Diablo Valley College Nursing Programs in Pleasant Hill (2026)
Diablo Valley College ADN in Pleasant Hill. NCLEX-RN pass rate and admissions requirements for 2026.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
DVC’s ADN program offers an affordable path to RN licensure in the Bay Area. Students benefit from California community college tuition, multiple campuses (Pleasant Hill and San Ramon), and proximity to major hospitals for clinical hours. Confirm current NCLEX outcomes and application requirements with the college and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose DVC
Diablo Valley College, in Pleasant Hill with a second campus in San Ramon, is part of the Contra Costa Community College District and sits in the San Francisco Bay Area—one of the nation’s largest healthcare and biotechnology regions. Its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program offers an affordable path to RN licensure with access to Bay Area clinical placements.
If you are looking for a lower-cost, community-college route to becoming a registered nurse and want to train near major hospitals and health systems in the East Bay and greater Bay Area, DVC’s nursing program is a practical option to research.
The most recent NCLEX-RN pass rate for DVC was not available in the provided inputs. For current pass rates by school, consult the official California Board of Registered Nursing reports.
Five reasons students choose DVC for nursing
💵 Affordable tuition
California community college per-unit fees make the ADN one of the lowest-cost paths to RN licensure in the state.
📍 Bay Area location
Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses put students within reach of major hospitals and health systems for clinical hours.
🎓 ADN to RN pathway
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and can later pursue RN-to-BSN or advanced degrees elsewhere.
🏥 Strong regional demand
Northern California continues to have high demand for nurses; clinical placements and job prospects are typically robust.
📚 Transfer options
DVC has transfer agreements with four-year schools for students who plan to continue to a BSN after the ADN.
Nursing Programs Offered
Diablo Valley College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Completion leads to eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a registered nurse in California. DVC does not offer BSN, MSN, or DNP programs; students seeking a bachelor’s or advanced degree typically transfer to a four-year institution or complete an RN-to-BSN program after licensure.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Full-time program combining general education and nursing coursework with clinical rotations. Prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN and entry-level RN practice. Program length and exact curriculum are set by the nursing department; confirm current structure on the official DVC nursing program page.
California ADN programs must meet California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) approval requirements. Programmatic accreditation (e.g., ACEN) may also apply. Verify current accreditation and BRN approval status on the college website and the California BRN.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for Diablo Valley College was not available in the provided inputs/sources. Schools in California report outcomes to the California Board of Registered Nursing; the BRN publishes pass rates by program in its annual reports.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Job Placement (e.g. within 6 months) | Not available in the provided inputs/sources |
| Source for current data | California Board of Registered Nursing |
NCLEX pass rates can change by cohort. Before making a decision, confirm the latest NCLEX statistics for DVC with the college’s nursing department and the official California Board of Registered Nursing report.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
DVC may admit international students, and California licenses internationally educated nurses; exact steps, documents, and test scores vary by visa type, country, and whether you are seeking a student visa or RN licensure. Use the points below as a checklist to guide your conversations with DVC and the California Board of Registered Nursing—not as a replacement for their official instructions.
- English-language proficiency: Whether DVC requires TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or another exam for the nursing program, and the minimum scores for undergraduate vs. graduate nursing programs.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Whether foreign secondary or nursing education must be evaluated by WES, CGFNS, or another service and how DVC wants those reports submitted.
- California Board of Registered Nursing requirements: For internationally educated nurses pursuing RN licensure, confirm NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS or other reports, and document translation requirements with the California BRN.
- Immigration & visa support: Which programs are approved for F‑1 or other visa types, what financial documentation is required, and how clinical placements fit within your immigration status.
Policies for international students and foreign‑educated nurses change frequently. Before you rely on any single blog, video, or forum post, verify everything with DVC’s admissions or international office and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
California community college nursing programs are typically impacted and competitive; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. DVC’s nursing program has its own application process and criteria. Confirm current prerequisites, deadlines, and selection process on the official DVC nursing or health sciences page.
- Eligibility to attend DVC (admission to the college)
- Completion of prerequisite courses (e.g., anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry) with minimum grades
- Minimum GPA as set by the nursing program (not publicly disclosed in the provided inputs)
- TEAS or other entrance exam if required (not available in the provided inputs)
- Application by the program’s published deadline
Application timeline
Application windows and deadlines are not available in the provided inputs. Check the DVC website and nursing program materials for the current cycle.
Admissions competitiveness snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA Range | Not publicly disclosed |
| TEAS Required | Not available in the provided inputs/sources |
| Clinical Experience Preferred | Not publicly disclosed |
Complete prerequisites with strong grades; many programs use a point system based on GPA and sometimes TEAS scores. Apply as soon as you are eligible and keep copies of all application materials. Contact DVC counseling or the nursing department for current selection criteria and how to strengthen your application.
Advice by applicant type
🎓 First-time / transfer applicant
Focus on completing required science and general education courses with the best grades possible. Confirm prerequisite courses with DVC’s catalog or nursing department. Healthcare volunteer or work experience can help demonstrate commitment.
🔄 Second-degree / career-change applicant
ADN programs welcome applicants with prior degrees. Emphasize completed prerequisites and any healthcare exposure. After earning your ADN and RN license, you can pursue an RN-to-BSN at a four-year school if you want a bachelor’s.
