Explore Top Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in California
Looking to advance your nursing career? Discover the top online NP programs in California designed with flexibility and affordability in mind.
California is one of the highest-paying states in the country for nurses — so if you’re looking to advance your career, you’re in the right place.
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is an excellent option for many reasons: It’s a high-demand field with many job opportunities and offers a high earning potential. As an NP, you’ll also have the ability to specialize in a niche that you’re passionate about, from neonatal care, to mental health, or women’s health, among others.
As you begin to consider your options, it’s important to research and compare various online NP programs in California. What are the tuition rates and associated fees? How does the curriculum set you up for success in the field?
We’ve created this guide to help answer some of your questions and get you started on your search for an online NP program in California. We’ve also highlighted three standout options in the state so you can get a better idea of what you can expect from a quality education. Your journey as a future NP in the Golden State begins here — keep reading to get started by taking a look at which schools made their way onto our list.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Private
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, California
Private
What to Look for in a California Online NP Program
As a nursing student in California, you have a wide range of options to pursue your education.
Though your final decision will depend on your career goals and personal needs, there are a few common qualities that you should look for in any program you consider. Some factors, like accreditation and certification exam pass rates, will ensure that you’re receiving a quality education. Meanwhile, factors like affordable tuition and flexibility in format ensure that you find a program that matches your financial needs and personal preferences.
In this section, we’ll explore what features set quality online NP programs in California apart from the rest.
Accreditation
Accreditation is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a nursing program. Accreditation from one of the leading nursing bodies, such as CCNE or ACEN, signifies that the curriculum meets professional standards and will adequately prepare you to succeed in a full-time nursing role. Programs should clearly list their accreditation status on their website.
There are several other reasons to prioritize an accredited program. For example, you must be enrolled in an accredited program to receive financial aid. After earning your degree, hiring managers are more likely to hire a graduate who attended an accredited school.
Affordable Tuition & Fees
Finances are a huge consideration for anyone furthering their education, as it’s a significant investment in both money and time. As you begin your program search, you should have a good idea of your financial needs and where any potential gaps may be. Then as you compare schools, you can look for programs that are more affordable and fit in your budget.
Don’t be quickly intimidated by the price tag, though. You’ll find numerous scholarships available to nursing students, ranging from those offered by individual schools and local organizations to the state and national level. You can also find certain scholarships through the state of California, such as the Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
In the same way you had to pass the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse, you’ll have to pass certain certification exams according to your specialization. Pass rates are an extremely important benchmark for any program, as this signifies that the curriculum is adequately preparing students to succeed — both on their exams and in their careers. You can also visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners website for a more detailed look at available exams and their respective requirements.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
By choosing to earn an advanced nursing degree, you’re probably looking to specialize in your skillset and prepare yourself for the next step in your career. Having appropriate curriculum and clinical options to learn from is essential.
Each program you’re interested in should clearly detail examples of curriculum and options for clinical placements so you can see if they match your educational goals.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
As busy working professionals, finding a program that can flexibly fit around your current commitments is essential. Luckily, most programs are designed with that flexibility in mind — offering asynchronous and synchronous online courses, part-time options, and varied clinical placements. Be sure to browse various options, such as the three options listed above, to see what offerings align best with your ideal schedule and workload.
Specialization Options
A wide variety of specialties is available to future nurse practitioners, ranging from pediatric care to trauma to family medicine. Once you complete your core courses, you will likely be able to expand your scope of study to include a specialty of your choice.
Each program will offer slightly different specialty options, so be sure to find one that best suits your goals. Some examples of specializations you’ll find in California include Nurse Midwifery, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and more.
A Closer Look at California NP Degrees: Explore Your Options
Exploring your options for online NP degrees in California opens up exciting opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. Let’s delve into the various pathways available to aspiring NPs in the state.
MSN
Choosing an MSN program in California opens doors to more jobs, better pay, and a chance to positively impact the overall care of patients.
Pursuing your MSN will equip you with advanced nursing knowledge and skills, allowing you to positively impact patient care outcomes. Whether specializing in family practice, acute care, or another area of nursing, an MSN education provides the foundation for success and advancement in the healthcare field.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
If you hold a graduate degree and seek to enhance your expertise in specialized nursing areas, enrolling in a certificate program could be an ideal choice. This option extends your knowledge beyond what you’ve gained in your master’s nursing program, delving into diverse clinical domains like adult care, pediatric care, geriatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, and street medicine.
Below, you’ll find two featured programs offering certificates: Cal State LA has five post-master’s certificate options tailored to each nursing master’s pathway, ensuring deep, specialized education; and the certificate programs at Touro University typically span four semesters with 630 clinical hours and provide online accessibility for 90% of the coursework.
Featured Programs:
DNP
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nursing professionals by providing education in the translation of research, implementation of evidence-based practice, project management, and leadership development.
Unlike a PhD, which focuses on research, the DNP emphasizes advanced clinical skills, evidence-based practice, and healthcare policy. DNP graduates are prepared for roles as nurse practitioners, nurse executives, educators, and leaders in healthcare policy and advocacy.
Featured Programs:
Career and Salary Insights for California Nurse Practitioners
Whichever form of nurse practitioner program you choose, it's natural to wonder about your job prospects in California after graduation—and what kind of salary you can expect as an NP. Fortunately, the demand for qualified NPs is high and only expected to increase. In the United States overall, job openings for NPs are projected to rise by 44.5% over the next decade. While that's a very fast rate of growth, California's is even higher than the national average, with an impressive 58.6% projected growth rate over the next ten years. Additionally, California NPs typically earn an excellent living, with the state median salary in 2023 at $164,050 per year. This number varies somewhat throughout the state, although, as you can see below, it remains above six figures everywhere, with Napa's median of $210,010 being among the highest in the state.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| California | 21,500 | 34,100 | 12,600 | 58.60% | 2,500 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $86,190 | $164,050 | $227,310 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $111,760 | $154,210 | $186,130 |
| Chico, CA | $123,560 | $155,580 | $181,740 |
| El Centro, CA | $118,440 | $163,370 | $199,990 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,990 | $154,700 | $200,580 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $102,480 | $141,580 | $175,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $103,550 | $165,860 | $227,310 |
| Madera, CA | $47,200 | $147,310 | $181,210 |
| Merced, CA | $93,750 | $140,270 | $179,140 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,610 | $162,930 | $205,760 |
| Napa, CA | $137,260 | $210,010 | $210,050 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $77,580 | $139,310 | $186,840 |
| Redding, CA | $109,000 | $154,580 | $170,780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,120 | $154,210 | $195,580 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $79,430 | $166,370 | $222,910 |
| Salinas, CA | $125,740 | $164,010 | $200,930 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $48,950 | $156,500 | $204,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $93,260 | $199,670 | $239,000+ |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $88,480 | $209,690 | $239,000+ |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $116,780 | $153,490 | $194,550 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $49,920 | $146,820 | $205,390 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $49,180 | $134,780 | $179,170 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $93,800 | $155,780 | $219,980 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $82,080 | $139,590 | $185,580 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $123,040 | $171,440 | $239,000+ |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | $126,420 | $147,520 | $195,350 |
| Yuba City, CA | $107,640 | $158,010 | $211,410 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
