Best 2-Year Nursing Programs in California (ASN & ADN Online)

Nurses make up America's largest healthcare profession, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). California alone employs more than 326,000 registered nurses (RNs), and both state and national needs for certified RNs continue to grow.

The first step to becoming an RN is to enroll in a registered nursing program � and 2-year nursing programs are among the fastest ways to become an RN. Read on to learn about 2-year nursing programs for students in California and how you can launch your career in this industry.

What Is a 2-Year Nursing Program?

A 2-year nursing program is an associate degree program offered at accredited institutions like private, technical, and community colleges. Nursing program curricula combine general education and nursing courses with lab skills, simulation practices, and clinical experiences in healthcare settings. Once you graduate, you are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

You can earn your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) through these 2-year programs. In California, these are known as pre-licensure programs.

Associate of Science in Nursing

Associate of Science in Nursing degrees follow the same fundamental nursing curriculum as other traditional 2-year nursing programs. Even the easiest nursing programs to get into must follow certain coursework and clinical standards to ensure nursing students receive a quality education.

Core nursing theory coursework includes patient care basics, behavioral and mental health, and pharmacology. Clinical experiences can take place in healthcare settings such as hospitals, schools, urgent care centers, and community clinics.

Associate Degree in Nursing

ADN degrees are another popular nursing degree option. In-person and online ADN programs adhere to the same educational requirements for nurses as other accredited degree programs.

The majority of the time, ADN degree titles are essentially interchangeable with ASN degrees. Some schools and hospital diploma programs take a more clinically focused approach to studies, and thus refer to their programs as ASN programs; however, not all ASN programs have a greater clinical component.

Are There Online 2-Year Nursing Degrees in California?

There are limited online 2-year nursing degree programs in the state of California. Some schools offer course options online, but the great majority of associate degree nursing programs are delivered on campus.

Even outside of California, neither an online ADN program nor an online ASN program can be completed 100% remotely. Though coursework can be conducted online, nursing students must still hone hands-on skills through in-person clinical rotations.

If you are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), California does have some online BSN program options. You can move on to your BSN after earning your RN degree; this accelerated degree pathway is known as an RN to BSN program.

Best 2-Year ASN and ADN Programs in California

This list features California's best online nursing programs and in-person nursing programs. All schools are accredited institutions, and their programs have been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

1. Long Beach City College

Long Beach City College (LBCC) is a large public school in Long Beach, CA. Its ADN program provides the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level registered nurses. LBCC's nursing program is 60 credits total and includes courses such as pediatric nursing concepts, pharmacology, and mental health.

Courses are primarily delivered on campus, though some general education classes may be offered online. Graduates of LBCC's ADN program average a 94% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state)/$328 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. College of San Mateo

Located in its namesake city, the College of San Mateo (CSM) offers an ASN degree program that full-time students can complete in two years. Nursing students learn in the classroom and at CSM's state-of-the-art skills lab. Clinical experiences take place at local hospitals and community health centers.

Since its beginning in 1963, CSM's nursing program has continually received approval from the BRN. The ADN program is a Gold Star program, which means its graduates receive higher earnings and wages. Its most recent graduating class averaged a 93% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state)/$413 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. City College of San Francisco

Students at the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) can earn their ADN in two years over four semesters. Students take courses on campus, practice nursing care skills in CCSF's laboratory, and visit hospitals and other healthcare settings for clinical rotations. Courses include psychosocial nursing and advanced medical-surgical nursing.

CCSF boasts high student success rates, with its graduates recently averaging an impressive 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state)/$446 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

4. Golden West College

Golden West College (GWC) is a mid-sized public school in Huntington Beach, CA. GWC has an ADN program designed to be completed on a full-time basis over four semesters. Core nursing courses are delivered on campus, though some prerequisite courses (e.g., English composition) are offered online.

