Online RN to BSN Programs in California

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in California

1. California State University – Fullerton

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.88%

CSUF’s Online RN to BSN is our top pick for California RNs. It’s affordable, fast, and flexible—you can choose an online or campus version. The School of Nursing receives “thumbs up” reviews from graduate alumni and it’s affiliated with a number of clinical partners. In the Online RN to BSN, the vast majority of coursework is virtual. However, there are in-person clinical labs for Health Assessment and Population Health Nursing. These labs are offered in partner facilities in a number of CA counties (e.g. Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino). If you’re currently enrolled in a California ADN program, you should consider CSUF’s Jump Start.

2. California State University – Sacramento

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.85%

Sac State’s Online RN to BSN is a great choice for local area RNs—it’s fast, cheap, and studded with quality markers. The School of Nursing earns positive reviews from graduate alumni. NCLEX pass rates are consistently strong. And BSN graduates are eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certificate if they successfully complete the Community Health clinical course. This program is technically hybrid, since RN to BSN coursework at Sac State is ~75% online and ~25% on-campus.

3. California State University – Chico

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 5 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 90.53%

Chico State’s Online RN-BSN joins the pantheon of CSU schools in our California rankings. The School of Nursing has strong connections to Northern California hospitals and a special interest in rural nursing—check out its 4-week Rural California Nursing Preceptorship (RCNP) Program. Better yet, BSN graduates achieve excellent median earnings (e.g. $108,000+). Chico State’s curriculum contains 2 GE requirements that cover religion and LGBTQ issues and 2 courses in Public/Community Health that will prepare you for California Public Health Certification.

4. California State University – East Bay

• Program: Post-Licensure Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: 
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 85.71%

Although most classes in CSUEB’s Post-Licensure Online RN-BSN are 100% online, the course in Community Health Practice will require in-person attendance. In return, BSN graduates are eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate. If this sounds feasible, you’ll be choosing a program from a CCNE-accredited Department of Nursing that offers a number of scholarships to BSN students and has a sturdy commitment to DEI initiatives. Are you a nursing student in a local community college? CSUEB has also developed a special Post-Licensure Collaborative (ADN-BSN) program.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in California

The most affordable RN to BSN programs in California come from CSU schools—total tuition prices can fall under $9,000 for full-time study. But many CSU programs are designed for (or limited to) California RNs. If you’re from out-of-state, you should expand your search. Keep in mind, too, that CSU campuses have their own cost structure. All students pay a per-semester, system-wide tuition fee + mandatory campus fees.

1. California State University – Sacramento

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.85%

If you live in the Sacramento area, the total cost of Sac State’s Online RN to BSN is very affordable! Courses in this program are blended – approximately 75% online and 25% face-to-face. On a full-time schedule, you can complete the degree in 2 semesters; part-time study will take 3+ semesters. In addition, graduates are eligible to apply for a California Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certificate if they successfully complete the Community Health clinical course.

2. California State University – Fresno

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 89.39%

Tuition rates for Fresno State’s Online RN to BSN are highly reasonable! Just be sure you’re able to visit the campus for the 90-hour clinical course in Community Health Nursing. It’s a cohort-based program, which means you’ll take 2-3 courses on a fixed schedule for 3 semesters. This BSN culminates in a Community Service Project.

3. California State University – Fullerton

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.88%

CSUF’s Online RN to BSN is not only an excellent program, it’s a fast & affordable one! In-state tuition is not much more than Fresno State. Almost all of the coursework at CSUF is online, with the exception of in-person clinical labs for Health Assessment and Population Health Nursing. These labs are offered in partner facilities in a number of CA counties (e.g. Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino).

Honorary Affordable Mentions for Out-of-State Students

A number of CSU programs can be pricey—or simply unavailable—for out-of-state residents. So you may wish to take a look at the following alternatives. These CCNE-accredited RN to BSN programs in California tend to fall under $12,000 for the total tuition price.

1. United States University: Online RN to BSN—Monthly payment plan available
2. California Southern University: Online RN to BSN
3. California State University – San Marcos: Online RN to BSN—See the State Authorizations section for approved states

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in California

To make it onto this “Fast” list, California RN to BSN programs had to clock under 3 semesters on a full-time schedule; we excluded any options that were 1 year/3 semesters or over. You’ll notice that these speedy & affordable CSU schools also appear our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. ADN students at California Community Colleges should also check out the section on CSU ADN-BSN Nursing Pathways.

