10 Best Nursing Schools in Sacramento California

Nursing Schools in Sacramento

The best nursing schools in Sacramento offer flexible and affordable programs for new nurses and nurses interested in more advanced degrees. Sacramento nursing schools offer certificate and degree programs. Registered nursing programs take two years to complete, allowing a student to start their career quickly after graduating high school.

You may prefer to attend one of the Sacramento nursing programs that offer a bachelor of science in nursing or BSN program upon completion and earn a higher salary over time. Once you’ve identified the type of education path you want to pursue, it’s time to determine which Sacramento nursing schools will meet your needs.

There are multiple nursing schools in the Sacramento area, so it’s easier to find a school that meets educational needs and has reasonable tuition. The competition for students in the Sacramento nursing schools is to the advantage of the student. Many of the nursing schools in the Sacramento area are public colleges or universities that offer low tuition for in-state students. Private nursing schools in the Sacramento area are also an option. And quite a few private schools have good ratings from former students.

How We Ranked the Top Nursing Schools in Sacramento

TopRNtoBSN editors sought out accredited nursing schools in metropolitan Sacramento, CA. We ranked them based on tuition costs, student outcomes, and job market reputation, using data from IPEDS and Niche. Only nursing programs with accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCEN) or ACEN made the list.

1. California State University, Sacramento

California State University, Sacramento, offers many of the best nursing programs in Sacramento. These degree programs allow nursing students to explore the field of nursing on every level. Each student learns the necessary skills they will need to properly perform their duties and care for their patients. Additionally, the school offers flexible schedules and gives students the confidence they need. Their programs include:

traditional BSN program or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)
LVN 30 Unit Option Non-Degree Program
MS in Nursing (includes ADN with an MSN option)
Registered Nurse RN to BSN program and ADN to BSN program Collaborative Tracks
School Nurse Credential
Special Teaching Authorization in Health (STAH) for nursing education

Cal State of Sacramento is a leader in nursing education and healthcare. The university offers a nursing curriculum that is second to none in the state. Every faculty member on staff has experience in their chosen field and understands what each student will need to be able to perform their duties effectively and efficiently. By offering one of the best nursing programs in the area, Cal State Sacramento is making it possible for nursing students to earn caps and further their careers.

Accreditation: CCNE

Visit the school

2. Sacramento City College

Sacramento City College offers many of the best nursing programs in the Sacramento area. Each program advances a student’s education to a point where they can successfully achieve their goals. Additionally, students can choose from advanced and accelerated programs, as well as traditional course options. Students learn essential academic skills and nursing skills at this nursing college.

AS in LVN to RN Transition to Registered Nursing
AS in Nursing, Registered
LVN to RN 30-Unit Option Certificate
Nursing, Vocational Certificate
AS in Nursing, Vocational

For over a hundred years, Sacramento City College offered quality educational programs for students to continue or complete their education. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors teach each nursing program. They can provide guidance and encouragement to students who are just entering the workforce. With a degree, graduates qualify for higher positions and often a pay increase.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

3. UC Davis Medical Center

UC Davis Medical Center offers many advanced degrees in nursing for nursing professionals in Sacramento. Program course materials give students the skills they need based on their level of education and goals after graduation. Students learn in a medical setting, so they see firsthand the work environment. Graduates leave the program knowing they will be able to properly care for patients in a variety of medical settings.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Family Nurse Practitioner
DNP or Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia
PhD or Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Nursing
MS Leadership
Master of Science or MS Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Master’s Entry Program in Nursing

UC Davis Medical Center is one of the more advanced and innovative schools regarding the best nursing programs. The instructors and faculty have impeccable reputations as medical professionals. So, they can give the best possible guidance to each student they work with. Because the programs offered are taught in a medical environment, students can begin to earn experience from the first minute they enter the classroom.

Accreditation: CCNE

Visit the school

4. American River College

At American River College, individuals can find many of the best nursing programs in Sacramento and the surrounding communities. Nursing programs allow students to learn the skills they need to provide quality patient care. Nursing involves much more than just medical knowledge. Nurses must also learn how to work in a fast-paced and stressful environment while still making the patient and their concerns top priorities. The best nursing programs are multi-faceted and provide each student with what they need to fulfill the requirements of their position.