In the most recent round of NCLEX-RN exams, 97% of GWC's nursing program graduates passed their first time.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state)/$448 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

5. Carrington College

Carrington College is a private school with multiple campuses in the West and Midwest. California nursing students can enroll in Carrington College's Rancho Mirage or Visalia locations and earn their ADN in two years. The nursing degree program emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

Students determine their financial aid eligibility by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Active duty military members may receive tuition discounts.

• Estimated tuition cost: $18,910 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

6. California Career College

Located in Los Angeles, CA, California Career College offers an ADN program that can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The program is designed to accommodate working professionals. California Career College's program is 70 credits total; full-time nursing students can earn their ADN in 24 months.

Students can apply up to 10 transfer credits towards their ADN degree. Clinical rotations take place across Los Angeles settings, such as long-term care facilities, community centers, and home health visits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $71,000 total (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

7. American Career College

American Career College (ACC) offers a hybrid ADN program through its Los Angeles, CA, location. Students take both online and in-person courses and participate in hands-on simulation labs and clinical rotations. Nursing courses include subjects like microbiology, behavioral health nursing, and human anatomy.

ACC's associate degree nursing program is 20 months long, composed of eight 10-week quarters. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

• Estimated tuition cost: $78,552 total (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ABHES

8. Pacific College

Located in Costa Mesa, CA, Pacific College is a small private school that has a 2-year ADN program. Pacific College's nursing program provides its students with the knowledge and skills to deliver quality patient care to diverse populations. The program curriculum includes courses like medical-surgical nursing and child and family nursing. Some nursing courses are offered online, though the majority of this ADN program is conducted in person.

• Estimated tuition cost: $95,275 total (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

How We Rank Schools

We rank schools using the following criteria, including accreditation status and program quality reputation.

• Accreditation: All schools must be vetted by an independent accrediting agency. These accrediting organizations ensure that schools deliver a standard curriculum, ensuring a quality education. Each program has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Program length: The ADN and ASN programs featured here can be completed in two years or fewer, on a full-time basis.
• Program reputation: A nursing program's reputation is determined by the quality of its curriculum, experienced faculty on staff, clinical rotation opportunities, and NCLEX-RN pass rates.

FAQs About 2-Year Nursing Programs in California

This section answers frequently asked questions about California nursing programs, from the fastest degree programs to degree costs.

How To Become a Nurse in 2 Years in California?

To become a nurse within two years in California, you must enroll in a BRN-approved associate degree nursing program. After graduating, you will take the NCLEX-RN.

Once you pass the exam, you will apply for your RN license through the California Board of Registered Nurses. This process generally takes about two years.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in California?

The fastest RN program in California is designed for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to leverage prior education and experience to expedite the degree process. Eligible LVNs can bypass general education courses and receive advanced placement into core nursing courses.

These accelerated degree pathways are known as an LVN to RN bridge or transition programs. LVN to RN programs take about one year to complete.

What Is the Easiest Nursing School in California?

Nursing is a challenging yet rewarding profession, and nursing school is similarly intensive. The nursing school that you consider to be the easiest depends on your future goals and current commitments.

For example, if you are working full-time, it's best to choose a program that supports working professionals and can be completed on a part-time basis. If you enjoy in-person support, look for a school that provides one-on-one tutoring and mentoring services.

How Much Does a 2-Year Nursing Program Cost?

Nursing program costs vary widely from school to school. Traditional ADN and ASN programs range from $10,000 to more than $95,000 in total tuition costs.

Public schools like community colleges offer lower tuition rates than their private school counterparts. You can help offset education costs by applying for grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

What Are the Prerequisites for a 2-Year Nursing Program?

General prerequisites for a 2-year nursing program include a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, a drug screening and background check, and certain general education courses. Some schools also require prospective students to submit their Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores.

Each program has its own specific admissions requirements, so it's important to check with your chosen school before applying to its program.

Discover Nursing Programs

If you're ready to enter this essential healthcare profession, we invite you to connect with Learn.org's featured schools to discover which program best supports your nursing career goals.