Most important takeaways…
- At least fourteen NP programs operate within one to two hours of Long Beach, spanning cities like LA, Fullerton, Irvine, and San Diego.
- Half of surveyed programs use a hybrid format while the other half are fully on campus, with none offering 100% online delivery.
- CSULB has transitioned its FNP pathway to a BSN-to-DNP model, joining a growing regional shift toward doctoral-level preparation.
- In-state tuition at public universities near Long Beach starts around $14,500, while private programs can cost significantly more.
Long Beach sits at the center of the LA-Long Beach-Anaheim metro, a region with over 13 million residents and some of the highest demand for advanced practice nurses in California. For RNs here considering the next step, the practical challenge is not a lack of NP programs but sorting through them: multiple specialties, degree levels, and formats compete for your attention, and costs range from roughly $14,500 at public universities to well over $100,000 at private institutions.
Prospective NPs in the Long Beach area can pursue FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP concentrations across MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate pathways. Nurses commuting from nearby cities like Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Pasadena will find additional options within reach. Most nearby programs run hybrid or fully on-campus, with no fully online options based in California, a format constraint that matters for working nurses balancing clinical schedules.
Top-Rated NP Programs Within Commuting Distance of Long Beach
These are the accredited nurse practitioner programs that Long Beach area nurses realistically enroll in, from a campus inside the city to hybrid and online options across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. Each entry notes the specialties offered, the degree level, and how the program is delivered, so you can weigh travel against format before you apply.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Accessibility from Long Beach
- Program breadth by specialty
- Institutional graduation rates
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
California State University-Long Beach
Located in Long Beach itself, California State University Long Beach anchors the area's advanced practice nursing pipeline. Its NP options run across MSN and BSN-to-DNP routes and cover several population foci, including family, adult-gerontology primary and acute care, pediatric primary care, and psychiatric mental health. The three-year BSN-to-DNP is delivered in a hybrid format with 1,000 clinical hours and a doctoral project, which lets practicing nurses keep working locally while they study. Institution-wide, about 69 percent of students graduate.
- CCNE accredited and California BRN approved
- 30 to 48 units depending on prior coursework
- 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
- Prerequisites in statistics, pathophysiology, and physical assessment
- Current California RN license required
- Campus-based clinical experiences in primary care settings
- Thesis, project, or comprehensive exam capstone
- CCNE accredited and Board of Registered Nursing approved
- Pediatric primary care focus
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Culminating options include thesis, project, or exam
- Prerequisite courses required
- Adult-gerontological primary care specialty
- Core courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Current California RN license required
- Prerequisites in statistics, pathophysiology, and physical assessment
- Thesis or capstone option
- Adult-gerontology acute care track
- Program offers both acute and primary care tracks
- Specialty clinical courses in acute care
- Health assessment clinical seminar included
- College-level statistics prerequisite
- 72-unit, three-year hybrid program
- 1,000 clinical practice hours
- Evidence-based doctoral project
- 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
- Prepares graduates for national FNP certification
- Doctoral preparation in psychiatric mental health across the lifespan
- 72 total credit hours
- Hybrid delivery with a three-year plan of study
- 1,000 clinical hours plus a doctoral project
- Electives include Medical Spanish
- Interview and essay required for admission
- Doctoral focus on adult-gerontology primary care
- 72 total credit hours over three years
- 1,000 clinical practicum hours
- Doctoral project centered on quality improvement
- Three letters of reference required
- Acute care across the adult and older adult lifespan
- 72 total credit hours
- On-site essay test and interview required
- Employment verification required
- Curriculum plan in place since Fall 2023
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
California State University-Fullerton
California State University Fullerton is the nearest campus to Long Beach for women's health nurse practitioner preparation, offering a campus-based MSN with a Women's Health Care concentration and a combined nurse-midwife and women's health option. Clinical placements are arranged by faculty and span outpatient offices, hospitals, and community agencies, with coursework built around primary care for women across the lifespan. Institution-wide, about 70 percent of students graduate.