Associate of Science or AS in Registered Nursing
AS in LVN to RN Career Mobility
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 30-unit option Certificate
Certified Nurse Assistant Certificate
Home Health Aide Certificate

American River College offers students flexible schedule options to pursue their education in a way that best suits their needs. Faculty members can better serve their students by focusing on the diverse culture of the Sacramento area. Faculty members are medical professionals who take pride in being able to offer their knowledge and expertise to those they teach. Every student attending the college’s nursing programs is guaranteed a quality education they can use to establish themselves as leaders in their field.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

5. Carrington College – Sacramento

Carrington College provides many of the best nursing programs in Sacramento for students who are interested in earning their LPN, or RN. Each program teaches skills required if a student wants to provide quality care to each patient they come in contact with. Nursing programs also offer leadership and organizational skills that may be needed if a nursing student is intent on advancing their career beyond hands-on patient care. The best nursing programs teach nursing skills and how to manage the resources available in a hospital or office setting.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Nursing Bridge for LVN to ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
Practical Nursing or Vocational Nursing

Carrington College has several locations in eight different western states. The Sacramento location offers students many different degrees and certification programs to choose from, allowing them to get the education they need. The college is small enough for students to have a one-on-one relationship with their instructor but big enough for them to get the quality of education they will need to reach their career goals.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

6. Sierra College

Sierra College can offer the best nursing programs in Sacramento to students who live in the area. They offer two- and four-year degree options and certification programs for students who need the necessary skills to pass the national exam to become licensed as an LPN or RN. The college offers specializations in each program for students who are interested in a specific type of medicine, such as pediatrics or emergency care.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program – ADN to BSN program (or RN to BSN) Merger Track
ADN track for LVN to RN Upward Mobility Program

Sierra College is well-known for its flexible schedules and professional faculty members. The faculty works diligently to ensure that each student can complete their degree program with the skills they need to be successful. The college offers resources that allow each student to pursue specializations in nursing. For over 75 years, the college has continued to maintain a level of professionalism that makes it worth a second look.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

7. Weimar Institute

Weimar Institute offers the best nursing programs in Sacramento for students seeking a holistic approach to healthcare. The students are taught using a whole-body approach (body, mind, spirit) and are given the skills they need to care for patients with a critical eye for detail and compassion that puts the patient at ease. Programs are evidence-based, giving students the ability to analyze a situation and find a viable solution. The Institute ensures that every graduate is ready to take on any challenge that crosses their path regarding their nursing career.

Associate of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Weimar Institute is well-known as one of the best Christian schools in the Sacramento area. Students are educated with Christian principles in mind. Faculty members are leaders within their church as well as in their communities and can offer their expertise and guidance to each of the students they teach. Students who are wanting to find the best nursing programs in Sacramento can enroll at Sierra College and get the education they need.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

8. Curam College of Nursing

Curam College of Nursing offers many of the best nursing programs in Sacramento to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Each nursing degree and certification program teaches skills in identifying and solving problems, providing various types of care, and being compassionate in times of distress. Nursing students are given the knowledge they need to properly care for patients and assist doctors in whatever capacity is required. Students who graduate from one of the best nursing programs in the area can move forward knowing they are qualified to take on a nursing position and succeed.

Nurse Assistant
Home Health Aide
Intravenous Therapy/Blood Withdrawal
Medical Assistant

Curam College of Nursing can provide the highest quality education to every student who chooses to enroll at the college. Instructors are proven professionals with years of experience. They provide students with the guidance they need to take on new challenges that push their boundaries and encourage them to advance continually in their careers.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

9. Charles A. Jones Career and Vocational Center

The Charles A. Jones Career and Vocational Center provide students an opportunity to enroll in some of the best nursing programs in Sacramento. Students receive the highest caliber of education possible and are given all the skills and abilities they need to care for patients. For over 50 years, the center has offered students the to learn in a highly structured environment where excellence is the norm and not the option. The best nursing programs in Sacramento provide each student with everything they need to be eligible for the nursing jobs they want to pursue. The school offers a nurse assistant program and a vocational nursing program for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).

