10 Best Online Nursing Programs in California 2026

<p>From bachelor's programs for high school graduates to doctoral programs for nurses who want to make their way to the top of the industry fast, these are 10 of the best online nursing degree programs in California available to you today, including <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_rn_to_bsn_california.html">online RN to BSN programs</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---1.CaliforniaStateUniversitySanMarcos">1. California State University, San Marcos</h3> <p>California State University in San Marcos (CSUSM) is a public university that's part of the California State University system. It offers more than 50 bachelor's and graduate programs to students in person and online. </p> <p>CSUSM has an accelerated ADN/RN (associate degree in nursing/registered nurse) to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) online program for aspiring nurses who don't currently have their RN license. </p> <p>This program is 14 months long and is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in healthcare in addition to teaching them general nursing practice skills. </p> <h3 id="section---2.NationalUniversity">2. National University</h3> <p>National University is a private university in San Diego that offers online programs designed for adult learners. </p> <p>National University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and pursue a registered nursing license in the state of California. </p> <p>Four-week online courses with flexible schedules help working students complete the program in a timely manner, and year-round enrollment lets them begin taking classes when they have the most time. </p> <h3 id="section---3.StanbridgeUniversity">3. Stanbridge University</h3> <p>Stanbridge University is a private university accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) with multiple locations in California. It primarily offers nursing and allied health education. </p> <p>At Stanbridge, active nurses can pursue a bachelor's degree through an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program. It's a flexible program designed to build on a nurse's leadership skills. </p> <p>Active nurses can open the door for further opportunities by combining their RN license with a BSN from Stanbridge. </p> <h3 id="section---4.PennsylvaniaWesternUniversityCalifornia">4. Pennsylvania Western University, California</h3> <p>PennWest California is a public university campus of Pennsylvania Western University offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees to California students. It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. </p> <p>The BSN offered by PennWest California is designed to build on the knowledge of registered nurses to prepare them for graduate studies and career advancement in the healthcare industry. </p> <p>The 120 credit hour degree is offered online for flexibility and allows nurses to work and complete their education simultaneously. </p> <h3 id="section---5.UniversityOfSouthernCalifornia">5. University of Southern California</h3> <p>The University of Southern California (USC) is the oldest private research university in California and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). </p> <p>One of the online degree options offered by USC is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). It teaches the fundamentals of nursing leadership and provides a unique focus on holistic social work and how it applies to nurse actions. </p> <p>Students can complete the program in as little as 21 months and will be prepared to go from registered nurses to family nurse practitioners. </p> <h3 id="section---6.PointLomaNazareneUniversity">6. Point Loma Nazarene University</h3> <p>Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private liberal arts Christian college founded by the Church of the Nazarene. It offers more than 20 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online. </p> <p>PLNU's RN-to-BSN online degree completion program is a 15 month program for working nurses who want to pursue a bachelor's while completing their RN licensure. </p> <p>While licensure isn't required at admission, a current license must be presented by the third term. </p> <p>Previous education can be applied to the graduate requirements for this degree, shortening the time students need to spend in the program to complete it. </p> <h3 id="section---7.AzusaPacificUniversity">7. Azusa Pacific University</h3> <p>Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private, evangelical Christian university that offers over 100 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California. </p> <p>APU takes the idea of an RN-to-BSN program a step further by offering a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) online that lets nursing students skip an MSN and go straight into a doctoral program. </p> <p>This allows students who want to take their nursing career to the next level to speed up the process significantly while choosing between a family nurse practitioner (FNP) or health systems leadership specialty. </p> <h3 id="section---8.CaliforniaSouthernUniversity">8. California Southern University</h3> <p>California Southern University (CSU) is a private university in Costa Mesa that's a member of the American InterContinental University System. </p> <p>CSU's online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has two pathways: an RN-to-BSN pathway for working nurses or an ''Early Start'' pathway for nursing students who want to start their BSN before passing the NCLEX. </p> <p>The program is 120 credit hours and prepares students for immediate work in the healthcare industry. Potential industries or locations graduates can work in include: </p> <ul><li>hospitals </li><li>social assistance </li><li>nursing and resident care facilities </li><li>hospitality </li><li>ambulatory health care services </li></ul><h3 id="section---9.LomaLindaUniversity">9. Loma Linda University</h3> <p>Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private Seventh-Day Adventist health sciences university comprised of eight schools and a Faculty of Graduate Studies. It's accredited by the WASC. </p> <p>Nurses who want more career opportunities can get their BSN online at LLU to learn about whole person care, practice nursing in acute and community settings, and grow personally and professionally. </p> <p>Students can attend on a full- or part-time basis and must have a current California RN license to be admitted into the program. </p> <h3 id="section---10.SamuelMerrittUniversity">10. Samuel Merritt University</h3> <p>Originally founded as a hospital school of nursing, Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is a private, health sciences-focused university with a main campus in Oakland. </p> <p>SMU makes getting a Master of Science in Nursing with a family nurse practitioner concentration easy by offering a 20 month online program for current nurses. </p> <p>The program teaches students how to work as a primary care provider (PCP) in outpatient settings and helps them prepare for graduate nursing certification exams. </p> <h2 id="section---TypesOfNursingProgramsOfferedOnlineInCalifornia">Types of Nursing Programs Offered Online in California</h2> <p>In California, the majority of online nursing programs are designed for active registered nurses who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in the field. </p> <p>Nurses who want to specialize and lead can also find online master's and doctoral-level programs. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreTheEducationalRequirementsForANursingDegree">What Are the Educational Requirements for a Nursing Degree?</h2> <p>In California, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a> include a high school diploma or equivalent, a GPA specified by the program or college, which is usually 3.0 or higher, and an active registered nursing license. </p> <p>Some programs require prerequisite courses in math and science, such as anatomy and physiology or statistics, to be completed before starting a bachelor's program. </p> <p>Additionally, some requirements will vary based on the program structure. For example, a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/self_paced_rn_to_bsn.html">self-paced RN to BSN programs</a> might have different total requirements than a traditional program. </p> <p>Graduate programs also require a completed nursing bachelor's degree with a satisfactory GPA. </p> <p>Any other requirements for admission are determined by the specific college offering the program, so make sure to check with your college of choice directly when applying for more information. </p> <h2 id="section---LicensingRequirementsForNursesInCalifornia">Licensing Requirements for Nurses in California</h2> <p>Aspiring nurses need to apply for licensure from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). </p> <p>In addition to education requirements (an associate degree in nursing at a minimum) applicants need to send their school transcripts to the BRN, complete a fingerprint background check, and pass the NCLEX. </p> <p>Applications need to be sent in at least six weeks before students graduate from their nursing program. </p> <h2 id="section---StartYourNursingDegreeOnline">Start Your Nursing Degree Online</h2> <p>These California online nursing degree programs can help you begin or advance your nursing career, putting you on the path to making a difference through the healthcare industry. Learn more about the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">easiest RN to BSN programs online</a> by reading our articles and school profiles. </p> <p>Find your ideal program today to get started on your chosen path.</p>