Best Online Nursing Degree Programs- Affordable Colleges Online

Best Online Nursing Degree Programs

Best Online Nursing Degree Programs

If you’ve ever wanted to go to nursing school, or to further your education as a registered nurse, the time has never been better. Here’s your full guide to the best online nursing programs of 2023, whether you’re looking to become an RN, add on your BSN, advance your career with a master’s in nursing, or go straight to the top with a DNP. 

We Found the Following Schools with Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Capella is proud to have educated more than 15,000 nursing graduates. Of all nurses who come to Capella for their nursing degree, over 90% choose FlexPath, a program that allows you to control your pace and set your own deadlines. With FlexPath, you can complete your RN-to-BSN program in 9 months and under $10,000. Cost varies by pace, transfer credits, and other factors. Fees apply.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Capella University

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Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding AK, ID, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD

Walden University

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When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN to BSN

Arizona State University

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The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

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GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Grand Canyon University

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Best Online Nursing Programs 2023

There are so many types of online nursing degrees and programs it can be overwhelming to choose the one for you. To help you with this decision, we’ve compiled some of the top online nursing programs in 2023. This list takes numerous factors into consideration including:

  • Accreditation
  • Clinical hour requirements
  • Clinical placement assistance
  • Cost
  • Graduation rate
  • Location
  • Program length
  • Program ranking
  • Student-faculty ratio
  • Total credit hours

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Current Degree Current Degree No Degree/License ADN (RN) BSN (RN) MSN (RN) LPN/LVN Medical Assistant CNA Paramedic Other Desired Degree Desired Degree Show Me Programs

Top Online RN-to-BSN Programs

If you have your ADN and are looking to go back to school to earn your BSN, check out these top online RN-to-BSN programs:

1. Capella University*

Designed by nurses, this for-profit university program is designed in 10-week courses. Students can also apply to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP) option. This allows you to take master’s-degree level (MSN) courses that apply toward your BSN. 

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

Tuition: $9,600–$22,400 per/year

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 

2. The University of Oklahoma

This online bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program can be completed in as little as nine months but can also be completed on a part-time basis.

Application Deadline: April 1st and October 15th

Tuition: In-state tuition $11,688, Out-of-state tuition $27,069 

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 

3. University of Central Florida

This bachelor’s degree program consists of 30 credit hours which can be completed in three semesters at a full-time pace or as slowly as ten semesters or five years. Students can take up to nine credit hours of graduate-level work to apply toward an MSN degree. 

Application Deadline: March 1st, July 1st, and November 1st

Tuition: $6,368 per/year in-state, $22,467 per/year non-resident

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 

4. Arizona State University

ASU sudents take 10 classes that each last 7.5 weeks during this program. Current RNs can finish this program in approximately 15 to 18 months. While this program is 39 credits and longer than most other online programs, students take classes that are considered more innovative than other traditional BSN programs. 

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

Tuition: $11,338 per/year in-state, $29,428 per/year non-resident

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

5. Herzing University*

A time and money-saving program, this program is very unique in that it offers rolling admission which allows students to apply whenever is most convenient. Furthermore, it allows students to start the program at their own pace. Classes are 8-weeks and the degree can be finished in as little as 12 months. Students can also take master’s degree classes while completing the online BSN degree. 

Tuition: $14,200 per/year

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

We Found the Following Schools with Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored

Capella is proud to have educated more than 15,000 nursing graduates. Of all nurses who come to Capella for their nursing degree, over 90% choose FlexPath, a program that allows you to control your pace and set your own deadlines. With FlexPath, you can complete your RN-to-BSN program in 9 months and under $10,000. Cost varies by pace, transfer credits, and other factors. Fees apply.

Show more

ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Capella University

Learn More

Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.

Show more

ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding AK, ID, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD

Walden University

Learn More

When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Arizona State University

Learn More

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Show more

ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

Learn More

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Show more

ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Grand Canyon University

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Top Cheap, Fast Online RN-to-BSN Programs

If you want to earn your BSN as quickly as possible, for as little money as possible, check out these top 5 fast & affordable online RN-to-BSN programs:

1. University of Central Florida

Ranked as one of the Best Online Programs by U.S. News and World Report, UCF’s program educates the most newly licensed BSN programs in the state. Programs are convenient, flexible and more affordable than most other programs in the state and country. 

Admissions: Applications are accepted three times a year with summer, fall, or spring start dates.

Tuition: $212.28  per credit hour including lab fees and additional University associated costs.

