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California nursing school data for journalists

Key statistics, downloadable tables, citation formats and embeddable charts, all compiled from public California Board of Registered Nursing records. Free to use with credit.

Key statistics

Data retrieved from the BRN on Oct 7, 2026. Each figure links to its original source.

67.9%

About two of every three qualified applications to California pre-licensure RN programs were not accepted in 2024–25: 43,519 of 64,075.

Source: CA BRN 2024–25 Annual School Report, Table 3, p. 3

32.1%

Only 32.1% of 64,075 qualified applications to California pre-licensure RN programs were accepted in 2024–25 (20,556 acceptances).

Source: CA BRN 2024–25 Annual School Report, Table 3, p. 3

90.2%

In 2024–25, 90.2% of 15,874 first-time NCLEX-RN testers from 154 California programs passed (SEAPHE tester-weighted calculation).

Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables

162

SEAPHE counts 162 open pre-licensure RN programs on the California Board of Registered Nursing's approved list, excluding closed programs and those not accepting new students.

Source: CA BRN list of approved RN programs

54

54 of 149 open programs with 2024–25 first-time testers had a pass rate of 95% or higher; 5 were below the BRN’s 75% standard.

Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables

92.1%

By degree type in 2024–25, first-time pass rates were 92.1% for ADN, 89.0% for BSN and 88.3% for entry-level master’s (ELM) graduates.

Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables

29.9%

In 2024–25, BSN programs accepted 29.9% of qualified applications, generic ADN programs 35.0%, ELM programs 33.6% and LVN-to-ADN programs 56.2%.

Source: CA BRN 2024–25 Annual School Report, Table 3, p. 3

44.7%

The share of qualified applications accepted fell from 44.7% in 2015–16 to a low of 27.8% in 2020–21, and was 32.1% in 2024–25.

Source: CA BRN 2024–25 Annual School Report, historical trends

64,075

Qualified applications rose from 28,041 in 2015–16 to 64,075 in 2024–25, while new student enrollments went from 13,190 to 19,365.

Source: CA BRN 2024–25 Annual School Report, historical trends

Download the data

How to cite

Please credit SEAPHE and, where you can, the original BRN source. In running text, “according to a SEAPHE analysis of California Board of Registered Nursing data” works well.

Charts you can embed

Each chart has an “Embed this chart” button with iframe and PNG code, including a visible credit link.

Programs can also display a pass rate badge when they qualify under our published rules.

Before you publish

  • Applications, not people. One applicant often applies to several programs, so acceptance figures count applications.
  • No school-level acceptance rates. The BRN publishes acceptance rates statewide by program type, not for individual schools.
  • Small cohorts swing. A program with 15 testers can move 10 points on one or two results. Check tester counts and five-year averages.
  • Our calculations are labeled. Statewide and multi-year pass rates are SEAPHE tester-weighted calculations from BRN program tables. See our methodology.

Contact

Questions about the data or methodology: hello@seaphe.org. To report an error: corrections@seaphe.org (see our corrections policy).

SEAPHE is independent and not affiliated with the California Board of Registered Nursing or any school. Content is written by the SEAPHE Editorial Team and reviewed by a practicing registered nurse (RN, BSN).