If you’re a professional in the nursing field who’s looking to take your career to the next level, there’s no higher degree you can obtain than a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. A DNP degree asserts that you have the experience and expertise to take on the most advanced roles in nursing practice, from executive leadership positions at healthcare organizations to providing specialized clinical services that few are qualified to take on.
As you might expect, pursuing a DNP degree takes a great deal of hard work. Fortunately, California has a wealth of excellent DNP programs to choose from, with options available for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, allowing students at any stage of their educational journey to aim for the top of their field.
There are numerous DNP programs throughout the state of California, available in a variety of delivery formats, degree pathways, and scheduling options to all types of nursing students to pursue their dream careers on their terms.
This guide compiles the very best DNP programs in California so that you can find the option that best serves your needs.
A note on this guide
This index features programs across the state of California, at institutions both public and private; in delivery formats including on-campus, online, and hybrid; and offering both BSN to DNP programs and post-master’s DNP programs . Because of this, not every program included in this guide will be applicable for every student. Be sure to take a look at the “degree pathway” listing in the particular specifications for the programs that interest you to be sure you are a fit.
It’s also worth noting that many programs that offer separate concentrations require students to apply for these concentration tracks directly. This means that it’s imperative to take a close look at the application process for each program well in advance of the due date so that you know exactly what’s required of you.
The information included in these listings is taken from program websites as well as the NCES College Navigator database, and it is important to look closely at the specifications for each program to be sure it meets your needs as a student.
Making the cost of DNP programs work for you
The tuition listings included in this index are intended to give prospective students a general sense of what their DNP programs are likely to cost per year. Not included in this guide, however, are the specific financial aid, scholarship, and prize opportunities offered by individual schools.
For nurses who aspire to take their careers to the next level but feel daunted by the cost of attending a graduate school, financial aid and scholarships can be game-changing resources that can help you pursue your education without the financial strain that many associate with degree programs.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are provided directly by schools (as well as some independent organizations whose mission is to make nursing education more accessible). As an applicant, you’re highly encouraged to take a look at the financial support options at the schools on your list early into the application process, especially because many of them will require specific applications at the same time as your primary program applications are due.
Our top DNP program picks (in alphabetical order)
Below is our list of the best DNP programs in California. Please note that they are in alphabetical order and are not ranked. Be sure to take a look at the specific information for each program to ensure that it is suited to your prior level of education.
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa (main campus), Inland Empire, Monrovia, San Diego
Online (on-campus intensives required for BSN to DNP)
Websites: BSN to DNP | Post-Master’s DNP
BSN to DNP
Post-Master's DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Health Systems Leadership
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $63,980 – $77,060
Azusa Pacific University offers flexible online degree programs for nurses with either a BSN or MSN, each tailored to fit different educational backgrounds. The BSN-to-DNP program is mostly conducted online but requires students to attend several in-person intensives throughout the program. In contrast, the post-master’s DNP program is entirely online without any in-person requirements. Those looking for the best online DNP programs in California should definitely add this to their lists.
For the BSN-to-DNP track, students can choose from three different specializations. Two of these tracks prepare nurses for advanced practice roles and certifications: the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track and the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track. The third option, Health Systems Leadership, focuses on leadership and management in healthcare, catering to those aiming for administrative or executive roles rather than direct clinical practice.
The post-master’s DNP program, however, does not offer specific concentrations. Students can choose to emphasize either Direct Care, which focuses on clinical practice and APRN responsibilities, or Indirect Care, which emphasizes leadership and administrative skills. Additionally, MSN-DNP students have the opportunity to pursue the Oncology Fellowship, which provides specialized training for those seeking the ONP Certificate.
Admission requirements for APU’s DNP programs include holding a relevant nursing degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants to the BSN-to-DNP program must also have an active RN license and at least eight months of professional nursing experience. Those applying to the MSN-DNP program are required to hold an APRN certification.
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Hybrid format
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $33,649 – $37,437
Boasting a history as one of the oldest nursing schools in the country, the Loma Linda University School of Nursing is an excellent choice of institution for those aspiring to the highest levels of nursing practice. This Christian university offers an education in nursing grounded in faith-based traditions and spiritual practices. The school offers DNP programs for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, delivered in a hybrid format. Students may elect to take these courses on a full-time or part-time schedule.
BSN holders have a plethora of options at Loma Linda, with concentration opportunities in the following fields:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Adult/Gerontology
- Leadership
- Acute Care-Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (ACAGNP)
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (AC-PNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Primary Care: Adult/Gerontology (AGNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
The majority of these programs are designed to prepare students for qualifying exams for the relevant certification for their needs. It’s worth noting that applicants must apply to each of these programs directly, so it’s critical to give thought to your desired nursing specialization at the outset of the application process. Application requirements for the different programs may vary.
Within the MSN to DNP program, meanwhile, applicants can choose between two distinct concentration options: the clinical track, designed to develop expertise in specific areas of healthcare or target populations, and the leadership track, which focuses on equipping students for leadership and teaching roles within healthcare institutions. Regardless of the track chosen, all students must complete a hands-on practicum and undertake a capstone research project that aligns with their field of focus.
