Cal State LA nursing graduate program earns top national ranking in 2026 U.S. News & World Report

Cal State LA's Master of Science in Nursing program continues to rank among the best in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026 edition of Best Graduate Schools. The ranking places the university's nursing graduate program among the top five in California.

This year's publication ranks Cal State LA at No. 41 in the nation. It is one of only two public universities in Los Angeles County included in the 2026 Best Nursing Schools: Master's listing.

"This continued national recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, the excellence of our students, and our deep commitment to preparing highly skilled, compassionate nurses who serve diverse communities," said Eurina Cha, inaugural Luce and Ernst Nursing Director of the university's Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing.

The Master of Science in Nursing program offers a nursing education option and nurse-practitioner options in adult-gerontology acute and primary care, family, and family psychiatric/mental health.

Since fall 2012, Cal State LA has offered a joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program through a consortium with Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach. The university began offering its own independent DNP program this spring semester.

The Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing, housed in the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, includes approximately 266 undergraduate nursing students, more than 142 graduate students, five tenured professors, and nine tenure-track faculty members. The school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The school also features the Yoshie and Yoshiharu Ohara Virtual and Augmented Reality Immersive Learning Center, the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing Simulation Center, and the Chin Family Institute for Nursing.

• The Ohara Center uses emerging technologies and evidence-based learning to create immersive experiences that help students develop clinical judgment and reflective practice.
• The simulation center prepares nurses through hands-on learning in a supportive, state-of-the-art environment focused on excellence and innovation.
• The institute serves as a hub for nursing excellence, focusing on care for diverse, underserved urban populations and advancing education, advocacy, leadership, and action.

The Chin Family Institute for Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau Nu Mu Chapter at Cal State LA will host the 17th Annual Nursing Forum, "Inquiry to Discovery: Driving Evidence-Based Nursing Care," on April 14. The event will focus on bridging the gap between clinical research and daily practice.

The institute will also present a seminar titled "Reflections: Nurses on the Frontlines During the Pandemic" on May 3, featuring personal stories from frontline nurses followed by a guided discussion.

In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, Cal State LA's graduate programs in social work, rehabilitation counseling, fine arts, public health, public affairs, and speech-language pathology are also among the top 100 in the nation.

To determine a school's overall rank, U.S. News evaluated 15 indicators, including program size, research, and faculty achievement. More details are available on the U.S. News website.

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.