The choice facing most Los Angeles nursing students is not which school but which degree: a two-year ADN at a community college or a four-year BSN at a Cal State or private university. Both routes end at the NCLEX-RN and at the same California license. What differs is tuition, waitlist math, and how far you commute from Long Beach, Pasadena, Torrance, Glendale or Carson to a campus that has a seat for you.
Hiring in the region's hospital systems still tilts toward the BSN, and that preference shapes nearly every decision that follows.
Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: Los Angeles Nursing Schools Ranked
First-time NCLEX-RN success sets the order here, with degree completion and accreditation separating close contenders. The ten programs below span both the two-year ADN and the four-year BSN, and every card labels the degree path so you can scan for the one you want. Read past the pass rate as well: average net price, in-state tuition and admission rates tell you how hard a program is to get into and what it will cost you to finish.
How we ranked these
- School-wide graduation rates
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Accreditation status and program type
- Net price after federal aid
- Admission rates as selectivity signals
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
- Original research on individual programs
California State University-Long Beach
#1Long Beach, CA · $7,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: First-time students set on a four-year BSN
A large public university in Long Beach with one of the biggest pre-licensure nursing cohorts in the region, Cal State Long Beach runs its BSN through the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services. The traditional five-semester track is built for students with no prior nursing background, and finalists complete a Casper test plus a communication exercise. With more than 200 nursing completions a year, it is a practical option for commuters from Long Beach, the South Bay and southeast Los Angeles County.
- CCNE accredited traditional BSN for students with no prior nursing experience
- Five semesters of full-time study
- Fall and spring admission cycles
- Casper test and a communication exercise for top applicants
- Prerequisite GPA must be 3.0; overall minimum around 3.25
- Three applicant categories accepted
Los Angeles Harbor College
#2Wilmington, CA · $13,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: South Bay commuters seeking a low-cost ADN
Part of the Los Angeles Community College District, Harbor College sits in Wilmington near the ports and draws students from San Pedro, the Harbor Gateway and Long Beach. Its associate degree program pairs simulation and nursing learning labs with small-group theory sessions and clinical placements in hospitals, home health agencies and community sites. Coursework is organized around the Roy Adaptation Model, and the college is one of the more selective community college nursing programs in the area, so prerequisite grades matter.
- ACEN accredited four-semester associate degree program
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Fall start with applications due February 19, 2027
- Simulation lab and dedicated nursing learning lab on campus
- Clinical placements in hospitals, home health and community settings
- Curriculum built on the Roy Adaptation Model
Rio Hondo College
#3Whittier, CA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working LVNs returning for an ADN
Rio Hondo College in Whittier serves the San Gabriel Valley with an ADN that offers unusually broad entry options, including a dedicated LVN to ADN route and pathways for veterans and military medics. Prerequisite science courses must be completed in person, so commuters should plan their week around campus lab days. ACEN accreditation runs through spring 2030, and the program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- ACEN accredited through spring 2030
- Five-semester ADN with four concentration options
- LVN to ADN option completes in three semesters
- Multiple entry points, including military and veteran pathways
- Prerequisite science courses must be taken in person
- LVN to RN transition course required for bridge students
- Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
Santa Monica College
#4Santa Monica, CA · $1,200 – $11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Santa Monica College pairs a small, ACEN-accredited ADN with one of the strongest transfer cultures in the region, and graduates are encouraged to continue to a BSN after licensure. The program emphasizes clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice and lifelong learning, and requires science labs on the ground. Its Westside location works well for students commuting from Culver City, Venice and the South Bay.
- ACEN accredited through fall 2030
- Science lab work must be completed on ground
- Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Transfer to BSN programs encouraged after licensure
- Focus on clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice
- Prerequisite courses required before admission
California State University-Los Angeles
#5Los Angeles, CA · ~$4,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Cal State LA anchors nursing education on the east side, with clinical rotations spread across Los Angeles County and local preference for its own students, partner community college transfers and veterans. The traditional BSN is a three-year, full-time program with roughly 70 seats for about 700 applicants, and a 15-month accelerated BSN serves second-degree students. The ADN to BSN collaborative pathway is being sunset and is no longer accepting new students.
