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Top Nursing Schools

Top PhD Programs in California

Research doctorates in nursing science.

9 schools in California reported PhD-level nursing awards to IPEDS or have a verified PhD program profile. PhD in Nursing in all states

Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026

Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory

Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.

9 schools

Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected

Schools (9)

Azusa Pacific University

Private nonprofitUniversityAzusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University's School of Nursing offers prelicensure BSN routes (traditional and upper-division transfer, including LVN to BSN), an online RN to BSN, an entry-level master's, MSN nurse practitioner specialties and a BSN to DNP pathway. Programs are delivered at the Azusa main campus and at regional locations including Inland Empire, Monrovia, San Diego and High Desert.

7 verified program profiles

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: BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Master's

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California Baptist University

Private nonprofitUniversityRiverside, CA

California Baptist University is a private nonprofit university in Riverside, CA. It reported 229 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN, PhD

CCNE: MSN, BSN, DNP, Post-Master's

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Loma Linda University campus

Loma Linda University

Private nonprofitUniversityLoma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University is a private nonprofit university in Loma Linda, CA. It reported 202 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN-Leadership, PhD, PhD-CNS, PhD-CRNA, PhD-FNP, PhD-PMHNP

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP

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Northcentral University

Private nonprofitUniversitySan Diego, CA

Northcentral University is a private nonprofit university in San Diego, CA. It reported 3 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

MSN-Leadership, PhD

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University of California-Davis campus

University of California-Davis

PublicUniversityDavis, CA

University of California-Davis is a public university in Davis, CA. It reported 5 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

MSN-Leadership, PhD-Leadership

CCNE: DNP, Post-Master's

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University of California-Irvine

PublicUniversityIrvine, CA

University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA. It reported 95 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN-Public Health, PhD

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP

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University of California-Los Angeles campus

University of California-Los Angeles

PublicUniversityLos Angeles, CA

University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. It reported 222 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

BSN, MSN, PhD

CCNE: BSN, MSN, DNP

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University of California-San Francisco campus

University of California-San Francisco

PublicSpecialized institutionSan Francisco, CA

University of California-San Francisco is a public specialized institution in San Francisco, CA. It reported 217 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

MSN, Post-Master's, PhD

CCNE: DNP, Post-Master's

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University of San Diego campus

University of San Diego

Private nonprofitUniversitySan Diego, CA

University of San Diego is a private nonprofit university in San Diego, CA. It reported 91 nursing awards (LPN level and above) to IPEDS for 2023-24.

Nursing awards reported to IPEDS (2023-24)

MSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-Leadership, DNP, PhD

CCNE: MSN, DNP, Post-Master's

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