Top Nursing Schools in California
This page lists 196 schools in California that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 83 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 94 associate degree (ADN), 60 bachelor's (BSN), 46 master's and 13 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 111 public, 28 private nonprofit and 57 private for-profit. 93 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Los Angeles (16), San Diego (9), Ontario (5) and Sacramento (5).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (196)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA | Public | RN Diploma, ADN | ACEN |
| Samuel Merritt University | Oakland, CA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-FNP, Post-Master's-FNP, Doctorate | CCNE |
| San Bernardino Valley College | San Bernardino, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| San Diego City College | San Diego, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Public | BSN, MSN | CCNE |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Public | BSN, MSN | CCNE |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | Ontario, CA | Private for-profit | ADN | — |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage, CA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | Santa Maria, CA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | Public | CNA, ADN | — |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | Public | CNA, LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
Before you apply in California
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of California. See online coursework and clinical requirements.