6 Fastest RN to NP Programs in California (With Online Options)

California nurse practitioners take home $173,190 each year – the highest salary among all 50 states. The job market looks even better with NP employment set to grow by 58.6% between 2022-2032.

RN to NP programs in California give registered nurses a clear path to these rewarding opportunities. You’ll find programs that match your schedule and career goals, whether you want to join the best nurse practitioner programs in California or look for an RN to FNP online option. Family nurse practitioners play a vital role in healthcare, and more than two-thirds (69.7%) of NPs focus on family care.

These fast-track programs take just 28 months for full-time students or 44 months for professionals who work. The success numbers tell an amazing story – some programs achieve a 97% overall pass rate and 96% first-time pass rate, which stands well above the national average of 84%.

MSN-level NP programs in California cost between $20,000 and $60,000, but you’ll find affordable options that work for different budgets. Here are six quick-completion RN to NP programs in California that can launch your career to new heights.

1. West Coast University – RN to MSN-FNP

West Coast University runs a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited RN to MSN-FNP program. Registered nurses can advance their careers without a BSN through this program that combines online coursework with hands-on clinical practice. Students receive evidence-based education that prepares them for modern healthcare challenges.

Program overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner track equips registered nurses to provide primary care services to patients of all ages. FNPs serve as vital members of community health teams and deliver essential primary care in private practices, clinics, and community health organizations. Students learn to implement evidence-based practice guidelines and analyze healthcare interventions based on each patient’s and family’s needs.

Students develop these key skills:

• Delivering complete wellness and illness care to patients throughout their lives
• Providing preventive health services and patient education
• Disease management and illness prevention
• Tailoring healthcare interventions to individual needs

Students with an unobstructed current RN license in the United States receive 42 transfer credits. The program allows up to 48 credits of general education transfer credits. Students need to complete 158 credits in total.

Program length and format

Students can choose from two flexible pacing options:

• Accelerated Pace: Program completion in 28 months (7 trimesters)
• Working Professional Pace: Program completion in 44 months (11 trimesters)

The program uses an 8-week term structure with multiple start dates throughout the year. RN certified students can complete most of their degree online while getting hands-on practice through clinical hours and on-site intensives.

Students must attend two 3-day On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends. These campus sessions help students learn, practice, and demonstrate essential hands-on skills that nurse practitioners need. These unique experiences prepare students for their clinical rotations.

The FNP track requires 600 precepted clinical hours to ensure proper hands-on experience. The program’s mobile-friendly content lets students study between shifts, making it one of the most available RN to NP programs in California.

Tuition and fees

Program costs vary based on your chosen pace:

Accelerated Pace (28 months)

• Total Program Credits: 158
• Estimated Total Program Costs (California): $53,907 (non-military) / $46,815.50 (military)
• Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas): $53,880 (non-military) / $46,792 (military)

Working Professional Pace (44 months)

• Total Program Credits: 158
• Estimated Total Program Costs (California): $54,907.50 (non-military) / $47,816 (military)
• Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas): $54,880 (non-military) / $47,792 (military)

Program costs cover tuition, technology fees, supplies, and licensure preparation fees. Technology fees include student technical support, Office 365, online course systems, mobile app access, student portal technology, and required electronic materials/software.

West Coast University offers financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and loans. Military personnel and their spouses can get reduced tuition rates.

Clinical placement support

The program’s dedicated Clinical Placements team helps students through their clinical experience. Students get support with:

• Finding suitable preceptors and clinical sites that match program requirements
• Using WCU’s healthcare partnerships to secure placements
• Getting guidance from a coordinator of clinical relations through coaching calls

Students can arrange their own site and preceptor or apply for WCU’s Clinical Placement Assistance. Each placement needs approval through a Site Prospector request for every course, term, and preceptor.

Students must submit placement requests 16 weeks before their clinical course starts. This support system makes West Coast University a top choice among California’s nurse practitioner programs for students who want quality clinical experiences.

2. Charles R. Drew University – MSN-FNP

Charles R. Drew University (CDU) in Los Angeles is known as one of the few HBCU medical institutions on the West Coast. The university’s Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program is a chance to learn healthcare delivery with emphasis on diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.

