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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing in California

21 Ranked Colleges
1,251 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master's in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 259,493 registered nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country.

Across California, there were 16,063 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,251 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing in California

#1

University of California - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Francisco. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - San Francisco is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 156 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSF, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Francisco are $28,092.

Full University of California - San Francisco Registered Nursing Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 116 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - Long Beach

#3

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

PLNU also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Point Loma Nazarene University are $11,880, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #4 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 23 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree registered nursing students list, Fresno State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full California State University - Fresno Registered Nursing Report

#5

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the #5 spot on the list. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 189 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Azusa Pacific University

#9 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #6. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 68 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - Fullerton

#7

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#8 in overall quality

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #7. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at San Jose State University

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Registered Nursing Report

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 78 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree registered nursing students list, Cal State LA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Cal State LA

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884.

Read more about Registered Nursing at CSUDH

#11

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

California Baptist University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s registered nursing degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Cal Baptist

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 39 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree registered nursing students list, SFSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Full San Francisco State University Registered Nursing Report

#13

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#15 in overall quality

Sonoma State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sonoma State University are $18,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Sonoma State University

#18 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at California State University - San Marcos

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 19 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUB also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Registered Nursing Report

#16

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#21 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #16. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Registered Nursing at CSUSB

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 masters’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at SDSU

#4 in overall quality

Western University of Health Sciences did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #18. Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 71 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Western University of Health Sciences also made our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western University of Health Sciences are $23,596.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Western University of Health Sciences

#19 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 61 masters’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sac State Registered Nursing Report

#20

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
#3 in overall quality

Loma Linda University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Loma Linda, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Loma Linda University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loma Linda University are $30,640, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Loma Linda University

#21

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Samuel Merritt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for a Master’s in California list. Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakland, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 96 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree registered nursing students list, Samuel Merritt University has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Samuel Merritt University are $53,468, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Samuel Merritt University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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