Online RN to BSN programs offer nursing students the opportunity to obtain an advanced degree, allowing them to have more job opportunities in health care systems. We’ve listed the cheapest RN to BSN online programs below to help you not break the bank as you move up the ladder in your career.
There are a wide variety of options, but we’ve chosen the best RN to BSN online programs below, focusing on the most affordable RN to BSN online options available. Read on to find out more about these programs, the universities that host them, and how to best afford them.
How Much Do the Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Cost?
The cheapest online RN to BSN programs can range from $3,500 to $14,000. However, it is important to consider whether the student will pay in-state or out-of-state tuition, in addition to several other factors such as material fees, housing, and more.
Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs Costs Breakdown
- Capital Improvement Fee. This fee is destined to improve technological equipment and goes toward the maintenance and improvement of campus facilities. This fee is typically imposed whether students are on-campus, online, or in a hybrid program setting.
- Financial Aid Fee. This fee is charged to all students to support university scholarships. It is approximately five percent of the tuition fee.
- Tuition Differential. Tuition differential is charged in addition to the basic tuition to fund additional programs and services for students.
- Distance Learning Fee. This fee helps cover the maintenance costs of the equipment used for online classes and other services such as cloud service and hosting platforms.
- Education and Technology Fee. This fee helps fund the technological equipment for the classrooms and laboratories.
Why You Should Attend an RN to BSN Online Program
The field of nursing is wide and includes those with an active nursing license. Most of the jobs also list a bachelor’s degree as one of the education requirements. That is why an RN to BSN program can be the right choice for better employment opportunities.
Obtaining an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree may be the best option for you to advance in your career in nursing while working. This will allow you to get better benefits such as potential career opportunities, enhanced job placement, and a better annual wage.
Best RN to BSN Online Program Career Options
A BSN program greatly expands career options. Professionals who hold a valid RN license may choose career paths outside of the clinical area, such as positions in teaching or administration. Nurses can also choose to continue their education and earn a master’s degree for advanced practice, such as a nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner.
A BSN degree can help medical workers to position themselves in clinical institutions that require licensed professionals for healthcare leadership positions. These people will also be more likely to earn promotions among other opportunities.
RN to BSN Online Program Salary
According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree holder is $88,000. This amount is higher than the average annual wage of a registered nurse (RN) by almost $20,000.
Can You Attend an RN to BSN Online Program for Free?
No, there are no free online RN to BSN programs. However, there are several options to consider when it comes to paying for the studies involved with a bachelor’s degree. For example, most universities offer financial aid and scholarships, and some have work-study programs during which the student’s income from a particular job goes toward tuition.
Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs That Won’t Break the Bank
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Graduation Rate |
| Fort Hays State University | $227 per credit hour | $227 per credit hour | 46% |
| University of Central Florida | $179 per credit hour | $716 per credit hour | 74% |
| Western Governors University | $3,475 per six-month term | $3,475 per six-month term | 47% |
| Chamberlain University | $675-$699 per credit hour | $675-$699 per credit hour | 62% |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | $9,000 total | $9,000 total | 39% |
| University of Wyoming | $6,270 per year | $13,500 per year | 58% |
| Ohio University | $7,440 total | $7,533 total | 64% |
| Appalachian State University | $224 per credit hour | $874 per credit hour | 73% |
| Western Carolina University | $4,625 total | $9,821 total | 64% |
| Northeastern State University | $306 per credit hour | $307 per credit hour | 36% |
What Is the Cheapest RN to BSN Online Program?
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University is a school of nursing intended for distance learners with an active RN license. This program aims to provide career options through online learning, and thus broaden knowledge, critical thinking, patient care standards, and leadership skills. The university offers financial aid to help offset the cost of tuition.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is a public school that offers this program to RNs who wish to continue their studies and obtain a BSN degree. The program is fully online and offers reduced tuition costs, as well as fee waivers for some campus-based amenities. The university offers several ways to pay for online courses, such as scholarships, grants, and student loans. UCF awards up to $235,000 in scholarships each year.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University is a private school of nursing designed for working registered nurses who wish to obtain a BSN and advance their careers. Distance learners can pay for their education through federal financial aid and US veteran benefits. In addition, they may apply for scholarships such as the $2,500 ANPD Excellence in Nursing Education Scholarship, the $2,500 Healthcare Partners Fund Scholarship, or the $5,000 Leadership Scholarship.
