kaiser Permanente, Pomona Valley Hospital, and Arrowhead Regional. The ADN program graduates 50-70 students annually. Over the past decade, these students have achieved a remarkable 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
#80: Marian College
Marian College offers a vocational nursing program of 1,534 clock hours at its two campuses in Los Angeles and Van Nuys. Students can complete the program on a weekday schedule in 14 months or on a weekend schedule in 18 months. The LVN program emphasizes nursing theory, student development, and the application of nursing skills in the basic care of individuals throughout the life span. Upon completion of the program, graduates will receive a diploma and the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Marian College’s LVN students have passed this licensure exam at approximately a 77% rate over the past decade.
#81: Gurnick Academy
Gurnick Academy graduates more than 600 new nurses annually. The school offers its vocational nursing certificate program at four California campuses: Concord, Fresno, Modesto, and San Mateo. LVN graduates have averaged a 75% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam over the past decade. Gurnick Academy also offers two associate degree programs through its Fresno campus and a distance-learning RN-to-BSN program through its Concord campus. The Fresno site conducts both a distance-learning associate of science in vocational nursing and a campus-based associate degree in nursing (ADN). The inaugural graduating class from the ADN program scored an 82% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
#82: Los Angeles Harbor College
Los Angeles Harbor College is a non-profit two-year college that offers more than 200 academic programs, certificates, and training. Many LAHC pathways, such as the nursing program, lead to an associate degree. Others, such as the Honors Transfer program, prepare students to transfer to top research universities across the state. The college’s ADN program combines coursework in the classroom, skills training in state-of-the-art simulation and learning laboratories, and clinical experiences at hospitals, community clinics, and home healthcare agencies. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, LAHC has graduated 50-75 ADN students annually with a remarkable 98% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#83: Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College is a Walnut, California-based community college that consistently ranks among the top two-year colleges in the state. With more than 300 degree and career education programs, Mt. SAC also offers more programs than most schools in the region, including several pathways to registered nursing. The Nursing Department conducts three ADN pathways (traditional, LVN-to-RN, psychiatric technician-to-RN) as well as a 30-unit career mobility track certificate. All Mt. SAC nursing pathways prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The college graduates approximately 100 ADN students annually, with a solid 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.
#84: Inland Career Education Center
The Medical Department at Inland Career Education Center caters to individuals with a high school diploma or GED who seek careers in nursing or medical assisting. Nursing options include the CNA and LVN programs. The CNA program provides a streamlined path to entry-level employment in skilled nursing facilities. The LVN curriculum covers a range of advanced topics including emergency, pediatric, medical-surgical, and obstetric nursing care. Coursework is complemented by hands-on experiences in labs and local hospitals. Entrants to the LVN program must hold state certification as a CNA, EMT, hemodialysis technician, medical assistant, or respiratory technician. Graduates have been extremely successful on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, achieving a 95% first-time pass rate over the past decade.
#85: College of San Mateo
Founded in 1922, Silicon Valley-based College of San Mateo is the oldest of the three colleges in the San Mateo County Community College District. The nursing curriculum consists of intensive coursework that covers pediatric, maternity, psychiatric, medical-surgical, leadership, and management in nursing. Coursework is enhanced by immersive experiences in the college’s simulation labs and at local hospitals and community health agencies. Clinical practice begins in the very first semester. Graduates of the nursing program are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, College of San Mateo graduates have achieved a notable 86% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#86: North Orange County Regional Occupational Program
North Orange County Regional Occupational Program provides career technical education to more than 16,000 students across five school districts. Classes are held at more than thirty different locations, and on-the-job training takes place at community-based businesses, facilities, and organizations. The nursing program at North Orange County ROP provides hands-on training for individuals who would like to pursue the LVN certificate. Students learn how to deliver basic nursing care to patients, check vital signs, administer medications, and collect samples for testing. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination; upon successful completion, they can pursue employment at home healthcare agencies and in residential and long-term care facilities. Over the past decade, LVN graduates have achieved an exceptional 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#87: Bakersfield Adult School
Launched in 1917 and serving nearly 30,000 students, Bakersfield Adult School attracts adult learners seeking everything from a high school diploma to career qualifications. The eighth-largest adult school in California, BAS has approximately 1,400 vocational students. Most are enrolled in the BAS Health Program. For nurses, BAS Health offers training and qualifications in healthcare support occupations such as CNA and home health aide. The school also offers an LVN certificate program that graduates a small cohort of 10-15 students annually. These graduates have earned an exceptional 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade, including a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years. Bakersfield Adult School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
#88: Citrus College
Established in 1915, Citrus College is the oldest community college in Los Angeles County and the fifth oldest in California. The college offers multiple pathways to licensure as either a vocational nurse (certificate of achievement, associate of science degree) or a registered nurse (generic ADN, LVN-to-RN advanced placement, 30-unit option). The LVN certificate requires 50 units of study, while the AS degree requires 60 units. Across the two programs, vocational nursing candidates have achieved an excellent 92% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past decade. The Citrus College ADN program provides hands-on experience at local hospitals and health agencies. An average of 30-40 students complete the program annually, scoring a strong 89% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past decade.