- CCNE accredited three-year full-time BSN
- Roughly 70 seats for about 700 applicants
- Minimum 3.25 GPA and TEAS score of 70% per subtest
- Local preference for Cal State LA and partner college students
- Clinical rotations across Los Angeles County
- LVN to RN 30-unit bridge plan available
- Fall start with applications due January 15, 2027
Cerritos College
#6Norwalk, CA · under $5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Cerritos College in Norwalk runs one of the more flexible ADN programs in the region, with separate on-ramps for new students, licensed vocational nurses, military medics and nurses trained outside California. Classes meet on the Norwalk campus, a straightforward drive down the 5 and 91 for commuters from southeast Los Angeles County. The generic application cycle opens in January 2027 and can close early once 500 applications arrive.
- ACEN accredited associate degree nursing program in Norwalk
- Generic pathway for students new to nursing
- LVN to RN associate degree pathway
- 30-unit non-degree option for licensed vocational nurses
- ADN option for military medics and corpsmen
- Transfer and challenge admission option
- Generic application cycle opens January 25, 2027
- Out-of-state nurses can complete BRN-required coursework
Los Angeles Pierce College
#7Woodland Hills, CA · $13,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Los Angeles Pierce College sits in Woodland Hills at the west end of the San Fernando Valley and offers a campus-based ADN with an ADN to BSN collaborative option for students who want to keep going. Admission is comparatively open at a 2.5 cumulative GPA, though prerequisite science grades and the applicant pool still decide who starts. Speech, math and social science requirements are built in because the California board expects them for licensure.
- ACEN accredited campus-based ADN in Woodland Hills
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to apply
- Prerequisites in anatomy, physiology and microbiology
- Speech, math and anthropology or sociology required for licensure
- ADN to BSN collaborative pathway available
- Fall 2027 application window runs February 15 to March 1, 2027
- Spring 2028 applications run September 15 to October 1, 2027
American Career College-Los Angeles
#8Los Angeles, CA · ~$32,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
American Career College's Los Angeles campus is a private, for-profit option that blends online coursework with hands-on simulation labs and clinical placements. The ADN finishes in about 20 months, faster than most community college tracks, and includes more than 800 clinical hours in hospitals, clinics and long-term care. Costs run well above the public colleges on this list, so compare total program cost and likely loan debt before you enroll.
- About 20 months to complete
- More than 800 clinical hours
- Blended format combining campus labs and online coursework
- Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Modern simulation labs at a 50,000-square-foot Los Angeles campus
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation built into the curriculum
Glendale Community College
#9Glendale, CA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Glendale Community College serves the Verdugo corridor with an ADN that starts in fall, spring, summer and winter, one of the few local programs with that much scheduling flexibility. Cohorts are small, advising is built in, and clinical training runs through hospitals, clinics and community sites around Glendale and Burbank. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the California BRN
- Starts in fall, spring, summer and winter
- Applications due March 15, 2027
- Clinical training in hospitals, clinics and community settings
- Small cohorts with dedicated advising
- Associate of Science awarded on completion
- Prepares graduates for RN licensure and the NCLEX-RN
Pasadena City College
#10Pasadena, CA · under $5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Pasadena City College offers a four-semester registered nursing track that awards both an Associate in Science in Nursing and a certificate of achievement. Coursework leans on care planning, patient assessment and health maintenance, with clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices and long-term care. The college is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and sits close to the 210 and 134 for commuters from the San Gabriel Valley.
- Four-semester registered nursing program
- Also awards a certificate of achievement in registered nursing
- Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing
- Coursework in nursing care plans, patient assessment and health maintenance
- Clinical experience in hospitals, clinics and long-term care
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Prepares students for roles in hospitals and physicians' offices
2-Year ADN vs. 4-Year BSN in Los Angeles: Time, Cost and Competition
Yes, 2-year nursing programs exist in Los Angeles through community college ADN programs. In practice, the prerequisites usually push the real timeline past 2 years, because the science and general education courses have to be finished before you start the nursing sequence. The BSN route takes longer overall but ends with a bachelor's degree.
