2026 Best Nursing Schools in Pasadena

Rankings help prospective nursing students evaluate and compare educational programs to make informed decisions about their future careers. Registerednursing.org is creating the "Best Nursing Schools in Pasadena" rankings based solely on NCLEX pass rates, providing objective data to guide program selection. For detailed methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

NCLEX pass rates in the region have shown variability across recent years, with an overall upward trend in student numbers.

  • 2021: 90.87% average pass rate (230 students)
  • 2022: 86.05% average pass rate (251 students)
  • 2023: 93.07% average pass rate (303 students)

Top Performing Schools

Schools with consistently high performance demonstrate strong educational outcomes for nursing students in the area.

  • Glendale Community College: 94.36% average pass rate (195 students over 3 years)
  • Glendale Career College: 89.65% average pass rate (483 students over 3 years)
  • East Los Angeles College: 84.91% average pass rate (106 students over 3 years)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size appears to correlate with pass rates, with smaller programs showing the highest performance levels.

  • Small programs (<50 students/year): 100% average pass rate (24 students)
  • Medium programs (50-100 students/year): 96.55% average pass rate (58 students)
  • Large programs (>100 students/year): 91.4% average pass rate (221 students)

Geographic Trends

Pass rates vary by location within the region, with some cities showing particularly strong performance.

  • Glendale: 92.47% average pass rate (279 students)
  • Monterey Park: 100% average pass rate (24 students)

Consistently High Performing Schools

Schools maintaining excellence over multiple years provide reliable options for nursing education.

  • Glendale Community College: 94.36% average pass rate (195 students over 3 years)
#1

Monterey Peninsula College

Monterey, CA - Public 2-Year - mpc.edu

Associate - Nursing, Associate in Science

Campus Based - Visit Website

Monterey Peninsula College's Maurine Church Coburn School of Nursing offers a highly selective Associate Degree in Nursing program, ranked among California's top ADN programs. This campus-based program accepts only 40 students each fall through a merit-based admission process that requires completion of prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, plus passing the TEAS entrance exam. The comprehensive curriculum focuses on modern nursing care, with advanced placement options available for LVNs seeking to accelerate their education. Recent NCLEX pass rates demonstrate strong outcomes, with 100% of 2023 graduates passing the licensure exam, building on 94.12% in 2022 and 96.88% in 2021.

  • Selective admission process.
  • 40 students accepted annually.
  • Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
  • LVN advanced placement available.
  • Merit-based selection.
  • TEAS test required.
  • Prerequisite courses mandatory.
  • Focus on modern nursing care.
  • Associate Degree in Nursing.
#2

Glendale Community College

Glendale, CA - Public 2-Year - glendale.edu

Associate - ADN nursing program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Glendale Community College's campus-based ADN nursing program prepares students for RN licensure with a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience. Approved by the California BRN and ACEN-accredited through 2028, this program emphasizes personal and professional development in an inclusive learning environment. While entrance exams like ACT/SAT aren't specifically mentioned for this ADN program, prospective students should review prerequisite requirements. The program demonstrates solid NCLEX performance, with pass rates of 96.55% in 2023 (58 students), 88.52% in 2022 (61 students), and 97.37% in 2021 (76 students), reflecting consistent preparation for nursing licensure.

  • Approved by California BRN.
  • ACEN accredited until 2028.
  • Campus-based program.
  • Prepares for RN licensure.
  • Focuses on hands-on experience.
  • Supports personal and professional growth.
  • Inclusive learning environment.
  • Details on prerequisites available.
  • Information on costs provided.
  • Health requirements outlined.
#3

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA - Public 2-Year - pasadena.edu

Associate - Registered Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pasadena City College offers a campus-based Registered Nursing Associate in Science degree program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. This four-semester program combines nursing theory with practical experience, focusing on promoting, maintaining, and restoring health for diverse healthcare settings. The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and is a candidate for ACEN accreditation. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 98.15% of graduates passing in 2023. As an associate degree program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams.

  • Four semesters program length.
  • Associate in Science Degree in Nursing.
  • Eligible for NCLEX-RN exam.
  • Approved by California BRN.
  • Candidate for ACEN accreditation.
  • Campus-based program.
  • Strong foundation in nursing theory.
  • Practical experience included.
  • Prepares for diverse healthcare settings.
#4

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA - Public 2-Year - elac.edu

Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

East Los Angeles College's Associate Degree in Nursing program provides comprehensive preparation for nursing careers, emphasizing evidence-based practices and modern healthcare technology. Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, the program requires no ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates show strong performance, with 100% of students passing in 2023 (24 students), following 85.71% in 2022 (35 students) and 76.6% in 2021 (47 students). The curriculum supports diversity and inclusion while maintaining affordability, equipping graduates with the skills needed for successful nursing practice.