National University
Fresno, CA
Hybrid format (BSN to DNP), Online
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) (BSN to DNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership (post-master’s)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $12,000
National University offers two degree pathways for DNPs: a BSN to DNP track and a post-master’s track. The former is a Doctor of Anesthesia nursing practice program designed to prepare students for their DNAP qualifying exams, while the latter is an Executive Leadership program designed for MSN-prepared nurses who have already developed an area of specialty while in their master’s programs.
The BSN to DNP program is a 36-month program that integrates core elements from a typical MSN curriculum with specialized anesthesia training through hands-on learning, including both in-person lectures and advanced simulation exercises. Though much of the coursework is delivered in an online format, DNAP students must complete a 15-month didactic phase in person at National University’s campus in Fresno, followed by 21 months of clinical residency. Upon completing the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam, qualifying them as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
Meanwhile, those looking for one of the best online DNP programs in California can find a 100% remote option in National University’s post-master’s program, which does not require any on-campus tutorials. This 30-month program focuses on the core principles of nursing education while emphasizing leadership development in areas such as healthcare administration, policy, and informatics. In addition, students are required to complete an Applied Doctoral Manuscript as the program’s culminating project.
Applicants to either program at National University are expected to hold the relevant degree from an accredited institution, with minimum 3.0 GPAs. They are also expected to hold RN certification with at least one year of work experience completed by the time they start school. As a veteran-founded university, National University offers direct support to applicants who have completed military service.
Samuel Merritt University
Fresno, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento
Online
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (General)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $57,326
Samuel Merritt University offers fully online programs at both the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP levels, providing a flexible option for nurses seeking to advance their education. The BSN program – one of the best BSN to DNP programs in California – offers both a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track and a Psychiatric Mental Health track, preparing nurses to become specialists in those respective fields. Meanwhile, MSN-prepared nurses can enroll in the post-master’s DNP program, which doesn’t have set concentrations but allows students to focus on a specialized area during their fieldwork.
The BSN-to-DNP programs can be completed either full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the FNP program in 2.5 years, while the Psychiatric Mental Health track takes 3 years. Meanwhile, the post-master’s DNP program is one of the most accelerated DNP programs around, which can be completed in 20 months on a full-time schedule.
Applicants to Samuel Merritt’s DNP program must apply directly for the track that appeals to them, so prospective students should take their long-term career goals into consideration before they apply. Those who apply are expected to hold the relevant degrees and active RN certification, having completed a year of full-time RN experience prior to commencement of the program.
University of California – San Francisco
San Francisco
Hybrid format
Website
BSN to DNP
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $50,766
UCSF recently launched its BSN to DNP program, whose pilot program opened in 2024. A hybrid program with both online synchronous and asynchronous courses as well as in-person didactic tutorials, it offers students the opportunity to pursue their advanced nursing degrees from one of the top medical academic institutions in the United States. Students can also avail themselves of the school’s many connections to prestigious healthcare institutions for their field practicum experiences, including the school’s Helen Diller Medical Center.
There are several concentration pathways in UCSF’s BSN to DNP program, including:
- Adult-Gerontology (Acute Care)
- Adult-Gerontology (Primary Care)
- Family Nursing
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Adult-Gerontology
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Health Policy and Public Health
Applications vary depending on which program you’d like to apply for, meaning students should know at the outset of the application process which career path they’d like to pursue in the long run.
In addition to a BSN with a 3.0 GPA or higher, applicants are expected to hold active California Registered Nurse licenses. Those applying to acute specialization programs are also expected to have completed at least two years of RN experience.
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
In-person format
Website
BSN to DNP
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $30,600 (approximate – varies by concentration)
The Hahn School of Nursing at University of San Diego is ranked as one of the top nursing programs in the country. It offers a BSN-DNP program available on a full-time (three year) or part-time (four to five year) schedule, depending on students’ professional and personal needs. Hosting on-campus classes occurring a minimum of two days a week, this program is intended for San Diego residents (or applicants who are willing to relocate to attend class).
There are four concentration pathways at USD that applicants must choose from when they initiate the application process:
- Dual Adult-Gerontology/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
These programs prepare students to qualify for licensing examinations upon obtaining their DNP degrees. It’s important to highlight that the cost of these programs can vary, as they call for a different number of course credits, so those concerned about the price of school should do their research early into the application process.
All applicants to SDU must hold BSNs from accredited institutions with GPAs of 3.0 or higher, as well as RN certification. The nurse practitioner tracks also call for applicants to have completed at least one year of acute care RN experience.
Western University
Pomona, CA
On-campus intensives: Optional (post-master’s); Yes (BSN to DNP programs)
Website
BSN to DNP
MSN to DNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Leadership
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-state): $18,396
Western University offers DNP programs designed to strengthen nurses’ clinical expertise and leadership abilities, while being flexible enough to accommodate their current work schedules. This university provides two programs at the BSN-DNP level (Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) and one post-master’s program in Leadership. The BSN-DNP tracks require occasional in-person sessions, while the post-master’s Leadership program offers intensive courses that can be attended either on-campus or online.
The BSN-DNP options are centered around specific specialties (see degree options above), and graduates will be eligible for certification in their chosen field upon completing the program. In contrast, the post-master’s DNP focuses broadly on leadership, though students have the opportunity to choose Nurse Educator electives to develop a more informal specialization over the course of their studies.