Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and admissions for every accredited nursing program near Ontario, CA.
The Inland Empire’s rapid hospital expansion has turned Ontario into a competitive market for nursing education. Students weighing a bachelor’s pathway face a practical split: a four-year traditional BSN at a public university like Cal State Fullerton, or a three-year accelerated curriculum at a private institution such as West Coast University’s Ontario campus.
Costs range from under $7,000 per year at state schools to over $30,000 at private colleges, while NCLEX pass rates vary even more. Ultimately, first-time licensure success, not just admission, defines the real value of any program.
The programs in this ranking operate within a 45-mile drive of Ontario, California, and were evaluated using institutional data on graduation rates, affordability, and program accreditation. All featured schools are accredited by either regional bodies or nursing-specific agencies such as the CCNE or ACEN.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | $5,000/yr (net price) | Budget-conscious Inland Empire students | |
California State University, San Bernardino offers a CCNE-accredited Pre-Licensure BSN right in the heart of the Inland Empire, making it a convenient choice for Ontario residents. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a strong commitment to local students, CSUSB emphasizes hands-on clinical training and academic support. The program accepts new cohorts in both fall and spring semesters.
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| #2 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $7,000 – $20,000/yr | Transfer students with community college credits | |
California State University, Fullerton provides a direct-entry Traditional BSN and an Upper Division Transfer BSN, both at an affordable public-university tuition. With a campus just a short drive from Ontario and a designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, CSUF is a popular pathway for local students. Institutional data shows a strong graduation rate, reflecting the supportive environment.
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| #3 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $14,000/yr (net price) | Career changers seeking direct-entry MSN | |
UC Irvine's Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing combines rigorous academics with clinical placements at UCI Medical Center, a top-ranked hospital. The university is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and offers both a traditional on-campus BSN and a Master's Entry Program in Nursing for career changers. With a high graduation rate and a reputation for research-driven instruction, it attracts students from across Southern California.
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| #4 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $13,000/yr (net price) | ||
UCLA's School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the nation's best, though its Westwood campus is a longer commute from Ontario. The public university offers a four-year, on-campus BSN and a direct-entry MSN, both with rigorous clinical training. With a very high institution-wide graduation rate and a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, UCLA provides an elite nursing education.
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| #5 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $7,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
California State University, Long Beach features a traditional BSN that packs nursing coursework into five semesters of full-time study, with fall and spring admission. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, it offers strong support for diverse students. The program emphasizes communication and critical thinking, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN.
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| #6 | Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA | $0 – $5,000/yr | ||
Pasadena City College offers an affordable Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that can be completed in four semesters, with eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, it provides a supportive pathway into the nursing profession. The program is approved by the California BRN and is a candidate for ACEN accreditation.
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| #7 | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
California State University, Los Angeles offers a three-year traditional BSN and a 15-month accelerated BSN for those who already hold a bachelor's degree. With a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation and an emphasis on community health in Los Angeles County, Cal State LA provides hands-on clinical rotations. Admission is competitive but comes with an affordable public-university price tag.
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| #8 | Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health | Los Angeles, CA | |||
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health is a public institution offering an Associate of Science in Nursing with a focus on clinical training within the LA County health system. It also provides an advanced placement pathway for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) seeking RN licensure. The college serves a diverse student body.
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| #9 | Angeles College | Los Angeles, CA | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Angeles College is a private institution offering a hybrid BSN program that combines on-campus skill labs with clinical rotations throughout Southern California. The three-year curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care and leadership, with faculty mentorship. As a smaller private school, it provides an alternative to the large public universities.
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| #10 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Saddleback College in Mission Viejo provides a rigorous two-year ADN program with a strong record of NCLEX pass rates exceeding state and national averages. The program uses a multi-criteria admission process and requires TEAS scores. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, it supports a diverse cohort of nursing students.
