Registered nurses (RNs) looking to advance in their careers are increasingly choosing the path of an RN to BSN program. These programs are specially designed for RNs who have already earned an Associate's Degree in Nursing and want to pursue a Bachelor's degree (BSN). The state of Maryland offers many quality options for a BSN continuation degree, with both online and in-person options available.
Fast & Affordable Program Options
There are many ways to advance your career as an entry-level registered nurse, but one of the more common ways is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This can help you secure higher-paying roles and a more respected educational portfolio. If you have spent some time in the nursing field and have an associate degree, you will likely qualify for an RN to BSN program — a fast-tracked bridge program that will allow you to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in only two years or less, saving you both time and money.
2027 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Maryland
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD - Private 4-year - stevenson.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BS in Nursing
Online Learning - Visit Website
Stevenson University offers a fully online RN to BS in Nursing designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This CCNE-accredited bachelor's completion program emphasizes leadership, community health, nursing research, and informatics, with courses such as Physical Assessment and Pathophysiology, Nursing Leadership for RNs, and Health in the Community. Clinical hours can be completed on the job, making it convenient for working professionals. The program can be finished in as little as 15 months. Admission does not require ACT or SAT scores. Tuition is $505 per credit with no application fee, and personalized advising, free transcript evaluations, and partnership discounts help reduce costs. Graduates are prepared for roles including nurse manager, surgical nurse, NICU nurse, and charge nurse.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- $505 per credit
- 15-Month program
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $0 application fee
- Financial aid available
- Clinical hours completed on the job
- Personalized one-on-one advising
- Small class sizes
Towson University
Towson, MD - Public 4-Year - towson.edu
RN to BSN - Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Towson University’s RN to BSN completion program is a hybrid online option for licensed RNs with an associate degree. No SAT or ACT is required for this bachelor’s-level bridge program. The primarily online curriculum includes in-person clinical practicum, with courses such as Writing for Evidence-Based Practice, Health Assessment, Diversity and Social Justice in Healthcare, Nursing Research, Public Health Nursing, and leadership via NURS 484. Students work with advisors to create personalized study plans, accept up to 60 transfer credits, and complete 120 total units. Part-time enrollment is recommended, with fall, spring, or summer starts. A 2.5 GPA and Maryland RN license are prerequisites. The capstone practicum prepares graduates for healthcare leadership, community health, and advanced practice. Priority deadlines are May 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring).
- 120 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Individualized plan of study
- Up to 60 transfer credits
- In-person clinical practicum
- Designed for working RNs
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD - Public 4-Year - frostburg.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Frostburg State University's online RN to BSN program is designed for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. This flexible online degree combines asynchronous and synchronous coursework, allowing students to learn at their own pace while completing 135 practicum hours locally. The curriculum focuses on leadership, complex care coordination, and community/public health, preparing graduates for management roles, community health, and graduate study. Learners can finish in as little as 15 months or take one class at a time. Personalized advising and a supportive virtual environment connect a diverse cohort of nurses. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required.
- 15-Month program
- Synchronous and asynchronous options
- 135 clinical hours
- Designed for registered nurses
- Prepares for leadership roles
- Foundation for graduate study
- Flexible online format
- Community-based practicum hours
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD - Public 4-Year - umgc.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of Maryland Global Campus delivers an online RN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking career advancement. The CCNE-accredited, AACN Essentials-aligned curriculum focuses on leadership, health equity, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. Students build on existing clinical knowledge to strengthen skills in clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data analysis, with career paths in community health, case management, and nursing leadership. A required in-person community health practice experience complements the virtual learning, which incorporates gaming and simulation. UMGC's student-centered, flexible online format supports working adults, and admission does not require ACT/SAT scores. No entrance exams are specified, making the program accessible to practicing RNs.