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Institution by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

2. University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming offers competitive rates that allow students to finish at their own pace. Courses are 8-week and students can finish at their own rate.

Admissions: Applications are accepted two times a year with fall and spring start dates.

Tuition: $22,464 per year

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Higher Learning Commission.

3. University of South Florida

USF offers real-world experience to students earning their BSN degree, even those that are already working at the bedside. With state-of-the-art simulation labs (including online access) students can experience different aspects of nursing that they might not get to experience otherwise. 

Admissions: Applications are accepted three times a year with summer, fall, or spring start dates.

Tuition: $3,152.10 ($105.07 per credit hour) plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

4. Appalachian State University

Appalachian’s RN to BSN program provides a flexible, affordable, and practical pathway for working RNs to complete 100 percent of their coursework online and position themselves for advancement in a growing field

Admissions: Applications are accepted two times a year with fall and spring start dates.

Tuition: $7,950 plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

5. University of Texas Arlington*

One of the most popular online programs, nurses find the education platform very easy to use and course schedules are convenient and flexible. 100% of the coursework is completed online and there are multiple state dates during the program. 

Admissions: Applications are accepted two times a year with fall and spring start dates.

Tuition: $8,995 ($257.00 per credit hour) plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.

Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs

Top Online MSN Programs

Already have your BSN, or ready to jump straight into an MSN program? Here are the top 5 online MSN programs of 2023

1. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers two MSN degree options: Nurse Administration and Nursing Education. The program requires clinical practicum experiences; therefore, students need to ensure they have clinical sites as the school does not coordinate placements.

Application Deadline: February 1, July 1, and September 1

Tuition: $2589.75 per semester

Accreditation: Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins offers a variety of MSN online programs, including tracks for a Masters of Nursing in Healthcare Organizational Leadership or MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership/MBA.

Tuition: $1,688 – $1,772 per credit hour

Accreditation: CCNE

3. Simmons College

Simmons offers an MSN degree for nurses who wish to become family nurse practitioners (FNP). Simmons does assist with clinical placements which is a HUGE draw. As of July 2020, the placement team has helped students secure more than 6,800 clinical placements across more than 14,000 clinical networks.

Application Deadline: December 1

Tuition: $1,235 per credit hour

Accreditation: CCNE

4. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers an MSN in Nurse Administration, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner.  Postgraduate certificate programs with Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner options are also available.

Application Deadline: March 1, August 1, and December 1

Tuition: $440 per credit hour

Accreditation: CCNE

5. Baker University

Baker University’s online MSN programs offer tracks in nursing education and nursing administration.

Tuition: $480 per credit hour 

Accreditation: CCNE and Kansas Board of Nursing (BON)

We Found the Following Schools with Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Sponsored

Capella is proud to have educated more than 15,000 nursing graduates. Capella offers CCNE accredited programs, including through their FlexPath program which allows you to control your pace of learning. Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Capella University

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Walden has been helping students earn degrees for more than 40 years and is accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(CCNE) as well as The Higher Learning Commission. Walden’s online nursing programs meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding AK, ID, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD

Walden University

Learn More

When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Arizona State University

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GCU’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Grand Canyon University

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WGU’s award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is an CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

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ACCREDITATION

CCNE

LOCATION

Online

PREREQUISITE

RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

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Top Cheap, Fast Online MSN Programs

If cost and program length are your major concerns when looking for an online MSN program, check out these fast & affordable online MSN programs:

1. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University offers two MSN degrees: Nurse Administration and Nursing Education. Fort Hays works with clinical sites across the country to accommodate out-of-state students and notes that if an acceptable site can not be found in your area, a site will be made available to you on their campus. The program does not accept students from Tennessee, Utah, Alabama, or Washington based on licensing restrictions.

Application Deadline: February 1 for the summer, July 1 for the fall semester, and September 1 for the spring semester

Tuition: $298.55 per credit hour 

Accreditation: CCNE

2. The University of Alabama 

The University of Alabama offers 4 different online MSN concentrations: Nurse Administrator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner. The programs are available 100% online, with clinical sites chosen by you (although they are subject to approval by the college of nursing) and two on-campus sessions that have to be completed over the course of the study. 

Tuition: $440 per credit hour 

Accreditation: CCNE 

3. University of Texas-Tyler

Also boasting a low per-credit tuition cost and a low credit requirement for degree completion, the University of Texas-Tyler has multiple MSN tracks. Anyone enrolling in the NP program must have an RN license in Texas as all clinical hours are required to be completed in Texas. The other degree tracks, however, are completely done online.