- Campus-based MSN with a women's health nurse practitioner focus
- Primary ambulatory care for women across the lifespan
- Clinical placements arranged by faculty
- Settings include outpatient offices, hospitals, and community agencies
- Covers well-woman gynecologic and perimenopausal care
- Combined nurse-midwife and women's health NP emphasis
- Pregnancy management and newborn care training
- Family planning education included
- CNM and WHNP faculty support
- Same campus-based MSN structure
Master of Science in Nursing, Women's Health Care Concentration — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse-Midwife and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of California-Los Angeles
UCLA's School of Nursing sits on the Westside of Los Angeles and concentrates on doctoral-level advanced practice preparation. Its post-BSN DNP offers four specialty concentrations, among them family, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care, and the campus also hosts a UC-wide psychiatric mental health certificate for nurses who already practice as APRNs. The DNP enrolled its first cohort in Fall 2025, so the alumni network is still forming. Institution-wide, about 93 percent of students graduate.
- Three-year, campus-based doctoral program
- Emphasis on leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice
- Prerequisites include statistics, nursing research, physical assessment, and physiology
- California RN license and a 3.0 minimum GPA required
- One year of RN experience strongly recommended
- Inaugural cohort enrolled in Fall 2025
- Health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management
- Comprehensive care across the adult lifespan
- One of four DNP specialty concentrations
- Fall start with a December 1 application deadline
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Acute and critical care focus across the adult lifespan
- Preparation for varied inpatient and specialty practice settings
- Doctoral-level advanced practice training
- One start date per year, in fall
- 12-month hybrid graduate certificate
- 48 units with full-time enrollment required
- Three immersion sessions each year
- Virtual classes on Wednesdays
- 16 to 24 hours of clinical training weekly
- Open to practicing NPs, CNSs, CNMs, and CRNAs
- Prepares for PMHNP-BC certification
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, Master's — On-Campus
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
University of Southern California
USC's family nurse practitioner MSN is a hybrid program delivered from the university's health sciences campus in Los Angeles, with online coursework, two on-campus intensives, and clinical placements arranged locally. Students finish in 21 to 33 months with full-time and part-time options and about 786 clinical hours. Program materials cite a 92 percent licensure pass rate, and institution-wide about 92 percent of students graduate.
- 50 credit hours and 786 clinical hours
- 21 to 33 months, full-time or part-time
- Hybrid: online coursework plus two on-campus intensives
- Clinical placements arranged locally
- Bridge course available for some applicants
- Program materials cite a 92 percent licensure pass rate
- Capstone project required
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
University of California-Irvine
UC Irvine is a manageable drive from Long Beach and offers the first DNP-FNP in the UC system, a three-year hybrid that mixes online classes with on-campus intensives and clinical rotations in Orange and Los Angeles county settings. The campus also partners in the UC-wide psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate, which uses regional clinical placements so students can train near home. Institution-wide, about 87 percent of students graduate.
- 12-month hybrid graduate certificate
- 48 units completed over four quarters
- Three immersion sessions annually
- 16 to 24 hours of clinical training per week
- Clinical placements across California
- Open to licensed APRNs only
- First DNP-FNP program in the UC system
- Three-year hybrid with full-time enrollment
- Apply by April 15
- Three on-campus intensives
- Faculty practice clinical rotations
- Capstone required
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University is based in Oakland but built much of its NP portfolio around online and hybrid delivery, which makes it workable for Southern California nurses who only need to travel for short residencies. Offerings include a family nurse practitioner MSN with 630 clinical hours, online DNP tracks in family and psychiatric mental health, and a post-master's psychiatric certificate with three flexible track lengths. Multiple start dates and clinical placement support cut down the scheduling friction for working nurses. Institutional graduation figures are not reported for this university.
- 48 units; 20 months full-time or 28 months part-time
- Hybrid: online coursework plus two on-campus intensives
- 630 supervised clinical hours
- Three start dates a year: spring, summer, and fall
- 2.5 GPA minimum with an active RN license
- Clinical coordinator assistance with placements
- Capstone project required
- Online post-master's certificate
- Choose a 3, 4, or 6 semester track
- MSN degree and one year of RN experience required
- Prepares for the ANCC psychiatric certification exam
- Rolling admissions through NursingCAS
- Online DNP with two on-campus residencies
- 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Faculty hold doctorates and practice as NPs
- Program materials cite a strong California placement for BSN-to-DNP study
- Flexible full-time and part-time enrollment
- Online doctoral option in psychiatric mental health
- Three-year program with full-time and part-time tracks
- Four concentration options across the DNP
- Three Northern California campuses plus online study
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Online
Touro University California
Touro University California, in Vallejo, focuses on post-graduate certificates for nurses who already hold a graduate degree rather than a full MSN. The family nurse practitioner certificate is 90 percent online with guaranteed clinical placements, and the psychiatric mental health certificate runs five semesters with 750 clinical hours across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Both use on-campus intensives a few times per semester. Institution-wide graduation figures are not reported.
