Are you looking for the best BSN Programs in San Diego?
We’ve listed the 4 top BSN programs in San Diego 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 4 Best BSN Programs in San Diego
1. San Diego State University- BSN
Location: San Diego, California
Cal State LA offers 4 BSN paths:
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Direct Entry BSN: For first-time freshmen students. You complete prerequisites in the first year and start core nursing courses in your second year.
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Transfer BSN: For students with 60+ semester units or those with a non-nursing U.S.- accredited bachelor’s degree. It’s a 3-year program that starts in the fall.
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RN to BSN: Mainly online and takes about 12-15 months. You can start either in August (fall) or January (spring).
SDSU School of Nursing partners with over 100 community organizations in San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties. These partnerships with hospitals, clinics, schools, and healthcare agencies enrich student learning with hands-on clinical experiences.
SDSU NCLEX Pass Rate
SDSU BSN program recorded a 94.44% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
SDSU BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at SDSU typically have around $17,375 in federal student loans- which makes it the most affordable of all the best BSN programs in San Diego.
Salary Data for SDSU BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for SDSU BSN graduates range between $86,450 and $96,266.
About SDSU
San Diego State University (SDSU) was founded in 1897. It is a public research university in San Diego, California, and the third-oldest university in the California State University system.
The School of Nursing at SDSU began with the BSN program in 1953. The mission of SDSU’s School of Nursing is to teach and inspire nursing students to promote equitable healthcare and well-being in communities, not just in California, but beyond.
2. Cal State San Marcos- BSN
Location: San Marcos, California (Approximately 30 miles from San Diego)
CSUSM offers 4 nursing paths:
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Traditional BSN: For first-time freshmen or transfers without nursing experience. It’s 4 years for the new students and 3 years for transfers. The program starts in the fall.
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Accelerated BSN: For those with a non-nursing degree and no LVN or RN experience. It’s 24 months long, with admissions in both fall and spring at the San Marcos campus.
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Online RN to BSN: A 16-month online program for nurses with an associate’s degree.
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LVN to BSN: For those with a California LVN license. It takes 3 years and begins in the fall.
You’ll get clinical experience with rotations at various medical centers in San Diego and Riverside Counties, in facilities such as Alvarado Hospital, Aurora Behavioral Health, Elizabeth Hospice, Escondido Public Health, among others.
CSUSM NCLEX Pass Rate
The CSUSM BSN program recorded a 95.70% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
CSUSM BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at CSUSM typically have around $24,246 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for CSUSM BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for CSUSM BSN graduates range between $87,520 and $94,706.
About CSUSM
California State University San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos that was founded in 1989. CSUSM is part of the California State University (CSU) system. CSUSM School of Nursing began in 2006 with the BSN program. The SON aims to prepare students comprehensively for the evolving world of nursing.
3. Point Loma Nazarene University- BSN
Location: San Diego, California
PLNU offers 3 BSN program options:
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BSN: For new college students.
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LVN to BSN: For LVNs aiming for a BSN to become RNs.
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RN to BSN: A flexible program in partnership with local community colleges, mixing one night of in-person classes with online sessions for working nurses.
PLNU NCLEX Pass Rate
The PLNU BSN program recorded an 84.57% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
PLNU BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at PLNU typically have around $24,784 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for PLNU BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for PLNU BSN graduates range between $82,640 and $100,394.
About PLNU
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private Christian liberal arts college located on the oceanfront of Point Loma in San Diego, California. Founded in 1902 by the Church of the Nazarene, it provides a dynamic Christian environment for students.
4. National University- BSN
Location: San Diego, California
NU offers 3 BSN paths:
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BSN Program: For new college students.
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BSN - Second Bachelor Degree: A 22-month program for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
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Online RN to BSN: An 11-month program for RNs wanting a BSN degree.
NU NCLEX Pass Rate
The NU BSN program recorded an 86.93% average first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam over the last 4 years.
NU BSN Affordability
According to the College Scorecard, graduating BSN students at NU typically have around $33,928 in federal student loans.
Salary Data for NU BSN Graduates
According to data from the College Scorecard and GradReports, annual median earnings for NU BSN graduates range between $84,650 and $97,661.
About NU
National University is a private university based in San Diego, California. Founded in 1971, it’s the largest private nonprofit university in San Diego.
Why Consider Best BSN Programs in San Diego?
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Impressive NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: With rates ranging from 84% to 95%, graduates are well-prepared for their licensing exams. These high pass rates indicate that these programs provide a strong foundation in nursing education.
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Strong Hospital Partnerships: These programs work closely with top-tier hospitals in San Diego County. This gives you excellent clinical training and opens doors for potential job opportunities after graduation.
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Affordability: These programs offer good value for money. Especially notable is SDSU, where BSN graduates have an average federal student loan debt of only about $17k, making it one of the most affordable quality BSN programs.
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High-Tech Learning: These programs feature high-tech simulation labs. This state-of-the-art training equips you with practical skills in a controlled environment, ensuring you’re ready for real-world scenarios.
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Attractive Earnings Potential: Graduating from these schools can lead to lucrative nursing careers. Salaries for BSN graduates of these top programs range impressively from $86k to $100k annually.