Tuition: Cost per credit hour: $929

Accreditation: CCNE

4. Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff comes in at one of the cheapest online MSN-NP programs with a variety of advanced track specialties–students can choose to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner, an Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Care Practitioner. Additional requirements to enroll include that you must have an RN license that is valid in Iowa and you must have the ability to demonstrate with a letter from your employer that you have worked at least 2,000 hours as an RN within the last two years to be eligible to apply.

Tuition: Cost per credit hour: $525

Accreditation: CCNE accredited

5. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers one of the fastest available MSN programs, allowing you to earn an MSN in Nursing Clinical Systems Leadership completely online in approximately 15 months. This program has the advantage of being made up of 7 week-long courses, so admission rotates every 5 months, allowing students three opportunities per year to enroll. In order to be eligible for admission, you must have a BSN and have passed a 3-credit, college-level statistics class within the last 5 years, test out, or take the class at the start of the program.

Tuition: $15,774 per year

Accreditation: CCNE accredited, AACN member

Show Me MSN Programs

Types of Online Nursing Programs 

Nearly every type of nursing degree can be completed online. However, any type of degree that requires clinical work, such as your initial RN or an NP degree, will require a combination of both online work and in-person clinical work. 

Non-clinical degrees, however, such as adding a BSN or advancing to a DNP or some masters in administration roles, can be completed entirely online. Here’s a closer look at each type of nursing degree program you can choose. 

LPN to RN Bridge Programs

LPN to RN bridge programs take you from an LPN to RN. After completing the coursework, you will need to pass your nursing boards in order to earn your RN license in your state. If you have your LPN, you can choose to get your RN with an associate’s degree or enter a bridge LPN-BSN program. An LPN-RN with an associate’s degree will take about two years; an LPN-BSN-RN program will take around three to four. 

RN to BSN Bridge Programs

An RN to a BSN program is appropriate for anyone who has already earned their associate’s degree to become an RN and wants to add a Bachelor’s degree to their resume. RN-BSN programs are one of the most popular online programs available and can be completed entirely online, since you have already done the clinical nursing portion. 

Accelerated BSN Programs

If you have a Bachelor’s degree in another non-nursing field, you are eligible to apply for an accelerated BSN program. You can use an accelerated BSN program to go straight from a non-medical field and earn your RN and BSN all at once, in as little as 12 to 18 months. And although it’s rarer, if you happen to have both your RN and your bachelors in another degree, you can also use the accelerated BSN program to earn your BSN. 

Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs

Direct-entry MSN Programs

Similar to accelerated BSN programs, direct-entry MSN programs let anyone who has a bachelor’s degree in another field go straight into earning their RN and MSN all at once. And incredibly, it’s not that much longer of a program than just getting your BSN. A direct-entry MSN program can also be completed in as little as 18 months. Most of these programs don’t actually confer a BSN onto you; instead, you just earn your MSN. 

Show Me MSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

If you already have your RN and want your MSN, you can go straight into an online MSN program. You have two options with an RN-MSN program: you can go the accelerated route and go straight from your RN to earning your MSN, skipping right over the bachelor’s part (so you’ll end the program with just your MSN). Or, if you want the whole thing, you can earn your RN-BSN and master’s. 

The accelerated RN to MSN will be faster, requiring a little less coursework. In most cases, the RN-MSN program prepares you for a more non-clinical role, such as in administration, unlike a Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), which we describe in the next section. 

BSN to MSN Programs

If you’re already the proud owner of a BSN and would like to advance on to earning your Master’s of Science in Nursing, you’re in luck: there are a ton of online options for furthering your career. 

If you want a master’s in a clinical role, like in order to become a Nurse Practitioner or a CRNA,  your program will be a combination of online work and in-person clinicals. However, the advantage of an online program is that many times, the school will work with you to arrange clinicals locally to your area as opposed to you traveling to on-site locations only near the school. 

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

Many types of online NP programs will prepare you to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, FNP. But there are also specialized NP programs that can prepare you for a specific type of NP, such as a Women’s Health NP or a Geriatric Care NP. In general, the program lengths will be similar, but a speciality program may take a little longer. 

Online NP programs typically take 2-3 years full-time and will include both online coursework and in-person clinical work. They can be completed part-time as well, although some schools will have caps on how long you can take to finish the program. 

Show Me Nurse Practitioner Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) & Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Programs

A DNAP program will take three full years, and many schools ask students to only plan on being able to work full-time for one year of those, with the plan to quit employment for the last two intensive years. 