- Hybrid program that is 90 percent online
- 12 to 18 months with a summer start
- Minimum 630 clinical hours
- Guaranteed clinical placements
- Graduate degree required for admission
- On-campus immersives two to three times per semester
- Post-master's certificate, 20 to 22 months
- Five semesters with fall or spring starts
- 750 total clinical hours
- Sites include inpatient, outpatient, and community settings
- Prepares for national board certification
- Prerequisites in advanced pathophysiology, assessment, and pharmacology
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
San Diego State University
San Diego State University is one of the few public universities in California that pairs DNP preparation with NP certification, offering family, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology primary care concentrations at the doctoral level alongside a long-running MSN in advanced practice nursing of adults and the elderly. Most courses meet in person with some hybrid options, and the school arranges all clinical placements. About 76 percent of students graduate institution-wide. Distance is the catch: from Long Beach, relocating is usually more realistic than commuting.
- Dual preparation as an adult-gerontology primary care NP and acute care CNS
- 768 clinical hours
- Campus-based with a dedicated concentration chair and advisor
- Prepares for ANCC, AANP, and AACN certification exams
- Emphasis on care for older adult populations
- Three-year program with full-time and part-time plans
- 1,000 clinical hours, with placements arranged by the school
- No entrance exam required
- 3.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation
- Primarily in-person classes with some hybrid options
- 70 to 78 units depending on specialty
- 1,000 clinical hours with school-secured placements
- Prepares for PMHNP-BC certification
- Three years full-time or four years part-time
- Personal interview may be required
- Two years of RN experience required
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Statistics prerequisite with a C or better
- Prepares for AGPCNP-BC certification
- Culminating evidence-based practice project
Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and the Elderly — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of California-Davis
UC Davis administers the UC system's multicampus psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate, a 12-month hybrid program that places students in clinical sites across California so they can train close to home. The university also runs a hybrid DNP-FNP with four on-campus immersions and clinical rotations arranged near students' communities. About 86 percent of students graduate institution-wide.
- 12-month hybrid graduate certificate, 48 units
- Online coursework with virtual immersion sessions
- Clinical placements arranged across California
- Housed at UC Davis with partner UC campuses
- Open to licensed NPs, CNSs, CNMs, and CRNAs
- Prepares for ANCC board certification
- Three-year hybrid program, full-time enrollment
- Four on-campus immersion experiences
- Clinical rotations arranged near students' communities
- Synchronous and asynchronous course options
- Capstone required
- Application window runs September to January
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
San Jose State University
San Jose State University runs a small-cohort, hybrid family nurse practitioner MSN that combines online coursework with Tuesday evening classes in person and supervised clinical practicum placements. Admission is fall only and requires a 3.0 GPA plus an unrestricted California RN license. The program is aimed at Northern California nurses, so Long Beach applicants should expect to relocate or absorb significant travel. Institution-wide, about 69 percent of students graduate.
- Five-semester cohort with fall admission only
- Hybrid format with Tuesday evening in-person classes
- 3.0 GPA and an unrestricted California RN license
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing required
- Small cohort size with clinical practicum courses
- Two years of nursing experience preferred
- Prepares graduates for FNP certification
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
NP Specialties You Can Study in the Long Beach Metro
Family Nurse Practitioner programs dominate the NP landscape in Southern California, making FNP the most accessible specialty for Long Beach nurses seeking advanced practice credentials. However, the region also offers several other specializations worth exploring, particularly as California's healthcare system expands its mental health workforce.
Family Nurse Practitioner: The Most Common Track
FNP remains the go-to specialty across programs within commuting distance. Cal State Long Beach, UCLA, Western University of Health Sciences, and Azusa Pacific University all offer FNP concentrations.123 Cal State Dominguez Hills in nearby Carson and Cal State Fullerton round out the regional options. Most of these programs prepare graduates for both the ANCC and AANP certification exams, giving you flexibility when sitting for boards.
