With an aging population and sweeping healthcare changes throughout the nation, the need for nurses hasn’t lessened over the past decade – in fact, it has increased. There is also a high need for nurses with advanced-level qualifications to reach beyond bedside care into the roles of nursing policy, teaching, and leadership. Additionally, there are specialty avenues of patient care like oncology, pediatrics, and gerontology. Many associate’s degree-prepared nurses are choosing to pursue one of the state’s many RN to BSN programs in order to continue working on their career while managing a full-time job.
2026 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC - Public 4-Year - sc.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of South Carolina's fully online RN to BSN program provides registered nurses a strategic pathway to career advancement in just 12 months. Tailored specifically for working healthcare professionals, the program eliminates traditional classroom constraints while delivering comprehensive nursing education. Prospective students can benefit from flexible scheduling and access to renowned university resources. The curriculum emphasizes leadership development and prepares nurses to address emerging healthcare challenges. While no specific concentration is highlighted, the program focuses on expanding clinical knowledge and professional competencies. Nurses will gain advanced skills to meet growing workforce demands and potentially step into leadership roles within healthcare settings. Military-friendly status adds an additional advantage for veteran and active-duty nursing professionals.
- Online 12-month program
- Tailored for working RNs
- Leadership skill development
- University resources access
- Addresses nursing shortage
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC - Public 4-Year - usca.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of South Carolina Aiken's online RN to BSN program delivers a streamlined educational pathway for working nurses seeking career advancement. Strategically designed for professionals, students can complete their bachelor's degree within 12 months, focusing on comprehensive nursing knowledge and contemporary healthcare practices. The CCNE-accredited program requires current RN licensure, an associate degree, and maintains a 2.5 GPA threshold for admission. With 31 total credit hours and a competitive tuition of $9,486, the curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care, evidence-based interventions, and community health strategies. Military-friendly and flexible, this online program equips nurses with advanced skills to excel in diverse healthcare environments and pursue multiple career trajectories.
- Online program, 12-month completion
- Total tuition $9,486
- 31 total credit hours
- CCNE accredited program
- 2.5 GPA admission requirement
- Current RN license needed
- Multiple career path options
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, SC - Public 4-Year - uscupstate.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
University of South Carolina-Upstate's RN to BSN online program offers registered nurses a dynamic pathway to advance their academic credentials. Uniquely designed for working professionals, students can complete the degree in one year full-time or two years part-time. The hybrid program provides flexible learning modalities, combining online coursework with occasional in-person sessions. Notably, the program maintains CCNE and SACS accreditation, ensuring high educational standards. An attractive feature is the nationwide in-state tuition rate for online students, enhancing accessibility. With 32 semester nursing hours, the curriculum prepares nurses for diverse healthcare environments and potential graduate studies. Military-friendly policies and multiple class start dates further enhance the program's flexibility and appeal to working nurses seeking career progression.
- Complete BSN in one year
- Online and in-person options
- RN-MSN pathway available
- CCNE and SACS accredited
- In-state tuition for online students
- Full-time and part-time study
- 32 semester nursing hours
- Credit for previous nursing courses
- Multiple class start dates
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC - Public 4-Year - fmarion.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Francis Marion University's online RN to BSN program offers licensed registered nurses a dynamic hybrid learning pathway to advance professional credentials. The program strategically balances flexibility with comprehensive nursing education, accommodating working professionals seeking career enhancement. While the curriculum does not explicitly require ACT or SAT entrance exams, candidates must hold an active RN license. Students explore advanced nursing concepts including critical thinking, leadership development, and comprehensive healthcare systems analysis. The CCNE-accredited program emphasizes professional nursing knowledge and prepares nurses for expanded clinical roles. Military-friendly features make this program particularly attractive for service members transitioning into advanced nursing education. Graduates gain sophisticated insights into research application and community health strategies.
- Hybrid learning format
- For licensed RN professionals
- CCNE accredited program
- Focuses on career advancement
- Professional nursing knowledge
Columbia College
Columbia, SC - Private 4-year - columbiasc.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing, RN to BSN, B.S.N.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Columbia College offers a dynamic online RN to BSN program tailored for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. This fully online degree requires an unencumbered RN license and spans 30 credit hours, providing a comprehensive pathway to professional growth. Students explore critical domains including community health, transcultural nursing, and advanced leadership strategies. The program's CCNE accreditation ensures high-quality education, with curriculum designed to enhance critical thinking and professional development. Ideal for nurses wanting to expand their healthcare knowledge and prepare for future advanced practice opportunities, the program emphasizes practical skills and theoretical foundations essential for modern nursing practice.
