It’s no secret that obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree takes a significant amount of time and dedication, with program durations ranging from eighteen months to five years, depending on what level of degree you enter with. For some nurses who wish to ascend to the highest levels of nursing practice, attending a long-term graduate program can be daunting, not only due to the amount of time it will take to complete but because of the high price tag that can come with graduate school.
Fortunately, prospective DNP students in California have a number of excellent Doctor’s of Nursing Practice programs they can choose from that won’t break the bank.
These include all program formats – on-campus, hybrid, and online – as well as both of the primary DNP degree tracks – BSN to DNP and post-master’s DNP – meaning students at all levels of their education have excellent and affordable opportunities awaiting them.
This guide provides a comprehensive index of California’s most affordable DNP programs, with information about degree pathways, program costs, anticipated program duration, and more. If you’re a prospective student considering your academic options, take a look at the list below to find the program that’s right for you.
How we determined which programs are the most affordable
The schools featured in this guide all fall below the average cost of tuition for DNP programs in the state of California. The listed tuition are per-year estimates that assume students will be enrolled on a full-time schedule. These figures are taken from program websites as well as the NCES College Navigator database, though it’s worth noting that most of these cost estimates do not include the price of class materials or housing costs.
It’s also worth noting that most if not all of these programs offer financial aid, scholarships, grants, and other means of support to help ensure that students have access to their educational opportunities. As you begin the application process, you are encouraged to look at the financial aid offerings at any schools on your list, which may significantly alleviate your financial burden as you pursue your career goals.
DNP programs let you earn an income as you work toward your degree
As you calculate the cost of your doctorate-level education, it may be useful to remember that you’re likely to have the opportunity to continue your professional life while in school.
The majority of DNP programs are designed to be incorporated into students’ day-to-day schedules as working nurses.
This allows students to continue to earn an income while taking on the cost of their academic tuition, significantly offsetting the burden of pursuing an advanced degree. Some students elect to enroll in classes on a part-time schedule so that their school schedules don’t interfere too much with their professional obligations, but in many cases, full-time programs are also designed to support working students, with most allowing students to complete their field research and practicum hours from their existing workplace.
There’s no denying that maintaining a nursing career while attending graduate school is intense, rigorous work. But for those who have been concerned about facing a loss of income while in school, fear not: you’ll still be able to make money while pursuing your advanced degree, and you’ll graduate with the credentials to qualify for the highest-paying roles in the nursing field, making for an experience that will literally pay off in the long run.
Your complete list of schools (in alphabetical order)
Below is our list of the most affordable DNP programs, listed alphabetically. Be sure to take a look at the listed degree pathways (BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP) to ensure that you’re qualified for the programs you’re considering.
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Online (with in-person intensives)
Website
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Educator
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Health Nurse Practitioner
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $13,561
California Baptist University offers one of the most affordable online DNP programs you can find in the state. Composed primarily of asynchronous courses that can be taken at students’ convenience, this post-master’s DNP program is designed for those who intend to uphold their professional careers as nurses while in school. It’s worth noting that the program includes several on-campus intensives in Riverside, but otherwise students have the leeway to pursue their studies from wherever they live, including places outside of the city.
There are multiple concentration options in California Baptist University’s DNP program that prepare students for roles providing advanced clinical services (see the list of degree options above). These roles typically require nurses to additionally complete credentialing exams, which students will be qualified to do upon completing the program. Students also have the option of declining a major, instead pursuing an indirect care path that builds leadership skills in preparation for executive roles on healthcare teams.
As a post-master’s DNP program, this program requires students to hold MSN degrees in order to apply, as well as holding up-to-date Registered Nurse (RN) certification. Since MSN holders are qualified to have APRN certification, this is encouraged as well, but not a flat requirement.
California State University – Fresno
(Fresno State)
Fresno, CA
Online (with in-person intensives)
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $16,112
Fresno State’s DNP program welcomes both MSN and BSN holders, offering a two-and-a-half year, full-time program that is primarily online. The program spans five semesters, including two brief on-campus intensives during their first and fourth semesters, as well as the final week of the program, when students deliver in-person oral defenses of their final DNP projects.
