The Best MSN Programs in California 2023
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Editor & Writer
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Nurse practitioners (NPs) in California earn the highest average salary of any state. Learn more about the top nursing schools and MSN programs in California and the factors to consider when choosing the right one.
How to Choose an MSN Program in California
Make sure your program is accredited and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), so California will issue you an NP license. An approved NP program in California includes the required pharmacology course you need to become eligible to prescribe medication under physician supervision.
Once you know the program is accredited, choose a program that fits with your lifestyle and needs. If you need part time, hybrid, or fully online, check with the program directly to see if it offers those formats. If you need financial aid, learn about your financial aid options, find out how to apply, and ask how many students in the program get financial aid.
If you choose a part-time option, understand how that will affect your degree completion timeline. If you choose a fully-online program, find out how you’ll complete your clinicals before you enroll and whether the school offers placement assistance.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Career Outlook for Nurses in California
NPs are in high demand, with 55% projected job growth in California between 2020-2030, according to Projections Central. NPs in California earn the highest median salaries in the country, but they also have to pay for the fourth-highest cost of living.
NP Employment and Salaries
California
Employment: 19,130
Median Annual Wage: $157,160
United States
Employment: 258,230
Median Annual Wage: $121,610
Salaries for Nurses in California
NP salaries in the highest-paying metro areas of California are about $3,500-$41,000 more annually than the state average salary of $151,130, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, all five of these areas combined employ about a fifth of California’s NPs, so you may find more career opportunities in other parts of the state.
| Metropolitan Areas | Employment | Annual Average Wage |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,170 | $199,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 2,680 | $190,070 |
| Napa, CA | 70 | $189,190 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 110 | $180,990 |
| Yuba City, CA | 50 | $161,690 |
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in California
If you want to become an NP in California, getting your MSN in California vs. another state offers a process to licensure that requires less documentation and paperwork. Additionally, getting an MSN in California qualifies NPs to prescribe medication without taking any more coursework.
All NPs who want to become licensed in California must:
- Earn an MSN or doctorate of nursing practice
- Complete an application for California nurse practitioner certification
- Complete a form to verify you completed a nurse practitioner program
- Pay an application fee
- Send your official, unopened MSN transcripts to the California BRN
- Verify, reactivate, or apply for your California RN license
Nurse practitioners in California with an MSN in another state must complete additional steps than NPs educated and licensed in California.
The Best Nursing Schools in California
Find out more about the best nursing schools and NP programs in California and choose the one that’s right for you.
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BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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San Diego State University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
San Diego State University offers two master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees for candidates who wish to pursue advanced nursing careers. Students can pursue studies in advanced practice adult-gerontology or leadership in healthcare systems. Both program options offer flexible, two- and three-year completion plans. Applicants need an active California RN license, at least one year of experience, official transcripts from an accredited BSN program, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $2,082 per semester (part-time), $3,588 per semester (full-time)
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 36-50 depending on the specialty
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.67%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Azusa Pacific University's nationally accredited MSN program helps nurses become FNPs, AGNPs, PNPs, and PMHNPs. The program combines theory, research, professional development, and clinical experience to prepare graduates for practice and to progress to doctoral studies. Other MSN specialties include healthcare administration and leadership, nursing education, clinical nurse specialist, and school nurse. Healthcare administration, nursing education, and doctoral programs have online options. Applicants must submit transcripts, a current RN license, a written statement, a resume, and two recommendations.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $860 per credit
- Program Length: 5 semesters (full-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 45-47
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.16%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA - 4 years
- Campus
California State University - Los Angeles offers MSN degrees in administration and education, clinical nurse practitioner specialties in primary and acute adult-gerontology care, FNP, and PMHNP. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and the equivalent of a BSN from an accredited program. They must submit an admission application to the university and a separate application to the school of nursing, including three references and a personal essay. Applicants to the NP programs must have had a basic physical assessment course in the past five years and a current RN license.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $3,588 per semester
- Program Length: 4-5 semesters (full-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 30-45
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.74%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University - Bakersfield offers an FNP program. Strong preference is given to applicants who have at least three years of full-time acute care nursing experience, reside in the service area, and experience caring for underserved or rural populations. All applicants must have graduated from an accredited BSN program with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must have a current unrestricted RN license in California and have no disciplinary action pending. The admission requirements also include at least two years of full-time employment as an RN and a current BLS certification.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $3,588 per semester
- Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 45
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98.36%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University - Stanislaus offers an FNP program for applicants who have graduated from an accredited BSN program. Applicants with an ADN and a bachelor's degree in another program must first complete a bridge program. All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, a current unrestricted RN license, and successful completion of an undergraduate course in statistics. The application must include a resume and two professional references. Once admitted, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. Any course with a B- or lower will not be used to satisfy the degree requirements.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $7,176 per year
- Program Length: 4 semesters (full-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 36
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.19%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University - Sacramento prepares nurses for roles as nurse educators, administrators, and adult clinical care providers. The curriculum is designed for working nurses who are seeking advanced education in a self-directed study program. The school also offers a master's degree in partnership with the Sacramento State School of Nursing for a school nurse credential. Applicants must have an active and unrestricted California RN license and graduated from an accredited BSN program. They also need a minimum 3.0 GPA, a purpose statement, and two letters of recommendation.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $3,588 per semester
- Program Length: 4 semesters (full-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 33
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.55%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Loma Linda University's MSN program helps prepare nursing leaders through a Christian worldview for clinical practice, administration, and teaching. The program offers concentrations in adult-gerontology, obstetrics, FNP, PNP, nursing administration, nurse educator, and population health. Applicants must have a BSN from an accredited program with a 3.0 GPA, California RN license, three recommendations, and an interview by a faculty member. In addition to these requirements, a student must pass a health clearance and background check.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $915 per credit
- Program Length: 3 years and 9 months (full-time) and 5 years (part-time)
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 59
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.45%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Samuel Merritt University offers an entry-level MSN program in FNP or case management for applicants with a bachelor's or master's in another field. Additionally, they offer MSN programs in case management, clinical leadership, FNP, and nurse anesthetist for applicants with a BSN degree and unrestricted RN license. The FNP program is online. Applicants must complete a college level statistics course, have two letters of reference, and demonstrate an interest in working with underserved populations. Students who have conversational skills in a second language are desired.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $1,560 per credit
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 49
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.45%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of California-San Francisco
San Francisco, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
University of California - San Francisco's MSN program prepares nurses to become nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, nurse-midwives, public health experts, administrators, and educators. The nurse practitioner specialties include adult-gerontology, FNP, neonatal, PNP, and PMHNP. The university requires neonatal, pediatric acute care, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner candidates to have past RN experience. Other programs allow applicants without experience, including pediatric and adult-gerontology primary care, and FNP and PMHNP programs.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $11,700 per year
- Program Length: 2 years, 6 trimesters
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 72
- School Status: Public
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.01%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission
Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, CA - 4 years
- Campus
Western University of Health Sciences has an MSN-entry program for graduates from non-nursing fields and master's programs for FNP, PMHNP, and emergency nurse practitioners. The online FNP program was the first of its kind in 1997. The school offers a rigorous but flexible program for working students and boasts a high first-time pass rate on the FNP certification examination. Applicants must have a BSN from an accredited program, a current, unrestricted RN license, a personal statement, a resume, and two complete reference forms. Tuition costs are the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Program Snapshot
- Cost: $26,000 per year
- Program Length: 2 years, 6 trimesters
- Total Credits Required to Graduate:
- School Status: Private
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.71%
- Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- School Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC)
Everything Else You Need to Know About California MSN Programs
How long does it take to earn an MSN in California?
You will spend 1-2 years in school to earn your master's degree in nursing in California, depending on your program's credits requirements and whether you enroll full or part time.
How much can you earn with an MSN in California?
How much you earn with an MSN in California varies depending on what type of advanced practice registered nurse you became and your specialty. However, nurse practitioners in California, who need at least an MSN, make about $157,000 per year.
Can you skip BSN and go straight to MSN?
Yes, some schools offer RN-to-MSN bridge programs that allow you to enroll with an associate degree in nursing. However, you’ll need to take more credits and spend about a year longer in school to make up for the credits you did not earn from a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in California?
No, California is a restricted practice state for nurse practitioners, which means NPs cannot practice independently in any area of practice. They must follow the standardized procedures that they agreed upon with their supervising physician.
