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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California

44 Colleges in California
2,734 Master's Degrees
$110,686 Avg Early-Career Salary
Nursing is of the hottest master's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #2 most popular major in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 44 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,734 master's degrees in nursing to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Nursing School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California The nursing master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Nursing in California ranking is to help you make that choice.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality nursing program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Nursing
Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing
Doctor's Degrees in Nursing
Overall Popularity in Nursing

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for nursing.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for nursing students seeking a a master's degree.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Nursing Students Working on Their Master's

1
262 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

United States University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in nursing. USU is a small private for-profit university located in the city of San Diego. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 262 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USU in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program report average early career income of $99,000.

More information about a master’s in nursing from United States University

2
210 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Samuel Merritt University is a popular option for students interested in a master's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 210 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year we have data available.

Those nursing students who get their master's degree from Samuel Merritt University earn $20,014 more than the typical nursing graduate.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University

3
190 Annual Master's Degrees
#11 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at West Coast University - Orange County if you wish to pursue a master's degree in nursing. Located in the large city of Anaheim, West Coast University - Orange County is a private for-profit university with a small student population.

There were approximately 190 nursing students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University - Orange County in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, nursing master's recipients generally make about $101,100 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County

4
189 Annual Master's Degrees
#16 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Azusa Pacific University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in nursing. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Azusa.

There were approximately 189 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, nursing master's recipients generally earn an average of $106,300 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Azusa Pacific University

5
170 Annual Master's Degrees
#8 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 170 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year.

Nursing master's degree recipients from University of San Francisco receive an earnings boost of about $4,214 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of San Francisco

6
156 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the large city of San Francisco, UCSF is a public university with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were roughly 156 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSF in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $110,800 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of California - San Francisco

7
155 Annual Master's Degrees
#25 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Los Angeles, CDU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly small student population.

There were approximately 155 nursing students who graduated with this degree at CDU in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $105,600.

More information about a master’s in nursing from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

8
149 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were approximately 149 nursing students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $91,500 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of California - Los Angeles

9
117 Annual Master's Degrees
#17 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

CSULB is a very large public university located in the large city of Long Beach.

There were approximately 117 nursing students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $105,100 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in nursing from California State University - Long Beach

10
108 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in nursing in California.

There were about 108 nursing individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the nursing major at University of Southern California get $48,914 more than the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in nursing from University of Southern California

Best Nursing Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Washington184358
Oregon15177
Nevada10077
Hawaii8442
Alaska5316

View All Rankings >

Nursing is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Nursing Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Registered Nursing1,251
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing628
Nursing Administration264
Clinical Nurse Specialist170
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing167
Clinical Nurse Leader93
Nursing Science81
Nurse Anesthetist40
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing18
Nursing Practice14

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Public Health1,850
Mental & Social Health Services1,274
Health & Medical Administrative Services949
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions935
Communication Sciences619
Allied Health Professions570
Alternative Medicine & Systems294
Health Sciences & Services228
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences187
Medical Illustration & Informatics151

Notes and References

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