Best 26 Nurse Practitioner Programs in California in 2024

California State University, Fullerton takes the top spot on our list because of its affordable tuition and high-quality nursing practitioner program. CSUF offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to aspiring nurse practitioners. BSN and MSN degrees are also available.

California State University, Los Angeles is well-known for its graduate nursing programs. Various Nurse Practitioner tracks are offered at the MSN level. MSN tracks are also offered in CNS specialties.

California State University, Dominguez Hills is a Hispanic-serving institution in Carson. It offers an MSN degree with several different specializations, including Family Nurse Practitioner. The other tracks include Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult-Gerontology, Neonatal, or Pediatric), Educator, and Administrator.

San Francisco State University offers a top-notch nurse practitioner program at an affordable price. Its nursing practitioner program is a Family Nurse Practitioner track within the MSN program. The MSN program also offers tracks in CNS, Administration, and Public Health. In addition to the master’s FNP track, they have a post-master’s FNP program for nurses with a master’s degree seeking an FNP certificate.

California State University, Long Beach is well-known for its nurse practitioner program. As with many programs, nurse practitioner degrees are offered as specializations within the MSN program. These specializations include Adult-Geriatric, Family, Pediatric, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and Women’s Health.

California State University, Stanislaus is one of the lesser-known campuses in the CSU system, but it still offers a top-notch nurse practitioner program. The MSN program at the school offers a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. There is also a general MSN available.

California State University, Fresno is one of the leading nursing schools in central California. It offers two nurse practitioner programs. The MSN offers a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialization, while a DNP program is available at the doctoral level.

California State University, Bakersfield is a public university with a world-class nurse practitioner program. Its MSN degree offers a Family Nurse Practitioner focus. BSN and RN-to-BSN programs are also available.

San Jose State University offers one of the top nurse practitioner programs in Northern California. It actually offers two nurse practitioner programs, one at the master’s level and one at the doctoral level. The MSN degree has a Family Nurse Practitioner track, while the DNP is available at the doctoral level.

Sonoma State University offers another top nurse practitioner program in Northern California. They offer both an MSN/FNP as well as a Post MSN Certificate Program. The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate is a post-MSN program.

The University of California, Los Angeles, better known as UCLA, offers a leading nurse practitioner program. Its MSN program offers several nurse practitioner specializations. CSN specializations are also offered.

Brandman University is the first private university on our list. It offers a well-respected nurse practitioner program at an affordable price. The specializations available include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family Health, Pediatric Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and Psychiatric/Mental Health.

The University of California, Irvine is one of the most prestigious public institutions in the region. Its nurse practitioner program is offered at the doctoral level. The DNP program offers a Family Nurse Practitioner track.

The University of California, Davis is a public institution with a solid nurse practitioner program. Its MSN offers a Family Nurse Practitioner track. Students in this track can also study to be physician’s assistants at the same time.

Charles R. Drew University is a historically black institution that focuses on health sciences programs. Its MSN program offers a Family Nurse Practitioner track. An entry-level MSN is also available.

National University offers a wide range of graduate nursing programs. It offers a traditional MSN and a Nurse Anesthesia MSN. The Family Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate is available online.

West Coast University offers a top nurse practitioner program in Los Angeles. As with some other schools on this list, its Family Nurse Practitioner program is a post-graduate certificate. It is not integrated into the MSN degree.

Loma Linda University is well-known for its world-class medical school, but it also has a strong nurse practitioner program. Its nurse practitioner program is offered at the doctoral level. Loma Linda also offers a Ph.D. in addition to its DNP degree.

Fresno Pacific University offers nursing degrees at several different levels. It offers an MSN and an MSN-to-FNP pathway. FNP students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through practicums.

California Baptist University is one of the top California-based private institutions for nursing. It is a Christian university, but students of all faiths can attend. It offers BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees.

Samuel Merritt University offers a unique and innovative nurse practitioner program. Several specializations are offered within the MSN degree, including Family Nurse Practitioner. Specializations are also offered in Case Manager and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Azusa Pacific University has an advanced nurse practitioner program. Four nurse practitioner specializations are offered at the MSN level. APU also offers a DNP degree.

The Western University of the Health Sciences offers one of the leading nurse practitioner programs in the area. It offers a unique online FNP program. A DNP program is also offered.

The University of San Diego is one of the most prestigious private universities in Southern California. It offers a DNP program with two entry points. Students can enter after their BSN degree or after their MSN degree.

The University of San Francisco is a leading private university in Northern California. It offers a unique DNP program. This program was designed to be completed by nurses who are working full-time

Touro University California has an excellent nurse practitioner program. Its nurse practitioner degree is a DNP rather than an MSN. Graduates of the DNP program are eligible to take the FNP licensure exam.