Adult-Gerontology Options
Nurses interested in caring for adult and older adult populations have two pathways in the area. Cal State Long Beach offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP concentration.1 For acute care settings, Cal State Los Angeles provides a post-master's certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, which works well for nurses who already hold an MSN and want to add a second specialty. You can explore a broader look at adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs across the state for additional options.
Psychiatric Mental Health NP: A Growing Field
California's behavioral health provider shortage has accelerated PMHNP program development statewide. UC Irvine and UC Davis both participate in a collaborative UC Psychiatric Mental Health NP certificate program, a 12-month hybrid pathway designed for nurses who already hold advanced practice credentials. Nurses in the Long Beach area may also want to review nurse practitioner programs in Irvine CA given UC Irvine's proximity. This program prepares graduates specifically for ANCC board certification.
Harder-to-Find Specialties
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs are notably scarce in the immediate Long Beach metro. Nurses pursuing PNP credentials typically need to look at online or hybrid programs from schools outside the region. Women's Health NP is available at Cal State Fullerton, one of the few local options for this specialty. Nurses interested in WHNP may also find that campus-based program appealing given its relatively close proximity to Long Beach.
MSN Vs. DNP Vs. Post-Master's Certificate: Choosing Your Pathway
Deciding which degree pathway fits your career goals is one of the biggest choices you will make as a prospective NP. If you are eyeing CSULB specifically, note that the university has transitioned to a BSN-to-DNP model for its Family Primary Care concentration and is no longer admitting students to a standalone MSN-FNP track. However, several other schools within commuting distance of Long Beach, including Cal State LA and National University, still offer MSN-level NP entry. The quick comparison below can help you weigh your options.
Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Formats for Working Nurses
Of the fourteen California NP programs surveyed in this guide, exactly half run hybrid and half run fully on-campus. Zero are 100% online, and that is not an accident.
What 'Hybrid' Actually Looks Like Near Long Beach
In this region, hybrid almost always means online didactic coursework paired with periodic on-campus days plus clinical placements arranged in your local community. The specifics vary:
- USC (MSN-FNP): Online coursework with two on-campus intensives and locally arranged clinical placements.
- Cal State Dominguez Hills (MSN-FNP): Online didactics with on-campus clinical meetings, designed for working nurses, with 576 required clinical hours.
- San Jose State (MSN-FNP): Hybrid format anchored by Tuesday evening classes plus clinical practicum.
- UC Irvine and UC Davis (PMHNP certificates): Virtual classroom learning with three immersion sessions per year and clinical training 16 to 24 hours weekly.
- CSU Channel Islands and Sonoma State (MSN-FNP): Online 16-week course sessions with practica completed in person.
Programs That Require Full On-Campus Attendance
CSULB's FNP, UCLA's APRN program, Cal State Fullerton's WHNP, Cal State LA's AGACNP post-master's, SDSU's AGPCNP, Cal State Bakersfield, and Fresno State all run as traditional campus programs. If your shift schedule cannot accommodate weekday daytime classes, these are harder to fit around full-time work.
Out-of-State Fully Online Programs: Proceed Carefully
Fully online NP programs from out-of-state schools, such as nurse practitioner programs in Rhode Island, can work for Long Beach residents, but the California Board of Registered Nursing requires that clinical hours be completed with a qualified preceptor at an approved site, and California-licensed faculty oversight is expected for graduates planning to practice here. For a broader look at what is available statewide, see our overview of online FNP programs California approved for in-state students. Before enrolling out of state, confirm three things in writing: that the school is authorized to place students in California, that it will help (or at least approve) preceptors in the Long Beach area, and that graduates are eligible for California NP furnishing and certification without additional coursework.
What NP Programs Near Long Beach Cost, and What Graduates Earn
Understanding Tuition at Public and Private Universities
The cost of becoming an NP near Long Beach depends heavily on the institution you choose. Among ranked programs, in-state tuition at public research universities like UCLA comes in around $14,500, while out-of-state learners pay roughly $29,600. UC Davis follows a similar pattern with in-state tuition at $15,141. These figures are even lower at California State University campuses. While CSU Long Beach is not in the top-ranked slice, nearby CSU programs routinely offer some of the most affordable NP pathways in the state, often below $10,000 per year for California residents.