| Factor | 2-Year ADN (Community College) | 4-Year BSN (CSU or Private University) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical length after prerequisites | About 2 years of nursing coursework, plus the time needed to finish prerequisites first | Typically 5 semesters of study in the nursing program, following lower-division prerequisites |
| Typical cost | Lowest of the three settings. El Camino College lists $4,584 in total program tuition and fees before financial aid | CSU campuses cost more than community college, and private universities cost the most. Check each school's current cost sheet |
| Prerequisite load | Science and general education courses completed before the program begins, usually with a minimum GPA | Similar science prerequisites, plus broader general education requirements for the bachelor's degree |
| Admission competitiveness | Limited seats, so expect a competitive selection process and possible waitlists | Also competitive, with limited cohort sizes and GPA expectations that vary by campus |
| NCLEX-RN eligibility | Graduates of a California Board of Registered Nursing approved program may sit for the NCLEX-RN | Same: graduates of an approved program may sit for the NCLEX-RN |
| Hospital hiring preference | Widely hired as RNs, though some employers favor a BSN for certain roles | Preferred or expected at many Magnet-designated hospitals |
| Route to a BSN later | Concurrent enrollment lets you start BSN courses while finishing the ADN. CSUN partners with ten community colleges, including LA Valley College and Pasadena City College. Long Beach City College students can enroll concurrently with CSUDH, and participating LBCC students are guaranteed entry to the CSULB BSN program. Expect about 3 years from ADN start to BSN graduation | Already complete. Graduate study such as an MSN or nurse practitioner program is the next step |
| Best fit | Choose this for the lowest cost and the fastest route to a license | Choose this for Magnet-hospital hiring and graduate-school readiness |
Most Affordable Nursing Schools Near Los Angeles by Net Price
The community colleges and the Cal State campus below have the lowest average net price among Los Angeles-area nursing schools, according to 2024 U.S. Department of Education data from IPEDS and the College Scorecard. Net price is the school-wide average cost after grants and scholarships, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote for every nursing student. Debt and payment figures are specific to the nursing program and appear only where published, and the next section covers uniforms, exam and licensing fees that tuition leaves out.
| School | City | Degree Level | Average Net Price After Aid (per year) | In-State Tuition and Fees (per year) | Median Federal Debt (Nursing Program) | Est. Monthly Payment (10-Year Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerritos College | Norwalk | Associate (ADN) | $2,424 | $1,364 | ||
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica | Associate (ADN) | $2,779 | $1,156 | ||
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena | Associate (ADN) | $3,864 | $1,180 | ||
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Bachelor's (BSN) | $3,967 | $7,160 | $12,500 | $133 |
| Los Angeles Southwest College | Los Angeles | Associate (ADN) | $5,964 | $1,238 |
The Bills Beyond Tuition: Uniforms, Exams and Licensing Fees
Whether you choose an ADN or a BSN program in Los Angeles, you will pay a set of nursing-specific fees on top of tuition, and the chart below excludes tuition entirely. It shows three fixed fees: the ATI TEAS at $120 when taken through ATI or PSI (a school that gives the exam itself sets its own price), the California Board of Registered Nursing application at $300 for a California graduate, and the $200 NCLEX-RN registration paid to Pearson VUE. Uniforms, supplies, the background check and drug screen, and Live Scan fingerprinting are not in the chart because their cost varies by program and by Live Scan vendor, so budget for them separately and confirm the amounts with your school.
Getting Admitted: Prerequisites, TEAS Scores, Waitlists and Accreditation Checks
El Camino College's ADN program requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum 62% on the ATI TEAS, and meeting those numbers only makes you eligible.3 Yes, nursing school in Los Angeles is hard to get into. Seats are limited, and California ADN programs commonly rank applicants with multi-criteria scoring, a lottery, or a mix of the two. Many CSU campuses treat nursing as impacted, meaning more qualified applicants than seats. Apply to more than one school.
Prerequisites and Test Scores
Common prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, English composition and math. Exact lists vary by school. At El Camino, every general education and nursing course must be completed with at least a C.5
- GPA: El Camino asks for 2.5 or higher across all college coursework. Competitive applicants often exceed the minimum.
- TEAS: El Camino requires the ATI TEAS. Its materials cite 62% but also mention a state recommended passing score, so confirm the current threshold.2
- Retakes: Below the cutoff, you must remediate before retesting. Only two attempts are allowed, and those who tested at El Camino must retest there.4
Application Windows
El Camino screens eligibility before releasing the nursing application link. It accepts applications twice a year, with each window lasting about three weeks.4 The Fall 2026 application closed March 20 at 11:59 p.m., with no late filings.3 For Spring 2027, eligibility verification ran September 8 to 24, and the application was due September 25.1 Selected applicants hear back about a month after the window closes.
Pasadena City College, LA Harbor College, Long Beach City College and Mt. San Antonio College each set their own methods, prerequisites, test cutoffs and dates. Check each nursing page for current deadlines before planning around them.
Accreditation in Plain Terms
Approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) is what lets graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN in California. National accreditation is separate. ACEN is common for ADN programs, and CCNE or ACEN covers BSN programs. Accreditation can matter for credit transfer, graduate school admission, financial aid and some employers. Neither BRN approval nor accreditation guarantees that credits transfer or that a graduate program will admit you.