- Online RN to BSN degree
- 30 total credit hours
- Accredited by CCNE
- Requires unencumbered RN license
- Leadership skill development
- Professional nursing focus
- Advanced practice preparation
- 10 upper-level nursing courses
Fast & Affordable Program Options
One of the best ways you can increase your professional value and unlock higher paid nursing positions is to get your BSN. If you’ve already spent some time in the nursing field, getting your BSN has never been easier through a fast-tracked option called an RN to BSN program. These bridge programs are faster, cheaper, and more flexible than most traditional BSN programs.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
You won’t be able to graduate from a traditional BSN degree program any sooner than 4 years unless you do so through an RN to BSN program. Most RN to BSN programs work with you by considering your nursing experience and transfer credits to create a much shorter timeline to graduation with most students finishing in only two years or less. That being said, here are a few of the shortest RN to BSN degree programs in the state:
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| University of South Carolina Aiken | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
| Newbury College | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
Learn more about the Shortest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
While most RN to BSN programs range between one and two years in length, there are some that can be completed in as little as six months — though these programs are rare, and aren’t found in South Carolina. Additionally, to be considered for an RN to BSN program this short, you must have at least an associate’s degree and a bulk of transferable credits.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
An RN to BSN program is one of the cheapest options in the world of nursing education but in South Carolina, this option is especially affordable. You may be able to further cut your costs if you establish yourself as a South Carolina resident and attend a school that provides lower-cost tuition for in-state residents. Below are a few modest options for RN to BSN programs in terms of cost. Keep in mind that you may encounter additional fees. Consider this, and additional costs such as textbooks and cost of living as you begin your search.
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| University of South Carolina Beaufort | Online RN to BSN | $10,730 per year (Resident) $21,776 per year (Non-Resident) |
| Francis Marion University | Online RN to BSN | $11,160 per year (Resident) $21,544 per year (Non-Resident) |
Learn more about Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.
Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Offering a bridge to a fully accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree via online or on-campus studies, accredited RN to BSN admissions criteria sounds like a shoo-in for every applicant, but the reality is that the programs are highly rigorous. Criteria vary from school to school but there are definitely similarities between different universities’ admissions programs. Some of the more common elements include:
- Attach all paperwork to a completed (online or paper) application form
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- Submit an ADN degree in good standing from a college or university that falls within the regional accreditation ‘district’ of South Carolina
- Provide evidence of ‘clear’ background check
- Submit a current record of immunizations
- Provide a copy of RN license
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Clemson University was a pioneer in 1889 and continues to be so today, with its online RN to BSN program track for nurses. Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, nursing students can make use of the school’s on-campus courses, or choose to pursue their degree fully online. Expect to find courses like the following in order to round out the baccalaureate experience.
- Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals
- Healthcare Genetics
- Health Assessment for RNs, and
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
2025 List of RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina
Learn about the best RN to BSN programs in the State of South Carolina by reading our listing below.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Aiken, SC
University of South Carolina Aiken
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online program, 12-month completion
- Total tuition $9,486
- 31 total credit hours
- CCNE accredited program
- 2.5 GPA admission requirement
- Current RN license needed
- Multiple career path options
Columbia, SC
Columbia College
- Bachelor's - Nursing, RN to BSN, B.S.N.
Online Learning - Website
- Online RN to BSN degree
- 30 total credit hours
- Accredited by CCNE
- Requires unencumbered RN license
- Leadership skill development
- Professional nursing focus
- Advanced practice preparation
- 10 upper-level nursing courses
Columbia International University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- Transfer up to 81 credits
- For working RNs
- Christian perspective nursing
- Leadership skill development
University of South Carolina
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online 12-month program
- Tailored for working RNs
- Leadership skill development
- University resources access
- Addresses nursing shortage
Florence, SC
Francis Marion University
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid learning format
- For licensed RN professionals
- CCNE accredited program
- Focuses on career advancement
- Professional nursing knowledge
Gaffney, SC
Limestone University
- Bachelor's - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Nursing Degree
- Accredited by CCNE
- 46 Credit Hour Program
- $389 Per Credit Hour
- Asynchronous Course Format
- Builds Advanced Nursing Skills
- 30 Credit Hours RN Transfer
- Flexible Eight-Week Terms
Hartsville, SC
Coker University
- Bachelor's - RN-BSN Completion Program
Online Learning - Website
- Online program flexibility.
- GPA requirement: 3.0.
- Active nursing license needed.
- Associate degree in nursing required.
- Focus on professional development.
- Prepares for broad scope of practice.
- Enhances understanding of healthcare issues.
- Ideal for career advancement.
Newberry, SC
Newberry College
- Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN completion track
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online RN-to-BSN track
- Complete in 12 months
- $405 per credit hour
- No application fee
- CCNE accredited program
- 7.5-week course terms
- 32 semester credit hours
- Active RN license required
Spartanburg, SC
University of South Carolina-Upstate
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Complete BSN in one year
- Online and in-person options
- RN-MSN pathway available
- CCNE and SACS accredited
- In-state tuition for online students
- Full-time and part-time study
- 32 semester nursing hours
- Credit for previous nursing courses