While both BSN and MSN-prepared nurses are eligible to enter Fresno State’s program, those entering with a master’s degree can apply many of their previous MSN practicum hours toward their DNP clinical requirements. This means they will have fewer clinical hours to complete while in school, though the overall program length remains the same for both groups of students.
Applicants to Fresno State are expected to hold a BSN or MSN from an accredited institution as well as an active, unencumbered California RN license. It is sometimes possible for those who hold master’s degrees in health-related fields other than nursing, though they may be required to complete additional post-baccalaureate courses in nursing theories, research methods, and transcultural nursing.
California State University – Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Online (with in-person intensives)
Website
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Direct Care
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Indirect Care
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $17,576
Cal State Fullerton’s post-master’s DNP program follows a mostly online format, with occasional in-person tutorials required during the five-semester duration of the program. Courses are offered in both real-time (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) formats, allowing for flexibility to accommodate students’ work schedules. The program spans two years, including a summer term between each academic year.
Students at Cal State Fullerton can choose between the Direct Care track and the Indirect Care track. The former is suited for those who wish to take on specialized clinical practice roles of all types (with specializations developed in students’ practicum hours), and the Indirect Care track, which emphasizes leadership skills for those who want to take on executive nursing roles in their careers. Working students have the opportunity to earn practicum hours within their current workplaces, significantly alleviating the scheduling burden graduate school can create.
Students must apply to each of Cal State Fullerton’s DNP tracks directly, meaning it’s important to give consideration to your long-term career goals during the application process. Those pursuing the Direct Care track are expected to hold APRN certification, while those pursuing the Indirect Care track only need to hold active, unencumbered RN certification. All applicants must hold an MSN from an accredited school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
California State – Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Online (with in-person intensives)
BSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Pediatric Primary Care
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $8,902
Those looking for the most affordable BSN to DNP programs online will find the very most cost-effective choice in Cal State Long Beach. This three-year program includes several on-campus intensives but is otherwise delivered in synchronous and asynchronous online tutorials that allow students to maintain their professional responsibilities while in school. Prospective students should make note that this program is only available on a full-time basis.
There are five specialization tracks for students in the BSN-DNP program at Cal State Long Beach, each of which prepares students for their respective credentialing exams. They are:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Family Nursing
- Psychiatric Mental Health
- Pediatric Primary Care
Students do not need to select their concentration during the application process, but rather have the opportunity to explore their options and make their selections over the course of their program. This is an excellent choice for those who wish to get the lay of the land before focusing their long-term career paths.
Cal State Long Beach requires BSN-DNP applicants to hold a BSN from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants are also required to be on track to obtain their RN certification by the time school begins if they do not yet hold them.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Willowbrook, CA
Online (with on-campus intensvies)
Website
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $14,954
The post-master’s DNP program at Charles R. Drew University is not only one of California’s most affordable DNP programs online – it’s also one of the fastest to complete. This program takes place over only sixteen months to help motivated students get their advanced nursing careers started as soon as possible. Consisting of online courses that primarily take place on weekends as well as two on-campus intensives, this program is designed to allow working students to continue their professional pursuits without significant interference.
Because students in the Charles R. Drew DNP program already hold MSN degrees, students are only required to complete 540 practicum hours, a significant reduction from the expectations at most other programs. Coursework is focused on leadership, both at the healthcare organization and policy level, making this an ideal program for those who wish to take on high-ranking roles on nursing teams and in clinical institutions.
As a post-master’s DNP program, Charles R. Drew requires all DNP applicants to hold MSN degrees from accredited institutions, as well as RN licenses. It is recommended but not required for students to hold APRN certifications as well. Finally, students must submit proof of completed field work hours from their master’s programs so that they can qualify for the reduced practicum hours this DNP path requires.
