WHNP Programs in California (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Women's healthcare nurse practitioners in California have a high degree of job satisfaction. Their services are highly sought after: Within 10 years, they are expected to have 59 percent more job opportunities than they have today. Their work involves providing primary healthcare services to women, with a special emphasis on gynecology and family planning. You'll find graduates of WHNP programs in California working in a variety of different settings, including hospitals, clinics, private physicians' practices, and community organizations. WHNPs in the Golden State earn $157,640 annually on average. Could this be a career track for you? The guide below to the best WHNP programs in California is designed to help you find out.
FOLLOWING ARE THE WHNP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online WHNP programs in California.)
1. California State University, Fullerton - Fullerton
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwife/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Women’s health is a dynamic, essential field that addresses the unique psychological, physiological, and social needs of women from adolescence through menopause and beyond. If you are a registered nurse interested in a career path focused on women’s health, becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner is an excellent option. As a Women’s Health NP, you will be at the forefront of providing reproductive and primary care, managing chronic conditions, and advocating for underserved female populations.
You can accomplish your goal of being a Women’s Health provider by pursuing a Master’s degree in nursing and specializing in WHNP or Nurse-Midwife/WHNP. For example, California State University, Fullerton offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with two pathways for students interested in providing women’s health services: the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner pathway and the Nurse-Midwife/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner dual degree pathway. The WHNP program prepares students to assume the responsibility for primary ambulatory women’s health needs in settings, including community and public health agencies, hospitals, and outpatient offices. The Nurse-Midwife/WHNP program emphasizes well-woman gynecologic care, care of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and the care of perimenopausal and menopausal women.
This WHNP program in California offers a full-time, two-year pathway and a three-year pathway, allowing you to select a schedule that aligns with your goals. Students who choose the three-year plan attend classes part-time during the first year and full-time during the second and third years. While some MSN core courses may be offered online, the majority of didactic coursework is delivered in a face-to-face format on campus.
The School of Nursing has a state-of-the-art simulation center. The center comprises areas equipped with multiple beds and patient stations, a skills lab, examination rooms, debriefing rooms, and conference rooms. High-fidelity patient simulators enable you to listen to heart, lung, and bowel sounds, thereby improving your ability to recognize both normal and abnormal sounds that you may hear in a real patient. Exam rooms are designed to replicate outpatient office examination rooms, where you can complete assessments and diverse focused exams.
As a nurse and healthcare educator, I cannot stress enough the importance of nurses having a strong foundation in ethics, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. When you pursue the WHNP program at California State University, Fullerton, you will develop skills in ethical decision-making, patient advocacy, research, leadership and systems thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program provides students with the professional, clinical, and scientific foundations necessary to establish and maintain a clinical practice that delivers care to women throughout their lifespan.
The Women’s Health NP program features a 49-semester-credit curriculum that includes 690 hours of practicum experience. The Nurse-Midwife/WHNP program requires 59 semester credits and 960 clinical hours. The School of Nursing has established clinical partner sites and preceptors. The Concentration Lead collaborates with CNM/WHCNP faculty and students to identify and arrange clinical placements each semester. Although the school has established sites and preceptors, students are encouraged to submit information for anyone willing to become a preceptor to the Program Director for approval.
California State University, Fullerton, is dedicated to serving diverse and underserved populations. The WHNP programs at CSUF emphasize care for vulnerable groups, including individuals with limited access to reproductive services, low-income women, and immigrants. In this program, you will learn measures to advocate for reproductive justice and health equity, provide trauma-informed care, and navigate linguistic and cultural barriers.
MSN Admission Requirements: Candidates interested in pursuing the MSN program at California State University, Fullerton must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing or a related field from a regionally accredited institution and an active, unrestricted California RN license. Applicants must provide official transcripts reflecting a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester units of credit and completion of an upper-division Statistics course with a grade of “C” or better. Additionally, if your bachelor’s degree is in a non-nursing field, you must have a Community Health Nursing course completed with a grade of at least “C.”
