Best Online Nursing Programs in California (2026)

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California Nursing At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Nursing Salary$155,403
Salary OutlookCalifornia offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyCalifornia Board of Nursing
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online nursing degree in California offers a flexible path into nursing careers. California offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, California students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Nursing Schools in California

The following schools offer accredited online nursing programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in California.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#2

California Career College

Canoga Park, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
76.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 98%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,684
Avg net price $46,880/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 100%
  • Programs offered: 2

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
75.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 78%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $70,064
Avg net price $29,363/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 2

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
75.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 94%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $59,398
Avg net price $15,962/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 3

Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education SchoolsIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Smith Chason College

Los Angeles, CA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
63.1 BOC Score
Graduation rate 64%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $58,004
Avg net price $34,367/yr
Tuition
In‑state$19,040
Out‑of‑state$19,040
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Career Networks Institute

Santa Ana, CA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
62.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 83%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $45,256
Avg net price $49,677/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 93%
  • Programs offered: 4

Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education SchoolsIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Angeles College

Los Angeles, CA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
60.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 95%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $49,108
Avg net price $28,639/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 5

Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education SchoolsIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

MiraCosta College

Oceanside, CA
  • 4 year
54.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 28%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,845
Avg net price $7,339/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 89%
  • Programs offered: 44

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in California

Nursing professionals in California experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for California.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (California)
Registered Nurse$140,270
Licensed Practical Nurse$79,750
Nurse Anesthetist$292,410
Nurse Midwife$203,840
Nurse Practitioner$168,520
Nursing Assistant$47,630

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Nursing Degree in California?

Choosing a program in California can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in California offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Licensing Alignment: Local nursing programs are designed to meet California Board of Nursing requirements, facilitating your path to RN or APRN licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online nursing programs in California accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Nursing pay in California compare to other states?

California offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes California a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for nursing in California?

The California Board of Nursing oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in California. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Nursing Programs by City in California

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Adelanto · Agoura Hills · Alameda · Alhambra · Aliso Viejo · American Canyon · Anaheim · Antioch · Apple Valley · Arcadia · Arroyo Grande · Arvin · Atascadero · Atwater · Azusa · Bakersfield · Baldwin Park · Banning · Barstow · Beaumont · Bell · Bell Gardens · Bellflower · Belmont · Benicia · Berkeley · Beverly Hills · Brawley · Brea · Brentwood · Buena Park · Burbank · Burlingame · Calabasas · Calexico · Camarillo · Campbell · Carlsbad · Carson · Cathedral City · Ceres · Cerritos · Chico · Chino · Chino Hills · Chula Vista · Citrus Heights · Claremont · Clovis · Coachella · Colton · Compton · Concord · Corcoran · Corona · Coronado · Costa Mesa · Covina · Cudahy · Culver City · Cupertino · Cypress · Daly City · Dana Point · Danville · Davis · Delano · Desert Hot Springs · Diamond Bar · Dinuba · Downey · Duarte · Dublin · East Palo Alto · Eastvale · El Cajon · El Centro · El Cerrito · El Monte · Elk Grove · Encinitas · Escondido · Fairfield · Folsom · Fontana · Foster City · Fountain Valley · Fremont · Fresno · Fullerton · Galt · Garden Grove · Gardena · Gilroy · Glendale · Glendora · Goleta · Grass Valley · Half Moon Bay · Hanford · Hawthorne · Hayward · Hemet · Hercules · Hesperia · Highland · Hollister · Huntington Beach · Huntington Park · Imperial Beach · Indio · Inglewood · Irvine · La Canada Flintridge · La Habra · La Mesa · La Mirada · La Puente · La Quinta · La Verne · Lafayette · Laguna Beach · Laguna Hills · Laguna Niguel · Lake Elsinore · Lake Forest · Lakewood · Lancaster · Lathrop · Lawndale · Lemon Grove · Lemoore · Lincoln · Livermore · Lodi · Loma Linda · Lomita · Lompoc · Long Beach · Los Altos · Los Angeles · Los Banos · Los Gatos · Lynwood · Madera · Manhattan Beach · Manteca · Marina · Martinez · Maywood · Menifee · Menlo Park · Merced · Millbrae · Milpitas · Mission Viejo · Modesto · Monrovia · Montclair · Montebello · Monterey · Monterey Park · Moorpark · Moreno Valley · Morgan Hill · Mountain View · Murrieta · Napa · National City · Newark · Newport Beach · Norco · Norwalk · Novato · Oakdale · Oakland · Oakley · Oceanside · Ontario · Orange · Oroville · Oxnard · Pacifica · Palm Desert · Palm Springs · Palmdale · Palo Alto · Paradise · Paramount · Pasadena · Patterson · Perris · Petaluma · Pico Rivera · Pittsburg · Placentia · Placerville · Pleasant Hill · Pleasanton · Pomona · Port Hueneme · Porterville · Poway · Rancho Cordova · Rancho Cucamonga · Rancho Palos Verdes · Rancho Santa Margarita · Redding · Redlands · Redondo Beach · Redwood City · Reedley · Rialto · Richmond · Ridgecrest · Riverbank · Riverside · Rocklin · Rohnert Park · Rosemead · Roseville · Sacramento · Salinas · San Bernardino · San Bruno · San Carlos · San Clemente · San Diego · San Dimas · San Fernando · San Francisco · San Gabriel · San Jacinto · San Jose · San Juan Capistrano · San Leandro · San Luis Obispo · San Marcos · San Mateo · San Pablo · San Rafael · San Ramon · Sanger · Santa Ana · Santa Barbara · Santa Clara · Santa Clarita · Santa Cruz · Santa Maria · Santa Monica · Santa Paula · Santa Rosa · Santee · Saratoga · Seal Beach · Seaside · Selma · Shafter · Simi Valley · Soledad · Sonoma · Sonora · South El Monte · South Gate · South Lake Tahoe · South Pasadena · South San Francisco · Stanton · Stockton · Suisun · Sunnyvale · Temecula · Temple City · Thousand Oaks · Torrance · Tracy · Tulare · Turlock · Tustin · Ukiah · Union City · Upland · Vacaville · Vallejo · Victorville · Visalia · Vista · Walnut · Walnut Creek · Wasco · Watsonville · West Covina · West Hollywood · West Sacramento · Westminster · Whittier · Wildomar · Windsor · Woodland · Yorba Linda · Yuba City · Yucaipa · Yucca Valley


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