BSN Programs in California

64 BSN, RN-to-BSN, and accelerated nursing programs across California — accredited by CCNE, ACEN, and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Los Angeles area22 programs San Francisco Bay Area14 programs San Diego area9 programs Sacramento area7 programs Inland Empire6 programs Central Valley4 programs North Coast2 programs Online (statewide)18 programs

At a glance

Becoming a nurse in California

California is licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). To practice as an RN, you'll need to graduate from a BRN-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN. The state has a long-running nursing shortage, particularly in rural and inland regions, and most BSN graduates are recruited before they finish their final clinical rotation.

State licensing body: California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
NCLEX-RN required for licensure
3-year average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (statewide): 88%
Median RN annual salary (BLS, 2024): $137,690 — highest in the U.S.

Programs in California

Featured California BSN programs

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Metro Health Sciences College — Accelerated BSN

Hybrid · Metroport, CA · ACEN · BRN approved

16-month accelerated BSN with weekend clinicals. Cohort-based, second-degree.

Hybrid16 moFeatured in California

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$732/credit

Pacific Ridge University — RN-to-BSN, Online

Online · Coastal, CA · CCNE · BRN approved

Self-paced online RN-to-BSN with rolling enrollment.

OnlineRN-to-BSN12–24 mo

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$510/credit

Goldenwood College — Pre-licensure BSN

In person · Bayfield, CA · CCNE · BRN approved

Four-year traditional BSN with simulation labs and academic-medical center clinicals.

In person4 yrsPublic

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$8,920/yr in-state

Sierra Coastal University — Pre-licensure BSN

In person · Vista Hills, CA · ACEN · BRN approved

Cohort-based pre-licensure BSN with rural-health clinical track.

In person4 yrsPrivate nonprofit

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$36,400/yr

Other states

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Texas 71 programs New York 58 programs Florida 52 programs Pennsylvania 44 programs Ohio 38 programs Illinois 33 programs Georgia 29 programs All 50 states →