Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

Learn more about becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) in California. Find the California NP program that is right for you.

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Updated December 17, 2024

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Nurse practitioners (NP) in California earn the highest average salary in the country for their occupation. Interested in pursuing this high-paying and rewarding career? The first step is finding an NP program that is right for you.

Check out our ranking of the top NP programs in California, how to become an NP in the state, and the average salary in California.

Featured Online NP Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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In this Article

The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Los Angeles, CA2 yearCampus

$23,064

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,064

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

32%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

Retention Rate

50%

Students Enrolled

794

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,064

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,064

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Los Angeles, CA2 yearCampus

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,064

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,064

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

32%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

Retention Rate

50%

Students Enrolled

794

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$27,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,920

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

9,688

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,180

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,180

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

66%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,920

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

9,688

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$27,936

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,404

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

53%

Acceptance Rate

11%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,120

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,120

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

8,815

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,936

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,404

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,936

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,404

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment

11%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,120

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,120

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

8,815

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$53,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$53,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

16%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,270

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

2,048

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$53,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,946

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$53,946

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,946

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

16%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$48,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$48,270

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

2,048

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$11,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,802

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

21%

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,834

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$42,611

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

35,936

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,802

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,802

Acceptance Rate

21%

Online Enrollment

81%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,834

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$42,611

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

35,936

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

How to Choose a Nurse Practitioner Program in California

Going back to school to become a nurse practitioner (NP) can be a big decision. There are a few factors to consider to help you feel knowledgeable and prepared.

First, make sure you attend an accredited NP program to meet the licensure requirements. You should also consider whether you want to enroll in an on-campus or online program.

If you choose an online program, check to see if they have any in-person lab requirements. Find out if your program will help you find a preceptor or clinical placement in your area.

Compare the acceptance and graduation rates of each program to determine its difficulty and the percentage of students who drop out before graduation.

Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners in California

The US Department of Laborprojects 12% job growth, or 2,500 job openings, for NPs in California between 2023 and 2025 — much higher than the average 3% job growth for all occupations. These open jobs do not include openings created when NPs leave their positions, change careers, or retire.

California pays NPs the highest average salary in the nation. In 2023, California NPs had an annual median salary of $164,050.

Career Outlook for NPs
Location	Employment	Annual Median Wage
California	21,740	$164,050
United States	280,140	$126,260

Source:BLS

Salaries for Nurse Practitioners in California

The San Jose and San Francisco metro areas offer some of the highest average salaries for NPs in the state, followed by Sacramento and Los Angeles. These areas pay about $35,000-$65,000 more per year than the state average salary for NPs.

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurses in California
Metropolitan Areas	Employment	Annual Average Wage
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	1,000	$ 191,250
Napa	70	$187,640
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward	3,250	$186,730
Vallejo-Fairfield	140	$183,120
Salinas	100	$162,760
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade	1,350	$162,350
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	7,940	$162,340

Source:BLS

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in California

The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) regulates standards for nurse practitioner licensure and practice. California offers a pathway for NPs to achieve full practice authority after they complete 4,600 hours or three years of full-time clinical practice in the state.

Nurse Practitioner Requirements

To become an NP in California, you must:

Earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice degree.
Complete an application.
Pay the $500 application fee.
Ask your NP program to submit your official transcripts and complete a form verifying you completed an NP program.
Verify that you have or are applying for a California RN license.

To prescribe medication as an NP, you must complete an additional application and pay $400 to receive an NP furnishing number.

Everything Else You Need to Know About Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

Nurse practitioner programs in CA can cost $1,570-$2,890 per credit hour. This does not include lab or university fees, books, supplies, or transportation fees. You can lower this cost through financial aid such as grants and scholarships or tuition reimbursement programs through your work.

Explore More College Resources

Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2024

Nurse practitioners save lives and help people while pulling six-figure salaries. If that sounds like a good deal, check out these top online NP programs to begin your nursing career.