Speaking of your DNP, there are also a few pathways you can take to earn it online. Depending on where you’re at in your educational pathway, you can choose from the following online DNP programs:

  • RN-DNP – about 4 years in length (full-time)
  • BSN-DNP – about 2-4 years in length
  • MSN to DNP – about 1-2 years

​​Show Me DNP Programs

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Programs

CNM is an RN who earns a master’s degree in midwifery in order to care for women during their reproductive years and beyond. A CNM degree will take about two years and will include clinical work that will not be online. 

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Programs

CNS is similar to an NP, but will focus on a clinical specialty at the bedside. NPs often deliver primary care, while a CNS will focus on a hospital speciality in order to deliver specialized care at the bedside. 

To become a CNS, you will follow a similar path as an NP: enroll in an hybrid online master’s in nursing program and choose your CNS specialization. CNS can prescribe medications in a majority of states in the U.S. 

Nurse Educator Programs

nurse educator is someone who works in an educator role, typically educating other nurses or future nurses. They are the people who will communicate updates to nurses and other healthcare staff at a hospital level, or become a teacher at a university or college in order to prepare the next generation of nurses. 

Most professor roles require a minimum of a master’s degree, but many nurse educators choose to also earn their DNP as well. These degrees can be completed entirely online. 

Show Me Nurse Educator Programs

Nurse Administrator Programs

nurse administrator will work as a manager at a healthcare facility and can choose an MSN degree that is geared towards administration. Typically, these are non-clinical degrees and can be completed entirely online. 

Healthcare Administration Programs

If your goal is to work in healthcare administration, there are other routes you can take outside of just earning your MSN as well. For instance, depending on your goals, you can choose a master’s degree in a related health field or a general master’s degree in business or administration. Some of the common master’s degrees that an RN might choose for a career in healthcare administration include: 

Show Me Healthcare Administration Programs

What to Expect in an Online Nursing Program 

Online nursing programs operate in different formats. Some schools may feature live instruction from a teacher that you watch virtually or a later, recorded version, while others may use a virtual classroom with self-paced instructional videos and educational materials like slideshows for presentations that you work through on your own. 

All online nursing school programs will require written work from you in the form of research papers, essays, and online discussion boards to collaborate with your classmates. If your program requires any on-campus days, those will be clearly outlined before you begin. For instance, some online programs require an “immersion” weekend at the beginning of the semester or even halfway through. 

Some programs–like a BSN or a non-clinical MSN or an MPH–can be completed 100% online. Any nursing program that requires clinicals, practicums, or internships, however, will require in-person time as well. 

Depending on your school’s policy, these can be arranged locally to you, or may be required at hospitals or facilities the school already has an arrangement with. It’s important to know what the school’s policy for in-person requirements are, especially if you are not local to the school. 

Online Nursing Program Cost

The cost of an online nursing program can obviously vary quite a bit, depending on whether you’re choosing an RN-ADN program or you’re heading for a more expensive degree, like your DNP. 

The final cost will also depend on what type of financial aid package you receive, if you are able to secure any scholarships, and if you have any other type of tuition assistance (for instance, such as if your employer offers any help paying for your degree.)

In general, the costs for online nursing programs are: 

  • RN-ADN: $10,000 – $20,000
  • RN-BSN: $10,000 – $80,000
  • MSN: $30,000 – $65,000
  • DNP: bridge programs can cost as little as $17,000, but DNP programs could go as high as several hundred thousand dollars (really)

Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs

Online Nursing Program Accreditation

When choosing an online nursing program, the single most important thing you need to do is ensure that the program you pick is accredited. Especially with online programs, accreditation is necessary to ensure that the program you enroll in will actually meet all the requirements you need in order to graduate and pass any licensing exams you will need. 

Without accreditation, there is no standard that the program has to meet, which means that the education you receive could be subpar and equally as troublesome, not actually give you what you need to pass an exam at the end. Additionally, if you will be using financial aid to attend school, you might not be able to use your entire financial aid package unless you attend an accredited school, so it’s very important. 

You’ll want to look for schools that have at least one of the following accreditations, depending on the specialty you’re choosing:

Overall, if you are interested in pursuing any aspect of nursing, from your RN all the way up to your DNP, know that a large majority of your nursing degree can be completed totally online. And depending on what degree you pick, the entire program can be done 100% online. 

Nursing school has never been easier to complete online, and this nation needs nurses more than ever, so get started today by reaching out to an accredited school to see what type of online nursing programs they offer. 

Find Nursing Programs

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