2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

No school ranked higher than California State University Fullerton this year for nursing practice. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 51 nursing practice degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $156,309 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375. Read more about the nursing practice program at California State University Fullerton

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 11 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Typical student debt for the program is $20,800. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 26 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $87,466 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $13,400 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of California Irvine

4

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

A rank of #4 makes Samuel Merritt University one of the top schools for nursing practice. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oakland. There were roughly 46 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $132,722 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full nursing practice details for Samuel Merritt University

5

University Of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of California San Francisco is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 72 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of California San Francisco earn a median of $138,842 early in their careers. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of California San Francisco

6

West Coast University Orange County
Anaheim, CA

West Coast University Orange County came in at #6 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 14 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at West Coast University Orange County in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of West Coast University Orange County earn a median of $112,084 early in their careers. West Coast University Orange County graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at West Coast University Orange County

7

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science
Los Angeles, CA

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science came in at #7 for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 11 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $132,827 early in their careers. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science

8

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 43 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of San Diego earn around $124,795 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of San Diego

9

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. About 11 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $128,766 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,471. See the full nursing practice program report for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

10

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #10 among the best nursing practice schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 10 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $103,966 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,718. See the full nursing practice program report for California Baptist University

11

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
San Marcos, CA

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences came in at #11 for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. About 52 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $95,449 in their early career. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences