Best Nursing Colleges in California
The best Nursing colleges in California, ranked by overall strength, outcomes, and value. This list focuses on overall program strength, not just reputation or cost.
By the Numbers
This list compares overall program strength across institutions, balancing outcomes, reputation, and value.
Of the 146 colleges that offer Nursing in California, these 25 rank highest. Each is scored on the UCD Score, our 0 to 100 measure of outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity.
What the Data Shows
- UCD Scores run from 93 down to 78, so quality eases off toward the bottom of the list.
- Median earnings run from $34,487 to $93,610 ten years out, so outcomes still vary alongside the rank.
- Net prices span $480 to $15,785 a year for the same field.
Nursing in California: What Stands Out
California stands out for affordability, with 12 of the top 25 colleges posting net prices below $5,000 a year. Public institutions account for 22 of the top 25 programs. Students seeking the strongest overall outcomes may start with University of California-Los Angeles, while College of the Sequoias represents the lowest-cost pathway among the highest-ranked schools.
How This Ranking Works
Every college here is ranked by its UCD Score, a 0 to 100 figure that blends graduate earnings, value for the net price paid, affordability, and (for four-year colleges) selectivity. Colleges are scored within peer groups, so a low-cost public and a selective private can be compared fairly rather than the most expensive school simply winning.
We only include colleges that actually offer Nursing, drawn from federal IPEDS completions and College Scorecard outcomes. The data refreshes with each annual update, so this ranking never goes stale. See how the UCD Score is built →
How to Use This Ranking
Treat this as a shortlist of strong programs, then narrow by fit. Check each college's specific Nursing program, its accreditation and graduation rate, and your own net price, because the top of the list is a starting point, not a verdict. When two colleges look close on the UCD Score, let cost and fit break the tie.
Questions you might still have
What is the best Nursing college in California?
University of California-Los Angeles ranks highest by UCD Score among Nursing colleges in California. The score blends outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity, so the leader is strong across the board, not just on one measure.
How are these Nursing colleges ranked?
By UCD Score, a peer-group percentile that blends graduate earnings, value for the net price paid, affordability, and selectivity into one 0 to 100 figure, so a low-cost public and a selective private are compared fairly.
What makes a college a good fit for Nursing?
Beyond the rank, weigh the specific program, location, class size, hands-on or clinical opportunities, graduation rate, and the net price for your family. The top-ranked college is a strong starting point, not automatically the right fit for everyone.
Are these rankings definitive?
No ranking is the final word. This is a data-driven shortlist from federal outcomes and the UCD Score; use it to narrow your options, then compare programs and research each college before deciding.
How much does it cost to study Nursing in California?
Nursing colleges in California average $16,629 a year in net price, the cost after grant and scholarship aid, and the lowest on this ranking is $480. Your own figure depends on family income, so run each college's net price calculator.
How many colleges offer Nursing in California?
146 colleges in California offer Nursing. This page ranks the top 25 by UCD Score; the rest are in the full college directory.
Do Nursing graduates from California colleges earn well?
Graduates earn a median of $60,619 ten years after entry across California Nursing colleges, with the highest on this list at $93,610 (American University of Health Sciences).
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