Top DNP Programs in California
Practice doctorates for nurses, entered after a BSN or an MSN.
13 schools in California reported DNP-level nursing awards to IPEDS or have a verified DNP program profile; 3 programs have a verified profile. DNP Programs in all states
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE 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
Verified program profiles (3)
Individual programs whose details we verified on the school's own website, each fact with a source.
| Program | School | Award / pathway | Format | Tuition (basis) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP | Azusa Pacific University | DNP, BSN-to-DNP, FNP, AGPCNP, Leadership | Online coursework, On-campus | $1,160 per credit |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | United States University | DNP, MSN-to-DNP | Online coursework | $781 per credit |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (online) | West Coast University-Orange County | DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Leadership | Online coursework | $1,106 per credit |
Schools (13)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | Private nonprofit | BSN, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-AGPCNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-PNP-PC, Direct-Entry MSN, DNP, DNP-AGPCNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-Leadership, BSN-DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| California State University-Fresno | Fresno, CA | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, CA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's, DNP | CCNE |
| San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| United States University | San Diego, CA | Private for-profit | BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-Nurse Educator, Post-Master's-FNP, MSN-DNP | CCNE |
| University of Massachusetts Global | Aliso Viejo, CA | Public | BSN, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP | CCNE |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private nonprofit | MSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-Leadership, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-CNS, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP | CCNE |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | San Marcos, CA | Private for-profit | MSN, Post-Master's-FNP, DNP | CCNE |
| West Coast University-Orange County | Anaheim, CA | Private for-profit | BSN, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-FNP, DNP, DNP-Leadership, MSN-DNP | — |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Pomona, CA | Private nonprofit | MSN, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP-Leadership | CCNE |