California has 26 universities offering nurse practitioner programs across six NP specialties: family (FNP), psychiatric mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), and pediatric primary and acute care (PNP-PC, PNP-AC). Students can choose MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate pathways, plus one RN-to-MSN route for associate degree nurses. FNP dominates the market at 17 schools, while pediatric acute care is available at only two.
Jump to: FNP (17) PMHNP (13) AGACNP (6) AGPCNP (4) PNP-PC (2) PNP-AC (2)
Specialty breadth is concentrated at a few schools. Loma Linda University (LLU) offers all six specialties and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) offers five, almost entirely through the doctorate. The CSU campuses set the state’s cost floor. No NP degree program in California is fully online, and many programs keep clinical rotations within one region.
Compare California Nurse Practitioner Programs
| School | Specialties | Degrees | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loma Linda University Loma Linda | FNP PMHNP AGACNP AGPCNP PNP-PC PNP-AC | DNP | Hybrid |
| UCSF San Francisco | FNP PMHNP AGACNP AGPCNP PNP-AC | DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| Azusa Pacific University Azusa | FNP PMHNP AGPCNP PNP-PC | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Campus |
| Cal State LA Los Angeles | FNP AGACNP | MSN • Certificate | Campus |
| Charles R. Drew University Los Angeles | FNP PMHNP | MSN • Certificate | Hybrid |
| CSU Long Beach Long Beach | FNP AGACNP | DNP | Hybrid |
| Touro University Vallejo | FNP PMHNP | Certificate | Mostly Online |
| UC Davis Sacramento | FNP PMHNP | DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| University of San Francisco San Francisco | FNP PMHNP | DNP • Certificate | Hybrid |
| California Baptist University Riverside | AGACNP | MSN • Certificate | Hybrid |
| CSU Bakersfield Bakersfield | FNP | DNP | Hybrid |
| CSU Channel Islands Camarillo | FNP | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| CSU Dominguez Hills Carson | FNP | MSN | Hybrid |
| Fresno Pacific University Fresno | FNP | MSN | Hybrid |
| Fresno State Fresno | PMHNP | Certificate | Mostly Online |
| National University San Diego | PMHNP | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Pacific College Costa Mesa | FNP | MSN | Mostly Online |
| Samuel Merritt University Oakland | FNP | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| San Diego State University San Diego | AGPCNP | DNP | Campus |
| Stanislaus State Turlock | FNP | MSN | Hybrid |
| UC Irvine Irvine | FNP | DNP | Hybrid |
| UCLA Los Angeles | PMHNP | Certificate | Mostly Online |
| University of San Diego San Diego | PMHNP | MSN • DNP | Campus |
| Vanguard University Costa Mesa | PMHNP | Certificate | Online |
| West Coast University Anaheim | AGACNP | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Western University Pomona | PMHNP | DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online |
The Specialties column lists programs identified in the specialty inventories used for this page. A specialty not listed for a school is not confirmed as unavailable.
“Varies by specialty” marks schools where attendance differs by program. At UCSF, the doctoral tracks are hybrid and become mostly in person after the first year, while the UC PMHNP certificate uses virtual immersions. At UC Davis, the FNP doctorate is hybrid and the PMHNP certificate is mostly online.
NP Programs by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Seventeen universities offer FNP, more than any other specialty, with nine master’s, eight doctoral, and seven certificate options.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific | Evening classes; can pair FNP with a School Nurse credential |
| Cal State LA | Lowest-cost FNP certificate (~$14K) |
| CSU Bakersfield | Doctorate only; CCNE accreditation still pending |
| CSU Channel Islands | Flat $725 per unit for residents and nonresidents |
| CSU Dominguez Hills | Placements within 100 miles of home |
| CSU Long Beach | Lowest-cost FNP doctorate (~$60K) |
| Charles R. Drew | One campus weekend per month; LA safety-net focus |
| Fresno Pacific | One day a week in Fresno |
| Loma Linda | Faculty-arranged Inland Empire rotations |
| Pacific College | Online coursework with skills intensives; rural focus |
| Samuel Merritt | Only school offering FNP at MSN, DNP, and certificate levels |
| Stanislaus State | Lowest-cost FNP master’s (~$22K) |
| Touro | Certificate only; about one year |
| UC Davis | DNP includes a Family Caregiving certificate |
| UC Irvine | DNP with BS or MS entry |
| UCSF | Every placement arranged at Bay Area health systems |
| USF | Doctoral FNP that admits new graduates |
- Seven schools offer no FNP master’s. BSN nurses at CSUB, CSULB, LLU, the three UC campuses, and USF must enter a doctorate.
- Price follows sector. FNP master’s costs run from about $22K at Stanislaus State to $90K at Samuel Merritt. CSU doctorates cost roughly half of UC and private doctorates.
Compare all California FNP programs →
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
Thirteen universities offer PMHNP, and 11 of them offer a post-graduate certificate, making PMHNP California’s most certificate-heavy specialty.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific | Only PMHNP entry for non-nurses (entry-level MSN) |
| Charles R. Drew | Monthly 4-day campus weekend in Los Angeles |
| Fresno State | Lowest-cost certificate (~$13K); requires California NP or CRNA license |
| Loma Linda | Doctorate only; faculty-assigned Inland Empire rotations |
| National University | Assigns and pays clinical preceptors |
| Touro | 750 certificate clinical hours, the most in the state |
| UC Davis | Shared UC certificate at UC Davis rates |
| UCLA | Same UC certificate at the lowest UC resident rate (~$21K) |
| UCSF | BSN-to-DNP plus the UC certificate |
| University of San Diego | Campus-based MSN and BSN-to-DNP |
| USF | BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and a post-doctoral certificate |
| Vanguard | Only program with no published campus requirement |
| Western University | Accepts an RN license from the state where practice hours occur |
- Degree seats are scarce. Four schools offer a PMHNP master’s and five offer a PMHNP doctorate.
- Licensing gates matter. The UC certificate requires California APRN licensure. Vanguard admits master’s-prepared nurses without NP certification.
Compare all California PMHNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs
Six universities offer AGACNP, and every one requires in-person attendance.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Cal State LA | Lowest-cost AGACNP in the state (~$24K MSN) |
| California Baptist | No ICU or step-down experience requirement stated |
| CSU Long Beach | Lowest-cost acute care doctorate (~$60K) |
| Loma Linda | Adds a pediatric acute care doctorate |
| UCSF | Requires two years of inpatient experience |
| West Coast University | Only ADN or diploma entry (RN-to-MSN) |
- Doctoral entry is BSN-only. No California school offers an MSN-to-DNP in acute care.
- Certificates exist only at master’s schools: Cal State LA, California Baptist, and West Coast University.
- Experience gates vary widely. Requirements range from no stated minimum at Cal State LA to one year of ICU experience at WCU and two years of inpatient experience at UCSF.
Compare all California AGACNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs
Four universities offer AGPCNP, and all four offer it as a BSN-to-DNP.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific | Only AGPCNP master’s and certificate |
| Loma Linda | Faculty-assigned Inland Empire rotations |
| San Diego State | Lowest-cost AGPCNP doctorate (~$73K); DNP accreditation pending |
| UCSF | No RN experience required |
SDSU has paused master’s admissions, and UCSF closed its MS pathway. That leaves APU as the only non-doctoral AGPCNP route in the state. SDSU also offers a post-master’s DNP, but it adds the doctorate for NPs who are already certified rather than preparing new AGPCNPs.
Compare all California AGPCNP programs →
Pediatric Primary Care NP Programs
Two universities prepare primary care PNPs:
- Azusa Pacific: the only PNP master’s and PNP certificate in the state. One MSN version adds the California School Nurse Services Credential.
- Loma Linda: BSN-to-DNP only, with faculty-assigned placements in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
APU costs roughly a third of LLU’s doctorate, but APU students should confirm who secures their clinical sites.
Compare all California PNP programs →
Pediatric Acute Care NP Programs
Loma Linda and UCSF offer PNP-AC, both only through the BSN-to-DNP. California has no acute care PNP certificate, and no school prepares for both pediatric credentials in one degree.
The two programs differ sharply on experience:
- UCSF requires two years of acute pediatric practice.
- Loma Linda asks for one year of RN experience in any setting, and it lists PNCB program approval for this track as pending.
Compare all California PNP programs →
Which California NP School Fits Your Goals?
Widest NP specialty selection: Loma Linda is the only California school offering all six specialties, including both pediatric populations. UCSF offers five. Both are doctorate-centered.
Lowest-cost master’s: Stanislaus State’s FNP MSN runs about $22K. Cal State LA charges about $24K whether you choose FNP or AGACNP.
Lowest-cost BSN-to-DNP: CSU Long Beach runs about $60K for FNP or AGACNP. That estimate excludes unpriced summer units.