Verify Before You Apply
Look up the program on the BRN's list of approved nursing programs, and check ACEN or CCNE status on the accreditor's own directory. If the program's status is unclear or recently changed, ask the school to confirm it in writing.
California RN Licensure at a Glance
LVN to RN Programs Near Los Angeles
If you already hold a California LVN license, these bridge programs place you in an advanced position within an associate degree curriculum instead of starting over, and most finish in three to four semesters of full-time study. Expect to show an active license, prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and English, roughly a 2.5 GPA, and a TEAS score; a few campuses add recent work experience, a lottery, or a point system. California's 30-unit option is the non-degree route: it meets the state requirement to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn an RN license, but it awards no degree, and that license may not be recognized for licensure in other states. If you may relocate or want a BSN later, choose the degree track.
- LVN to RN Plan of Study
- LVN Applicants (to the BSN Program) (LVN to BSN (45-unit option))
- LVN to RN (Career Ladder) Nursing Option
- Advanced Placement LVN to RN Program
- LVN 30 Unit Option Program
- LVN-RN Career Ladder (Bridge)
- LVN-ADN Program (Option #2)
- Non-graduate 30 Unit Option for LVN to RN
- OPTION C: LVN - RN Degree (Advanced Placement Student)
- LVN to RN
- Advanced Placement program (LVN-RN) (Upward Mobility)
- LVN to RN Career Ladder
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Los Angeles
Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can enter nursing through an accelerated BSN, which typically runs about 12 to 18 months, or an entry-level MSN, which takes roughly two to three years and awards a master's degree. Both formats are full time and clinical heavy, so holding an outside job is difficult. The programs below are based in and around Los Angeles.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Master of Science - Entry
- Master of Science in Nursing – Entry-Level Master's
Where Los Angeles Nursing Graduates Work: Kaiser, Cedars-Sinai and Other Major Employers
A big-name hospital on your resume is appealing, but the degree you hold and the commute you can sustain often decide whether you get in the door. Los Angeles has plenty of employers, and most of the large ones run structured residencies for new graduates.
Systems That Hire New Graduates
In 2026, new-graduate RN residencies were tied to Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles General Medical Center, Providence Southern California and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Timing varies widely. Kaiser's external window ran April 24 to 26 with an August 17 start. Cedars-Sinai offered spring and summer cohorts, and Keck's window ran June 1 to 8. Providence listed a December 14 deadline. Schedules and eligibility can differ by hospital, so confirm current dates with each system.
Degree Preferences Matter
UCLA Health's 12-month residency asks for a BSN or MSN. Children's Hospital Los Angeles accepts an ADN but prefers a BSN or MSN, and ADN residents in certain units must enroll in a BSN program within two years. If you start with an associate degree, plan on bridging later.
School choice and hiring connect mainly through clinical placements, so ask any program which hospitals host its students. I could not confirm formal hospital-school partnerships for these systems, so verify affiliations directly. UCLA does offer a prelicensure nursing BS, but it asks for a minimum 3.5 transferable GPA and 60 to 70 semester units of prerequisites.
Commuting Across the Region
Employers and clinical sites are spread out. Hospitals stretch from Long Beach and Torrance to Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley, and the schools here include campuses in each of those areas. Pick a program whose placements fit your drive, because clinical rotations often start early in the morning or run on evenings and weekends.
Registered Nurse Pay in the Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles-area hospitals pay registered nurses well above the national norm, which helps offset the region's higher cost of living and tuition.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Los Angeles, CA
If you already hold a registered nurse license, you do not need a pre-licensure program. The options below are bachelor's completion tracks built for working nurses, most of them part time or asynchronous. For the broader picture, registerednursing.org maintains separate California pages for RN to BSN, MSN and nurse practitioner programs.
- RN to B.S. in Nursing
- RN-BSN Completion
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) Completion Program
- B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- RN to BSN
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- RN-BSN
- RN to BSN Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- RN-BSN Track
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Los Angeles, CA
If you already hold a BSN and a California RN license, the next step is usually a graduate program that prepares you for an advanced practice role. The Los Angeles area options below lead to the MSN or the DNP, and many combine online coursework with campus visits so working nurses can keep their schedules. Confirm each program's accreditation and clinical hour requirements before you apply.
- Nursing, M.S. (Nursing Education)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty, M.S.N.
- Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontological Primary Care)
- Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care)
- Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Life Span)
- Nursing and Health Systems Executive Management
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty
- Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Adult Gerontology Primary Care)
- Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Psychiatric-Mental Health Across the Life Span)
- Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Adult Gerontology Acute Care)
- Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Family Practice)
- Nursing Practice, DNP (Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
- MSN Nurse Educator
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Administrator
- Doctor of Nursing Practice--Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Occupational and Environmental Health)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Occupational and Environmental Health)
- Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing – Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing (Post-BS to DNP) (Adult Gerontology Acute Care)
- M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nursing - Post-BS to DNP
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Educator
- Leadership & Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Population Health Administration and Health Systems Leadership)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree (Nursing Education)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree (Nursing Administration, Leadership & Management)
- Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
- MSN Nurse Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
- M.S. Nursing (Nursing Education)
- Master of Science in Nursing Program
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Los Angeles, CA
32 schools within 20 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Carson, CA
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Bachelor's - Nursing, Bachelor of Science
- CCNE accredited
- 120 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Fully online delivery
- Designed for registered nurses
- 9 required nursing courses
Online · Website
Compton, CA
Compton College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Prepares entry-level registered nurses
- Concept-based approach to learning
- Critical thinking in clinical settings
On-Campus · Website
Glendale, CA
Glendale Career College
Associate - Associate's Degree in Nursing
- Financial aid available
- Small class sizes
- Externship opportunities
- Offsite clinical training
- Job placement assistance for graduates
- Accredited by ABHES
- Serving Glendale and Los Angeles 75+ years
- Established in 1946
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Builds on Registered Nurse training
- Critical thinking and leadership training
- Public health coursework
- Health assessment techniques
- Nursing research methodology
- Pathophysiology coursework
- Disaster management topic
- Biostatistics and cultural diversity topics
On-Campus · Website
Glendale Community College
Associate - ADN nursing program
- ACEN accredited
- Apply by 2027-03-15
- Starts fall/spring/summer/winter
- Prepares for RN licensure
- Associate of Science degree awarded
- Clinical training in real healthcare settings
- Part of Health, Wellness & Public Safety pathway
- Located in Glendale, California
On-Campus · Website
La Mirada, CA
Biola University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 4.5 years program
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Ranked #11 nursing program in California
- Clinical partnerships with LA and OC hospitals
- Global health experience opportunities
On-Campus · Website
Long Beach, CA
California State University-Long Beach
Bachelor's - Nursing - Basic, B.S.N.
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- 5-Semester program
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.3 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Three applicant categories accepted
On-Campus · Website
Long Beach City College
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Eligibility for NCLEX-RN
- Four-semester nursing coursework
- Immediate employment in acute care hospitals
- Transfer to BSN or MSN programs
- Required information sessions
On-Campus · Website
Los Angeles, CA
American Career College-Los Angeles
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
- California Board of Registered Nursing accredited
- 20-Month program
- 800 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Modern simulation labs
- Personalized 1:1 support
Hybrid · Website
Angeles College
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 3-Year program
- Clinical rotations in Southern California
- On-campus skill labs
- Faculty mentorship
- Patient-centered care focus
- Located in Glendale
Hybrid · Website
California State University-Los Angeles
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- $39,615 total program tuition
- $695 per credit
- 15-Month program
- 57 total credit hours
- Apply by 2026-01-06
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts summer
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Program
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 3-Year program
- Apply by 2027-01-15
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts fall
- 3.3 GPA minimum
On-Campus · Website
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 2 concentration options
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Small class sizes
- Clinical placements at top hospitals
- Two educational pathways available
- Community-based experiential education
On-Campus · Website
Los Angeles City College
Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN)
- Prepares for RN licensure
- Clinical reasoning focus
- Simple-to-complex clinical training
- Diverse clinical environments
- Student-centered learning environment
- Emphasizes collaboration and safety
- Prepares entry-level nurses
- Located in Science & Technology Building
On-Campus · Website
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program
- ACEN accredited
- 2 concentration options
- Full-time enrollment
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- No applicant waiting list
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - Associate of Science degree in Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 3 concentration options
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Clinicals at LA County hospitals
- Advanced placement for LVNs
- Basic Registered Nursing track
