Advanced education for registered nurses (RNs) in Kentucky is on the rise. With the increased earnings and job opportunities a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) can bring, many RNs in the state are opting to go back to school to build upon their Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). With both online and classroom RN to BSN program options available, Kentucky RNs have many educational choices at their fingertips.
2026 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY - Public 4-Year - eku.edu
Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Visit Website
Eastern Kentucky University's fully online RN to BSN program delivers a strategic educational pathway for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. Uniquely structured with just 25 credit hours, students can complete their degree within 12 months, making it an exceptionally efficient program. The curriculum emphasizes comprehensive healthcare skills including health promotion, disease prevention, and professional development strategies. Priced competitively at $489 per credit hour and offering free textbooks, the program provides remarkable value. Military-friendly and nationally accredited, students benefit from flexible scheduling, personalized academic advising, and the opportunity to complete clinical projects at their current workplace. The program aligns with projected 6% employment growth in nursing, preparing graduates for expanded leadership roles across diverse healthcare environments.
- Online, accelerated 12-month program
- 25 nursing credit hours required
- $489 per credit hour
- Free textbooks for students
- No required campus visits
- Flexible course scheduling
- Nationally accredited program
- Clinical projects at current workplace
- Personalized academic advising
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY - Public 4-Year - uky.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing (RN-BSN)
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of Kentucky's online RN-BSN program delivers a comprehensive nursing education tailored for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. Accredited by CCNE, the program uniquely accommodates full-time professionals through asynchronous 7-week block scheduling, allowing seamless academic progression. Students can complete 30 credit hours without traditional campus attendance, leveraging local clinical placement opportunities. The curriculum emphasizes professional skill enhancement, leadership development, and advanced clinical reasoning. With a competitive $624 per credit hour rate and a flexible structure requiring an unencumbered nursing license and minimum 2.5 GPA, this program enables nurses to efficiently transform their associate degree into a comprehensive bachelor's degree while maintaining professional commitments.
- Fully online BSN program
- 30 credit hours required
- No campus attendance needed
- 7-week block scheduling
- $624 per credit hour
- CCNE accredited program
- Designed for working RNs
- Clinical hours completed locally
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required
- Unencumbered nursing license
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY - Public 4-Year - louisville.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing (RN-BSN Online Program)
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Louisville's online RN-to-BSN program provides registered nurses with a dynamic, career-advancing educational pathway. Fully online and designed for ADN holders, this innovative program allows nurses to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 12-18 months. Uniquely structured with only 31 core credit hours, students benefit from a professional nursing portfolio that saves over $11,250 in tuition. The curriculum emphasizes critical leadership development, evidence-based practice, and comprehensive community health expertise. Accredited by CCNE, the program features flexible 8-week course terms, multiple annual start dates, and is specifically tailored for working healthcare professionals seeking academic progression without interrupting their current employment.
- 100% Online Flexible Program
- 31 Core Credit Hours
- 8-Week Course Terms
- 30 Credits Tuition-Free Portfolio
- Multiple Start Dates Annually
- Community Health Practicum
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Leadership and Research Focus
- No Campus Attendance Required
- Designed for Working Nurses
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY - Private 4-year - ucumberlands.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of the Cumberlands delivers a flexible, accelerated online RN to BSN program tailored for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. The 12-month curriculum emphasizes critical leadership skills, evidence-based practice, and enhanced healthcare communication strategies. Requiring 38 total credit hours at an affordable $220 per credit, the program provides a seamless academic pathway for professionals. As a nationally accredited program, it supports registered nurses in expanding their clinical capabilities, improving patient care quality, and creating opportunities for future graduate-level education. Military-friendly and designed with working professionals in mind, the program enables nurses to balance academic progression with current employment commitments.
- 100% Online Program
- 12-Month Completion Option
- $220 Per Credit Hour
- 38 Total Credit Hours
- Designed for Working RNs
- Leadership Skill Development
- Pathway to MSN
- Nationally Accredited Program
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY - Public 4-Year - kysu.edu
Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Online Learning - Visit Website
Kentucky State University's fully online RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a dynamic pathway to advanced professional development. As a historically black university (HBCU), the program is military-friendly and specifically designed for working nurses seeking career advancement. Students will explore comprehensive healthcare knowledge, emphasizing research, technology integration, and ethical practice across individual, family, and community health domains. The curriculum enables nurses to leverage their existing associate degree or diploma, enhancing critical thinking skills and preparing them for expanded leadership roles in contemporary healthcare settings. With 100% online flexibility, nurses can seamlessly balance professional responsibilities while pursuing academic growth.
- 100% Online Program
- Flexible for Working Nurses
- Advanced Professional Development
- Comprehensive Learning Outcomes
- Research and Technology Focus
Fast & Affordable Program Options
There are many reasons why nurses are drawn to RN to BSN programs but two of the most common ones are the speed at which you can graduate from them and the very low cost. RN to BSN programs build on the student’s previous experience and training as a nurse to deliver a much shorter curriculum saving you both time and money along the way.
Quickest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
While most BSN programs require at least four years of study, RN to BSN programs (a fast-tracked option for experienced nurses) allow students to graduate in only two years — or even quicker if you have a large number of transferable credits. Believe it or not, Kentucky has a few of the fastest RN to BSN programs available in the country; see below.
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| Northern Kentucky University | Online RN to BSN | 10 Months |
| Midway University | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
Yes, but you’re unlikely to find them in Kentucky. If you qualify for admission with a substantial number of transferable credits and an unencumbered RN license, you’ll probably still need to consider relocating to other states in order to take advantage of these incredibly high-paced and intense RN to BSN options.
Cheapest Online RN to BSN Options
While you may not be able to graduate in six months in Kentucky, you will be able to graduate in at least half the amount of time as you would have if you were enrolled in a traditional BSN program. This will not only save you time but also money as well. You may also be able to further cut your tuition costs by establishing residence in Kentucky, especially if you are applying to primarily state schools. Here are a few of the most affordable RN to BSN programs in the state:
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| Murray State University | Online RN to BSN | $404.50 per credit |
| University of Kentucky | Online RN to BSN | $13,502 per year |
Learn more about the cheapest RN to BSN Degrees.
Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Once you decide to pursue an RN to BSN degree program, you'll need to choose a school. Below are some of the typical admissions requirements you may face at schools in the state:
- Unrestricted US Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Must have earned an Associate's Degree in Nursing or a diploma in nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all undergraduate work
- Submission of transcripts from all colleges previously attended
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
General education courses, advanced nursing courses, and electives make up the curriculum of an RN to BSN program. Lexington-based University of Kentucky School of Nursing offers the following courses as part of its accredited program:
- NUR 350: Concepts in Professional Nursing
- NUR 450: The Impact of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
- NUR 354: Pathophysiology
- NUR 352: Pharmacology
- NUR 452: Leadership & Management for RNs
2025 List of RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky
Discover the best RN to BSN programs available in the State of Kentucky through our listings below.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Columbia, KY
Lindsey Wilson College
- Bachelor's - R.N. B.S.N.
Online Learning - Website
- Online RN to BSN program
- 48-57 total credit hours
- Minimum 2.0 GPA required
- Active RN license needed
- Flexible professional coursework
- Leadership and ethics focus
- Evidence-based practice emphasis
- Global health perspectives
Crestview Hills, KY
Thomas More University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 18-month accelerated program
- ACEN accredited nursing program
- Hybrid learning format
- Small class sizes
- 100% job placement
- Career advancement opportunities
- Potential $18,000 salary increase
Frankfort, KY
Kentucky State University
- Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- Flexible for Working Nurses
- Advanced Professional Development
- Comprehensive Learning Outcomes
- Research and Technology Focus
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky
- Bachelor's - Nursing (RN-BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online BSN program
- 30 credit hours required
- No campus attendance needed
- 7-week block scheduling
- $624 per credit hour
- CCNE accredited program
- Designed for working RNs
- Clinical hours completed locally
Louisville, KY
Spalding University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online RN to BSN format
- Up to 90 transferable credits
- Active RN license required
- Enhances nursing career opportunities
- Flexible degree completion
University of Louisville
- Bachelor's - Nursing (RN-BSN Online Program)
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Flexible Program
- 31 Core Credit Hours
- 8-Week Course Terms
- 30 Credits Tuition-Free Portfolio
- Multiple Start Dates Annually
- Community Health Practicum
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Leadership and Research Focus
Midway, KY
Midway University
- Bachelor's - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program format
- 12-24 months completion time
- Multiple start dates yearly
- Designed for working nurses
- 120 total credit hours
Morehead, KY
Morehead State University
- Bachelor's - Nursing, Post-Licensure, B.S.N.
Online Learning - Website
- Online flexible program
- Two-year completion time
- RN licensure required
- Accredited nursing program
- Career advancement opportunities
- Graduate credits option available
- Interprofessional communication focus
- Evidence-based practice training
Murray, KY
Murray State University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- One-Year Completion Time
- Leadership Focused Curriculum
- Community Health Emphasis
- CCNE Accredited Program
Pikeville, KY
University of Pikeville
- Bachelor's - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program
- 120 total credits required
- Minimum 2.50 GPA
- Designed for working nurses
- ACEN accredited nursing program
- Multiple start dates annually
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
Richmond, KY
Eastern Kentucky University
- Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- Online, accelerated 12-month program
- 25 nursing credit hours required
- $489 per credit hour
- Free textbooks for students
- No required campus visits
- Flexible course scheduling
- Nationally accredited program
- Clinical projects at current workplace
Williamsburg, KY
University of the Cumberlands
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- 12-Month Completion Option
- $220 Per Credit Hour
- 38 Total Credit Hours
- Designed for Working RNs
- Leadership Skill Development
- Pathway to MSN
- Nationally Accredited Program