Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 165 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best nursing schools.
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Best Schools for Nursing in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for nursing. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $136,250. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Southern California
San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 231 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from San Diego State University earn around $100,221 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for San Diego State University
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 361 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $156,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Fullerton
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 179 nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full nursing program report for San Jose State University
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 306 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $129,036 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,661.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Long Beach
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 125 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $106,780. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Chico placed #7 among the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $113,181. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Chico
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for nursing this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 222 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 95 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,400.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of California Irvine
California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 245 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $109,889 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Sacramento
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 147 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $93,142. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for California State University San Bernardino
University Of The Pacific earned the #12 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. About 39 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of The Pacific earn around $77,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,514.
Get the full nursing details for University Of The Pacific
California State University East Bay earned the #13 position for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 150 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University East Bay earn around $124,392 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at California State University East Bay
University Of San Francisco came in at #14 for nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 70% of students finish within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 431 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $127,760. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of San Francisco
California State University Monterey Bay placed #15 among the best nursing schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 52 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $117,088. Typical student debt for the program is $9,489.
See the full nursing program report for California State University Monterey Bay
San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for nursing this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 207 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $123,612. Typical student debt for the program is $16,875.
More information about a degree in nursing from San Francisco State University
California State University Stanislaus came in at #17 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 132 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $128,257 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Stanislaus
Sonoma State University landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $135,306 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Sonoma State University
City College Of San Francisco earned the #19 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 77 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for City College Of San Francisco
Samuel Merritt University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. About 712 nursing degrees were awarded at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $132,722 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Samuel Merritt University
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #21 position for nursing this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 219 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $119,692 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from California State University Dominguez Hills
Fresno City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Fresno City College awarded about 243 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $91,961 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000.
Get the full nursing details for Fresno City College
University Of California San Francisco earned the #23 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public institution. About 217 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of California San Francisco generally make around $138,842.
Get the full nursing details for University Of California San Francisco
California State University Channel Islands earned the #24 position for nursing this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 91 nursing students who graduated with this degree at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from California State University Channel Islands earn around $103,484 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Channel Islands
California State University Los Angeles ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 187 nursing degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $122,354 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for California State University Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 165 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