🩺 LVN or other healthcare background
If you are an LVN or have other healthcare experience, check whether DVC offers advanced placement or LVN-to-RN options. Verify current policy with the nursing department.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
California community colleges charge per-unit fees that are among the lowest in the nation. In-district students at DVC pay the standard California community college enrollment fee (e.g., $46 per unit as of recent state schedules; out-of-state and non-resident fees are higher). Total cost depends on the number of units required for the ADN program.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-District (per unit) | ~$46 (CA community college fee; verify current rate) |
| Out-of-State / Non-Resident | Not publicly disclosed in the provided inputs |
| Fees (health, student rep, etc.) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Books & Supplies | Not publicly disclosed |
| Financial Aid | FAFSA and California aid programs apply; DVC offers free tuition programs for eligible students |
For the most current tuition, fees, and cost of attendance, visit the official DVC Financial Aid and college catalog pages.
Complete the FAFSA and check California-specific aid (e.g., California College Promise Grant). The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and other nursing scholarships may be available to qualifying students.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Job Placement | Not available in the provided inputs/sources |
| Alumni Employers | Not available in the provided inputs/sources |
For information about employers hiring DVC nursing graduates, see the college’s outcomes or career services page at dvc.edu.
Is DVC the Right Fit for You?
Choosing a nursing school depends on your budget, learning style, career goals, and life circumstances. Here’s an honest look at who tends to thrive at DVC and who might be better served elsewhere.
✅ Good fit for students who…
- Want an affordable ADN path to RN licensure at a California community college
- Prefer the East Bay / Contra Costa area and can attend Pleasant Hill or San Ramon
- Are okay with an ADN first and plan to pursue RN-to-BSN later if desired
- Want access to Bay Area clinical placements and job markets
⚠️ May not be ideal for students who…
- Want a BSN, MSN, or DNP directly from the same school (DVC offers ADN only)
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program
- Are set on a four-year university environment
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the nation’s largest healthcare and biotechnology regions. Contra Costa County and the greater East Bay are home to major health systems, regional medical centers, and community hospitals where DVC nursing students can complete clinical hours.
| Region / type | Details |
|---|---|
| Contra Costa County | County and private hospitals serving Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, and surrounding areas. |
| East Bay health systems | Major hospital systems and medical centers within commuting distance of DVC campuses. |
| Bay Area demand | Northern California has strong demand for RNs; clinical placement and job opportunities are typically robust. |
DVC students benefit from training in a high-demand region with diverse clinical settings. Confirm current clinical partnership sites with the DVC nursing department.
Student Experience & Campus Life
DVC has two campuses: Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. Nursing program location and simulation or lab facilities are set by the college; confirm with the nursing department. The college offers counseling, financial aid, and support services, and students can participate in clubs and activities across the campuses.
Located in the East Bay, students have access to the broader Bay Area for clinical rotations, employment, and transfer to four-year schools. DVC reports hundreds of degrees and certificates and emphasizes career education and transfer pathways.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Pleasant Hill, CA; San Ramon, CA
- Address
- 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, US
- Telephone
- (925) 685-1230
- Contact email
- See dvc.edu for department contacts
- Website
- www.dvc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official DVC website and find the nursing program page; download any program brochure or application packet.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the DVC catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If the program requires the TEAS or another exam, confirm on the official nursing program page and register if needed.
- Draft a list of questions for a DVC counselor or the nursing department.
- Reach out to current DVC nursing students or alumni on LinkedIn to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining any required personal statement or prepare for interviews if applicable.
- Check the application deadline for your target entry term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diablo Valley College a good school for nursing?
DVC offers an accredited ADN program in the San Francisco Bay Area with access to Bay Area clinical sites and lower-cost community college tuition. Confirm current NCLEX outcomes and accreditation status on the college and California Board of Registered Nursing websites.
What GPA do you need for DVC’s nursing program?
Minimum GPA and prerequisite requirements are set by the nursing department. Not publicly disclosed in the provided inputs. Check the official DVC nursing program and application materials for current requirements.
Does DVC require the TEAS exam for nursing?
TEAS or other entrance exam requirements are not available in the provided inputs. Verify current requirements on the official Diablo Valley College nursing program or admissions page.
How competitive is admission to DVC’s nursing program?
California community college ADN programs are typically impacted and competitive. Acceptance rate is not publicly disclosed. Contact DVC’s nursing department or counseling for current selection criteria and applicant pool size.
Does DVC offer an accelerated BSN?
No. DVC offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. For a BSN, students typically transfer to a four-year institution or complete an RN-to-BSN program after licensure.
What are the clinical placement sites for DVC nursing students?
Clinical placement sites are not available in the provided inputs. DVC is in Contra Costa County with access to Bay Area hospitals. Confirm current clinical partners with the DVC nursing department.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for DVC?
The most recent NCLEX-RN pass rate for DVC was not available in the provided inputs. For current pass rates by school, consult the California Board of Registered Nursing annual reports.
References
- Diablo Valley College — main site and programsdvc.edu
- DVC Financial Aiddvc.edu/financial-aid
- DVC Admissionsdvc.edu/admissions
- California Board of Registered Nursing — NCLEX pass rates and school approvalrn.ca.gov
- Tuition data sourced from DVC and California community college fee schedules; verify on official DVC and state sites.
- All other data as provided in inputs. Data points marked “Not publicly disclosed” or “Not available in the provided inputs/sources” reflect unavailability in sources reviewed for this guide.
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Sid Balal, RGN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with publicly available institutional and government data.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general reference and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice and does not guarantee admission, eligibility, or any particular outcome. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and relevant boards before making decisions.
Published: Mar 16, 2026 · Last reviewed: Mar 16, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy