Top 10 RN to BSN Online Programs of 2024

By: Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC

Are you an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or even a nursing diploma? If you want to go back to school and get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), then an RN-to-BSN online program may be the perfect fit.

RN-to-BSN programs, also known as ADN to BSN programs, are shorter than traditional BSNs and build on the skills and knowledge that a nurse has already obtained. They are able to be offered online because nurses have already gone through clinical training in their ADN, as well as in their careers.

Why go back to school to get your BSN? Many jobs now specifically require that nurses have their BSN; plus, the average nurse stands to make over $18,000¹ more per year with a BSN.

If you’re ready to make the leap, we’ve done the hard work vetting online RN-to-BSN programs for you. Our panel of nurses has ranked the best RN-BSN programs for 2024.

Top 10 RN to BSN Online Programs

Every online RN-to-BSN program has its own benefits and features, and the program that is best for one potential attendee may not be the right choice for another. In ranking our list of top programs, we considered the following factors:

• Cost of attendance
• Program length
• Admission requirements
• Ranking according to U.S. News & World Report
• Additional accolades that the program has received

1. The University of Oklahoma

This online bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program is flexible for working nurses but does require two Saturday in-person orientation dates per year and also has optional monthly on-campus sessions. Students can complete the program in as little as nine months, but it can be completed on a part-time basis. 

• Application Deadline: April 1st and October 15th 
• Tuition: Resident: $14,216 per/year Non-resident: $34,058 per/year
• Credit Hours: 30 credit hours and flexible clinical hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
• Contact Phone Number: (405) 271-2402
• Email Information: nursing@ouhsc.edu
• Website

>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs

2. University of Central Florida 

This online RN to BSN program in Florida consists of 30 credit hours which can be completed in three semesters at a full-time pace or as slowly as ten semesters or five years. Students can also take up to nine credit hours of graduate-level work to apply toward an MSN degree. 

• Application Deadline: March 1st, July 1st, and November 1st 
• Tuition: $179.19 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 30 Credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
• Contact Phone Number: (855) 903-8576
• Email Information: ucfnurse@ucf.edu
• Website

3. Capella University

Designed by nurses, this for-profit university program is designed in 10-week courses. Capella University boasts an impressive graduation rate and generous transfer credit allowance from other nursing programs.

Students can also apply to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP) option. This allows you to take master's-level courses that apply toward your BSN. Once applied and accepted to the MSN program, those master’s courses can be applied toward the degree, potentially saving time and money.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: Visit capella.edu for tuition details
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
• Contact Phone Number: (877) 884-0733
• Email Information: info@capella.edu
• Website* - Sponsored

>> SPONSORED: Explore Capella's Online RN-BSN Program*

4. Arizona State University

In this program, students take 10 classes that each last 7.5 weeks. Current RNs can finish this program in approximately 15 to 18 months. The program is 39 credits, longer than most other online programs, but students take classes that are considered more innovative than other traditional BSN programs. 

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: Resident: $561 per credit hour Non-resident: $661 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 39 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (866) 277-6589 
• Email Information: asuonline@asu.edu 
• Website*

>> Explore Arizona State's Online RN-BSN Program*

5. Herzing University

This program is unique in that it offers rolling admission, which allows students to apply whenever is most convenient. Furthermore, it allows students to start the program at their own pace. Classes are 8 weeks, and the degree can be finished in as little as 12 months. Students can take master's degree classes while completing the online BSN degree. This allows students to save time and money.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: $395.00 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 26 credit hours and a 45-hour project designed to help your community
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (800) 596-0724
• Website*

>> Explore Herzing's Online RN-BSN Program*

6. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a fast-track online RN to BSN program that consists of nine core courses and one capstone. Classes are seven weeks long, except the capstone course, which lasts 14 weeks.

Students can complete this program in just two semesters on a full-time schedule. Those who attend part-time may take anywhere from three to five semesters to earn their BSN.

The program focuses on building nurse leaders and has six flexible start dates year-round.

• Application Deadline: March 1st, July 1st, and November 1st
• Tuition: Part-time fee: $435 per credit hour. Full-time fee: $5,230 per year
• Credit Hours: 27 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (513) 558-5500 
• Email Information: nursingbearcats@uc.edu
• Website

7. Chamberlain University

Courses are 100% online, and this program boasts that there's no mandatory log-in for classes. Students in this asynchronous program can start and finish at their own pace and without much guidance. Chamberlain University advertises that this program is completely customizable and is ideal for the working nurse. This program can be completed in as little as three semesters. 

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: $590 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 45 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (877) 751.5783
• Website

8. University of Phoenix

In the University of Phoenix RN to BSN program, students can graduate in just 14 months. This program allows students to take one course at a time or several courses. Courses in the RN to BSN program are 5 weeks long. This program was designed for working nurses and includes courses designed by industry experts to develop career-related, critical thinking skills.

The University of Phoenix also offers one of the cheapest RN to BSN online programs in the nation.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: $350 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 40 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (844) 937-8679
• Website

9. Western Governors University

Consistently named a Best Value School by University Research & Review, this RN to BSN program builds on your previous nursing education and clinical experience with a focus on the areas of research, theory, leadership, and current trends in healthcare.

With a 100% acceptance rate, WGU is one of the easiest RN to BSN programs to get into. Additionally, 66% of students complete this program within 18 months.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: $3,795 per term
• Credit Hours: 24 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (866) 225-5948
• Email Information: admissions@wgu.edu
• Website*

>> Explore WGU's Online RN-BSN Program*

10. The George Washington University

Nurses with an associate degree and active RN license can apply for this entirely online program. GW Nursing also guarantees admission for applicants who meet specific prerequisites. Furthermore, this online program has special funding for veterans and the military. Students usually complete this 36-credit program in approximately 15 months. 

• Application Deadline: July 16th and October 15th
• Tuition: $680 per credit hour
• Credit Hours: 21 credit hours of coursework and 15 credits for advanced standing and competency
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Contact Phone Number: (202) 994-7901
• Email Information: nursing@gwu.edu
• Website

What Courses Will You Take in an Online RN-to-BSN Program?

There are roughly ten courses required for approximately 30 credit courses to complete an online BSN degree. The number of required courses varies, and it depends on the courses taken during the initial ADN program. 

Online courses may include:

• Nursing Informatics
• Trends in Professional Nursing
• Innovations in Healthcare
• Transitions in Professional Nursing 
• Nursing Research/ Evidence-Based Practice
• Collaborative Nursing
• Nursing Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Nursing Ethics
• Community Health Nursing
• Capstone Course

>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Prerequisite Courses for an Online RN-to-BSN Program

Since all schools of nursing are slightly different, the following core courses are required for all students. In order to be considered for admission, these courses must have been completed. These classes may include:

• Anatomy and Physiology with a lab component
• Biology with a lab component
• Microbiology with a lab component
• Human Genetics
• Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology
• Nutrition
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Professional Ethics
• Introduction to Research Methods and Designs
• Chemistry with a lab component
• Introduction to Sociology

Employer Tuition Reimbursement for RN-to-BSN Programs

Healthcare systems benefit from BSN-educated nurses, so they generally will assist their staff in obtaining their degrees.

Most major healthcare systems have partnerships with a handful of accredited online programs. These partnerships will allow for quick acceptance and a dedicated admissions counselor. Furthermore, because of this partnership, employees will be able to obtain a higher percentage of funds towards their degree. 

If an employee doesn’t wish to attend one of the partnered programs, they will still receive funds towards their BSN, but it will be less overall money, which could mean some out-of-pocket costs.

Many employees require nurses to stay employed for a specific period of time in exchange for tuition reimbursement. If you’d rather not deal with this requirement down the road, consider using another source of funding, such as grants or loans.

>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Why You Should Choose an Accredited and Credentialed RN-to-BSN Program

One major consideration that must be taken into account when applying to an online nursing program is accreditation. Non-accredited universities should be a HUGE red flag for all nurses and students. If you don't know whether a program is accredited, please check either of the two accrediting websites below.

There are two main accrediting bodies for nursing programs,

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The purpose of accreditation is to maintain the same standards and criteria across all nursing programs. This ensures there is some level of sameness within the programs. Hospitals know nurses with degrees from accredited schools of nursing have met competencies and have learned certain basic standards of patient care.

What happens if you don't go through an accredited program:

• Students who graduate from programs that are not accredited, whether an ADN or BSN degree program, will NOT be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN. This means you will NOT become a registered nurse.
• Many grants and loans will typically be unavailable to students who attend non-accredited colleges of nursing. 

Look out for these two red flags while you are researching nursing programs - they usually indicate that a program is not accredited (and you should run!)

1. If the program is extremely cheap or extremely expensive. 
2. The program promises completion in less than a year - non-accredited programs will boast about obtaining an online BSN in less than a year. Due to the number of classes a nurse must take, this is virtually impossible. Be skeptical of these programs.  

FAQs about Online RN-to-BSN Programs

• What is an online BSN program?

  • An online BSN program is designed for nurses who have already obtained an RN most likely from a diploma or associate’s degree program. Classes are offered solely online and only classes required to earn a BSN are offered. There are no associated clinical or lab components and no general education classes or electives. 

• How long is an online RN-to-BSN program?

  • Most online programs can be completed between one and two years, depending on the number of online classes a student needs to complete and the speed at which they are able to take them.

• Can you work while in an online RN-to-BSN program?

  • One of the benefits of online nursing programs is that nurses are required to work during their enrollment. They are designed for the working professional who has already developed a nursing practice. Most programs require nurses to work a minimum of 30 hours per week while completing the program. 

• Who is an online RN-to-BSN program right for?

  • Online RN-to-BSN programs are great for nurses of all kinds. Especially nurses who have busy schedules and need flexibility, nurses who have young children or care for loved ones, or nurses who need to be employed and do not have the option to take time off work for school.

• What are the requirements for getting into an online BSN program?

  • The requirements for each program will vary by school. But, all programs share the same basic requirements: registered nurse licensure in good standing, to possess an associate’s degree from an accredited program, a minimum 2.0 GPA in an associate’s program, that you pass a criminal background check, and that you are working a minimum of 30 hours per week or completion of equivalency exam.

• Can you take an online BSN program in another state?

  • Yes! This is one of the beautiful aspects of online BSN programs. Nurses can take a program from anywhere in the country. With that being said, there may be some exceptions. Some programs, especially if associated with a brick-and-mortar university, may require nurses to obtain their RN license in that state. Even if the nurse will never practice there, this could be required.

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_{1. According to Payscale, Nurses with a BSN degree earn on average, $94,000 per year, while nurses with an ADN earn on average $76,000 as of February 2024.}