Explore Budget Friendly BSN Programs Near Bridgeport, Connecticut

Charter Oak State College's RN-to-BSN degree-completion program is tailored for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma. The fully online, CCNE-accredited curriculum dives into healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, population health, quality improvement, patient safety, and leadership. You'll complete two practicum courses and a capstone, totaling 27 nursing credits within 120 overall. No SAT or ACT is required for admission; acceptance relies on current RN licensure and previous college grades. Charter Oak's public online model keeps tuition low and gives working nurses maximum flexibility, and generous transfer credit policies shorten time to completion, making this one of the most budget-friendly BSN pathways in Connecticut.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 120 total credit hours
• Capstone required
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Two practicum courses required
• Background check and drug screening
• Transfer up to 2 nursing courses
• Flexible online format
• Designed for working RNs

University of Bridgeport's CCNE-accredited BSN Nursing Program offers a campus-based pathway to RN licensure. Applying does not require SAT/ACT scores, thanks to test-optional admission. Starting in the sophomore year, students combine evidence-based coursework with hands-on simulation in a 10-bed Skills and Simulation Center with Pyxis medication systems, video debriefing, and community health rooms. Clinical placements span hospitals, schools, and clinics across Connecticut. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and can enter diverse healthcare careers. For affordability, the university provides financial aid, scholarships, and rolling admissions, helping students create a budget-conscious plan. Strong NCLEX preparation and regional clinical partnerships make this a valuable investment.

• CCNE accredited
• Rolling admissions
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• 10 patient beds in simulation center
• Pyxis machine in simulation lab
• Theater-style lecture hall
• Community health simulation room
• Debriefing room with two-way mirrors
• Video recording of practice sessions

Designed for students with a prior bachelor's degree, the Accelerated BSN at University of Bridgeport delivers a fast, immersive route into professional nursing. Because it's a second-degree program, SAT/ACT scores aren't required for admission. The campus-based curriculum integrates theory with practice in a state-of-the-art simulation center, with clinical internships at hospitals and community practices across Connecticut. The compressed timeline shortens the path to NCLEX-RN eligibility and reduces total education costs, letting graduates enter the workforce sooner. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Expert faculty foster evidence-based, patient-centered care while laying a foundation for graduate study—an excellent value for career changers.

• State-of-the-art simulation center
• Clinical partnerships throughout Connecticut
• Prepares for entry-level nursing practice
• Foundation for graduate education

Albertus Magnus College’s BSN program, launching spring 2025, fights Connecticut’s nursing shortage. The campus-based curriculum integrates liberal arts with nursing science, including pharmacology, pathophysiology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal/child health, mental health, and community health. Students hone skills in state-of-the-art simulation labs with lifelike manikins and complete six clinical rotations at partner hospitals. Small classes and seasoned faculty like Dr. Cynthia Jeffrey (20+ years) ensure individual attention. Graduates can advance to nurse practitioner, educator, or informaticist roles. The program is an ACEN accreditation candidate. Affordability is boosted by financial aid awarded to 90% of students and additional scholarships; military-friendly status provides further benefits.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
• Starts spring
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Hands-on simulation labs
• Clinical partnerships with major hospitals
• Small class sizes
• Ninety percent receive financial aid

The University of Hartford's BSN is a four-year, 121-credit CCNE-accredited program that places students in clinical settings starting sophomore year, supplemented by advanced simulation labs. Coursework spans pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, adult health, maternal/child nursing, population health, leadership, and a capstone. No SAT or ACT is required—the university is test-optional—and no entrance exam is needed for admission. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and enter a strong job market with a reported 100% placement rate and median RN earnings of $93,600. The program holds approval from the Connecticut Board of Examiners. Affordability is enhanced through available financial aid, scholarships, and tutoring/mentoring support, helping students complete the degree efficiently.

• CCNE accredited
• No entrance exam required
• Test optional
• 4-Year program
• 121 total credit hours
• 100% job placement rate
• 2.7 GPA minimum
• $93,600 median earnings
• 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required

Central Connecticut State University offers a campus-based BSN with four entry routes: freshmen, transfers, re-entry, and current CCSU students. Prerequisite coursework includes chemistry, biomolecular science, and lifespan development. Applicants need a 3.0 minimum GPA and a TEAS score of at least 70%; no ACT or SAT is used for nursing admission. Once accepted, students train in modern simulation suites and can join the Student Nursing Association and Sigma Theta Tau. The deadline is March 15. As a public state university, CCSU provides budget-friendly tuition, especially for Connecticut residents, and financial aid opportunities further reduce costs, making this a solid value for aspiring RNs.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Multiple pathways to admission
• ATI TEAS exam required
• Highly competitive admission
• Pre-nursing prerequisites
• Application deadline March 15
• Nursing simulation suites and lab

