Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and accreditation for BSN programs in and near Alhambra.
Where can you earn a BSN in the San Gabriel Valley that places you within commuting distance of clinical sites at major Los Angeles medical centers? Alhambra anchors a dense healthcare labor shed where BSN-prepared nurses are routinely preferred for magnet-hospital staffing and specialty-unit roles.
Ten accredited nursing programs sit inside a 75‑mile radius, drawing on the broad array of nursing programs in California, from public university BSN tracks to direct‑entry master’s options. Sorting them demands an honest look at net cost, NCLEX performance, and admission selectivity: differences that ripple into first-job placement.
Southern California employers increasingly treat the bachelor’s degree as a hiring baseline rather than a differentiator, making program quality and local clinical networks a practical concern for anyone entering the field.
The following ranking highlights nursing programs within commuting distance of Alhambra, CA, balancing academic quality, cost, and local clinical training opportunities. We prioritize schools with strong LA-area partnerships, NCLEX preparation, and pathways from ADN to direct-entry MSN. Each program card includes net price, graduation rate metrics, and highlights to help you find the right fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $13,000/yr (net price) | High-achieving students prioritizing LA County placements | |
UCLA's BSN and MECN programs provide rigorous training with clinical placements across Los Angeles County, including safety-net hospitals serving diverse communities. The curriculum emphasizes public health, leadership, and evidence-based practice, preparing graduates for RN licensure and advanced roles. Admission is highly competitive, but California residents benefit from lower in-state tuition.
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| #2 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $7,000 – $20,000/yr | Cost-conscious Californians eyeing Long Beach clinicals | |
Located in Long Beach, CSULB offers a five-semester BSN program with strong clinical partnerships at LA-area hospitals such as Long Beach Memorial. The curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN with a competitive admission process requiring a 3.25 GPA and Casper test. California residents enjoy affordable CSU tuition, making it a commutable option for Alhambra-area students seeking local job placement.
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| #3 | Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health | Los Angeles, CA | LA County residents leveraging county hospital pipeline | ||
The Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health provides an affordable ADN program directly aligned with LA County's healthcare workforce needs. Students rotate primarily at LAC+USC Medical Center and other county facilities, gaining extensive experience in urban, safety-net settings. With median graduate debt of just $9,500 and strong earnings, this public institution offers a high-ROI pathway for local residents seeking RN licensure.
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| #4 | California State University-Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $7,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Cal State Fullerton's BSN program offers two pathways, a traditional four-year plan and an upper-division transfer option, both designed for California residents aiming for RN careers in the LA-Orange County corridor. The full-time, campus-based curriculum emphasizes affordability and admits a high percentage of students, making it an accessible choice for Alhambra-area applicants. Clinical placements extend across Southern California hospitals, providing a strong foundation for NCLEX-RN success.
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| #5 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
UC Irvine's nursing programs rank among the top in the region and include a four-year BSN and a two-year Master's Entry Program in Nursing. Located in neighboring Orange County, UCI offers high-tech simulation training and prioritized clinical placements at UCI Medical Center. The curriculum integrates biological and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on culturally sensitive care for diverse populations, making it a compelling option for students from the Alhambra area.
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| #6 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
San Diego State University's BSN is a direct-entry program for freshmen, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and strong science grades. While located in San Diego, it is recognized statewide for its comprehensive curriculum and hands-on clinical practice. Students graduate prepared for the NCLEX-RN and a range of nursing roles.
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| #7 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | $2,000 – $13,000/yr | ||
De Anza College in Cupertino offers an Associate Degree Nursing program and an LVN-to-RN transition pathway, both highly affordable. With net price under $7,000 and low median debt, it is a budget-friendly choice for California residents, though it is far from Alhambra. The program features multiple application periods and strong NCLEX-RN preparation.
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| #8 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
UC Davis' Master's Entry Program in Nursing is an 18-month, full-time campus program for those with a prior bachelor's degree. Based in Sacramento, it prepares students for RN licensure and public health nursing certification, with a focus on leadership and evidence-based practice. California residents benefit from in-state tuition, but the location is far from Southern California, so it suits those willing to relocate.
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| #9 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | $14,000/yr | ||
San Jose State's BSN is a full-time, in-person program in Silicon Valley, requiring the TEAS exam and prerequisites. While not in the LA area, it provides comprehensive nursing education with strong graduate earnings. It may appeal to students open to relocating to Northern California.
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| #10 | Xavier College School of Nursing | Stockton, CA | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | ||
Xavier College School of Nursing in Stockton offers a prelicensure ADN program with national accreditation. While it provides a caring educational environment, it is located in the Central Valley, far from Alhambra, and lacks specific Southern California ties. It remains an option for those seeking an associate degree pathway.
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A 75‑mile radius from Alhambra defines the geographic boundary for the schools we consider, drawing from a deep pool of accredited programs across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. Our ranking weighs four publicly reported data points from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard: net price (the actual cost after grants and scholarships), institution-wide graduation rate, post-attendance median earnings, and program-specific features such as accreditation status and NCLEX pass rate support. Since the federal government does not track completion rates at the nursing-department level, we use each college’s overall graduation rate as a consistent, transparent measure of student success. Earnings figures likewise come from institutional-level data for federal financial aid recipients, offering a broad signal of economic return rather than nursing-specific wages. All statistics come from the latest available IPEDS and College Scorecard releases, ensuring the ranking reflects recent performance.
The net prices below represent the total cost of attendance minus average grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates. While these figures provide a useful benchmark, individual awards vary, check each school's financial aid office for a personalized estimate. All four programs shown are public California State University BSNs.
Recent shifts in the NCLEX exam and rising employer expectations have made first-time pass rates a critical signal of program quality. For Alhambra-area candidates, campus-level results offer a practical snapshot of how well local programs prepare graduates.
For context, the national first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025, while the overall pass rate (including repeat testers) sat at 69.1%.2 Both local programs sit comfortably above the national benchmark, though Stanbridge’s perfect recent outcome stands out.
A strong NCLEX pass rate is more than a number, it reflects a program’s ability to deliver the clinical, critical-thinking, and test-prep skills that hospitals and clinics demand. Employers often view first-time pass rates as a proxy for new-graduate readiness; many Magnet hospitals and competitive residency programs give preference to graduates from schools with consistently high rates. Attending a program where the vast majority of students pass on the first attempt can shorten your time to licensure and strengthen your job applications.
Federal earnings data specific to nursing programs is not yet available at the one- or four-year mark for most Alhambra-area schools. However, broader College Scorecard figures show that graduates of nearby institutions such as Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health earn a median of $115,318 ten years after entering the school, while UCLA and UC Irvine graduates see median earnings above $80,000. These figures encompass all majors and should be viewed as general indicators of economic mobility rather than nursing-specific salary projections. For nursing graduates in the Los Angeles metro area, median annual wages typically fall between $90,000 and $115,000 within a few years of licensure, according to BLS geographic data, though individual earnings vary by specialty, shift differentials, and employer.
When evaluating nursing schools in Alhambra, understanding accreditation status, admissions requirements, and program structure helps applicants find a program that fits their career goals and schedule. Stanbridge University stands out as the primary institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the immediate area, with regional and programmatic credentials that carry weight across the profession.
Stanbridge University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which is a standard requirement for federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer among U.S. colleges. The university's BSN program holds programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a mark recognized by employers, graduate schools, and state licensing boards.
CCNE accreditation is typical for baccalaureate and graduate-level nursing programs, while the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) often accredits associate degree and diploma programs. Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, so either qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. For employment, hospitals and health systems generally accept both, but CCNE-accredited degrees may carry an advantage when applying to graduate nursing programs or seeking certain military and Veterans Affairs benefits that specifically list CCNE as a preferred standard. If you plan to pursue a master's or doctoral degree later, a CCNE-accredited BSN can simplify the admission review process.
BSN programs near Alhambra typically offer multiple entry paths. A traditional pre-licensure BSN is designed for students without a prior nursing degree or bachelor's in another field and takes about four years of full-time study. Accelerated or second-degree BSN programs are intensive options for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree; these can be completed in as few as 12 to 20 months. RN-to-BSN programs serve registered nurses who hold an associate degree and want to advance their credentials, often with flexible part-time schedules that accommodate working professionals. While Stanbridge's flagship program is a pre-licensure BSN, many area schools tailor formats to fit adult learners, with evening or hybrid course offerings that make it possible to earn a degree while maintaining employment.
Admission to accredited BSN programs in the Alhambra area is competitive. Stanbridge, for instance, describes its selection process as selective, meaning that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Typical admission benchmarks for BSN programs include a minimum cumulative GPA, often 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though competitive applicants frequently present GPAs of 3.2 or higher. Standardized entrance exams like the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) are commonly required, with minimum score thresholds that vary by school and cohort.
Prerequisite coursework is another major hurdle. Expect to complete college-level anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and often nutrition and developmental psychology before enrolling in upper-division nursing courses. Some programs may also require a criminal background check, drug screening, and up-to-date immunizations as part of the application or enrollment process. Given the demand for nursing seats, prospective students should aim to exceed minimums and submit applications early, paying close attention to each program's specific deadline and prerequisite checklist.
Registered nurses in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area earn a median annual wage of $133,440, significantly above the national median of $93,600. With the top 10% earning over $172,740, the local market rewards experience and advanced credentials, making the BSN programs ranked above a strong long-term investment.
If you're exploring nursing education in Alhambra, you likely have questions about local program options, accreditation, and time commitments. Here are straightforward answers to the most common inquiries from prospective nursing students in the area.
