by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 8,885 bachelor's degrees in nursing to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of nursing for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for nursing students working on their bachelor's degree.
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in California.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for nursing students seeking a a bachelor's degree.
Samuel Merritt University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Oakland.
Those nursing students who get their bachelor's degree from Samuel Merritt University make $12,351 more than the typical nursing grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Samuel Merritt University
Loma Linda University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.
Nursing bachelor's degree recipients from Loma Linda University receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,145 above the typical earnings of nursing majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Loma Linda University
University of California - Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn about $88,168 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of California - Los Angeles
West Coast University - Orange County is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in nursing. West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit university located in the city of Anaheim.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the nursing program state that they receive average early career income of $80,831.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from West Coast University - Orange County
Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.
After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients usually earn an average of $90,222 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Azusa Pacific University
Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the nursing degree program at University of San Francisco earn $2,447 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from University of San Francisco
MSMU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles.
Soon after graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients typically earn around $84,742 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s University
Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a very large student population.
After graduation, nursing bachelor's recipients generally make around $83,777 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from California State University - Long Beach
National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of San Diego.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn an average of $85,563 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from National University
Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $89,225 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in nursing from San Diego State UniversityExplore all the Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 226 | 1,465 |
| Oregon | 185 | 825 |
| Nevada | 129 | 1,271 |
| Hawaii | 112 | 354 |
| Alaska | 75 | 160 |
Nursing is one of 34 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 8,718 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 70 |
| Nursing Science | 64 |
| Nursing Practice | 33 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Health | 3,127 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 1,959 |
| Communication Sciences | 1,324 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 1,305 |
| Allied Health Professions | 474 |
| Dental Support Services | 292 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 244 |
| Alternative Medicine & Systems | 174 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 171 |
| Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | 121 |
