California has 24 LVN-to-BSN programs. The cost difference between public and private options is stark: Azusa Pacific University charges $835 per unit, totaling $60,120 for the program's 72 nursing units, while CSU San Marcos 2026-27 full-time tuition is $3,419 per semester plus mandatory fees. Over four semesters, CSUSM costs roughly $15,000 to $20,000 total compared to APU's $60,000+.
That cost gap comes with trade-offs thou... APU offers three annual application deadlines: October 1 for spring, February 1 for summer, and June 1 for fall. CSUSM requires May 1 application for fall admission, a single annual opportunity.
APU's 3-year average NCLEX-RN pass rate is 84.3%. CSUSM is 92.7% with a #7 statewide ranking (2025). The higher pass rate at lower cost makes CSU San Marcos attractive if you can meet admission requirements and accept the once-yearly start.
CSUSM requires completing pre-nursing core courses with a 2.75 overall GPA, grades of C or better (C- not accepted), and IV certification submitted by the May 1 deadline. The IV certification requirement is specific to LVN-to-BSN pathways since vocational nursing training doesn't always include intravenous therapy. You'll need to complete IV certification training before applying.
Geographic distribution clusters in Southern California, spanning the Inland Empire, Los Angeles area, and North County San Diego. This concentration provides options if you're working as an LVN in Southern California but offers fewer choices for Central Valley or Northern California nurses.
If you need to start quickly and have financial resources, APU's multiple annual starts might be an option. If you're budget-conscious and can plan around a May deadline for fall start, CSUSM delivers better outcomes at dramatically lower cost. Working LVNs often need one to two years to complete prerequisites and prepare applications, so starting this planning process well before target start dates prevents delays.
After completing any California LVN-to-BSN program, you'll apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing, complete fingerprinting for background checks, and pass NCLEX-RN for licensure.
Listed below are all 24 LVN to BSN programs we managed to gather from different sources. If there are programs missing from the list, please contact us, we will add them.
Updated: February 26, 2026