Program overview

CDU’s MSN-FNP program trains advanced practice nurses to manage healthcare throughout patients’ lives. Students learn to serve underserved populations while getting ground experience in diverse healthcare settings. The program’s unique approach helps graduates support a wide range of patient needs.

The 51-credit curriculum focuses on several key areas:

• Health promotion and disease prevention
• Clinical management of primary care conditions
• Meeting healthcare needs of underserved communities

Graduates can take national certification examinations through both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and California Board of Nursing accredit the program.

Students get practical experience through clinical rotations at healthcare facilities like Los Angeles Downtown Medical Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center, and Women’s Health Associates. CDU graduates work in various roles as university administrators, hospital administrators, and midlevel providers.

Format and schedule

Working professionals can benefit from the MSN-FNP program’s executive-education format. Students attend one weekend session monthly each semester for theoretical content. They can complete the program in just 16 months while keeping their jobs.

Monthly weekend sessions blend with other learning approaches:

• Face-to-face instruction for shared learning
• Web-enhanced technology for presentations and content clarification
• Faculty guidance throughout the learning process

Clinical courses provide immersion practicum experiences. Students train in faculty-approved, in-person, precepted settings. These hands-on experiences build competencies across multiple healthcare settings to prepare for diverse practice environments.

Tuition and affordability

The MSN-FNP program costs between $42,598 and $45,288 for all 51 credits. CDU offers multiple financial aid options to help students manage these costs.

Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access various funding opportunities. This application checks eligibility for:

• Federal student aid resources
• California state aid programs
• CDU institutional aid (grants and scholarships)

Undocumented students or those with DACA status can use the Dream Act Application instead of FAFSA. CDU provides need-based and merit-based financial aid programs, plus on-campus work-study opportunities to reduce costs.

Students can request cost adjustments based on special circumstances:

• Changes in employment status or income
• Medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Childcare costs needed for continued enrollment

Admission requirements

The MSN-FNP program needs several prerequisites. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution. A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required, though some exceptions may be considered.

Other requirements include:

• Current and unrestricted registered nurse license in California
• Completed statistics course (3 units) with a grade of “C” or better
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation (two from current/past nursing supervisors)
• Personal goal statement (2-3 pages)

International applicants have additional requirements. U.S. course equivalency evaluation is needed for coursework done outside the U.S. Non-native speakers must prove English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 84 overall, including at least 24 in both speaking and writing sections.

The program’s admission process ensures selected candidates line up with CDU’s mission of serving underserved communities while maintaining high academic standards.

3. Samuel Merritt University – MSN-FNP

Ranked #4 among California’s top MSN programs for 2025, Samuel Merritt University has a complete Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner program. The program gives you advanced skills to excel in primary care settings.

Program overview

Samuel Merritt’s MSN-FNP program puts families first with high-quality, patient-centered primary care that serves communities of all backgrounds. Students learn evidence-based practice, leadership skills, and healthcare policy to meet evolving healthcare needs. The program helps you become skilled at:

• Health promotion and disease prevention throughout life
• Managing acute, episodic, and chronic conditions
• Advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning

The full-time MSN-FNP program takes 20 months (5 semesters). Working professionals can choose a 28-month part-time option. After graduation, you can take national certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Online delivery and intensives

The program runs mostly online, making it available to busy professionals looking for RN to FNP online options. Students attend two required on-campus intensives at the Sacramento campus. These face-to-face sessions are a vital way to develop hands-on skills and work with peers and faculty.

Students complete 49 semester units, including core courses, FNP specialty courses, clinical practicum, and internship. You’ll start with foundation concepts before moving to specialized family nurse practitioner coursework. The program welcomes students from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.

Tuition and scholarships

The 2022-2023 MSN-FNP program tuition was $1,486 per unit, with a total cost of about $72,814. This investment pays off—nurse practitioners in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area earn an average of $177,160 yearly.