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Among nursing schools near Ontario, California, in-state tuition ranges from roughly $1,180 to over $8,200, while the net price after aid can be as low as $536 at College of San Mateo. The table reveals a sharp divide between community colleges and public universities, with Cal State campuses charging three to seven times more in base tuition but often reducing out-of-pocket costs significantly through financial aid. These net price figures represent the institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a personalized quote for any individual student.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of San Mateo | $1,332 | $11,428 | $536 |
| Pasadena City College | $1,180 | $10,924 | $3,864 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | $7,164 | $19,764 | $3,967 |
| Saddleback College | $1,432 | $14,812 | $4,152 |
| California State University-San Bernardino | $8,088 | $20,688 | $4,564 |
| California State University-Stanislaus | $8,242 | $20,842 | $6,067 |
| Mt San Antonio College | $1,364 | $10,464 | $6,490 |
| California State University-Fullerton | $7,470 | $20,070 | $6,555 |
| De Anza College | $1,571 | $12,596 | $6,642 |
| California State University-Fresno | $7,341 | $19,941 | $7,000 |
A nursing school’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate cuts through marketing claims and reveals how effectively its graduates can transition into licensed practice.
Nationally, the 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate averaged 87.5%.1 In California, the figure typically lands between 79% and 82%, reflecting the state’s rigorous standards.
Among nursing schools with a campus near Ontario, Pacific College stands out with a reported first-time pass rate of 95.83%2 for the 2024-2025 academic year. That figure puts the program well above both the national and state benchmarks. For other Ontario-area schools, prospective students should check the latest BRN school reports or request campus-specific pass rates directly, as institutional averages may combine multiple locations.
The BRN considers a program at risk of probation if its first-time pass rate falls below 75% for two consecutive years. Consistently surpassing 90% signals thorough preparation for the NCLEX and entry-level practice. Choosing a school with a high, stable pass rate minimizes the chance of costly exam retakes and employment delays.
Arizona College of Nursing’s Ontario campus offers a 36-month BSN program1, while West Coast University’s is 39 months2. Both are campus-based, full-time, and designed for students starting from scratch, so neither is a true accelerated BSN or a part-time evening track. West Coast University describes its pace as accelerated, but it does not require a prior bachelor’s degree and remains a multi-year commitment2.
For nurses seeking a faster transition, bridge programs like LVN-to-BSN or RN-to-BSN are common in the Inland Empire, but they are not currently offered by the Ontario campuses spotlighted here. The California Board of Registered Nursing maintains a searchable directory of all approved prelicensure and advanced placement programs statewide, which is the most reliable way to filter for accelerated or bridge options near Ontario. Admissions offices at nearby universities (including La Verne, Azusa Pacific, Cal Baptist, and Loma Linda) can confirm whether evening, weekend, or hybrid formats are running, as schedules can shift each term.
If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN is typically a second-degree program lasting 12-to-18 months. No such program operates within the Ontario city limits, but several are available within a 45-minute drive. Contact each school’s nursing department directly; catalog descriptions often lag behind actual enrollment cycles.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $109,210 for registered nurses in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area. For context, California's statewide median stands at $140,330. Program-level earnings for BSN graduates are not yet available from federal data, but the BLS figure reflects the earnings of working RNs across all education levels in the region.
Selecting a nursing school involves weighing cost, accreditation, program format, and outcomes. With several quality options in and around Ontario, California, focusing on a few key questions can clarify which BSN program aligns with your career goals.
Choosing a nursing school ultimately means trading off upfront cost against long-term value. In-state tuition around Ontario can range from roughly $1,200 to over $8,200 per year, and the net price after aid may drop as low as $536. Meanwhile, a program’s true quality often shows up in its first-time NCLEX pass rate, which the California BRN publishes for every approved school. The rankings above surface options that balance affordability and strong outcomes, but only you can decide which format, traditional, accelerated, or bridge, fits your life. Visit school websites for current deadlines and confirm accreditation before applying. The right program will be both a financial fit and a launchpad for a career that, in this metro area, pays RNs a median of $109,210 per year.