1. California State University – Sacramento

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.85%

Sac State’s Online RN to BSN can be completed in 2 semesters. In this full-time scenario, you would take 15 course units in the first semester, including a 90-hour practicum for Community Health Nursing, and 15 course units in the second semester. Part-time options are also available. Core RN to BSN nursing coursework equals 27 units, but you must complete at least 30 units at Sac State in order to graduate. Students usually add an upper level General Education course to meet this requirement.

2. California State University – Fullerton

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.88%

If you put the pedal to the metal, CSUF’s Online RN to BSN will only take 8 months on a full-time schedule. Coursework will be spread over two 16-week semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall). Part-time schedules are also available. The majority of coursework is online, but there are in-person clinical labs for Health Assessment and Population Health Nursing. These labs are offered in partner facilities in certain CA counties (e.g. Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino).

3. Vanguard University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.00%

Vanguard’s speedy Online RN to BSN is not as affordable as CSU options, but it’s offered in a 100% online or hybrid format. If you’re able to commit to an accelerated plan of study (e.g. up to 4 courses per semester), you can finish in 10 months. A part-time plan might take ~2 years/5 semesters. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certificate.

RN to BSN Scholarships in California

RN to BSN Requirements in California

RN Licensure: RN to BSN offerings in California are classified as post-licensure programs, so you won’t have many dealings with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). But feel free to use the BRN’s table of NCLEX-RN Pass Rates to do a quality check on universities!

State Authorization: Interested in applying to an Online RN to BSN in California? Examine the sections on a) admissions requirements; and b) state authorizations.

• Many CA universities—both public (e.g. California State University schools) and private (e.g. Point Loma Nazarene University) expect Online RN to BSN students to hold a California RN license.
• Even if a California Online RN to BSN program accepts out-of-state RNs, there may be a number of state exclusions. For instance, CSUSM’s online programs are only offered in certain states. Double-check your eligibility with the RN to BSN program coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Accreditations Should I Consider for California RN to BSN Programs?

You’re looking for 2 major accreditations:

• California universities should have regional accreditation (e.g. WASC).
• Schools of Nursing should have CCNE or ACEN accreditation.

RN to BSN programs are post-licensure degrees, but you can also check the California Board of Nursing (BRN)’s list of approved Pre-Licensure RN Programs to ensure that the school’s traditional, 4-year BSN program is a good one.

Do California Universities Offer 100% Online RN to BSN Programs?

Yes. Plenty of private universities in California (e.g. APU, CBU, etc.) offer 100% online RN to BSN programs to in-state and out-of-state RNs. Any clinical rotation hours can be completed in your home community at an appropriate agency (e.g. community/public health site).

Interested in more affordable public options? Keep in mind that a number of RN to BSN programs at California State University (CSU) schools are hybrid. Other CSU options may have occasional campus elements (e.g. in-person weekend visits for health assessment labs). Take a careful look at the program page before you apply.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in California?

If there are, we had trouble finding them! The options listed in our directory of RN to MSN Programs in California tend to be accelerated degrees that bypass the bachelor’s degree. You’ll take all the coursework that’s required to earn an MSN, but you won’t be able to list a BSN on your résumé.

If you need to have a BSN for employment reasons, have a look at our national directory of RN to BSN to MSN Programs. You’ll find online programs offered by universities across the country.

Are There Any “No Clinicals Required” RN to BSN Programs in California?

Because of CCNE regulations regarding BSN programs, clinical practicums are usually a mandatory part of RN to BSN coursework (e.g. Community Health). But that doesn’t mean that you will have to travel far. Most Online RN to BSN programs in California will allow you to complete practicum hours in your local area.

Ask the RN to BSN program coordinator about the logistics of this process. Does the university need to have a clinical affiliation agreement with your local agency? Who is in charge of finding preceptors? Can you complete clinical hours at your current place of employment?

Is Statistics Required for Applying to RN to BSN Programs in California?

It depends. Statistics is a standard prerequisite for RN to BSN programs in California State University (CSU) schools. You’ll almost always see it highlighted in the admissions requirements.

Private universities in California may be a little more flexible. For instance, APU doesn’t list statistics in its section on RN to BSN Admission Requirements. As always, we recommend you double-check with the RN to BSN program coordinator.