Samuel Merritt helps with costs through several financial aid options:

• Advance Your Practice Scholarship: A $10,000 award spread across terms to help nurses advance their careers.
• Additional Nursing Scholarships: These include Sharon Clark Diaz Employee Campaign, Marshall Steele Jr., Hitchcock Heydman, Henry & Bernice Bigge Faculty Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, Elks of the Year, and William Breslin.

Financial need determines most scholarship awards, with some based on academic merit. Students can also apply for federal loans through FAFSA, which offer six-month grace periods after graduation.

Clinical practicum structure

The clinical component gives students hands-on experience. You’ll need 630 clinical hours over three semesters, about 210 hours each semester. These clinicals focus on primary care, women’s health, and pediatrics, with special attention to multicultural and underserved populations.

The 630 required hours split between direct patient care and simulation. At least 500 hours must involve direct patient care. Students work with experienced preceptors—physicians (MD/DO), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or midwives.

The program’s clinical team helps find practicum sites in your area. This support sets Samuel Merritt apart from other California RN to NP programs, where students often must find their own placements.

4. California State University, Dominguez Hills – MSN-FNP

CSUDH’s MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program excels among California’s accelerated nursing pathways. The program is available to working professionals and gives registered nurses the skills to provide complete primary care services to patients of all ages.

Program overview

The Family Nurse Practitioner program at CSUDH prepares advanced practice nurses to assess, diagnose, and deliver effective care to patients of all types and their families in primary care settings. Students become ready for national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioners through both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

This MSN-FNP track is one of the most complete RN to NP programs in California. It needs 48 semester units total, substantially more specialized than other MSN tracks at the university:

• Nurse Administrator (30 units)
• Nurse Educator (36 units)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist options (43 units)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (48 units)

The curriculum combines core nursing courses with specialized FNP coursework. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout this rigorous program that reflects the university’s commitment to quality education.

Online/hybrid format

Working professionals pursuing RN to FNP online education benefit from an innovative online/hybrid delivery model. The flexible structure has:

• Online components: Didactic courses run entirely online through asynchronous and synchronous meetings
• Clinical practice experience: 576 hours of direct patient care (144 hours across 4 semesters) under supervision of clinical preceptors in outpatient settings
• On-campus meetings: Between 1-3 campus visits each semester for hands-on training

Clinical practice experiences happen in outpatient, primary care settings in California. These clinical placements run during standard business hours Monday through Friday. Working students should plan their schedules carefully.

Students complete the program in 3-4 years, depending on their chosen pace of study. Student feedback shows they spend about 26-40 hours weekly on coursework and clinical practice. The intensive schedule makes full-time employment challenging during the FNP program.

Tuition and credit requirements

Graduate tuition at CSUDH for 2024-25 follows a tiered structure based on enrollment status:

• Part-time enrollment (0-6.0 units): $2,208 per semester
• Full-time enrollment (6.1+ units): $3,804 per semester

Full-time students pay about $7,608 annually. This makes CSUDH one of the most affordable options among the best nurse practitioner programs in California.

Students should budget for these additional expenses:

• Mandatory campus fees (varies by semester)
• Clinical documentation system subscription
• Clinical compliance requirements (immunizations, physical exams, health insurance, CPR certification)

Non-California residents pay an additional non-resident tuition fee of $444 per unit. Students can pay via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), but processing fees may apply.

Students need to buy a subscription to an online system that stores clinical placement information and documents required by clinical agencies. This complete tracking system helps students manage all documentation needed during their clinical rotations.

5. Azusa Pacific University – MSN-FNP

Azusa Pacific University offers a distinctive faith-based Master of Science in Nursing with Nurse Practitioner Specialties program. The nationally ranked School of Nursing trains advanced practice nurses through four specialized tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (PNP-PC), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

Program overview

The FNP specialty at Azusa Pacific trains nurses to deliver complete care throughout the human lifespan. The program curriculum focuses on:

• Preparing graduates for California state advanced practice certification
• Providing readiness for national FNP certification examinations
• Developing compassionate care skills for diverse healthcare settings

The program will give a personalized learning experience with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students complete 10 units of academic core courses and 12 units of advanced practice core courses. The program has 21 units of FNP specialty courses, totaling 47 units.

