Stanbridge University’s OC Campus Ranked #1 Nursing College in California
Stanbridge University’s Orange County campus has been recognized by Niche as the 2023 #1 Best College for Nursing in California. The ranking identifies the top nursing colleges in each state based on key statistics regarding value, diversity, and the overall student experience in nursing education.
“The university is honored to be recognized by Niche for its efforts to provide inclusive and high-quality nursing education,” stated Yasith Weerasuriya, President of Stanbridge University. “Our passionate faculty are committed to preparing students for success through Next Generation NCLEX preparation and instilling in them the deep understanding of the vital role they will play when joining their colleagues on the frontlines of nursing.”
Stanbridge University’s experienced nursing educators, smaller class sizes, high-tech laboratories with innovative healthcare simulations, and quality clinical partners have been instrumental in establishing its identity as a nursing education leader. With nursing programs at the associate (LVN), bachelor’s (BSN), and master’s degree levels, the university can meet the diverse educational needs of individuals seeking to enter the field or advance their nursing practice.
Student success is evident in the university’s Registered Nursing NCLEX-RN 5-year average pass rate of 98%¹ and the Vocational Nursing NCLEX-PN 5-year average pass rate of 96%².
Stanbridge University offers nursing programs in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside.
Stanbridge University’s Orange County campus was recognized by Niche as the 2023 number one Best College for Nursing in California. The ranking considered factors such as academic quality, student satisfaction, campus resources, and diversity within nursing education.3
Stanbridge University offers nursing programs at multiple levels, including the Licensed Vocational Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing Education programs. These pathways allow students to begin, advance, or specialize in their nursing careers.
For 2023–2024, Stanbridge University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate with 68 testers.4 The Vocational Nursing program reported a 95% NCLEX-PN pass rate at the Orange County campus. The Riverside and San Diego campuses do not yet have graduates, and the Los Angeles campus data is included in the state’s official reporting. ⁵
Stanbridge integrates Next Generation NCLEX strategies into classroom, lab, and simulation training. Students practice critical thinking through case-based learning, high-fidelity simulations, and personalized faculty guidance to build exam readiness and clinical confidence.
Nursing students train in advanced simulation and skills labs featuring lifelike manikins, Virtual Reality Lab experiences, and interactive patient care scenarios. These environments allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in realistic healthcare settings under faculty supervision.
Stanbridge University offers nursing programs at its campuses in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego. Each location offers high-quality instruction, advanced simulation labs, and clinical learning experiences designed to support nursing education and licensure preparation.
1Source: California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Examinations Report 4 Rolling Quarter – Jurisdiction Program Summary of all First-Time Candidates Licensed in All Jurisdictions 01 Jan 2017 to 31 Dec 2021, Orange County campus. As viewed on March 7, 2022. The VN program at the Los Angeles Branch Campus 2-year average pass rate for 2020-2021 is 90.7%. The Riverside campus is pending approval.
2Source: The California Board of Registered Nursing, NCLEX-RN pass rate, Orange County campus, NCLEX-RN ADN program only, 2016/2017-2020/2021; http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml. As viewed on March 7, 2022. The ADN program at the Los Angeles campus launched in 2020 and as a result does not have graduates and therefore no current pass rate. The BSN program launched in 2021 at the Orange County, Los Angeles and Riverside campuses as a result does not have graduates and therefore, no current pass rate.
3 Niche, 2023 Best Colleges for Nursing in California. https://www.niche.com/colleges/stanbridge-university. As viewed on October 17, 2025.
4 The California Board of Registered Nursing, NCLEX-RN pass rate, Associate of Science in Nursing program 2021 / 2022–2022 / 2023, Bachelor of Science in Nursing program 2023 / 2024. http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml. As viewed on January 10, 2025.
5 California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examinations Report, 4 Rolling Quarter – Jurisdiction Program Summary of all First-Time Candidates Licensed in All Jurisdictions, 01 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2023, Orange County campus only, NCLEX-PN. https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates.pdf. As viewed on September 25, 2025.