Nurses without a BSN: West Coast University’s RN-to-MSN takes ADN and diploma nurses into AGACNP. Azusa Pacific’s entry-level MSN admits non-nursing bachelor’s holders into FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, or PNP-PC.
Minimal campus travel: Vanguard’s PMHNP certificate lists no campus requirement. Among degree programs, National University’s PMHNP MSN holds its OSCEs on campus or virtually.
Strongest documented placement support: National University assigns and pays PMHNP preceptors. UCSF and Loma Linda arrange rotations across every documented specialty, within their own regions.
California NP Programs by Entry Pathway
ADN or RN to NP Programs
West Coast University’s RN-to-MSN is the only ADN or diploma entry route in the supplied data, and it leads only to AGACNP. It credits up to 90 units for prior coursework and licensure.
A separate route serves career changers. Azusa Pacific’s entry-level MSN admits bachelor’s holders from other fields. It adds prelicensure semesters and the NCLEX before an FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, or PNP-PC sequence.
BSN to MSN NP Programs
Thirteen universities offer an NP master’s, and most offer FNP. Schools with master’s options beyond FNP:
- Azusa Pacific: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC
- Cal State LA: FNP, AGACNP
- Charles R. Drew: FNP, PMHNP
- California Baptist and West Coast University: AGACNP
- National University and University of San Diego: PMHNP
No UC campus appears as a master’s option. Nurses targeting a UC school should plan for a doctorate or certificate.
BSN to DNP NP Programs
Nine universities document direct BSN-to-DNP entry:
- Loma Linda: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC
- UCSF: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-AC
- CSU Long Beach: FNP, AGACNP
- Azusa Pacific: FNP, AGPCNP
- San Diego State: AGPCNP
- UC Davis and UC Irvine: FNP
- University of San Diego and USF: PMHNP
CSU Bakersfield, Samuel Merritt, and USF also offer doctoral FNP programs, but the sources do not specify BSN entry. UCSF’s BSN-to-DNP pathway is under California Board of Registered Nursing review. UCSF states that graduates remain eligible for certification.
MSN to DNP Programs
Few routes serve master’s-prepared nurses:
- Adds a new NP specialty: USF and Western University (PMHNP)
- Doctorate for certified NPs and CNSs, no new specialty: San Diego State’s post-master’s DNP
- Doctoral FNP with MS entry: UC Irvine
No acute care or pediatric MSN-to-DNP exists in California.
Post-Graduate NP Certificates
Sixteen universities offer at least one NP certificate, but availability is uneven:
| Specialty | Certificate Schools | Notable Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PMHNP | 11 | UC certificate requires California APRN licensure |
| FNP | 7 | Final cost often set by gap analysis |
| AGACNP | 3 | None at doctoral-only schools |
| AGPCNP | 1 (APU) | Seat-limited |
| PNP-PC | 1 (APU) | Primary care only |
| PNP-AC | 0 | No in-state option |
Nurses changing specialties have many choices in PMHNP and FNP. Options in adult or pediatric primary care are limited, and none exist in pediatric acute care.
What Do NP Programs Cost in California?
Compare costs within the same pathway. Published estimates vary more by sector than by specialty.
| Pathway | Lower-Cost Options | Higher-Cost Options |
|---|---|---|
| MSN | Stanislaus State FNP (~$22K); Cal State LA FNP or AGACNP (~$24K) | Samuel Merritt FNP (~$90K); University of San Diego PMHNP (~$119K) |
| BSN-to-DNP | CSU Long Beach FNP or AGACNP (~$60K); San Diego State AGPCNP (~$73K) | Loma Linda and UCSF (well above $100K) |
| MSN-to-DNP | Western University PMHNP (~$80K) | USF PMHNP (~$118K) |
| Certificate | Fresno State PMHNP (~$13K); Cal State LA FNP (~$14K) | USF FNP ($57K–$62K); Samuel Merritt FNP (~$71K) |
Residency and rate structure can change the ranking:
- Flat or single rates: CSU Channel Islands charges $725 per unit to all students. Azusa Pacific, Loma Linda, and other private schools charge one rate regardless of residency.
- Nonresident surcharges: UC campuses and San Diego State charge nonresidents more.
- Individualized certificates: Many certificate totals depend on a gap analysis of prior coursework.
The lowest price in a pathway may not fit your goal. At seven FNP schools and every pediatric acute care school, the doctorate is the only entry point for BSN nurses.
