Are you looking for the best BSN Programs in Los Angeles?
We’ve listed the 8 top BSN programs in Los Angeles today. We also highlight each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate, affordability, and alumni salary data.
Our rankings consider the average NCLEX pass rates from the last 2 years, affordability as measured by typical federal student debt upon graduation, and reported alumni salaries.
Here’s A List of The 8 Best BSN Programs in Los Angeles
1. Cal State Los Angeles- BSN
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cal State LA offers 4 BSN paths:
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Pre-Licensure BSN: This is a full-time, 3-year program for those without an RN license. It’s tough to get in - only about 4% of the Cal State LA 1800 applicants each year make the cut. You can enter this path as a new Cal State LA student or as a transfer. The program admits in the fall.
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RN to BSN: If you have a California RN license and an associate degree in nursing, this 1-year program is for you. The program admits in the fall. But currently, it is on hold.
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ADN to BSN: Partnering with local community colleges, this path lets ADN students earn a BSN in a year after their ADN. You’ll study at both the community college and Cal State LA.
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Accelerated BSN: Got a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to shift to nursing? This intensive 15-month program lets you earn a BSN. It’s competitive, with only 15% of about 200 Cal State LA applicants getting in. The program admits in the summer (June).
Cal State LA NCLEX Pass Rate
The Cal State LA BSN program recorded a 95.90% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
Cal State LA BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at Cal State LA typically have around $12,500 in federal student loans- which makes it the most affordable of all the best BSN programs in Los Angeles.
Salary Data for Cal State LA BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for Cal State LA BSN graduates range between $91,290 and $103,598.
About Cal State LA
Cal State LA has been around since 1947. It’s part of the California State University (CSU) system. Their nursing school, the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing, is keen on creating top-notch nurses who make a difference in LA and beyond.
2. UCLA- BSN
Location: Los Angeles, California
UCLA offers a traditional 4-year BSN. Getting in is tough! For new students, they get over 3,600 applications but only take 40, that’s just about a 1.1% acceptance rate!
Transfer students have it a bit easier, but still competitive, with only 10 spots for over 200 applicants, at about a 5% acceptance rate.
The program begins in the fall. In your final year, you’ll do a Clinically-based Scholarly Project designed to help patients and their families get better care.
For clinical experiences, you’ll get to train at top-notch sites like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Mattel Children’s Hospital, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to name a few.
UCLA NCLEX Pass Rate
The UCLA BSN program recorded a 92.05% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
UCLA BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at UCLA typically have around $19,420 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for UCLA BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for UCLA BSN graduates range between $89,750 and $105,969.
About UCLA
UCLA is a public land-grant research university, established in 1919. UCLA is considered prestigious and on the level of Ivy League universities. The goal of UCLA School of Nursing goal is to make health and nursing care better in California and beyond.
3. West Coast University- BSN
Location: Los Angeles Campus, California
WCU has 2 BSN options:
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BSN: A 39-month program with 8 semesters and 120 credits. They start new classes about every 10 weeks, so you can join throughout the year. WCU usually has over 1500 students taking the NCLEX-RN in California annually.
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LVN to BSN: This takes 34 months over 7 semesters, also with 120 credits, and has frequent start dates every 10 weeks.
At WCU-LA, you’ll get hands-on training in high-tech labs with manikins that act like real patients. Plus, they’ll help you find clinical spots that match what you want to do in your nursing career.
WCU NCLEX Pass Rate
The WCU BSN program recorded an 87.37% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
WCU-LA BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at WCU typically have around $34,145 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for WCU-LA BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for WCU BSN graduates range between $83,170 and $98,869.
About WCU
West Coast University is a private for-profit university specializing in healthcare degrees. It has multiple campuses, including one in LA. WCU’s nursing program is regularly ranked among the top Nursing Colleges.
4. Mount Saint Mary’s University- BS In Nursing
Location: Los Angeles, California
MSMU offers 3 BSN program pathways:
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BS in Nursing: A 4-year course where you start hands-on clinical training in the second year. Each clinical rotation has only 12 students, giving you more focused learning twice a week.
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Online RN to BSN: If you’re an RN with an associate’s degree, you can get your Bachelor’s in as short as three semesters. You can take most of the program online, with in-person clinical sessions in the last two semesters. This program is perfect for nurses who work since it lets you study while working. They have spots available in both Fall and Spring at the Doheny Campus in LA.
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Accelerated BS in Nursing: For those with a bachelor’s degree in another field, this program lets you finish in just one year over three semesters. After completing it, you can take your nursing licensing exam and even apply for a Public Health nursing certificate.
MSMU NCLEX Pass Rate
The MSMU BSN program recorded an 86.18% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
MSMU BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at MSMU typically have around $25,000 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for MSMU BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for MSMU BSN graduates range between $86,420 and $105,602.
About MSMU
Mount Saint Mary’s is a private Catholic university in LA. It was founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. MSMU is mainly for women.
5. Cal State Northridge- BSN
Location: Northridge, California (About 30 mins drive from LA)
CSUN has 3 BSN pathways:
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Accelerated BSN: Perfect for those who’ve already got a bachelor’s degree in another field. You finish the 58 units of study in 15 months and get ready for the nursing licensing exam.
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RN-BSN Program: This 2-year program is for RNs looking to build professional nursing skills. Classes are a mix of in-person and online and only take up 2 days a week, with classes in Fall and Spring.
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ADN-BSN Collaborative: A partnership between CSUN and certain California community colleges, letting you move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s in nursing in about 3 years.