Candidates for the WHNP centration must have at least one year of acute care experience as a registered nurse, preferably in an OB/Gyn setting. Nurse-Midwife/WHNP applicants are required to have a minimum of six months of acute care experience as an RN within a Labor and Delivery Unit. Prospective students must submit an online application, contact information for three references who are Registered Nurses, answers to short-answer questions, and a current resume detailing all nursing and education experiences. Qualified applicants are required to participate in an admission interview with the program faculty before an official admission offer is extended.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible for certification by taking the national certifying exam in Women’s Health or Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health. The overall average pass rate for graduates on the AMCB and NCC exams is 95%, which is higher than the national average.• As someone passionate about nursing education, one of the things I encourage all potential nursing students to consider when choosing a program is the length of time the school has offered the program. For example, the California State University, Fullerton School of Nursing just celebrated its 50th year in nursing education. The S.O.N. began in 1974 with just one program and 51 students and has since grown exponentially, graduating nearly 9,000 nurses and nurse practitioners!
• At California State University, Fullerton, the WHNP program is led by renowned practitioners, scholars, and researchers. In fact, CSUF program faculty rank among the top 2% of cited authors worldwide.
• Graduates of the Women’s Health NP and Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP programs in California at CSUF have outstanding job placement rates following program completion. Many graduates find employment opportunities in a wide range of settings, including OB/GYN practices, women’s health departments, community health centers, family planning clinics, and academic and research institutions.
• The Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP program at California State University, Fullerton has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality nursing education and preparing students for practice. The program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Nursing Schools: Master’s Nursing Program category.
HOW MUCH DO WHNP GRADUATES MAKE IN CALIFORNIA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF WHNP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $55.76 |
| Weekly | $2,230 |
| Monthly | $9,670 |
| Annual | $115,980 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF WHNP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $55.76 | $2,230 | $9,670 | $115,980 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $63.09 | $2,524 | $10,940 | $131,230 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $74.47 | $2,979 | $12,910 | $154,900 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $82.94 | $3,318 | $14,380 | $172,510 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $99.11 | $3,964 | $17,180 | $206,150 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA?
| Hourly | $75.79 |
| Weekly | $3,032 |
| Monthly | $13,140 |
| Annual | $157,640 |
HOW MUCH DO WHNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF CALIFORNIA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Bakersfield | $69.97 | $2,799 | $12,130 | $145,530 |
| Chico | $71.99 | $2,879 | $12,480 | $149,730 |
| El Centro | $75.71 | $3,028 | $13,120 | $157,480 |
| Fresno | $70.23 | $2,809 | $12,170 | $146,080 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $67.99 | $2,720 | $11,790 | $141,420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $76.16 | $3,047 | $13,200 | $158,420 |
| Madera | $60.38 | $2,415 | $10,470 | $125,590 |
| Merced | $64.24 | $2,569 | $11,130 | $133,610 |
| Modesto | $70.33 | $2,813 | $12,190 | $146,280 |
| Napa | $88.03 | $3,521 | $15,260 | $183,110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $63.37 | $2,535 | $10,980 | $131,800 |
| Redding | $68.63 | $2,745 | $11,900 | $142,760 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $69.23 | $2,769 | $12,000 | $143,990 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | $76.17 | $3,047 | $13,200 | $158,430 |
| Salinas | $76.36 | $3,054 | $13,240 | $158,830 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $67.45 | $2,698 | $11,690 | $140,300 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $87.61 | $3,504 | $15,190 | $182,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $89.73 | $3,589 | $15,550 | $186,640 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $73.88 | $2,955 | $12,810 | $153,670 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $65.63 | $2,625 | $11,380 | $136,510 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $62.55 | $2,502 | $10,840 | $130,100 |
| Santa Rosa | $74.06 | $2,963 | $12,840 | $154,050 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $65.86 | $2,634 | $11,420 | $136,980 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $85.91 | $3,437 | $14,890 | $178,700 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $70.57 | $2,823 | $12,230 | $146,790 |
