5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in California 2025

Nurses are in high demand in California, but nursing schools in the state are also very competitive. Despite there being over 100 schools in the state offering programs that lead to registered nurse (RN) licensure, there are still not enough spots for all applicants.

If your application isn't at the top of the pack, consider some of the easiest nursing schools to get into. Keep reading to learn about the easiest nursing programs to get into in California.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in California?

Nursing schools in California are highly competitive. According to the California Board of Registered Nursing, there were 57,987 applicants for nursing programs in California in the 2022-2023 school year. However, there were only 17,912 spaces available, meaning nearly 70% of qualified applicants were unable to find a spot.

In fact, admission is so competitive that some of the California State University (CSU) and University of California schools have a rate as low as 1% for their nursing programs. Many of the state's community colleges don't list their admissions rates online, but the ones that do tend to vary anywhere between 25% and 45%.

Even RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) programs, often some of the easiest nursing degrees, have competitive admissions. Graduate nursing degrees in California are competitive as well.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for California Nursing Schools?

Most nursing schools in California require you to have completed prerequisite courses (e.g., microbiology and anatomy) to be able to pass a background check, and to have taken the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or another type of standardized test.

To be accepted into the program, you'll then need a minimum GPA for your prenursing coursework, usually between 2.5 and 3.5, and a minimum TEAS score. Sometimes you'll need things like letters of recommendation as well.

Many nursing programs use a multicriteria screening process to determine admissions. This process awards points for certain categories, like previous college education, GPA, TEAS score, and previous healthcare experience. These individual scores are then tallied for a total score.

Some schools only take the top-scoring applicants; others have a lottery, where all applicants above a certain score are randomly selected to fill the open spots. A few schools do both � with some applicants making it in because they have a high score and others making it in through the lottery.

You can learn more about individual nursing school requirements through the nursing program's website.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in California

Most colleges and universities in California do not list their acceptance rates. However, we found a few schools that have easier admissions processes or waitlists for students. We've listed some of the easiest nursing schools to get into in California below.

1. Los Angeles Pierce College

Los Angeles Pierce College is a public community college in Woodland Hills, CA. It offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and typically accepts around 100 students into the College of Nursing each year.

Half of the cohort is chosen through the multicriteria screening process, while the other half is chosen through a lottery. Students must have completed all prerequisites with a 2.5 GPA and have a TEAS score of at least 62% to qualify. While the program does not give an acceptance rate, it does say that most students are accepted to the program within one year of submitting their application.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,238 year (in-state); $10,572 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Los Angeles Trade Technical College

At Los Angeles Trade Technical College, students can earn an ADN that prepares them for state licensure. Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who meet the basic requirements of a 2.5 GPA and passing TEAS score are placed on a waitlist until a spot opens up.

LATTC, a public community college, is located in Los Angeles. It accepts about 80 students each year. While it technically has a 100% acceptance rate for qualified students, it's hard to say how long you may be on the waitlist.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,238 per year (in-state); $10,572 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: ACCJC

3. Solano Community College

Solano Community College offers a two-year associate degree in nursing. Solano is a public community college in Fairfield, CA.

Qualifying applicants to the nursing program are entered into a lottery, with 48 students chosen per year. If you reapply, you'll have any previous applications plus the application for the current year entered into the lottery.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,172 per year(in-state); $9,812 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: ACCJC

4. Sacramento City College

The ADN program at Sacramento City College prepares students to take and pass the NCLEX-RN and become competent registered nurses. To qualify, you must have a multicriteria score of 70 or higher. Those who qualify are chosen randomly through a lottery.

SCC, located in Sacramento, CA, is a public community college. It accepts about 130 ADN students into its school of nursing each year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,288 per year (in-state); $12,616 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: ACCJC and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

5. Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa Junior College is a public community college in Santa Rosa, CA. It offers an ADN that prepares students for careers in nursing practice.

Applicants must have a multicriteria score of 80 and a 62% on the TEAS. Qualified students are entered into a random lottery, and the first 120 are accepted.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,318 per year (in-state); $11,308 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: ACCJC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited. Some are programmatically accredited, but California does not require nursing programs to hold programmatic accreditation if they are approved by the Board.
• Acceptance rates: As acceptance rates were not available for most schools, we looked at which schools had easier acceptance options for students.
• Program reputation: All schools provide a quality education, have strong NCLEX pass rates, and qualify students for RN licensure in California.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

Most nursing programs, whether you're earning an ADN or a BSN degree, require you to first complete prerequisite health science courses. After this, you'll usually spend about two years within the nursing program itself.

Your nursing courses will cover topics like patient care (ranging from pediatrics) to gerontology, healthcare ethics, professional practice, and mental health. You'll also participate in labs and clinical experiences, where you get a chance to work hands-on with patients.

Note that if you're on a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to RN track or earning an accelerated BSN (ABSN), things may be a little different. You'll typically have a shorter program with more time spent in clinical experiences.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

It can feel intimidating to apply for nursing programs in California. We've answered a few frequently asked questions to help you out.

Is Nursing School Hard?

''Hard'' is a subjective term, but nursing school is definitely meant to be rigorous. These programs are designed to teach you to be a knowledgeable nurse and obtain your RN license, so they have to be.

For many students, the hardest coursework for programs is the math and chemistry requirements. Luckily, these are often scheduled in your first year, after which you can focus on your nursing classes.

However, these classes aren't necessarily easy. They still require a lot of studying and focus, and clinical experiences require you to appear in person to work in healthcare settings.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

For some students, learning online is easier than learning in person. While the coursework is still rigorous, online programs tend to be more flexible and don't require you to commute.

You're typically not going to find pre-licensure programs, like ADNs or traditional BSNs, that are fully online. However, RN to BSN programs, master's degrees, and even Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are often available online.

The easiest RN to BSN programs online allow you to do all your coursework through distance learning. Many also allow you to complete your clinical requirements at the place where you work.

Can I Get Into Nursing School With a Low TEAS Score?

Most schools require you to have a TEAS score of at least 62%. However, a higher score is always better, as it helps boost your overall competitiveness.

If your TEAS score isn't great, you have the option to retake it. Otherwise, boosting your prerequisite grades can help. Some schools offer self-paced nursing prerequisites online, which can be easier for busy students.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in California?

You can generally expect all prelicensure programs to take roughly the same amount of time. ADN degrees usually take two years after prerequisites, while BSN degrees require four years of study, usually with two to three years focused on nursing. Direct-entry master's degrees usually take about two years. Keep in mind, this is for full-time study; part-time programs take longer.

Many schools offer accelerated options for those with an LVN license. You can also look for associate or bachelor's degrees with year-round courses, as these allow you to finish more quickly.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in California?

The job outlook for registered nurses in California is very positive. Projections Central expects nursing jobs to increase by 13% in California by 2032.

Certain areas of California employ more nurses than others, and as a result, your nursing career outlook can vary by where you live. Larger cities in California, like Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, and Fresno, employ the most nurses.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest nursing class will depend on your personal strengths. Some students aren't great with computers, so they may struggle with classes on healthcare information technology. Others have trouble with memorization, so they may have a hard time with classes on medical terminology.

The further you go in your nursing education, the harder your courses will get. First-time students will have easier courses than a student who is studying to be a nurse practitioner through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or DNP program.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Start your journey toward a nursing career by exploring the degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual nursing schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.