#89: MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College opened in 1934 as Oceanside-Carlsbad Junior College with 120 students and 20 faculty members. Today, the school employs more than 500 staff members that serve nearly 14,000 students enrolled in certificate, associate degree, and baccalaureate degree programs. The college’s Nursing and Allied Health Department offers an LVN certificate and two pathways to an associate degree (traditional, LVN-to-RN career ladder). Nursing coursework covers a broad range of topics including medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and contemporary nursing practice and leadership. Graduates are well prepared to sit for their respective licensure examinations. Over the past decade, LVN students have averaged a 93% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, while their ADN counterparts have achieved an astounding 97% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
#90: Golden West College
Based in beautiful Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a two-year, open-access institution that focuses on completion degrees, professional development, and workforce preparation. The School of Nursing offers an ADN program that qualifies the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The ADN curriculum explores professional nursing, health and illness, and human physiology. Over the past decade, 80-90 ADN graduates per year have achieved an excellent 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Golden West College has also partnered with several four-year institutions – including CSU Fullerton, CSU San Marcos, and Grand Canyon University – to provide nursing students an RN-to-BSN pathway. This curriculum covers advanced topics such as family and community health nursing, role transition, and nursing leadership and professional issues. BSN graduates from these partner institutions will be prepared for advancement opportunities in the nursing field.
#91: Grossmont Health Occupations Center
Grossmont Health Occupations Center offers two options for aspiring nurses. The CNA program is approved by the California Department of Public Health. This brief curriculum prepares students for immediate employment in nursing homes, long-term residential facilities, and adult daycare centers. The LVN program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians. This 18-month plan of study combines classroom and lab instruction with clinical rotations at a local healthcare facility. Students explore critical topics such as medical terminology, medical-surgical nursing, and leadership, in preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Over the past decade, LVN graduates have averaged a strong 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Newly licensed LVNs qualify for positions at hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices.
#92: Los Angeles Valley College
Serving nearly 25,000 students, Los Angeles Valley College is one of the largest two-year colleges in Los Angeles County. It is also one of the most active colleges for transfers into the University of California and California State University systems. The LAVC Health Sciences Department offers an ADN program that prepares students for either immediate employment in the field or admission to a BSN program at a partner institution. The curriculum for the ADN program covers critical topics like medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. The major requires successful completion of 39.5 focused units of study. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, LAVC graduates have averaged an impressive 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#93: Tulare Adult School
Tulare Adult School caters to a wide range of adult students – both those seeking a GED or high school diploma, as well as those who want to develop vocational skills in areas like culinary arts, nursing, or office administration. The nursing program at Tulare Adult School has both CNA and LVN pathways that prepare students to work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and nursing homes. The CNA course combines classroom and clinical experiences to train students to take vital signs and assist patients with mobilization and personal hygiene. The 18-month LVN certificate covers the same areas, plus administering medications, collecting samples, and managing other medical staff. LVN graduates are well prepared for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, scoring an impressive 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.
