Nursing Programs in Sacramento, CA

Sierra College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is a two-year, full-time pathway to registered nursing, approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by ACEN. With a tight-knit cohort of just 40 students each fall, students receive personalized instruction and hands-on clinical training at multiple healthcare facilities. The curriculum integrates nursing theory with general education, and admission requires prerequisite coursework and a passing score on the TEAS entrance exam. Total tuition is remarkably low at $2,208, making it one of the most affordable options in the Sacramento area. Graduates are fully prepared for the NCLEX-RN, as reflected in recent first-time pass rates of 100% in 2021, 97.4% in 2022, and 100% in 2023. Military benefits are accepted, and support services like admission workshops and TEAS study groups bolster student success.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• $2,208 total program tuition
• 2-Year program
• Apply by 2026-02-28
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Cohort-based structure

Sierra College, in partnership with California State University, Sacramento, offers an innovative ADN-to-BSN Collaborative BSN Merger track, enabling students to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing simultaneously. This cost-efficient, streamlined pathway trims both time and expense compared to traditional sequential degrees while maintaining full preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The integrated curriculum blends ADN coursework with upper-division BSN classes, promoting a seamless leap into advanced nursing practice and future graduate education. Graduates benefit from Sierra's stellar licensure outcomes, including 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in 2021 and 2023, and 97.4% in 2022. The program is military-friendly, features flexible scheduling, and provides clinical rotations across multiple healthcare sites, positioning students for rewarding careers in hospitals, clinics, and beyond.

• Collaborative BSN merger track
• Cost-effective nursing education
• Concurrent ADN and BSN courses
• Partnership with CSU Sacramento
• Career path in healthcare
• Flexible curriculum schedule
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• Potential advanced nursing careers

California State University-Sacramento offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing that blends rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical experiences in adult health, mental health, maternal-child nursing, and community health. Students develop interprofessional leadership, patient advocacy, and strategies to reduce health disparities in underserved populations. Admission is highly competitive, with only 80 seats per semester; applicants must submit strong GPAs, SAT scores, and complete the Casper situational judgment test. The 120-credit curriculum emphasizes cultural competence, critical thinking, and ethical practice. Small clinical cohorts and faculty mentorship help students build professional networks within Sacramento’s healthcare community. Recent NCLEX-RN pass rates are strong: 93.55% (2021), 94.85% (2022), and 97.78% (2023). Graduates are prepared for roles in hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and beyond.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: SAT
• 120 total credit hours
• 3.5 GPA minimum
• Financial aid available
• Up to 80 students admitted per semester
• SAT and Casper tests required
• Background checks and drug screening
• CPR certification required for clinicals
• Health insurance mandatory for students

Sacramento City College offers a two-year, hybrid Associate in Science in Nursing that combines online coursework with in-person clinical experiences. Students rotate through local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community clinics, gaining hands-on exposure to geriatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psych-mental health. The curriculum prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Admission requires completing prerequisite courses with minimum GPAs, a TEAS exam score of at least 62, and a random lottery selection. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. NCLEX first-time pass rates have been strong: 94.03% in 2021, 94.83% in 2022, and 97.78% in 2023. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

• ACEN, California Board of Registered Nursing accredited
• 6 concentration options
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 60 total credit hours
• Apply by 2027-02-28
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available

American River College offers an Associate Degree Nursing program designed to launch entry-level registered nurse careers. The two-year curriculum spans four sequential semesters, blending nursing, biological, and social sciences with hands-on clinical experiences at local health agencies. Clinical rotations are available mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum TEAS score, prerequisite coursework, and at least 70 points for the selection pool. Startup costs total approximately $7,000, covering uniforms, equipment, and malpractice insurance. The program features two start dates per year (spring and fall) and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Recent NCLEX pass rates include 94.23% (2021), 89.47% (2022), and 100% (2023).

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts spring/fall
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Clinical experiences at local health agencies
• Grade of C or better required in each nursing course
• Impacted program with competitive selection

California Northstate University offers a three-year, direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing for high school graduates and transfer students seeking an accelerated path to RN licensure. The 127-credit curriculum integrates rigorous coursework with simulation-based practice and clinical partnerships, enrolling small cohorts of 30 for personalized mentorship. Unique among nursing programs, students learn alongside pre-med, pre-dent, and pre-pharm peers, fostering an interdisciplinary healthcare perspective. With three start dates per year and no waitlist, entry is accessible. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX; however, the university does not publish an official NCLEX pass rate. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 3-Year program
• Complete in Earn your BSN at an Accelerated Pace
• 127 total credit hours
• 3 start dates per year
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Direct entry from high school