Online and hybrid options

The MSN-FNP program offers flexible learning arrangements that work well for professionals. Options include:

• Evening lecture opportunities at multiple campus locations
• Customizable schedules with full-time and part-time study paths
• Hybrid learning model combining online coursework with in-person components

This flexibility works best when you have ongoing work commitments as a registered nurse. Students gain hands-on experience in clinics, hospitals, schools, and community health centers.

Tuition and unit cost

The MSN-NP program costs $860 per unit, bringing the total program cost to $40,420 for all 47 units. The school shows its dedication to making education available through several financial aid options:

• 100% of incoming students receive some form of financial aid
• Military benefits for service members and sometimes their families
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program with up to 85% loan forgiveness for graduates who commit to nursing faculty positions

Azusa Pacific is California’s third-largest producer of nurses and received over $4.3 million in grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support nursing education.

Clinical training and support

Students get hands-on experience through customizable clinical placements. The program offers:

• Individual-specific clinical experiences aligned with learning goals
• Multiple campus locations providing geographical flexibility
• Supportive Christian environment with experienced faculty guidance

Graduates can work in healthcare settings of all types and provide primary care services to patients of all ages. The program’s blend of technical expertise and compassionate care creates nurse practitioners who excel at handling complex healthcare challenges in various settings.

6. Sonoma State University – MSN-FNP

Sonoma State University’s 40-year-old MSN-FNP program gives students across Northern and Central California multiple location options. Students can access the program from various sites while the academic base remains at the SSU campus.

Program overview

The Master of Science in Nursing at Sonoma State trains registered nurses to become Family Nurse Practitioners. Students learn the theoretical and scientific foundations to diagnose and treat common illnesses. The program includes health teaching, counseling, and preventive services. Students develop advanced clinical skills through comprehensive history-taking, physical examinations, health screening, and management of common illnesses. The program’s main goal helps graduates serve underserved populations effectively. Graduates can pursue national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Online coursework and clinicals

The program uses a mixed delivery format. Most theory courses are online, but some need class time through TV broadcasts, webcasts, or face-to-face seminars. Clinical sessions run Monday through Wednesday. Students must complete a four-semester clinical preceptorship with primary care providers. The program might ask students to visit the SSU campus for extra assessment when needed. This approach creates a balance between flexibility and hands-on training.

Tuition and program length

Students can choose between full-time (four semesters/two years) and part-time (six semesters/three years) options. Both paths require 46 semester units. The program follows SSU’s standard fee schedule. Additional costs include $180-$200 for books and software, $75 for the TYPHON patient database, $110 for immunization tracking, and $100 for equipment. This makes it one of California’s most affordable RN to NP programs.

Make Your Choice Today

You’ve found multiple ways to advance your nursing career while keeping your work and life in balance as we looked at California’s fastest RN to NP programs. The field looks promising with California NPs earning an average of $173,190 yearly. The projected 58.6% job growth over the next decade definitely makes this career move worth it.

These programs give you great options. West Coast University offers a quick 28-month program. Charles R. Drew University lets you finish in just 16 months with their executive format. You can study online, take hybrid courses, or attend weekend classes. On top of that, many schools help you find clinical placements, which takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

The cost varies by a lot. State universities charge around $20,000, while prestigious schools like USC cost up to $108,000. But don’t let that worry you. You can get scholarships, grants, military discounts, and loan forgiveness to make these programs more available despite their original cost.

Once you finish your program and get national certification through ANCC or AANP, you’ll join skilled family nurse practitioners who provide primary care to patients of all ages. Family practice remains the most popular choice – all but one of these practitioners focus on this flexible specialty.

Becoming an NP opens doors to more independence, better pay, and stronger clinical skills. Programs show outstanding results with some reaching 97% pass rates. The growing need for primary care providers makes this the perfect time for nurses to think over this career step.

Your path from RN to NP takes dedication and some juggling of responsibilities. But the professional rewards and the chance to have a bigger effect on patient care make it worth the effort.