On the private side, tuition spans a wide range. West Coast University's online MSN-FNP charges a relatively low $16,178, while Touro University's hybrid certificate costs $33,867 and Samuel Merritt's hybrid MSN-FNP is $49,786. At the high end, USC lists tuition at $71,515 for its MSN-FNP. Several private schools charge the same rate regardless of residency, which can make them more predictable but not always more expensive than out-of-state public tuition. If you are weighing online DNP programs in California, comparing total cost of attendance across degree levels is essential.
How Debt Compares to Earning Potential
Median federal debt for graduates of these programs varies from $13,000 (UC Davis) to $40,326 (American University of Health Sciences). Other notable debt figures include $14,000 at UCLA, $18,000 at USC, and $20,825 at Samuel Merritt. While program-level earnings one year out are not yet available, the College Scorecard reports median earnings 10 years after entry, offering a long-term view. Samuel Merritt graduates see median earnings of $143,238, while UCLA and UC Davis report $82,511 and $80,838 respectively. Even the lowest 10-year figure among top-ranked schools sits well above the debt load, signaling a strong return.
Local NP Salaries Show Strong ROI
The Bureau of Labor Statistics places mean annual wages for nurse practitioners in the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim metro area at $149,110.1 With roughly 6,190 NPs employed across the metro, demand is robust.1 When you compare median program debt (generally $13,000 to $40,000) against an annual salary that approaches $150,000, the math is encouraging. Most graduates can realistically pay off their loans within a few years of full-time practice, making the degree a high-ROI investment for working nurses in the region. Students commuting from nearby cities like Anaheim enjoy similarly strong salary prospects across the broader metro.
Admission Requirements and How Competitive Programs Really Are
Admission requirements for nurse practitioner programs near Long Beach are demanding, but knowing what each school actually looks for will put you ahead of less-prepared applicants.
Common Admission Components Across Programs
Most NP programs in the Long Beach area share a core set of requirements, though specifics vary by school and specialty. You'll typically need a BSN from an accredited program, an active and unencumbered RN license, and a minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher). Clinical experience is a must; one to two years of bedside nursing is a common baseline, though acute-care tracks may require recent ICU or ER hours. Application packets generally include official transcripts, two to three letters of recommendation (usually from supervisors or faculty), a personal statement, and sometimes an interview. GRE or MAT scores are increasingly optional or waived entirely, but a few programs still list them as "recommended," so always verify on the school's website.
Where to Find the Most Current Requirements
Program requirements can shift yearly, so direct sources are essential. For CSULB's BSN-to-DNP FNP track, visit csulb.edu/nursing for the latest GPA, prerequisite coursework, and application deadlines. CSU Fullerton (fullerton.edu/nursing) and UCLA (nursing.ucla.edu) maintain similarly detailed pages. For a broader look at what graduate nursing programs expect, our guide to DNP prerequisites breaks down common requirements across degree levels. National resources like AANP.org and nursingworld.org offer a solid overview of typical NP program prerequisites, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) helps you understand regional credentialing norms. Still, nothing replaces a call to the graduate nursing advisor or attending a virtual information session, as these give you real-time answers on clinical hour minimums, license verification, and any GRE updates.
How Competitive Are These Programs?
Publicly reported acceptance rates are rare, but Southern California NP programs are consistently selective. A competitive GPA and strong clinical background are the baseline; what often separates admitted applicants are concise, compelling personal statements and recommendation letters that speak to leadership and readiness for graduate-level work. If you're considering the steps to enroll in NP school online, building a strong application portfolio early is just as important for hybrid and online tracks. Cohort sizes in the Long Beach metro are limited, so having complete materials and meeting early deadlines is critical. If you're unsure about your standing, a timely conversation with an admissions representative can clarify where to strengthen your application.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Long Beach, Step by Step
From your first day as an RN to independent practice under California's expanded scope laws, the path to becoming a nurse practitioner follows a clear sequence. Here is a realistic timeline for nurses in the Long Beach area, along with an optional post-graduate training step worth considering.