| Yuba City | $75.81 | $3,033 | $13,140 | $157,690 |
WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. OTHER SALARIES
WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. WHNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average California WHNP Annual Salary | Average National WHNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $157,640 | $125,390 | +$32,250 | +25.72% |
WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. WHNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $157,640 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nevada | $145,080 | +$12,560 | +8.66% |
| Washington | $141,890 | +$15,750 | +11.10% |
| New Jersey | $141,530 | +$16,110 | +11.38% |
| Oregon | $141,450 | +$16,190 | +11.45% |
| Massachusetts | $140,540 | +$17,100 | +12.17% |
| New York | $139,380 | +$18,260 | +13.10% |
| Connecticut | $133,680 | +$23,960 | +17.92% |
| New Mexico | $133,470 | +$24,170 | +18.11% |
| Minnesota | $131,750 | +$25,890 | +19.65% |
| District of Columbia | $131,600 | +$26,040 | +19.79% |
| Rhode Island | $130,240 | +$27,400 | +21.04% |
| Hawaii | $129,410 | +$28,230 | +21.81% |
| Arizona | $129,360 | +$28,280 | +21.86% |
| Delaware | $127,950 | +$29,690 | +23.20% |
| Iowa | $127,660 | +$29,980 | +23.48% |
| New Hampshire | $127,590 | +$30,050 | +23.55% |
| Texas | $126,870 | +$30,770 | +24.25% |
| Wisconsin | $125,230 | +$32,410 | +25.88% |
| Maryland | $124,900 | +$32,740 | +26.21% |
| Utah | $124,740 | +$32,900 | +26.37% |
| North Dakota | $124,680 | +$32,960 | +26.44% |
| Pennsylvania | $124,380 | +$33,260 | +26.74% |
| Illinois | $123,840 | +$33,800 | +27.29% |
| Alaska | $123,130 | +$34,510 | +28.03% |
| Vermont | $123,060 | +$34,580 | +28.10% |
| Montana | $121,630 | +$36,010 | +29.61% |
| Idaho | $121,550 | +$36,090 | +29.69% |
| Oklahoma | $121,330 | +$36,310 | +29.93% |
| Wyoming | $120,580 | +$37,060 | +30.73% |
| Indiana | $120,340 | +$37,300 | +31.00% |
| Maine | $119,970 | +$37,670 | +31.40% |
| Ohio | $119,910 | +$37,730 | +31.47% |
| Colorado | $119,050 | +$38,590 | +32.41% |
| Nebraska | $118,740 | +$38,900 | +32.76% |
| North Carolina | $118,660 | +$38,980 | +32.85% |
| Georgia | $118,230 | +$39,410 | +33.33% |
| South Dakota | $118,060 | +$39,580 | +33.53% |
| Virginia | $117,950 | +$39,690 | +33.65% |
| Michigan | $117,770 | +$39,870 | +33.85% |
| Florida | $116,820 | +$40,820 | +34.94% |
| Kansas | $116,390 | +$41,250 | +35.44% |
| Louisiana | $115,810 | +$41,830 | +36.12% |
| Mississippi | $114,660 | +$42,980 | +37.48% |
| South Carolina | $114,120 | +$43,520 | +38.14% |
| Missouri | $113,860 | +$43,780 | +38.45% |
| West Virginia | $110,710 | +$46,930 | +42.39% |
| Arkansas | $110,670 | +$46,970 | +42.44% |
| Kentucky | $107,710 | +$49,930 | +46.36% |
| Alabama | $107,370 | +$50,270 | +46.82% |
| Tennessee | $101,220 | +$56,420 | +55.74% |
WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN CALIFORNIA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $250,920 | -$93,280 | -37.18% |
| Nurse Midwife | $183,740 | -$26,100 | -14.20% |
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner | $157,640 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $137,690 | +$19,950 | +14.49% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $94,530 | +$63,110 | +66.76% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $76,580 | +$81,060 | +105.85% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,070 | +$110,570 | +234.91% |
WHNP SALARY IN CALIFORNIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN CALIFORNIA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $187,750 | -$30,110 | -16.04% |
| Dentist | $181,720 | -$24,080 | -13.25% |
| Veterinarian | $158,610 | -$970 | -0.61% |
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner | $157,640 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Pharmacist | $157,280 | +$360 | +0.23% |
| Physician Assistant | $153,960 | +$3,680 | +2.39% |
| Radiation Therapist | $153,040 | +$4,600 | +3.01% |
| Optometrist | $137,330 | +$20,310 | +14.79% |
| Dental Hygienist | $118,330 | +$39,310 | +33.22% |
| Physical Therapist | $114,270 | +$43,370 | +37.95% |
| Occupational Therapist | $113,550 | +$44,090 | +38.83% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,030 | +$45,610 | +40.71% |
| Audiologist | $106,580 | +$51,060 | +47.91% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits WHNP Programs In California?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited WHNP Schools Are There In California?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Women’s Health NP Make Per Hour In California?
| $75.79 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Women’s Health NP Make Per Week In California?
| $3,032 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Women’s Health NP Make Per Month In California?
| $13,140 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Women’s Health NP Make Per Year In California?
| $157,640 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For WHNPs In California?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +58.60% |
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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