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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills offers the state's most affordable nursing education at just $3,659 net annually, while graduates from CSU East Bay command the highest salaries at $113,585. This $30,064 salary gap between programs highlights how location and specialization shape earning potential in California's massive healthcare sector. The state employs over 320,000 registered nurses across its sprawling health systems, from Kaiser Permanente's integrated care model to UCLA Health's research hospitals. Most affordable programs cluster in the Cal State system, where public funding keeps costs manageable despite California's notoriously high living expenses. Net costs range from $3,659 to $14,317 across the top programs, with several schools offering sub-$6,000 education when financial aid applies. Graduation rates vary significantly, from CSU Dominguez Hills' 46.9% to UC Irvine's 86%, reflecting different student populations and academic rigor. California's nursing shortage creates strong job security, particularly for graduates pursuing specialized roles in nursing administration or clinical research at the state's biotech companies and academic medical centers.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $39,495
Net Price Range
$90,902
Avg. Program Earnings
60.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
15 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
16 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
17 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
18 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
19 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
20 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
21 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
22 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
23 $15,845 93.8%
24 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
25 $16,598 $6,920 50.0%
26 $18,132 60.0%
27 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
28 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
29 $20,170 $11,976 32.5%
30 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
31 $21,557 $6,600
32 $21,941 75.9% 33.3%
33 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
34 $25,114 77.2% 10.1%
35 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
36 $25,719 71.7%
37 $25,805 97.1%
38 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
39 $27,721 63.2% 40.0%
40 $27,789 $18,933 50.0% 80.5%
41 $27,923 $38,522 41.7%
42 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
43 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
44 $28,292 76.9%
45 $29,092 33.9%
46 $30,558 69.8%
47 $31,058 $13,320 50.0%
48 $31,601 $12,520
49 $36,836 $22,685 64.3%
50 $39,495 $58,222 71.1% 71.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU East Bay graduates earn $113,585 compared to other affordable programs?

CSU East Bay nursing graduates earn the highest salaries among affordable California programs, averaging $113,585 annually. The school's proximity to Silicon Valley healthcare systems and biotech companies creates opportunities in high-paying specialized roles. Despite a moderate 45.5% graduation rate, graduates benefit from the Bay Area's competitive nursing market. The program's $11,276 net cost delivers strong return on investment given these salary outcomes.

How do California's public nursing programs compare to private options for affordability?

All top affordable nursing programs in California are public institutions, primarily within the Cal State system. These schools offer net costs between $3,659 and $14,317, significantly lower than private alternatives. Public funding and Cal Grant eligibility help keep expenses manageable. The UC system appears only once in affordable rankings, with UC Irvine at $12,840 net cost but offering an 86% graduation rate.

Does location within California significantly impact nursing program costs?

Geographic location creates notable cost differences even within public systems. Bay Area programs like CSU East Bay and San Francisco State show higher net costs at $11,276 and $12,882 respectively. Southern California options like CSU Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA offer the lowest costs under $4,200. However, higher Bay Area costs often correlate with superior salary outcomes for graduates.

What graduation rates can students expect from California's most affordable nursing programs?

Graduation rates among affordable California nursing programs range from 45.5% to 86%, with significant variation across institutions. CSU Long Beach and CSU Fullerton achieve nearly 70% graduation rates despite affordable pricing. UC Irvine leads at 86% but requires strong academic credentials with only 21.15% acceptance. Most Cal State nursing programs maintain graduation rates between 50-60%, reflecting reasonable completion expectations for working students.

Where do California nursing graduates find the best employment opportunities?

California nursing graduates benefit from the nation's largest healthcare employment market, with over 320,000 registered nurses statewide. Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and UCSF represent major employers seeking nursing administration and clinical research specialists. Silicon Valley biotech companies increasingly hire nurses for clinical trials and regulatory roles. Average salaries range from $80,521 to $113,585, with Bay Area and Los Angeles commanding premium compensation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.