2024 Rankings: The Best Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in California

For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.

We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the California Board of Registered Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of California’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.

  1. #1: Sonoma State University
    98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1801 East Cotati Avenue
    Rohnert Park, California 94928
    https://www.sonoma.edu

    98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 23 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  2. #2: California State University, Sacramento
    97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    6000 J Street
    Sacramento, California 95819
    https://www.csus.edu

    97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 146 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  3. #3: California State University, Stanislaus
    97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One University Circle
    Turlock, California 95382
    https://www.csustan.edu

    97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 75 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  4. #4: California State University, Long Beach
    96.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1250 Bellflower Boulevard
    Long Beach, California 90840
    https://www.csulb.edu

    96.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 147 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  5. #5: California State University, Channel Islands
    96.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One University Drive
    Camarillo, California 93012
    https://www.csuci.edu

    96.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 45 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  6. #6: California State University, San Marcos
    96.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
    San Marcos, California 92096
    https://www.csusm.edu

    96.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 172 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  7. #7: Concordia University Irvine
    96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3337 Michelson Drive, Suite 650
    Irvine, California 92612
    https://www.cui.edu

    96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 75 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  8. #8: Chamberlain University - Sacramento
    96.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    10971 Sun Center Drive
    Rancho Cordova, California 95670
    https://www.chamberlain.edu

    96.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 83 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2018-19 through 2020-21

  9. #9: California State University, Chico
    95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    400 West First Street
    Chico, California 95929
    https://www.csuchico.edu

    95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 76 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  10. #10: California State University, Bakersfield
    95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    9001 Stockdale Highway
    Bakersfield, California 93311
    https://www.csub.edu

    95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 54 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  11. #11: California State University, Los Angeles
    94.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    5151 State University Drive
    Los Angeles, California 90032
    https://www.calstatela.edu

    94.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 81 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  12. #12: Simpson University
    94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2211 College View Drive
    Redding, California 96003
    https://www.simpsonu.edu

    94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 28 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2012-13 through 2020-21

  13. #13: San Diego State University
    93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    5500 Campanile Drive
    San Diego, California 92182
    https://www.sdsu.edu

    93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 139 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  14. #14: California State University, Northridge
    92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    18111 Nordhoff Street
    Northridge, California 91330
    https://www.csun.edu

    92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 37 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  15. #15: California State University, Fullerton
    92.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    800 North State College Boulevard
    Fullerton, California 92831
    https://www.fullerton.edu

    92.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 53 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  16. #16: National University
    91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    16875 West Bernardo Drive, Suite 150
    San Diego, California 92127
    https://www.nu.edu

    91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 256 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  17. #17: San Jose State University
    90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One Washington Square
    San Jose, California 95192
    https://www.sjsu.edu

    90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 120 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  18. #18: California State University, East Bay
    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
    Hayward, California 94542
    https://www.csueastbay.edu

    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 107 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  19. #19: Loma Linda University
    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    11262 Campus Street
    Loma Linda, California 92350
    https://home.llu.edu

    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 130 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  20. #20: Samuel Merritt University
    89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3100 Telegraph Avenue
    Oakland, California 94609
    https://www.samuelmerritt.edu

    89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 383 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  21. #21: California State University, Fresno
    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2345 East San Ramon Avenue
    Fresno, California 93740
    https://www.csufresno.edu

    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 119 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  22. #22: California State University, San Bernardino
    88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    5500 University Parkway
    San Bernardino, California 92407
    https://www.csusb.edu

    88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 112 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  23. #23: University of San Francisco
    87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2130 Fulton Street
    San Francisco, California 94117
    https://www.usfca.edu

    87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 187 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  24. #24: University of California, Irvine
    87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    802 West Peltason Drive
    Irvine, California 92697
    https://www.uci.edu

    87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 48 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  25. #25: West Coast University
    87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    12215 Victory Boulevard
    North Hollywood, California 91606
    https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu

    87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 1181 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  26. #26: University of California, Los Angeles
    86.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    700 Tiverton Avenue
    Los Angeles, California 90095
    https://www.ucla.edu

    86.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 50 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  27. #27: Biola University
    86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    13800 Biola Avenue
    La Mirada, California 90639
    https://www.biola.edu

    86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 40 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  28. #28: Point Loma Nazarene University
    86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3900 Lomaland Drive
    San Diego, California 92106
    https://www.pointloma.edu

    86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 64 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  29. #29: California Baptist University
    85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    8432 Magnolia Avenue
    Riverside, California 92504
    https://www.calbaptist.edu

    85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 121 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  30. #30: San Francisco State University
    83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1600 Holloway Avenue
    San Francisco, California 94132
    https://www.sfsu.edu

    83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 107 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  31. #31: Azusa Pacific University
    83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    901 East Alosta Avenue
    Azusa, California 91702
    https://www.apu.edu

    83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 317 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  32. #32: American University of Health Sciences
    83.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1600 East Hill Street, Building One
    Signal Hill, California 90755
    https://www.auhs.edu

    83.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 55 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  33. #33: Dominican University of California
    80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    50 Acacia Avenue
    San Rafael, California 94901
    https://www.dominican.edu

    80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 98 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  34. #34: Mount Saint Mary's University
    79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    12001 Chalon Road
    Los Angeles, California 90049
    https://www.msmu.edu

    79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 143 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  35. #35: Holy Names University
    65.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3500 Mountain Boulevard
    Oakland, California 94619
    https://www.hnu.edu

    65.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 21 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2012-13 through 2020-21