What you’ll learn in this article…
- Net prices for top ranked programs range from roughly $6,800 to over $38,000.
- Nearly 70% of employers now prefer hiring nurses who hold a BSN.
- Graduates from several ranked programs report median earnings above $60,000 within one year.
Roughly 72% of registered nurses now hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey, and hospitals pursuing Magnet or Pathway to Excellence status expect their nursing workforce to keep pushing that number up. For an RN with an associate degree or diploma, the BSN has shifted from a resume upgrade to a baseline credential at most large health systems.
The complication is choice: several dozen regionally accredited online RN to BSN programs are actively enrolling in 2026, and they differ sharply on per-credit cost, transfer credit caps, clinical or practicum requirements, and how quickly a full-time student can finish. A program that costs $7,000 and wraps in nine months at one school can look like $25,000 and two years at another with similar accreditation.
Top Online RN to BSN Programs Worth Considering in 2027
Each of the schools below runs an RN to BSN that licensed nurses can finish without relocating or stepping away from patient care, and each brings a different strength to the table. Some hold tuition down, some award unusually generous credit for your existing license and clinical experience, and some open a direct line into graduate study. Read the cards with your own priorities in mind: the program that fits your schedule, budget, and career timeline will matter more to you than any single number.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Institution-wide graduation rate
- Affordability and published tuition
- Credit transfer and program flexibility
- Clinical requirements and accreditation
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living index by state — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Florida
#1Gainesville, FL · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Florida-based nurses advancing without career breaks
The University of Florida anchors this list with a part-time RN to BSN built specifically for licensed Florida nurses who hold an associate degree. Coursework spans leadership, evidence-based practice, and health policy, while a required clinical component pairs virtual simulation in health assessment with independent community placements. The university pairs a strong institutional graduation rate with the infrastructure of a large public online division, which makes this a realistic finish line for nurses already working full time.
- 90 clinical hours: virtual simulation plus community-based clinicals
- 2.8 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses required
- Two start dates per year, spring and fall
- Active Florida RN license required at entry
- Supplemental application, background check, and drug screening
- Part-time pacing built for working nurses
- Financial aid available to qualifying students
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing required
University of Virginia
#2Charlottesville, VA · $22,000/yr (net price)
Best for: Nurses seeking generous need-based financial aid
The University of Virginia brings a highly regarded School of Nursing to working nurses through a cohort-based completion program. Need-based aid is unusually strong here, with recent graduates reporting no tuition costs after assistance, and a peer mentoring system pairs each student with an experienced nurse. Substantial credit is awarded for prior nursing coursework and licensure, so the remaining academic load is light enough to manage alongside a full schedule.
- $19,879 total program tuition
- 30 credit hours completed part time over two years
- 42 credits awarded for prior coursework and RN licensure
- 6 in 10 recent graduates paid $0 tuition
- Need-based aid meets 100% of demonstrated need
- Peer mentoring pairs students with experienced nurses
- No direct clinical hours required
- Employer tuition reimbursement supported
Chamberlain University-Missouri
#3St. Louis, MO · $31,000/yr
Best for: Experienced RNs converting licensure into degree credit
Chamberlain University-Missouri is one of two Chamberlain campuses on this list, both operating under a national curriculum that awards 77 proficiency credits to licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma and a current license. That leaves a relatively short completion tail, and full-time students can finish in roughly ten months. Large employer partnerships, military benefits, and rolling admissions make it a frequent choice for nurses whose hospitals help pay for school.
- 122 total credits, 45 to complete after proficiency credit
- 77 proficiency credits awarded for ADN or diploma plus license
- Up to 15 additional transfer credits accepted
- Total program cost around $13,335 after grants and savings
- $635 per credit hour
- Finish in as few as 10 months of full-time study
- 2.0 GPA minimum and an active RN license required
- Rolling admissions with military and employer benefits
Chamberlain University-Virginia
#4Vienna, VA · $33,000/yr
Chamberlain University-Virginia, based in Vienna, mirrors the Missouri campus curriculum while adding its own residency and capstone expectations for students who enroll here. The program is built around short eight-week courses with no mandatory login times, plus employer partner discounts and complementary coursework in applied technology. Nurses who want a highly predictable, credit-heavy completion path at a mid-range per-credit rate tend to do well in this structure.
- 77 proficiency credits awarded for RN licensure and prior nursing education
- 45 credits to complete within a 122-credit program
- Minimum residency: 30 credits must be completed at this campus
- Up to 75% of required credits may transfer in
- Eight-week courses with flexible deadlines
- Capstone required, alongside 12 clinical hours
- Employer partner savings through 11,000+ healthcare organizations
- Applied AI coursework included at no extra cost
Felbry College
#5Columbus, OH · $55,000 – $60,000/yr
Felbry College in Columbus, Ohio, runs a 16-month completion program for registered nurses that awards advanced standing for existing licensure and prior academic work. Admission leans on a modest GPA threshold and character references rather than entrance testing, and no NCLEX exam is required at the finish. It is a smaller, lesser-known institution with a narrower alumni network and no published national standing, so applicants should confirm accreditation status and clinical expectations directly with the school before committing.
- 16-month completion program
- Advanced standing awarded for RN licensure and prior coursework
- Preferred 2.5 GPA with two character reference letters
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing required for admission
- No NCLEX exam required at completion
- No thesis or capstone required
- No mandatory login times for coursework
- Graduates eligible for BSN-level RN positions
University of Central Florida
#6Orlando, FL · $10,000/yr
The University of Central Florida runs one of the state's largest nursing pipelines, and its RN to BSN lets students complete clinical hours in their home communities while staying employed. In-state per-credit costs are among the lowest on this list, and concurrent tracks with Valencia and Seminole State let ADN students stack degrees rather than sequence them. Four concentration options and a capstone give graduates room to aim the degree at leadership, education, or community health.
- $212 per credit for in-state students
- 120 total credit hours, including 62 in the nursing core
- Clinical practice completed in the student's home community
- Four concentration options plus a nursing capstone
- Concurrent ASN to BSN tracks with Valencia and Seminole State
- Fall, spring, and summer start terms
- 2.5 GPA must be maintained; background check required
- Open to licensed RNs holding an associate degree
Ohio State University
#7Columbus, OH · $17,000/yr (net price)
Ohio State University keeps its RN to BSN short by design: 24 credit hours across eight courses, finishable in about a year at full-time pace with no required textbook purchases. Clinical projects are completed locally, so nurses apply new material in their own practice settings right away. The university's scale supports personalized advising, and Ohio ADN students can enroll concurrently to shorten their total time to a bachelor's degree.
- 24 total credit hours across eight courses
- Complete in 12 months full time or 15 months part time
- No textbooks to purchase
- Spring, summer, and fall start terms with rolling admissions
- 2.0 GPA minimum and a $60 application fee
- Clinical projects completed in the student's local community
- Concurrent enrollment available for Ohio ADN students
- Ranked No. 5 nationally by U.S. News
- Employer tuition assistance for Ohio State health system staff
Rutgers University-Newark
#8Newark, NJ · $20,000/yr (net price)
Rutgers University-Newark delivers its RN to BS through the School of Nursing, with a transfer-friendly credit policy and individualized academic plans that fit around shift work. The standout feature is the chance to earn 12 graduate-level credits that carry forward into a future MSN or DNP, effectively shortening the road to advanced practice. Clinical practicums are arranged in New Jersey, and applicants may apply while still finishing an associate degree.
- $580 per credit hour
- Complete in as few as four semesters, full time or part time
- 12 graduate-level credits applicable to an MSN or DNP
- Fall and spring start dates
- Transfer-friendly credit policy with individualized academic plans
- Clinical practicums arranged in New Jersey
- Apply while the associate degree is still in progress
- Dual admission partnership available
Stony Brook University
#9Stony Brook, NY · $19,000/yr
Stony Brook University's registered nurse to baccalaureate program builds on a 60-credit curriculum covering informatics, research, ethics, pathophysiology, and population health, capped by a leadership practicum. The university's health sciences reputation and its Long Island clinical network give graduates visibility with regional employers. Accepting up to eight transfer credits and requiring only a 2.5 GPA keeps the entry bar reasonable for nurses returning to school after years away.
- 60 total credit hours building on an associate degree
- 2.5 GPA minimum; RN license required within six months
- Accepts up to 8 transfer credits
- Capstone leadership practicum plus a population health course
- Coursework spans informatics, research, ethics, and pathophysiology
- Dean's List recognition available each semester
- Degrees with Distinction honors offered
- Preparation for leadership, community health, and policy roles
California State University-Fullerton
#10Fullerton, CA · $7,000 – $20,000/yr
California State University-Fullerton runs an upper-division RN to BSN pathway for licensed nurses, with in-state costs that sit near the low end of this list. Concurrent enrollment agreements with Cypress, Riverside City, and Santa Ana colleges let ADN students work toward both degrees at once instead of waiting to finish one before starting the next. Core coursework centers on community health, nursing research, and healthcare management, aimed at nurses moving into leadership.
- Upper-division RN to BSN pathway for licensed nurses
- Among the lowest in-state tuition figures on this list
- Concurrent enrollment with Cypress, Riverside City, and Santa Ana colleges
- Core coursework in community health, nursing research, and healthcare management
- Dedicated advisors guide the ADN to BSN transition
Our Ranking Criteria: How We Evaluated These Programs
A ranking is only as useful as the yardstick behind it. To compare online RN to BSN programs side by side, we started with a qualifying filter: the program must be genuinely deliverable online. Schools that did not meet that standard were removed before scoring. Then we applied a weighted composite that rewards affordability, completion, and measurable post-graduation earnings rather than reputation alone.
The Composite Score
The overall score combines five factors, each weighted to reflect how much it affects a working nurse's long-term outcome.
- Affordability: This uses the institution-wide average net price after nursing school grants and scholarships, not the published per-credit RN to BSN tuition.
- Completion: The graduation rate is a school-wide figure. It shows whether students generally finish, but it is not specific to the RN to BSN program.
- Earnings: Program-level earnings from the College Scorecard reflect pay outcomes for graduates in this field, offering a clearer signal than campus-wide averages.
- Debt: Typical federal loan debt measures how heavily students borrow to complete their education.
- Return on investment: This ratio compares earnings against net price, so a lower-cost program with strong earnings can outrank a more expensive name-brand school.
What Each Metric Really Tells You
Net price after aid is a useful starting point because it reflects real cost after scholarships and grants. However, it is an institutional average, not a promise for your exact RN to BSN pathway. Graduation rate works the same way: it captures the whole school, not this specific program. The most direct signal comes from program-level earnings data, which ties outcomes to the field rather than the entire university.
What the Score Does Not Capture
This model does not measure clinical placement quality, student satisfaction, faculty-to-student ratios, or program-specific graduation rates. Those factors matter when you compare schools, but they are not consistently reported in the federal data we use. Treat the score as a screening tool, not a verdict on the culture or clinical experience of a program. All data comes from IPEDS and the College Scorecard and reflects the latest available snapshot, so the comparison stays consistent and verifiable.
Questions to Ask Yourself
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RN to BSN Tuition Breakdown: Net Price, In-State Vs. Out-Of-State, and ROI
The table below compares tuition, average net price, median debt at completion, and return on investment (ROI) ratio for twelve online RN to BSN programs, sorted from lowest to highest net price. Keep in mind that the net price shown is an institution-wide average drawn from federal data, not a program-specific figure. Your actual cost will depend on how many credits you transfer, your residency status, and the financial aid package you receive. ADN holders typically bring 60 to 90 credits into an RN to BSN program, which can significantly reduce the remaining coursework and overall expense. Programs with the lowest median debt at completion include Palm Beach State College ($7,081), the University of Florida ($15,000), and Florida Atlantic University ($17,236), making them especially attractive for nurses looking to minimize borrowing. The ROI ratio reflects how graduates' long-term earnings compare to total educational costs. A higher ratio generally signals a stronger financial return: Palm Beach State College (5.92) and the University of Florida (4.77) lead the group, while programs at schools like Western Carolina University (2.26) and Florida A&M University (1.88) show more modest returns, often reflecting differences in net price, regional salary levels, or debt load.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price | Median Debt | ROI Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | $6,381 | $28,659 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 4.77 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,879 | $17,324 | $8,752 | $17,236 | 3.29 |
| Palm Beach State College | $3,050 | $10,910 | $9,182 | $7,081 | 5.92 |
| Western Carolina University | $4,630 | $8,630 | $13,315 | $21,868 | 2.26 |
| Florida A&M University | $5,785 | $17,725 | $13,739 | $23,548 | 1.88 |
| Arizona State University | $12,223 | $33,139 | $14,967 | $19,500 | 3.21 |
| University of Utah | $9,620 | $30,860 | $16,200 | $19,000 | 3.54 |
| University of Alabama | $12,180 | $34,172 | $22,420 | $22,750 | 2.60 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $10,775 | $22,599 | $23,331 | $23,500 | 2.61 |
| Auburn University | $12,890 | $34,922 | $24,323 | $21,000 | 3.11 |
| University of Cincinnati | $13,976 | $29,310 | $25,648 | $21,250 | 2.58 |
| Northeastern University | $66,162 | $66,162 | $30,915 | $24,250 | 3.82 |
What RN to BSN Graduates Actually Earn
There are two ways to read the earnings payoff of an RN to BSN program. One is the occupation-wide wage for registered nurses, which includes every RN regardless of degree, experience, or setting. The other is the earnings of people who actually completed a specific program. Both views matter, but they answer different questions about what the degree is worth.
Program-specific earnings are still thin
Program-level earnings for these ranked RN to BSN programs have not yet been published in the most recent comparison data. That means precise first-year and four-year earnings for completers cannot be directly compared across schools. The clearest available signal at the school level ranges from about $42,000 to roughly $93,000 among the institutions in this list. For context, the strongest school-level earnings signals are:
- Northeastern University: near $93,000
- University of Florida: near $72,000
- University of Utah: near $67,000
Those numbers are not program-specific medians, so treat them as directional rather than exact.
What occupation-wide data adds
The most reliable federal benchmark for RN wages, covered in the RN Salary What to Expect guide, includes all registered nurses, not just BSN graduates. The May 2024 median is $93,600 per year, or $45.00 per hour.1 A newer 2025 estimate, still appearing through secondary sources, puts the national median at $97,550.2 These occupation-wide figures do not separate BSN-prepared nurses from ADN-prepared nurses. Workforce surveys generally show that BSN-prepared nurses earn more, but the ADN vs BSN salary premium is not fixed; it shifts with employer, region, role, and years of experience.
Reading the numbers carefully
Median earnings are the middle of a distribution, not a promised salary. They also reflect local labor markets and cost-of-living differences. A higher median at a school in a high-wage metro may look stronger than a comparable program in a lower-cost region, even when the educational value is similar. In this set, the economic mobility indicators that would show employment soon after completion and the share of former students above the poverty line are not yet available, so they cannot be used to compare schools directly. Until program-level outcomes appear, the safest read is to combine occupation-wide BLS wages with each school's track record and cost of RN programs.
RN to BSN at a Glance: Earnings, Debt, and Completion
Before diving into detailed program comparisons, here are the key financial benchmarks across our 12 ranked online RN to BSN programs. These figures offer a quick snapshot of what you can expect to invest and what graduates typically earn.
Common Questions About Online RN to BSN Programs
Choosing an online RN to BSN program involves more than browsing a school's homepage. The answers below address the practical questions working nurses ask most often, and they point you toward the most reliable sources for verifying what each program actually requires.
Can I really complete an RN to BSN program without any campus visits?
What are the typical admission requirements for RN to BSN programs?
How do I verify that an online RN to BSN program is properly accredited?
How long does an online RN to BSN program take?
Where should I look for reliable data on job outlook and state-specific requirements?
Does the program arrange clinical placements, or do I find my own preceptor?
Nearly 70% of employers now prefer new nurses with a BSN, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's 2023 employer survey, with 25% requiring it outright. This preference reflects a broader industry shift toward higher educational standards and positions BSN-prepared nurses for greater career mobility.
Traditional BSN Vs. RN to BSN Vs. RN to MSN: Choosing Your Path
The strongest signal in nursing education right now is that the BSN has become the expected floor for registered nurses, while the MSN is increasingly treated as the credential for advanced practice and formal leadership. In 2022, 71.7% of RNs reported a baccalaureate or higher as their highest nursing education, and 17.9% reported an MSN as their highest credential.4 Use that baseline to decide which of the three routes fits your current license and the role you want next.
Start with your licensure status
- Traditional BSN: This is the prelicensure option. It is designed for students who do not yet hold an RN license and need to complete first-licensure preparation alongside a four-year baccalaureate degree.2 Completion leads to RN eligibility and the same BSN endpoint as the RN to BSN route, but it is not the efficient choice for a nurse who already holds a license.
- RN to BSN: This is the most direct upgrade for a working RN. It takes an existing ADN or nursing diploma and adds upper-division BSN coursework2, typically in 1 to 2 years when transfer credits are applied, though some formats stretch to 4 years. Employers increasingly prefer or require the BSN, especially in Magnet-seeking hospitals, and hospital-reported BSN proportions among new RN graduates rose from 41% in 2006 to 56% in 2016.
- RN to MSN: This route skips the standalone BSN and moves an already licensed RN directly into Master's of Science in Nursing study.2 It usually requires 2 to 3 years and suits nurses targeting nurse practitioner roles through RN to NP programs, as well as educator, administrator, or clinical nurse leader roles. AACN counts 179 RN-to-MSN programs, though enrollments fell 9.9% and graduations 14.5% from 2022 to 2023, reflecting a more selective, longer commitment.
Compare cost and earnings
Exact tuition depends on transfer credits, residency status, and institutional pricing, so no single cost range is reliable across the pathways. The general pattern is clear: RN to BSN is often the most budget-friendly because it covers the fewest new credits, while RN to MSN typically carries the highest total price because it adds graduate-level credits. Earnings follow the same split. The median annual wage for registered nurses is $93,6004, with one published range for BSN-prepared nurses at $42,343 to $81,768.1 Master's-prepared advanced practice nurses have a median of $132,0503 and a reported range of $62,281 to $198,743.1 At graduation, new BSN nurses hold a slight early hiring edge, 77% versus 67% for entry-level MSN graduates, but the gap closes quickly, reaching 93% versus 94% within four to six months.3
Match the pathway to your goal
Choose the traditional BSN if you are not yet an RN and want the standard prelicensure path to nursing. Choose the RN to BSN if you already hold an RN license and need the BSN for current employment, Magnet requirements, or future graduate study. Choose the RN to MSN only if you are ready for a longer bridge and have a specific advanced practice or leadership role in mind. For detailed admission requirements, compare the traditional BSN program guides and MSN program guides on registerednursing.org.
How to Verify Accreditation for Online RN to BSN Programs
Accreditation is the single most important thing to confirm before you enroll, and verifying it takes only a few minutes of deliberate checking. An unaccredited RN to BSN cannot be assumed to lead to licensure, transfer credit, federal aid, graduate admission, or employer recognition, so this step protects every dollar and hour you invest.
CCNE vs. ACEN: Two Separate Nursing Accreditors
Both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and both use peer review to accredit nursing programs rather than entire colleges. CCNE generally covers baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. ACEN covers a broader range, from practical nursing and diploma programs through associate, baccalaureate, master's, and clinical doctoral levels. For an RN to BSN, confirm the specific BSN program, not just the university, carries CCNE or ACEN accreditation.
Check the Department of Education Database
Use the Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs through its Accreditation Search tool. The Department oversees and recognizes accreditors but does not accredit schools itself, so you are confirming that the institution and program appear under a recognized agency. Remember that institutional accreditation and programmatic nursing accreditation are separate, and state authorization is separate from both.
Why Regional Accreditation Still Matters
Institutional accreditation is generally required for federal financial aid, improves credit transfer acceptance, and is commonly required for employer tuition reimbursement. Programmatic nursing accreditation does not substitute for it.
Watch for diploma mill warning signs: guaranteed degrees, unusually short completion times, and pressure to pay quickly. Words like "approved" or "recognized" prove nothing on their own. Verify everything in writing.