Concentration: Advanced Placement for Licensed Vocational Nurses Option II Non-Graduate, 30 unit option · On-Campus · Website
Los Angeles Southwest College
Associate - Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 4-Semester program
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
On-Campus · Website
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Associate - Registered Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 4-Semester program
- Complete in four semesters
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
On-Campus · Website
Mount Saint Mary's University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Clinical rotations start sophomore year
- Clinical groups capped at 12 students
- Curriculum rooted in Roy Adaptation Model
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN licensure exam
- Training in cutting-edge simulation labs
- Clinical placements in LA hospitals
On-Campus · Website
Smith Chason College
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
- California Board of Registered Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 24-Month program
- 768 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
Hybrid · Website
University of California-Los Angeles
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- 180 total credit hours
- 1 start dates per year
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Accepts freshman and limited transfer students
On-Campus · Website
Monterey Park, CA
East Los Angeles College
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
- California Board of Registered Nursing accredited
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Approved by California BRN
- NCLEX-RN exam preparation
- 60 students enrolled per year
- ELAC Nursing alumni faculty
- Community clinical partnerships
- Information sessions available
On-Campus · Website
Norwalk, CA
Cerritos College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- Generic pathway for new nursing students
- ADN option for military medics
- LVN to RN associate degree pathway
- 30-unit non-degree LVN option
- Transfer and challenge admission option
- BRN referral for out-of-state nurses
- Application cycle opens January 2027
On-Campus · Website
Pasadena, CA
Integrity College of Health
Bachelor's - RN-BSN Bachelor of Science Program
- NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) accredited
- 46-Week program
- 120 total credit hours
- 180 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Blended and fully online options
- Designed for working registered nurses
Online or On-Campus · Website
Pasadena City College
Associate - Registered Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Four semesters completion
- Eligible for NCLEX-RN
- Approved by California BRN
- Candidate for ACEN accreditation
- Top 10 occupation growth
On-Campus · Website
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- 100% licensure pass rate
- 100% job placement rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Approved by California BRN
- Accredited by ACEN until Fall 2030
- On-ground science lab required
On-Campus · Website
Sherman Oaks, CA
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles
Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
- Offered through School of Nursing
- Sherman Oaks, CA campus
- Practical Nurse (PN) certificate also offered
- Careers in clinics, hospitals, residential care
- AASN listed as Associate in Nursing option
Hybrid · Website
Signal Hill, CA
American University of Health Sciences
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- $112,455 total program tuition
- $595 per credit
- 39-Month program
- 189 total credit hours
- 2.5 GPA minimum
On-Campus · Website
Torrance, CA
El Camino Community College District
Associate - Advanced Placement Program (LVN-RN)
- ACEN accredited
- $8,000 total program tuition
- 2-Year program
- 91% licensure pass rate
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
Concentration: LVN-RN · On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - Associate Degree Nursing Program
- ACEN accredited
- $8,000 total program tuition
- 2-Year program
- Complete in two-year (four-semester) program
- 91% licensure pass rate
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - Nursing Associate of Science (AS) Degree
- ACEN accredited
- $8,000 total program tuition
- 2-Year program
- 94% licensure pass rate
- $99,000 median earnings
- $99,154 average salary for a registered nurse
- Financial aid available
- Prepares for RN licensure exam
On-Campus · Website
Homestead Schools
Bachelor's - RN to BSN Completion Program
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Semester program
- 120 total credit hours
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Financial aid available
- ABHES accredited
- Transfer up to 72 credits
- Face-to-face track in Torrance
Hybrid · Website
Valley Glen, CA
Los Angeles Valley College
Associate - Associate Degree: Registered Nurse
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- Apply by 2026-09-30
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX
On-Campus · Website
West Covina, CA
North-West College-West Covina
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
- ABHES, California Board of Registered Nursing accredited
- 24-Month program
- All-inclusive year-round program, consisting of six 16-week semesters over the course of 24 months
- 58 total credit hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Approved by California BRN
- Classroom, lab, and clinical instruction
- Available at West Covina campus
On-Campus · Website
Whittier, CA
Rio Hondo College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
- ACEN accredited
- 4 concentration options
- 5-Semester program
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Prepares students for NCLEX/RN exam
- Approved by California Board of Registered Nursing
- Military personnel and veterans pathways
- Multiple entry points for this degree
On-Campus · Website
Wilmington, CA
Los Angeles Harbor College
Associate - Associate in Science in Nursing, Professional (R.N.)
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 4-Semester program
- Apply by 2027-02-19
- Starts fall
- Prerequisite courses required
- Ranked #3 ADN program in California
On-Campus · Website
Woodland Hills, CA
Los Angeles Pierce College
Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN)
- ACEN accredited
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Requires Speech, Math, Anthropology/Sociology for RN licensure
- ADN-BSN Collaborative option available
- Detailed info in catalog pages 128-129
On-Campus · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).