#94: Blake Austin College
Blake Austin College is an education and career training institution that offers certificate programs and personal enrichment courses. The college’s certificate programs are designed for students seeking positions in the healthcare and dental industries. These programs provide the knowledge and skills students need to pass their state licensing exams. Program options include dental assisting, clinical medical assistant with phlebotomy, and licensed vocational nursing. Blake Austin’s LVN students learn and work in an immersive clinical setting designed to mirror most hospital environments. Clinical rotations typically take place at facilities in Vacaville and throughout northern Solano County. Most clinical sites are employers of the college’s LVN graduates. Over the past decade, approximately 70 LVN graduates annually have achieved an 80% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.
#95: Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa Junior College was approved by the Santa Rosa Board of Education in 1918, with the first classes held at Santa Rosa High School. SRJC is now one of Sonoma County’s largest educational institutions and employers, with more than 20,000 students, 3,500 staff, and five campuses and centers. More than 250 programs are available, including two nursing pathways. The 10-week, 226-hour CNA program comprises clinical practice, lectures, and skills labs that prepare students to take the CNA exam. Established in 1959, the ADN program combines a strong clinical-based curriculum with on-campus experiential learning and real-world practice at local healthcare facilities. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Over the past decade, SRJC has graduated approximately 100 ADN students annually, with an excellent 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#96: Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College enrolls nearly 30,000 students each semester. Many of these students go on to secure a seat at major universities in the competitive University of California and California State University systems. The Division of Health Sciences offers nursing programs for students interested in either working immediately or transferring into a BSN program. Specific options include a brief CNA course, an 11-month LVN certificate, and two ADN pathways (traditional four semesters, LVN-to-RN career ladder). All programs feature intensive coursework and hands-on training at PCC facilities and area hospitals. Graduates of the LVN and ADN programs are prepared to sit for their respective NCLEX licensure exams. Over the past decade, LVN graduates have averaged an 80% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, while their ADN counterparts have achieved a solid 90% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
#97: Grossmont College
Grossmont College educates more transfer students to San Diego State University than any other community college. Indeed, Grossmont is one of the largest community colleges in the region, serving nearly 20,000 students. The Division of Allied Health and Nursing is one of the college’s most active areas. Nursing pathways include a two-year ADN program, an LVN-to-RN bridge, and a 30-unit option. These programs prepare students to work in a wide range of care settings, including acute, ambulatory, chronic, critical, and home health. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Over the past decade, approximately sixty graduates annually have achieved a remarkable 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#98: Los Angeles Job Corps Center
For over fifty years, Job Corps has offered the nation’s largest career education service for young people aged 16 to 24. Job Corps is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, and its Los Angeles branch is operated by YWCA Greater Los Angeles. Like all of its vocational training, the center’s LVN program is available to low-income students at no cost. LA Job Corps also provides students with comprehensive healthcare during their enrollment, offers employment and housing placement for recent graduates, and tracks its clients’ success for two years after graduation. The center produces approximately twenty new vocational nurses annually, and these students have achieved a stellar 87% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade.
#99: Ukiah Adult School
The vocational nursing program at Ukiah Adult School is offered as a public service. Approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, the LVN program is a three-semester certificate that combines immersive coursework with nursing practice at hospitals in Lake and Mendocino Counties. Students can expect to spend 20-30 hours per week working with real patients under the supervision of instructors and healthcare professionals. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam and pursue positions in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. Over the past decade, graduates of the Ukiah Adult School LVN program have averaged an 86% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
#100: California Career Institute
California Career Institute focuses solely on preparing individuals for careers in the healthcare and dental sectors. For those seeking a career in nursing, CCI offers programs leading to the credentials of certified nursing assistant and licensed vocational nurse. These programs are offered in an accelerated, training-intensive format. CNA students will be career-ready in just seven weeks. LVN students can earn their diploma in as little as 18 months. Hands-on training for both programs takes place in the CCI Simulation Lab. LVN students will also complete weekend clinical rotations at hospitals and partner sites in Anaheim and throughout Orange County. LVN graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. The school’s first-time NCLEX pass rate typically falls between 70% and 80% each year.