- CCNE accredited
- Online with in-person practice experience
- Based on AACN Essentials
- Focus on leadership and health equity
- Gaming and simulation components
- Serving working adult learners
- Curriculum for evidence-based nursing care
Quickest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
While all RN to BSN programs are by definition faster versions of a traditional BSN program, some RN to BSN programs are still faster than others. Many RN to BSN programs last about two years, but in Maryland, you could conceivably graduate with a BSN in a year or even less. Here are a few of the fastest RN to BSN programs that Maryland has to offer:
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| Montgomery College | Online ADN to BSN | 1 year |
| Frostburg State University | RN to BSN | 15 Months |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
Yes, they do, though you will likely be hard-pressed to find one available in Maryland. Six-month RN to BSN programs are hard to come by, and when they are available, they require a substantial amount of transferable credits along with several years of nursing experience.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
RN to BSN programs are especially known for their affordability. Because you’ll only be required to commit to 1-2 years of full-time study, you can expect to pay around half price for your tuition. Keep in mind that you will still be required to pay full-price in fees, room and board, and other hidden costs, but ultimately, you’ll be paying much less. Here are a few of the most affordable RN to BSN programs in the state:
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| University of Maryland Global | Online RN to BSN | $318 per credit (Resident) $499 per credit (Non-resident) |
| Coppin State University | Online RN to BSN | $ 2,418 per semester (Resident) $ 5,746 per semester (Non-resident) |
Learn more about the cheapest RN to BSN Degrees.
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Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Entrance requirements for most accredited RN to BSN programs are straightforward. As long as you meet or exceed these requirements, you have a good shot of being accepted. Some programs are competitive, so be sure you review your school's requirements carefully to make sure you don't miss anything. Below are some common admissions requirements for schools in Maryland:
- Must submit official transcripts from all schools attended
- Copy of State of Maryland or compact state licensure
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Must provide two academic letters of recommendation
- Overall GPA of 3.0
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Most RN to BSN programs require students to complete lower-division, pre-professional coursework before starting their upper-division core nursing courses. Nursing courses offered as part of the RN to BSN program at Baltimore's University of Maryland School of Nursing include:
- NURS 450: RN-to-BSN Transition: Implications for Practice, Policy, and the Profession
- NURS 454: Pathophysiologic Implications to Patient Assessment
- NURS 460: Health Informatics for the Registered Nurse
- NURS 462: Nursing Leadership and Management for the Registered Nurse
2026 List of RN to BSN Programs in Maryland
Take a look at the listings below to find Maryland's best accredited RN to BSN programs.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Browse Our List of Programs
Adelphi, MD
University of Maryland Global Campus
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Online with in-person practice experience
- Based on AACN Essentials
- Focus on leadership and health equity
- Gaming and simulation components
- Serving working adult learners
- Curriculum for evidence-based nursing care
Baltimore, MD
Coppin State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Campus Based - Website
- No entrance exam required
- 120 total credit hours
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Prerequisite courses required
- Financial aid available
- Active RN license required
- ATI TEAS exam not required
Notre Dame of Maryland University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Campus Based - Website
- Complete in two and a half years
- Cohort-based structure
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Courses range from 5 to 10 weeks
- State of the art simulation labs
- Clinical sites include Johns Hopkins Hospital
Frostburg, MD
Frostburg State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 15-Month program
- Synchronous and asynchronous options
- 135 clinical hours
- Designed for registered nurses
- Prepares for leadership roles
- Foundation for graduate study
- Flexible online format
- Community-based practicum hours
Owings Mills, MD
Stevenson University
- RN to BSN - RN to BS in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- $505 per credit
- 15-Month program
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $0 application fee
- Financial aid available
- Clinical hours completed on the job
Salisbury, MD
Salisbury University
- RN to BSN - RN to B.S.N.
Campus Based - Website
- 120 total credit hours
- Apply by 2025-01-15
- 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- For RN students currently licensed
- Up to 60 transfer credits from ADN
- 30 credits awarded for RN license
- Application deadline January 15
- Two academic references required
Takoma Park, MD
Washington Adventist University
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing | for R.N.s
Campus Based - Website
- Evening format for working adults
- 121 total credit hours required
- RN licensure required for admission
- 45 hours of prerequisites
- 58 hours nursing core curriculum
- 31 RN license transfer credits
- CPR certification required
- Prerequisites require C or higher
Towson, MD
Towson University
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 120 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Individualized plan of study
- Up to 60 transfer credits