Are you looking to research and compare nursing programs in San Diego? We help you find the best nursing schools located in the city of San Diego, the state of California, across the nation, or offered online.
In total the state of California offers 133 nursing schools consisting of 17 private schools which generally will be more expensive than the 98 public schools which will have lower in-state tuition costs. Within the the city of San Diego there are 5 nursing schools with 1 private and 2 public schools in San Diego to choose from.
California has 104 cities that offer accredited nursing schools. If San Diego does not offer the nursing program you are looking for, you can take advantage of California's in-state nursing school tuition in these other cities: Anaheim, Angwin, Aptos, Arcata, Azusa, Bakersfield, Calexico, Camarillo, Carson, Chico, Chula Vista, Compton, Costa Mesa, Cupertino, Cypress, El Cajon, Eureka, Fremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Gilroy, Glendora, Hayward, Huntington Beach, Imperial, Irvine, Joshua Tree, Kentfield, La Jolla, La Mirada, Lancaster, Lemoore, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Marysville, Merced, Mission Viejo, Modesto, Monterey, Monterey Park, Moorpark, Napa, North Hollywood, Northridge, Oakland, Oceanside, Orange, Oroville, Palm Desert, Porterville, Rancho Cucamonga, Redding, Reedley, Riverside, Rocklin, Rohnert Park, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jacinto, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, Signal Hill, Stockton, Torrance, Turlock, Ukiah, Valley Glen, Ventura, Victorville, Visalia, Walnut, Weed and Woodland Hills.
Wether you are looking for an entry level or advance nursing degree, San Diego offer 13 nursing degree levels including: Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, Associate Degree, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, Doctor of Nursing, LPN to BSN, LPN to RN, MSN to DNP and RN to MSN.
To meet the diverse needs of San Diego healthcare needs, nursing programs in San Diego offer 8 nursing degrees to specialize in, including Adult Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Nursing Leadership, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing.
Options for earning your nursing in San Diego have never been more flexible. San Diego nursing programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your nursing degree, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 3 different paths to earn your nursing degree in California including Campus, Online and Hybrid.
Ranking Methodology
Online BSN Programs Liked by California Nurses
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Compare San Diego Nursing Schools
| Compare California Nursing Schools | ADN | BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Nursing Programs | 1 | 4 |
| Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 93.58% | 91.36% |
| NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 84.26% to 98.92% | N/A% to N/A% |
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University of San Diego/Hahn
- 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA - 92110-2492
- (619) 260-4600
As leaders in graduate nursing education for over 40 years, the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Science Health knows the importance of compassion toward our patients and one another. The Hahn School of Nursing is a beautiful campus at Alcala Park overlooking the sensation Pacific Ocean. The aim is to produce the next generation of nurse scientists, leaders, advanced clinicians and informaticists ready to meet humanity’s most urgent needs with compassion and intellectual rigor. Following its long heritage of excellence over forty years, the school merges academic coursework, state-of-the-art technology and innovate teaching to populate the world with trained candidates. The faculty of internationally recognized scholars and clinician nurture and support each student, instilling the confidence needed to make a real difference in the world. Graduates are leaders in their fields, be it clinical, education or research. The School of Nursing supports activities focused on ethically sound and culturally sensitive educational experiences with global citizens, collaborative scholarship and research involving global populations.
Graduate programs – The University of San Diego has pioneered graduate education in the field and graduates hold leadership positions. The Master’s in Nursing (MSN), the Master’s Entry (MEPN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DPN) programs at the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science: Beyster Institute for Nursing Research are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Building upon the baccalaureate degree with an upper-division focus on nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing offers three tracks: Executive Nurse Leader, Nursing Informatics, and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. All tracks share a common core of knowledge as students gain excellence in their respective areas through creative teaching methods. Designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree or higher in another discipline, the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) students come from all walks of life.
Students in all programs enjoy hands-on practice in the Dickinson Nursing Simulation Center. In this sophisticated facility are standardized patient professional actors who recreate real-world situations. Because understanding cultural context is a vital part of nursing, the program provides outreach opportunities in underserved communities while fostering diversity that informs and invigorates our programs. In addition, on the advanced level is the PhD. in nursing for working professionals with a passion for solutions. PhD students include clinicians, university faculty, military officers, nurse executives and others who bring a wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds to classroom discussions. A Post-Master’s Certificate in Emergency Care for Family Nurse Practitioners is also granted.
- Programs: Adult Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
- Offered As: Campus
- State Rank BSN: 11
- National Rank BSN: 72
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 94.84%
San Diego State University
- 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA - 92182-0001
- (619) 594-5200
The School of Nursing was established as a baccalaureate program within San Diego State University in 1953, with a Master’s program being added in 1982. The faculty is committed to providing excellent learning opportunities for students within an intellectually stimulating environment incorporating clinical practice, research, and service to the University and the community. San Diego State University maintains and promotes a policy of nondiscrimination and non-harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, and national origin.