At Western Connecticut State University, the campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing begins in the sophomore year with three years of nursing theory and clinical practice. Students build critical thinking, nursing process, communication, and leadership skills through rotations at partner healthcare agencies in Danbury, Waterbury, and New Haven. The program has one of Connecticut’s highest NCLEX pass rates, small classes, and accessible faculty. No SAT/ACT scores are part of the nursing program's stated admission requirements; instead, applicants need a 3.0 GPA and prerequisite science courses. This 120-credit BSN prepares graduates for hospital, community, and leadership roles. As a public institution, in-state tuition enhances affordability.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 120 total credit hours
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Highest NCLEX pass rates in Connecticut
• Smaller class sizes
• Faculty readily accessible
• Clinical partnerships with healthcare agencies
• Three years of nursing courses

Southern Connecticut State University, a public institution in nearby New Haven, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing emphasizing evidence-based practice and critical thinking. Through direct admission for high school seniors, a transfer pathway, and a part-time evening/weekend track, students can tailor the program to their needs. An Early College initiative lets high schoolers start earning credits. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and prerequisites; SAT/ACT is optional, but the TEAS entrance exam is required. Clinical placements in hospitals and community agencies prepare graduates for diverse nursing careers. Budget-conscious students benefit from SCSU's public tuition rates, financial aid, and flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Test optional
• Full-time and part-time options
• Starts fall
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Early College for Nursing initiative
• Direct admission for high school seniors
• College admission pathway for transfers

The University of Connecticut's traditional BSN track at the Waterbury Campus is a four-year program blending liberal arts with professional nursing education. Students start nursing courses in their first year and gain hands-on training via clinical simulation labs and partnerships with over 70 healthcare agencies. The curriculum focuses on person-centered care, interprofessional leadership, and health equity, preparing graduates to address complex healthcare challenges. Admission requires a strong academic record, including high school biology and chemistry; transfer students need a competitive 3.0 GPA. Standardized SAT or ACT requirements are not specified in this program information, so applicants should verify current policies. As a public regional campus, UConn Waterbury offers an affordable pathway to a respected BSN for Connecticut residents.

• Four-year comprehensive nursing program
• 70+ healthcare agency partnerships
• NCLEX exam preparation
• 3.0 GPA transfer requirement
• Clinical simulation learning center
• First nursing courses first year
• Person-centered care focus
• Interprofessional leadership training
• Health equity emphasis

The University of Connecticut-Stamford offers a four-year, full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing that pairs a liberal arts foundation with intensive clinical training. As a public university, it is a budget-friendly option for Connecticut residents seeking a BSN, with in-state tuition and financial aid opportunities. The program emphasizes person-centered care, interprofessional collaboration, and health equity, and maintains affiliations with more than 70 healthcare agencies for diverse clinical placements. Admission is competitive, requiring strong academic credentials, prerequisite work in biology and chemistry, and a motivational statement—the program does not list an ACT or SAT entrance exam as a requirement. Students graduate ready for NCLEX examination and careers across varied healthcare settings, with access to a state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Learning Center.

• Four-year full-time program
• NCLEX exam preparation
• 70+ healthcare agency affiliations
• Clinical Simulation Learning Center
• Competitive admission process
• 3.0 GPA requirement
• Fall semester entry only
• Prerequisites include biology, chemistry

UConn-Stamford's Accelerated Second-Degree CEIN/BS program offers a fast and affordable route to nursing for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This full-time, 12-month curriculum is delivered across four Connecticut campuses, allowing students to learn at a research-intensive university. The program is particularly budget-friendly given its shortened timeframe, lowering overall tuition costs compared to traditional paths. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required; instead, candidates need a prior bachelor's degree and must meet pre-nursing requirements. The program prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and provides hands-on learning experiences, making it an efficient and economical choice for career changers seeking a BSN-level education.

• 12-month accelerated program
• Designed for non-nursing bachelor's
• Four campus location options
• NCLEX-RN exam eligibility
• Research-intensive university

The University of Saint Joseph's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) blends the art and science of nursing through a holistic, ethically grounded curriculum emphasizing care for diverse populations. Students build leadership and clinical skills through integrated coursework and hands-on placements. Applicants need at least a 2.8 GPA and a C or better in science courses; no ACT/SAT is required. The CCNE-accredited program fully prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and entry into hospital, clinic, and community roles. To reduce cost, the private institution offers need-based grants, merit scholarships, and financial counseling, making it a realistic choice for budget-focused BSN aspirants.

• Accredited by CCNE.
• Prepares for RN licensure.
• Holistic care focus.
• Clinical hands-on experience.
• 2.8 GPA requirement.
• C in science courses.
• Ethical practice emphasis.
• Professional leadership training.
• Diverse population care.
• Integrates theory and practice.

For bachelor's degree holders, the University of Saint Joseph offers a 15-month, 53-credit Accelerated Second Degree B.S.N. Coursework runs through summer, fall, and spring terms, covering pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, research, community health, and public health nursing. Clinicals span acute, long-term, and community settings, and graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN licensure. Admission demands a 3.0 GPA, science prerequisites within eight years, one recommendation, CPR, background check, and drug screening. Since students already hold a degree, SAT/ACT scores are not required. The fast pace reduces tuition and living expenses, and federal aid/scholarships boost affordability.

• CCNE accredited
• 15-Month program
• 53 total credit hours
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Designed for second-degree students
• Eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
• Clinical experiences required