  • Approved by California BRN.
  • Focus on evidence-based practices.
  • Supports diversity and inclusion.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
  • Affordable nursing education.
#5

Integrity College of Health

Pasadena, CA - Private 4-year - ich.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BSN Bachelor of Science Program

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Integrity College of Health's RN-BSN Bachelor of Science Program provides registered nurses with an accelerated path to a bachelor's degree through a flexible hybrid format. Designed specifically for working RNs with associate degrees, this 46-week program combines online coursework with blended learning options. The curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing skills, critical thinking development, and healthcare leadership preparation. With a total cost of $11,143 and no ACT/SAT requirement (current RN license serves as the primary admission criterion), this ABHES-accredited program offers an efficient route to career advancement. The program includes 180 preceptorship hours and prepares graduates for diverse healthcare settings with enhanced professional qualifications.

  • Hybrid program options
  • Total cost $11,143
  • 46 weeks completion
  • 120 semester credit hours
  • 1,035 total clock hours
  • 180 preceptorship hours
  • Blended and online options
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Approved by BPPE and BVNPT
  • Current RN license required
*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2024. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Pasadena, CA

For nurses fresh out of high school or college, or those making a career change, an entry-level nursing program is the place to begin. These programs include Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, and even Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed vocational nurses who want to build on their professional nursing experience and earn more money may be interested in LVN to RN programs that help prepare them to become registered nurses. Pasadena City College is one school that offers an LVN to RN program. The LVN to RN Career Ladder Program is a three-semester program that provides students who are LVNs with additional coursework to become qualified RNs with emphasis on building nursing theory and reinforcing nursing concepts to help promote, restore and maintain health in patients across the lifespan.

ADN Programs

Typically two-year programs, ADN programs provide students with basic nursing education and the associate’s degree that is the minimum required to begin professional careers in nursing. Long Beach City College offers an ADN program that is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings, or for the further academic study of nursing.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

One of the most popular routes for becoming a registered nurse is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. BSN programs are open to students who do not have a lower-level nursing certificate or diploma, as well as to students who have completed their bachelor’s degrees in another field. California State University in Fullerton offers a full-time BSN program that can be completed in either 4 or 5 years.

Find out more about California Accelerated BSN Programs

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Direct-entry MSN programs are designed for students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but would like to begin their career as nurses and earn their master’s degree. The direct-entry MSN program at Western University of Health Sciences is a full-time program that is completed in six semesters over two years.

Find out more about California Accelerated MSN Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Pasadena, CA

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pasadena, CA

Nurses with career aspirations of becoming nurse practitioners, administrators, or leaders may want to pursue an advanced practice nursing program. These programs include Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, post-master’s certificate programs, and doctoral programs including the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.).

MSN Programs

Master’s level nursing programs prepare students for leadership positions in nursing as well as for careers as nurse practitioners. Azusa Pacific University offers a variety of MSN-level programs with specializations in pediatric nursing, adult-gerontology, clinical nurse specialist, healthcare administration, psychiatric nursing, and others.

Learn more about California Nurse Practitioner Programs

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificate programs are designed for nurses who have already earned their MSN degree but would like to learn a new specialty. For example, California State University in Los Angeles offers a number of post-master’s certificate programs such as the 19 unit Certificate for Nursing Administration.

Learn more about California Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP & Ph.D. Programs

Doctoral nursing programs are the highest level of education programs available to nurses. There are Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs available to nursing students which prepare them for careers in research and education. One example of a nursing Ph.D. program is the Doctor of Philosophy program at University of California Los Angeles, which includes coursework in the health of diverse and vulnerable populations, older adults and patients with chronic and communicable diseases.

Learn more about California DNP Programs

Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Pasadena, CA

Jump to City:

Glendale, CA

Glendale Community College

  • Associate - ADN nursing program

    Campus Based - Website

    • Approved by California BRN.
    • ACEN accredited until 2028.
    • Campus-based program.
    • Prepares for RN licensure.
    • Focuses on hands-on experience.
    • Supports personal and professional growth.
    • Inclusive learning environment.
    • Details on prerequisites available.

Monterey, CA

Monterey Peninsula College

  • Associate - Nursing, Associate in Science

    Campus Based - Website

    • Ranked top in California.
    • Selective admission process.
    • 40 students accepted annually.
    • Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
    • LVN advanced placement available.
    • Merit-based selection.
    • TEAS test required.
    • Prerequisite courses mandatory.

Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College

  • Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Approved by California BRN.
    • Focus on evidence-based practices.
    • Supports diversity and inclusion.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • Affordable nursing education.

Pasadena, CA

Integrity College of Health

  • Bachelor's - RN-BSN Bachelor of Science Program

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program options
    • Total cost $11,143
    • 46 weeks completion
    • 120 semester credit hours
    • 1,035 total clock hours
    • 180 preceptorship hours
    • Blended and online options
    • Accredited by ABHES

Pasadena City College

  • Associate - Registered Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Four semesters program length.
    • Associate in Science Degree in Nursing.
    • Eligible for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • Approved by California BRN.
    • Candidate for ACEN accreditation.
    • Campus-based program.
    • Strong foundation in nursing theory.
    • Practical experience included.
*IPEDS 2024 dataset, accessed via NCES Data Center. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/