Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 263 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
Best Schools for Nursing in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 67 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $136,250 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at San Diego State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 231 nursing degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $100,221. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for San Diego State University
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 361 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $156,309 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Fullerton
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 179 nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Read more about the nursing program at San Jose State University
California State University Long Beach is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 306 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $129,036 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $18,661 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Long Beach
California State University Northridge came in at #6 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 125 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $106,780 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Northridge
California State University Chico ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. California State University Chico awarded about 97 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $113,181 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Chico
University Of California Los Angeles placed #8 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 222 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $121,757 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 95 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $87,466 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for University Of California Irvine
California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 245 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $109,889 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Sacramento
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #11 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 355 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $107,063 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University San Bernardino landed the #12 spot for nursing this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 147 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $93,142 in the first couple years of their career. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University San Bernardino
University Of The Pacific landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 39 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of The Pacific
California State University East Bay earned the #14 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 150 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $124,392 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University East Bay
University Of San Francisco ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 431 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $127,760. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for University Of San Francisco
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 52 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $117,088 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $9,489 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at California State University Monterey Bay
San Francisco State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 207 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $123,612 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,875.
See the full nursing program report for San Francisco State University
California State University Stanislaus earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 132 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $128,257 in their early career. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at California State University Stanislaus
Sonoma State University landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 94 nursing degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $135,306 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Sonoma State University
City College Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 77 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from City College Of San Francisco
Roseman University Of Health Sciences came in at #21 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Henderson, Roseman University Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roseman University Of Health Sciences awarded about 324 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Roseman University Of Health Sciences earn a median of $85,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,448.
See the full nursing program report for Roseman University Of Health Sciences
Samuel Merritt University placed #22 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 712 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $132,722 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the nursing program at Samuel Merritt University
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 219 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $119,692 in their early career. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Dominguez Hills
Fresno City College placed #24 among the best nursing schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 243 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Fresno City College earn around $91,961 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Fresno City College
University Of California San Francisco placed #25 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public university. About 217 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of California San Francisco earn a median of $138,842 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of California San Francisco
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 263 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