Online NP Programs in California
No California NP degree program is fully online. Attendance requirements range from none to weekly classes:
No required campus attendance
- Vanguard University — PMHNP certificate
Limited campus attendance
- Fresno State — PMHNP certificate; one 8-hour day in January
- West Coast University — AGACNP; two 2-day intensives in Anaheim, no make-ups
- CSU Channel Islands — FNP; two summer intensives
- National University — PMHNP; 3–4 two-day OSCEs, on campus or virtual
- UC PMHNP certificate (UC Davis, UCLA, UCSF) — immersions, virtual at UCLA and UCSF
- Western University — PMHNP; intensives twice per semester, virtual or in Pomona
- Samuel Merritt — FNP; Sacramento residencies
- Pacific College — FNP; skills intensives
- Touro — FNP about 90% online; PMHNP requirement not published
Recurring campus attendance
- USF — Teaching Weekends twice monthly
- Charles R. Drew — one campus weekend per month
- Loma Linda — four or more sessions per quarter plus on-campus exams
- Fresno Pacific — one day per week
- California Baptist — weekly evening class
- UCSF doctoral tracks — mostly in person after year one
Campus-based: Azusa Pacific, Cal State LA, San Diego State, and University of San Diego.
CSU Bakersfield, CSU Dominguez Hills, Stanislaus State, and UC Irvine describe hybrid delivery without a published schedule. Low-travel options concentrate in PMHNP and certificates. Acute care and pediatric students should expect regular campus time.
Clinical Placement and Practicum Requirements
Placement support differs by school, and sometimes by specialty within the same school.
| School | Placement Approach | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| UCSF | University-arranged | Bay Area sites only |
| Loma Linda | Faculty-assigned | Riverside and San Bernardino counties only |
| National University | School-assigned; preceptors paid (PMHNP) | Certificate open only to California and Texas residents |
| UC PMHNP certificate | Assigned by student location | Subject to availability |
| Cal State LA | Placement office arranges (FNP, AGACNP) | Campus-based in Los Angeles |
| San Diego State | School-arranged (AGPCNP) | San Diego region |
| Azusa Pacific | Student-secured with coordinator support (FNP, AGPCNP) | PNP approach not clearly stated |
| CSU Long Beach | Student-secured (AGACNP) | FNP approach not clearly stated |
| West Coast University | Student-secured | Strict rules for rotations at your employer |
Arranged placements usually come with a geographic limit. Clinical hours must generally be completed in California, and several schools place students only near a single campus region.
Choosing an NP Program in California
- Start with specialty. FNP and PMHNP offer many choices. AGPCNP, AGACNP, and pediatrics narrow the field to six schools or fewer.
- Decide on primary vs. acute care early. Acute care programs require campus attendance and often ICU or inpatient experience. Cal State LA and CSU Long Beach price both populations identically.
- Match your degree pathway before comparing tuition. If your target school offers only a doctorate, an MSN price elsewhere is not a comparable figure.
- Check region first. Many arranged placements stay in one region, so living near the school’s clinical network can matter more than format.
- Confirm licensure requirements. Most programs require a California RN license. Several certificates require California NP or APRN licensure.
- Verify pending approvals. Check CSU Bakersfield and San Diego State DNP accreditation, UCSF’s BSN-to-DNP BRN review, and Loma Linda’s PNP-AC PNCB approval.
FAQ
How many nurse practitioner schools are in California?
Twenty-six California universities offer NP programs across the six specialties covered here. Seventeen offer FNP and 13 offer PMHNP.
Which NP specialties are available in California?
- FNP: 17 schools
- PMHNP: 13 schools
- AGACNP: 6 schools
- AGPCNP: 4 schools
- PNP-PC: 2 schools
- PNP-AC: 2 schools
Which school offers the most NP specialties?
Loma Linda University offers all six. UCSF offers five, Azusa Pacific offers four, and no other school offers more than two.
Are there online NP programs in California?
No NP degree program is fully online. Vanguard’s PMHNP certificate is the only program with no published campus requirement, and several PMHNP and FNP programs are mostly online.
Can I become an NP with an ADN in California?
Yes, but only in acute care. West Coast University’s RN-to-MSN admits ADN and diploma nurses into AGACNP.
What are the lowest-cost NP options?
Stanislaus State’s FNP master’s (~$22K) and CSU Long Beach’s FNP or AGACNP doctorate (~$60K) are the lowest in their pathways. Fresno State’s PMHNP certificate (~$13K) is the lowest certificate.
Do I need a California RN license?
Usually. Most programs require one, and the UC PMHNP certificate and Fresno State require California NP or APRN licensure. Western University accepts an RN license from the state where students complete practice hours.