The mission of the School of Nursing at San Diego State is to provide total healthcare of the individual and the family. It entails the prevention of illness, caring for those who are acutely ill, and helping people with long-term rehabilitative problems to live in the healthiest way possible. The program emphasizes that nursing both a science and an art. It has a foundation in biophysical and behavioral humanistic sciences, as well as in specific nursing practice skills and techniques. Students acquire knowledge from the natural and social sciences to develop critical thinking and professional decision-making abilities. They use current research in the application of the nursing process and develop leadership potential and accountability in professional practice. Graduates take on the emerging role of the professional nurse amid the trends affecting health and health care systems today.
Undergraduate programs – The undergraduate pre-licensed Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is available via direct-entry, to transfer students from community colleges and four-year institutions, and second baccalaureate students. Additionally, graduates of Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs and Diploma in Nursing programs may continue their studies to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree via the RN to BSN program. In addition, the LVN-RN 30-unit option is designed as a career ladder for California Licensed Vocational Nurses who desire to become registered nurses. Of note, it does not entail an Associate’s degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree. SON students train in state-of-the-art facilities including the Media Lab, Nursing Fundamentals Skills Lab, Health Assessment Lab, Sharp Healthcare Human Patient Simulation Center.
Graduate programs – The School of Nursing offers a graduate curriculum leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Nursing. This degree is for those who desire advanced professional roles in nursing. The graduate program requires a minimum of 36 units and is designed for either full-time or part-time study. A Master of Science (MS) degree in Nursing is offered for Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and the Elderly (NP/CNS) Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems. Graduates are prepared for advanced professional roles as nurse clinicians, researchers, educators, and leaders in global healthcare.
- Programs: Nursing Leadership, Registered Nursing and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Offered As: Campus
- State Rank BSN: 17
- National Rank BSN: 102
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 96.29%
Point Loma Nazarene University
- 3900 Lomaland Dr, San Diego, CA - 92106-2899
- (619) 849-2200
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered As: Campus
- State Rank BSN: 49
- National Rank BSN: 449
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: CCNE
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 84.26%
United States University
- 7675 Mission Valley Road, Chula Vista, CA - 92108
- (619) 876-4250
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing
- Offered As: Campus, Hybrid and Online
- State Rank BSN: N/A
- National Rank BSN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN):
University of Phoenix-San Diego Campus
- 9645 Granite Ridge Dive, San Diego, CA - 92123-2658
- (866) 766-0766
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered As: Campus and Online
- State Rank BSN: N/A
- National Rank BSN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: ACME and COA
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN):
San Diego City College
- 1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA - 92101-4787
- (619) 388-3400
San Diego City College is located in sunny San Diego on the California shore. Since nursing encompasses has multiple facets including health promotion, health maintenance, health care during illness, injury, and rehabilitation, the program has certain prerequisites. Graduates work in the field, applying their knowledge from the biological, physical, behavioral and nursing sciences to care for clients in varied settings. The purpose of the San Diego City College Nursing program is to provide an educational opportunity for qualified individuals interested in a career in nursing. The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Nursing Education Program offers free workshops to review the San Diego City College Nursing Education program. The curriculum and course sequence progresses from simple to complex knowledge and skills with an emphasis on the nursing process, caring, problem solving and critical thinking.
The Nursing Program graduate is prepared as a clinician to think critically, using the nursing process, while safely performing nursing care, teaching individuals, families, communities and members of the healthcare team. They function as a client advocate, provide leadership, manage resources, delegate tasks, and supervise unlicensed personnel within the legal scope of practice of the Registered Nurse. The student who completes the Nursing Education program will meet the standards of competency delineated by the Board of Registered Nursing for the State of California.
Undergraduate programs – San Diego City College School of Nursing offers an RN program, LVN to RN program, and a 30-unit option program. AS graduates who seek to further their education also have the benefit of San Diego City College’s collaboration with San Diego State University. This arrangement allows the nursing graduate to continue on for a BSN degree while working as an RN. Students accepted into this program will be required to successfully complete clinically-based courses held in health care facilities. These facilities require immunizations, background checks, and screening. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will make clinical judgments and management decisions to ensure accurate and safe client care. They are committed to practice within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of professional nursing practice. They will use standards of nursing practice to perform and evaluate client care in entry-level practice and go on to participate in life-long learning.
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Offered As: Campus
- State Rank BSN: N/A
- National Rank BSN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
- State Rank ADN: 2
- National Rank ADN: 3
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN): 98.92%
Ashford University
- 8620 Spectrum Center Boulevard, San Diego, CA - 92123
- Programs:
- Offered As:
- State Rank BSN: N/A
- National Rank BSN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (BSN):
- Program Accreditors:
- State Rank ADN: N/A
- National Rank ADN: N/A
- Average NCLEX Passing Rate (ADN):
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics