Why This Matters

  • REGISTERED NURSES WITH A BSN EARN AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $77,600

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the mean annual wage for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree is $77,600.

  • JOBS FOR REGISTERED NURSES ARE EXPECTED TO GROW BY 6%

    It’s expected that for the period between 2021 and 2031, jobs for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree will grow by 6%, which amounts to 195,400 new jobs over this 10-year period.

  • THE MOST JOBS FOR NURSES ARE FOUND IN CA, TX, NY

    According to BLS statistics, the states with the highest number of jobs for registered nurses are California, Texas, and New York.

Our Research

This list features some of the most afforable online RN to BSN degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by agencies like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) that ensure the quality of nursing education.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of most affordable online RN to BSN programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 50 Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs

Most Affordable RN to BSN Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Western Carolina University
01
Best Fieldwork Experience
Pensacola State College
01
Best Part-time Program
UF College of Nursing
01
Best Job Placement Rate
Florida Gateway College
01
Best Public Institution
Northwest Florida State College
01
Best Hybrid Program
Miami Dade College
01
Best HBCU
Fayetteville State University
01
Best Electives
Eastern Florida State College
01
Best in the South
Georgia Southwestern State University
01
Most Customizable Program
Broward College
01

UCF College of Nursing
01

Winston-Salem State University
01

Appalachian State University
01

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
01

UNC Charlotte
01

Cleveland State University
01

Pfeiffer University
01

Catawba College
01

University of North Carolina-Wilmington
01

ECU College of Nursing
01

Columbus State University
01

Fort Hays State University
01

University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
01

University of North Georgia
01

Northeastern State University
01

Bluefield State College
01

Florida International University
01

St. Petersburg College
01

Bellevue College
01

California State University Dominguez Hills
01

Minot State University
01

Sam Houston State University
01

Great Basin College
01

University of South Florida
01

Western Governors University
01

University of Missouri at St. Louis
01

University of West Florida
01

Mayville State University
01

CSUF School of Nursing
01

College of Coastal Georgia
01

Oklahoma Panhandle State University
01

Columbia College
01

Arkansas Tech University
01

West Virginia University
01

Southeast Missouri State University
01

University of Utah
01

University of Central Missouri
01

The University of Texas at El Paso
01

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

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What You Should Know About This Degree

There are cost implications to consider when researching an online RN to BSN degree program. This is especially the case for students who are still paying for associate degree program loans. To fully understand how much an RN to BSN online program will cost, look at the number of credits needed to graduate and the tuition rate to find the cost per credit hour. There are federal student aid limits on loan amounts, which may also be a financial factor for students seeking an online RN to BSN program.

The flexibility of an online RN to BSN program appeals to many working nurses because courses can often be scheduled around work — depending on the course format. Time management skills are crucial for balancing school and career; online students also need plenty of motivation. A computer setup and reliable internet service that meets the program’s technological requirements is another must-have for online RN to BSN students.

What’s Next?

Ask these questions when gathering research about online RN to BSN programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? To enter an online RN to BSN program, students must be licensed as a registered nurse. Some schools may have entrance exams or other requirements while others may require a certain length of time as an RN.
  • Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Some online RN to BSN programs have synchronous classes, which meet at a scheduled time. Others offer an asynchronous course format that allows students to complete coursework when they want.
  • How long does it take to complete an online RN to BSN degree? On average, an RN to BSN program takes two years to complete. However, there are accelerated programs that take only one year.
  • What tests are required for an online RN to BSN degree program? A state license is required to enter an RN to BSN program; students must pass the NCLEX-RN exam prior to admission.

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