What Makes a Nursing School Accredited? (And Why It Matters)
Basic Overview
Accreditation is an important factor to consider when comparing nursing schools. However, nursing students may encounter several different types of accreditation and approval, including institutional accreditation, nursing program accreditation, and state board approval. Understanding how these work together can help you make a more informed decision when evaluating nursing education pathways.
Understanding Nursing School Accreditation
If you’re researching nursing schools, you’ve probably encountered terms like institutional accreditation, programmatic accreditation, and state board approval.
At first glance, these terms may seem interchangeable. However, they each serve a different purpose within nursing education.
Learning how accreditation and approval work can help you compare nursing programs more effectively and better understand how educational quality, licensure pathways, and regulatory oversight fit together.
What Does It Mean for a Nursing School to Be Accredited?
Accreditation is a review process that evaluates whether a college, university, or educational program meets established quality standards.¹
Healthcare education often involves multiple layers of accreditation and approval because different organizations oversee different aspects of an institution or program. Accreditation and approval can be important indicators of how effectively an institution or program prepares students for licensure.
What Is Institutional Accreditation?
Institutional accreditation evaluates the college or university as a whole.
This review may include areas such as:
- Academic quality
- Faculty qualifications
- Student support services
- Administrative processes
- Educational resources
Examples of institutional accrediting organizations include the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).¹
Institutional accreditation helps demonstrate that an institution has undergone review by a recognized accrediting organization.
What Is Nursing Program Accreditation?
Programmatic accreditation evaluates an individual nursing program rather than the institution as a whole.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs are commonly accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).²
These organizations review nursing curricula, faculty, student support, educational resources, and continuous quality improvement processes. Because accreditation requirements vary, students should review each program’s current accreditation status directly through the institution and accrediting organization.
What Is State Board Approval?
State board approval differs from accreditation because it focuses specifically on whether a nursing program meets the educational requirements established by the state’s nursing regulatory agency.
In California, nursing education programs are reviewed by state agencies responsible for nursing education and licensure.
For example:
- Registered Nursing programs are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).³
- Vocational Nursing programs are approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).⁴
While institutional and programmatic accreditation evaluate educational quality and continuous improvement, state board approval focuses on whether a nursing program meets the state’s requirements to prepare students for licensure. For students, this distinction is important because accreditation and state approval serve complementary, but different roles in nursing education.
As you compare nursing schools, it is generally helpful to look for programs that have both the appropriate accreditation and the required state board approval. Together, these reviews provide information about a program’s educational quality, regulatory oversight, and preparation for nursing licensure pathways.
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
Accreditation is one factor students often consider when comparing nursing schools.
Depending on the institution and program, accreditation relates to:
- Educational quality standards
- Eligibility for financial aid
- Credit transfer considerations
- Graduate education opportunities
- Employer recognition
- Continuous program evaluation
Likewise, state board approval is important because it indicates whether a program meets state educational requirements for licensure pathways.
Because every student’s goals are different, reviewing both accreditation and approval information can help you make a more informed educational decision.
How Can You Verify Accreditation?
Students should always verify accreditation directly through official sources.
Helpful resources include:
- The school’s official program pages
- Institutional accrediting organizations
- Programmatic accrediting organizations
- State licensing boards
Reviewing current accreditation information directly from these organizations helps ensure you are using the most up-to-date information available.
What Other Factors Should You Compare?
Accreditation is important, but it is only one part of evaluating a nursing program.
Students often compare:
- Admissions requirements
- Program length
- Clinical education opportunities
- Simulation and laboratory resources
- NCLEX pass rates
- Student support services
- Educational technology
For a more detailed comparison, you can also read our guide on “How to Compare Nursing Programs in California: What You Should Look For“, which explores many of these considerations in greater detail.
Likewise, if you’re beginning your nursing school search, our “Nursing Schools in California: Programs Guide” provides an overview of common nursing education pathways available in California.
Nursing Education at Stanbridge University
Students interested in nursing education can explore the Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at Stanbridge University. Stanbridge University’s campuses in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego are all accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing
The Vocational Nursing program prepares students for Licensed Vocational Nurse career pathways through classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical education.⁵
The program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) at the Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego campuses.⁵
The program is 106.5 quarter credit hours and is designed to be completed in approximately 17–19 months for full-time students and 26–28 months for part-time students, depending on cohort scheduling and individual progression.⁶
Recent Stanbridge University NCLEX-PN licensure pass-rates reported include:
- Orange County: 94% three-year average (2023–2025)
- Los Angeles: 92% three-year average (2023–2025)
- Riverside: 96% (2025)⁵
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students for Registered Nurse career pathways through classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, laboratory education, and supervised clinical experiences.7
The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) at the Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside campuses. The San Diego, San Marcos campus is pending BRN approval. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 7
The program is 180 quarter credit hours and is designed to be completed in approximately 36–37 months, depending on cohort scheduling and individual progression.⁶
Recent graduates achieved a 98% NCLEX-RN licensure pass rate (2023–2025) across the Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside campuses. 7
Students interested in either program can review current admissions requirements, program information, and accreditation details through Stanbridge University’s official program pages.
If you’d like to learn more specifically about CCNE accreditation, you can also explore our article “What Does CCNE Accreditation Mean and Why Is It Important?”.
Choosing a Nursing School
Accreditation is an important consideration, but it should be evaluated alongside other factors such as curriculum, clinical education, faculty support, educational technology, and program outcomes.
Understanding the differences between institutional accreditation, nursing program accreditation, and state board approval can help you compare nursing schools with greater confidence.
Taking time to research these areas before applying can help you identify a nursing program that aligns with your educational goals and long-term career plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation means a college, university, or nursing program has undergone review by an accrediting organization to evaluate whether it meets established educational standards.¹
Institutional accreditation evaluates the college or university as a whole, while programmatic accreditation evaluates a specific nursing program. BSN programs are commonly accredited by CCNE or ACEN.²
No. Accreditation evaluates the quality of a nursing program, while state board approval confirms it meets state requirements for licensure. In California, Registered Nursing programs are approved by the BRN, and Vocational Nursing programs are approved by the BVNPT.³ ⁴
Accreditation may relate to educational quality, financial aid eligibility, transfer credit considerations, graduate education opportunities, and ongoing program evaluation. State board approval also plays an important role in supporting nursing licensure pathways.¹ ²
Students should review accreditation and approval information directly through the institution’s official website, the accrediting organization, and the appropriate state nursing board.
Students often compare admissions requirements, program length, clinical education experiences, simulation laboratories, NCLEX pass rates, educational technology, and student support services when evaluating nursing programs.
Students interested in nursing careers can explore the Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs offered by Stanbridge University.⁵
Footnotes
¹ Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – Accreditation Resources, https://www.chea.org/
² Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation https://www.acenursing.org/
³ California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), https://www.rn.ca.gov/
⁴ California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/
⁵ Stanbridge University Nursing Program Information: Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing, https://www.stanbridge.edu/program/vn
⁶ Program duration is subject to change. Completion times vary depending on cohort scheduling and individual circumstances that may impact progression.
7Stanbridge University Nursing Program Information: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, https://www.stanbridge.edu/program/bsn