Chamberlain University
At Chamberlain University, the country’s largest nursing school, students can obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees in one year. It offers this 100 percent online and flexible program. Prospective students can take online classes full-time, part-time, or one at a time. Many financing options exist to help pay for the program, including federal and private loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
University of Maine at Fort Kent
This RN to BSN online education program is designed to provide a flexible option for current nurses. The program focuses on clinical reasoning and prevention of harm to both patients, colleagues, and the environment, resulting in quality outcomes. This distance-learning program offers affordable pay-as-you-go tuition where students can earn a quality degree at this public school while maintaining a strong work-life balance.
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming RN to BSN completion program is intended for those with a valid RN license and an Associate Degree in Nursing. This nursing program is delivered nationwide online and requires no on-campus time. The university is a public school that offers financial aid, including the opportunity to apply for a variety of scholarships for both prospective students who have accessed the UW Student Financial Aid Scholarship system and those who have not.
Ohio University
Ohio University offers an RN to BSN program that prepares current nurses to be professionals and leaders. Focused on research and diverse thinking, this program offers a flexible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree on campus. Ohio University also offers financial aid and direct loans to help manage tuition costs.
Appalachian State University
Online students at Appalachian State University can enroll in this RN to BSN program. Required courses include health assessments, healthcare informatics, and nursing research, among others, to complete a total of 30 credit hours. Students in this program can offset tuition rates at this public college through financial aid, scholarships, and veterans benefits.
Western Carolina University
The Nursing School of Western Carolina University allows the professional development of RNs by teaching current clinical practice and inspiring the leadership of these professionals. This program has the benefit of the North Carolina Promise Tuition Plan to help reduce student tuition costs.
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University’s online RN-BSN program offers coursework during which students will learn current practices in the areas of community health nursing, patient care, and family nursing, with an emphasis on research and leadership in the nursing profession. This program can be completed in 10 months and eligible students may apply for financial aid.
Options to Help Pay for the Best RN to BSN Online Program
When pursuing a nursing career, students might want to consider getting a BSN after they have a current RN license. Distance education is a good option to consider to get a high-quality education at a lower cost than on-campus programs. Below are several options that can help ease the burden of tuition.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a great option to help pay for studies, especially because the money does not have to be paid back. Most universities offer a variety of scholarships to be applied toward an online degree in the field of nursing. Scholarships can be academic merit-based, athletic, need-based, and more.
Grants
Grants are awarded based on a student’s financial needs. Most of the time, the money obtained from grants does not have to be repaid. They are used to cover a specific cost of studies, such as tuition, clinical and educational materials, housing, uniforms, or books.
Student Loans
There are many types of student loans, such as federal student loans and direct subsidized loans. Student loans must be repaid with interest, and some rates can be quite high depending on the lender, so it’s worth it to do a good amount of research before committing to a loan.
Tips for Saving Money While Attending an RN To BSN Online Program
- Work while completing the program. Most programs require nurses to be working to enroll, as professional nursing practice is required. To work a minimum of 30 hours per week is usually required. That income can be put toward tuition fees.
- Employer tuition reimbursement. Health systems often support their employees in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, as they benefit from the result.
- Transferable credits. RN to BSN programs validate previous coursework, so recognizing credits earned from prior learning at a less-expensive institution, such as a community college, will help reduce the cost of the program and potentially eliminate the need to take certain classes.
- Quick coursework. Completing the RN to BSN coursework as quickly as possible will reduce the number of semesters spent in school. Most programs allow a minimum of two semesters to complete the program.
- In-state university. Prospective students who choose a university located in the state where they claim residency will often see the tuition fee is much lower than out-of-state tuition or international rates.
Find the RN to BSN Online Program That’s Right for You
Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing provides numerous career opportunities. Online nursing programs allow medical professionals to earn a nursing diploma that most healthcare providers require. In an average of three to five semesters, distance learners can earn their nursing degree as full-time students or on a part-time basis.
Cheapest RN to BSN Online Program FAQ
The fastest of the programs mentioned above is Northeastern State University’s program, which can be completed in as little as 10 months.
The shortest path to becoming a registered nurse is an associate program to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). It is the minimum undergraduate degree required to become an RN and takes between two and three years to complete.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn an average salary of $75,330, per year. This amount significantly increases with experience, higher education, and certain locations.
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A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree takes an average of four years to complete, depending on the number of credits you take per semester.
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