10 ASN to BSN Programs Online in California 2025

Registered nurses can earn a license by completing either an associate degree in nursing, typically an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Because associate degrees take less time, many prefer to complete their ASN and then return to school to earn their BSN after obtaining licensure.

Because these programs are often geared toward working nurses, many schools offer ASN to BSN programs online. Keep reading to discover ASN to BSN programs online in California.

What Is an ASN to BSN Program?

The requirements to become a certified registered nurse include earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited institution. ASN to BSN programs are degree completion programs designed to allow students who already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing.

Some ADN to BSN programs require you to have your registered nursing license before you begin, while others allow you to start before you have the license — as long as you earn it during the course of the program.

More frequently, you'll see these programs referred to as RN to BSN programs, and sometimes as ''bridge programs''. Most take one to two years of full-time study to complete. They typically include core nursing coursework, and many require some amount of in-person clinical hours or practicum experience.

Accredited Hybrid and Online ASN to BSN Programs

Around two dozen schools in California offer BSN completion programs. We've highlighted some of the top programs in the state below.

1. San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a public research university in San Diego. It offers an RN to BSN program for students who have their ADN or nursing diploma. Students do not need to have their RN license yet but must be license-eligible.

The program is primarily online, and students are required to complete clinical experiences at assigned clinical sites. Most full-time students finish within 12 to 15 months.

Average in-state tuition: $15,000 total

Average out-of-state tuition: $15,000 total

Financial aid: SDSU accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including the Cal Grant, and offers institutional aid. It also accepts private aid.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. California State University, Fullerton

At California State University, Fullerton, students will find an upper-division nursing pathway that allows registered nurses to earn their bachelor's degree. The program partners with many local community colleges to simplify the transfer process.

This university is a public research institution located in Fullerton, CA. Students typically finish their BSN degree within two semesters; roadmaps for individual community colleges are available online.

Average in-state tuition: $3,943.35 per semester

Average out-of-state tuition: $9,271.35 per semester

Financial aid: CSUF offers institutional aid, including an RN to BSN stipend program. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private sources.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

3. California State University, Sacramento

California State University, Sacramento offers an online RN to BSN program. Sacramento State is a public university in Sacramento, CA.

Students do not need to have their nursing license when they enter the program, but must have it before the start of their second semester. Full-time students can finish within two semesters.

All courses for this program are offered online, but a few include synchronous components. Classes cover topics like community health and evidence-based practice, with one clinical experience required.

Average in-state tuition: $3,225 per semester

Average out-of-state tuition: $8,553 per semester

Financial aid: CSUS offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private student aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

4. California State University, Long Beach

The RN-BSN program at California State University, Long Beach is available to those with a nursing license or eligible for RN licensure. The program is online with in-person clinical experiences.

CSULB, located in Long Beach, CA, is a public university. Courses for BSN students include topics like professional nursing practice and health assessment. Most students can finish within 12 months.

Average in-state tuition: $17,400 total

Average out-of-state tuition: $17,400 total

Financial aid: CSULB accepts aid through FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

5. San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public research university in San Francisco. It offers an ADN to BSN program for ADN students at either the College of San Mateo or City College of San Francisco.

This is a concurrent nursing program, meaning that you apply to this program when you apply to your ADN degree program. This program is only available to ADN students residing in California.

Average in-state tuition: $8,256 per year

Average out-of-state tuition: N/A

Financial aid: SFSU accepts FAFSA and the Cal Grant, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

6. California State University, Fresno

Through California State University, Fresno, RNs can complete their baccalaureate degree in as few as six courses. All courses are online, with the exception of one community health clinical course.

Fresno State, a public university, is located in Fresno, CA. Its School of Nursing offers courses covering nursing research and healthcare systems in this program and has transfer agreements with several California community colleges.

Average in-state tuition: $4,112 per semester

Average out-of-state tuition: $9,440 per semester

Financial aid: Fresno State offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private sources.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

7. California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay offers an online RN to BSN program that takes one to two years to complete. CSU East Bay is a public university in Hayward, CA.

All nursing courses are online with the exception of two clinical experiences. CSUEB has articulation with several local community colleges, allowing for a smoother transition for ADN students.

Average in-state tuition: $7,993 per year

Average out-of-state tuition: $18,649 per year

Financial aid: CSUEB offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private student aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

8. California State University, San Marcos

The online ADN/RN to BSN program at California State University, San Marcos is for those who have already earned their ADN, are current ADN students, or have already secured their RN license. However, students must have their license before starting the final semester.

The program takes 14 months to complete and includes courses on nursing research and public health nursing. While all courses are online, clinical training must be done in person.

Average in-state tuition: $340 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $340 per credit

Financial aid: CSUSM accepts aid through FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

9. California State University, Stanislaus

California State University, Stanislaus is a public institution in Turlock, CA. It offers an online RN to BSN program that takes 12 months to complete.

The program includes fully online courses and a 90-hour in-person public health practicum. A total of 30 credit hours is required, and full-time students can finish in 12 to 13 months.

Average in-state tuition: $17,370 total

Average out-of-state tuition: $17,370 total

Financial aid: Stanislaus State accepts FAFSA and the Cal Grant, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

10. California State University, Northridge

Through California State University, Northridge, students who have completed an ADN program can finish their bachelor's degree in three semesters. The program is online with in-person clinical hours.

CSUN, a public university, is located in Northridge, CA. Its nursing program includes courses on patient care, evidence-based practice, and population health.

Average in-state tuition: $7,458 per year

Average out-of-state tuition: $20,058 per year

Financial aid: CSUN offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and private sources.

Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools for this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every school on this list is regionally accredited, and all nursing schools are programmatically accredited.
• Program quality: We also only looked at schools that are either public or private, nonprofit institutions to ensure students receive a high-quality education.
• Affordability: All schools cost less than $10,000 per year for in-state students.

FAQs About Online ASN to BSN Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about ASN to BSN programs and educational requirements for nurses for students in California.

How Long Does It Take To Go From ASN to BSN?

Most RN to BSN programs require two to three semesters of full-time study, or four to five semesters of part-time study. This can take one to two years to complete.

The length of time your program takes will depend primarily on what program you pick, whether you study full-time or part-time, and whether you've completed all general education and prerequisite courses.

What Is the Fastest BSN Program in California?

The majority of programs on this list take just 12 months to complete. However, a few, like SDSU and Sacramento State, require only two semesters, meaning you could finish in as few as eight or nine months.

What Are the Admission Requirements for ASN to BSN Programs in California?

Admissions requirements for ASN to BSN programs in California vary slightly depending on the school. For example, most schools require a minimum of a 2.75 GPA from your ADN program, but Sacramento State accepts a 2.6, and SDSU requires a 3.0.

Most programs on this list do not require you to have your RN license before you begin the program, but you must obtain your license before you finish. You will need your ADN, but many programs allow you to apply before you've officially finished your ADN program.

Other things you typically need include prerequisite courses such as anatomy and microbiology. You also usually need to have your general education requirements completed.

You'll need to send in your official transcripts, and some schools may require letters of recommendation. You can learn more about each school's individual eligibility requirements and application deadlines on their websites.

Should I Get My MSN Right After My BSN?

Many nurses choose to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) after they've earned their BSN. An MSN prepares you for roles like nurse practitioner or nurse educator, and these roles often pay exceptionally well.

Whether you should earn your MSN right after your BSN depends on your life and schedule. Some students prefer to continue their education right away, while others prefer to give themselves a break before returning to school.

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