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA
100% online (Healthcare Leadership)
Online with on-campus intensives (FNP and CNS)
Website
BSN to DNP (FNP and CNS concentrations only)
MSN to DNP (all concentrations)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Healthcare Leadership
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Clinical Nurse Specialist
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,884
Point Loma Nazarene University is another of the most affordable DNP programs online in California, offering both BSN to DNP and post-master’s DNP degree pathways. There are three concentration tracks offered at PLNU: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), which are open to students at both degree levels, and Healthcare Leadership, which is only open to those who already hold MSNs. The former two programs are primarily delivered virtually, with occasional on-campus intensives, while the latter is a fully-online program with no on-campus tutorials. Though the FNP and CNS programs are open to both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, the duration will vary depending on your degree level.
One program at Point Loma Nazarene University that deserves special attention is a subspecialization within the CNS track: the Adult-Gerontology concentration with a focus on women’s health. This is the only women-focused gerontology track offered in the state of California.
It’s worth mentioning that Point Loma Nazarene University is a Christian institution that incorporates spiritual teachings into its nursing education, making it an ideal choice for those whose faith-based values have brought them into the field. That said, students from all religious backgrounds are welcomed, and will receive the same clinical education here that they would from a secular institution.
Applicants to Point Loma Nazarene must choose their program concentration in advance of applying. Applicants are required to hold either a BSN or MSN from an accredited university (BSNs are not eligible for the Healthcare Leadership track) and active RN credentials.
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
Online (with on-campus intensives)
Website
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $15,270
For nurses in Northern California aiming to advance their careers, San Jose State University’s post-master’s DNP program provides an excellent and affordable opportunity. The program is mainly delivered online, with three in-person tutorials spread out over the duration of the curriculum, which is designed to accommodate working professionals. At only 23 months, this is one of the fastest post-master’s DNP programs available to MSN-prepared nurses.
A central element of the SJSU DNP program is the Doctoral Project. Students begin working on this project in their first semester and continue refining it throughout all five semesters, drawing on evidence-based research from their practicum experience. This project is formally presented during an on-campus conference in the final semester.
Admission to the program is limited to California residents with an MSN degree. Applicants must also have an active RN or APRN license to qualify.
University of California – Irvine
Irvine, CA
Online (with on-campus intensives)
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (post-master’s only)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $12,264
Southern California-based nursing professionals who are interested in pursuing DNP degrees without interrupting their existing career trajectories have a great option in UC Irvine’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, which are available on both BSN to DNP and post-master’s DNP tracks. Offered by the acclaimed Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, this program is designed for working professionals, with online classes available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Occasional on-campus intensives are part of the program curriculum, occurring at the beginning, middle, and end of the three (BSN to DNP) or two (MSN to DNP) year program duration.
The post-master’s DNP program at UC Irvine is a generalist program designed for MSN-prepared nurses who already have selected their intended area of specialization in the nursing field. The BSN to DNP program is a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)-focused curriculum that prepares students for their FNP certification exams upon completing the program. This program is also open to MSN-prepared nurses, who will complete the same coursework but have significantly reduced practicum hours from their BSN-holding peers.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
San Marcos, CA
Online (on-campus intensives for FNP)
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Executive
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master’s)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,594 (approx)
Those looking for an entirely online DNP program have an excellent and affordable choice at University of St. Augustine. The school’s DNP–Nurse Executive program, designed for BSN-prepared nurses, and post-master’s DNP program, which is exclusively for those who already hold an MSN, are both 100% online, with no on-campus intensives. The school also offers a BSN-DNP program with an FNP concentration, which includes two on-campus intensives over the course of the program.
For BSN-prepared students, the FNP program takes around four years to complete, while the Nurse Executive program lasts about 3.3 years. Both programs include a combination of live (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) online classes and over 1,000 hours of practicum experience. The MSN-DNP program, by contrast, can be completed in 2.3 years on a full-time basis and requires between 540 and 1,000 practicum hours, depending on the student’s prior experience.
To apply, candidates must hold either a BSN or MSN, depending on their chosen program, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students are also required to hold active, unencumbered RN licenses. They also are required to have completed approximately one year (2,000 hours) of RN experience before the program begins.