Completing your BSN here also sets you up to get a Public Health Nurse Certificate. For clinical training, CSUN gets you placements in LA’s healthcare facilities, from big hospitals to local clinics.
CSUN NCLEX Pass Rate
The CSUN ABSN program recorded a 91.16% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 2 years.
CSUN BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at CSUN typically have around $15,041 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for CSUN BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for CSUN BSN graduates range between $90,370 and $110,342.
About CSUN
California State University, Northridge is a public university in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles. It was established in 1958 and is part of the California State University (CSU) system.
CSUN’s BSN degree aims to prepare nursing professionals who can apply old and new knowledge to develop their nursing competencies.
6. Biola University- BS in Nursing
Location: La Mirada, California (Approximately 20 miles from LA)
Biola only has the traditional BSN program that lasts 4.5 years and covers 136.5 credits. Biola is big on biblical learning. So, expect to take 30 credits on biblical and theological studies to really understand the Christian approach to care.
In their modern Lim Center, you simulate real-life nursing scenarios, from ICU to birthing scenes, using high-tech simulators. You’ll also do clinical rotations in hospitals across LA and Orange counties, with a special focus on serving the underserved.
After graduating, you can also apply to become a certified public health nurse.
Biola NCLEX Pass Rate
The Biola BSN program recorded an 86.22% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
Biola BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at Biola typically have around $29,000 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for Biola BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for Biola BSN graduates range between $79,760 and $93,741.
About Biola University
Biola is a private Christian university founded in 1908 and based in La Mirada, located just 20 miles from LA. Biola’s nursing department aims to train skillful nurses who weave Christian care into their work.
7. Azusa Pacific University- BS in Nursing Program
Location: Azusa, California (Approximately 26 miles from LA)
At APU, you’ve got 6 BSN options:
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Nursing Major: For fresh high school grads, available at the Azusa campus.
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B.S. in Nursing Transfer: For those transferring schools, with classes at three regional locations including Monrovia (about 23 miles from LA).
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RN to BSN: Perfect for working RNs looking to climb up the ladder. Offered online and at four spots, including Monrovia (about 23 miles from LA).
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Online RN to BSN for Pasadena City College students: An accelerated online program where you study at both schools, finishing with a BSN from APU six months after getting your ADN.
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Online Bridge to BSN: For ADN students at community colleges aiming to start on BSN early. You take prerequisite courses with APU during the summers while you finish the ADN. Then head to APU for the BSN.
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BS in Nursing LVN to BSN: For licensed vocational nurses looking to advance their nursing career. You can complete this program in two years at three APU regional campuses, including Monrovia (about 23 miles from LA).
APU NCLEX Pass Rate
The APU BSN program recorded an 81.84% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
APU BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at APU typically have around $25,000 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for APU BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for APU BSN graduates range between $90,500 and $106,062.
About APU
Azusa Pacific University is a private, evangelical Christian university founded in 1899. APU nursing school focuses on molding top-notch, compassionate nurses. The school incorporates a Christian worldview into each nursing program.
8. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science- BSN
Location: Los Angeles, California
At CDU, you’ve got one main nursing option, which is the Prelicensure BSN for college transfer students wanting a BSN.
However, there’s an LVN-RN program for LVNs with a degree, interested in taking courses toward the NCLEX-RN exam. For this one though, check with the CDU Nursing School for more on this, as it does not seem to be technically leading to a BSN.
For clinicals, You’ll get hands-on training at top spots like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center.
After completing the BSN, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam and even be eligible to apply for Public Health Nurse certification.
For clinicals, you’ll train at sites like Intermountain Health.
CDU NCLEX Pass Rate
The California Board of Registered Nursing does not show any NCLEX-RN pass rates for the CDU BSN program. However, its entry-level Master’s program recorded an 85.59% average first-time pass rate over the last 4 years.
CDU BSN Affordability
As of the time of publishing this article, federal student loan data for CDU BSN graduates was lacking. But to get a rough idea, the College Scorecard reports that CDU MSN students graduate with around $94,100 in federal student loan debt.
Salary Data for CDU BSN Graduates
As of the time of publishing this article, salary data for CDU BSN graduates was lacking. But to get a rough idea, the College Scorecard report that the annual median salary for CDU MSN graduates is about $127,152.
About CDU
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is in Willowbrook, LA, and has been teaching health sciences since 1966. CDU’s nursing school is keen on high-quality training, research, and caring for underserved communities with respect and compassion.
Why Consider Best BSN Programs in Los Angeles?
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Success Rate: All 8 top BSN programs in LA boast impressive NCLEX-RN pass rates, ranging from 81% to 95%. This means as a student you’ll be well-prepared to become a licensed nurse after graduation.
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Top-tier Clinical Training: These programs have strong clinical partnerships with leading hospitals like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. This gives you valuable hands-on training and might open doors for jobs after graduation.
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Affordability: Graduating without breaking the bank is possible. For instance, Cal State LA BSN graduates end up with just around $12,500 in federal student loan debt.
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High-Tech Learning: These programs offer state-of-the-art simulation labs. This means you can practice nursing skills in a realistic yet controlled environment.
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Earning Potential: After graduating, you can look forward to strong salary prospects. Most of these top LA BSN program graduates earn between $80k to $100k annually.
Data Sources
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American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Directory.
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Universities’ official websites.
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California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) NCLEX-RN Pass Rates.
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GradReports for salary data.
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U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for federal student debt & salary data.
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5 Best Accelerated Nursing Programs in Los Angeles
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