Nurse Assistant Training – five-week program and 192 hours
Vocational Nursing – thirty-five-week program with 1408 VN Training Hours (Total 1652 hours, including Pre-requisites and 10 hours for CNA)

The Charles A. Jones Career and Vocational Center is part of the Sacramento City Unified School District and operates under the rules of the State of California Department of Education. The school has sought out and employed faculty members who have proven themselves as leaders in the medical field. Each faculty member has dedicated themselves to providing students with the tools they need to become successful nurses in whatever direction their careers take.

Accreditation: ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Visit the school

10. Unitek College

The Sacramento campus of Unitek offers nursing programs for students interested in learning about the latest advancements in the nursing industry. This includes advanced technology and treatment options that can improve the quality of life. Students at the Sacramento campus learn all of the skills and talents they will need to advance their careers. Whether just entering the workforce or having worked in the medical field for many years, this program fosters success. The best nursing programs in Sacramento are readily available and waiting for students who are interested in succeeding.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing or traditional BSN program
Vocational Nursing

Unitek is a relatively new school but it offers all of the most advanced course options available to nursing students in the Sacramento area. Faculty members have been selected based on their experience and reputation within their given industry. Students can rely on their guidance and advice o assist them in reaching each new milestone with confidence knowing they have the skills they will need to perform their duties.

Accreditation: BSN program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Visit the school

How Do I Find a Nursing School in Sacramento?

A quick internet search for nursing schools in Sacramento shows that there are quite a few nursing schools in the Sacramento area to choose from. It also shows that there are a lot of nursing programs in Sacramento that have the potential to be more alike than not. Selecting one of the Sacramento nursing schools can seem overwhelming to a prospective nursing student. Just how do you find an accredited nursing school? You begin by creating personal criteria and the type of nursing specialization you want to enter.

Finally, when looking into Sacramento nursing programs, ensure the school offers an academic program that aligns with your goals. If you’re looking into accelerated programs, make sure that the Sacramento nursing school you choose gives you the education you need to be effective when you graduate. Alternatively, if you’re planning on earning your BSN, check that the nursing program has that degree along with any specializations you want to pursue.

How is the Job Market for Nurses in Sacramento?

The job market for nursing jobs in Sacramento is considered competitive for new graduates, but that should not deter you from earning your degree and entering the field. Nurses with 1-2 years of experience in any medical setting will find employment easier. It may be more difficult to find RN jobs in Sacramento CA, right after graduation, but not impossible. Nursing schools usually have job placement programs to help their graduates find employment in the healthcare field. The boost from the school helps newly graduated nurses gain the experience they need to find better jobs in a relatively short period of time.

On average, there are over 250 nursing jobs in Sacramento CA, available at any given time. There are plenty of RN jobs in Sacramento CA, at any given time. This is a generalist role and a necessary part of any health organization. Registered nurses have the training and flexibility to work in many different areas of medicine at a moment’s notice. So there will always be RN nursing jobs in Sacramento, California.

Nursing specializations are also an option for those considering a Sacramento nursing program. A student may prefer to challenge themselves and take on an area of healthcare that requires focused schooling, such as pediatrics or oncology wards. Additionally, nursing specialists in high-demand fields, like a nurse practitioner, will find many nursing jobs in Sacramento California that pay well and provide a satisfying work experience.

How Much Do Nurses Make in Sacramento?

The average nurse salary in Sacramento ranges from $74,000 a year to $125,000 and is over 50% higher than the national average. The average Sacramento registered nurse salary comes in at $100,000 a year. It quickly becomes apparent that the average Sacramento nurse salary plays a large role in the competitive nature of employment for nursing jobs in Sacramento, CA. It’s highly advisable to keep in mind that salary depends on the nurse’s experience in the role, but entry-level nursing positions also pay a competitive wage.

The cost of living in the Sacramento area influences the average Sacramento registered nurse salary. Additionally, the perceived demand from the aging Baby Boomer population also influences it. Baby Boomers put more pressure on the healthcare system as their bodies need more medical assistance. The same goes for the Millennial population. It is close to middle age and will also need increasing levels of healthcare. Someone who wants a nursing career has a solid future in Sacramento.

Related: