Top 10 Accelerated RN to BSN Programs
Accelerated RN to BSN programs offer a streamlined educational pathway for registered nurses (RNs) to earn a BSN degree. Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working nurses, these programs build upon the clinical experiences and knowledge RNs already possess.
These programs focus on coursework in areas like nursing theory, research, and leadership. As a result, graduates gain enhanced skills for specialized roles and leadership positions in nursing. But how do you choose the best accelerated RN to BSN program for you?
We've ranked the ten best accelerated RN to BSN programs to jumpstart your college search, highlighting the best schools and what you can expect from them. Read on to discover which accelerated RN to BSN programs rise to the top.
Top 10 Accelerated RN to BSN Programs
We analyze program features, accreditation, affordability, flexibility, and NCLEX pass rates to determine the best and fastest RN to BSN programs. You can read more about our methodology here.
The RN to BSN fast track might be right for you if you're a working RN interested in advancing your career. Earning a BSN can make you a more competitive candidate for higher-paying nursing roles. The following schools offer accelerated bridge programs for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) trained RNs to earn a BSN quickly.
1. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida's online RN to BSN program gives registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their careers. This standout program enhances clinical skills, critical thinking, and leadership abilities while offering flexibility to accommodate busy schedules.
UCF's curriculum integrates nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and community health. These education pillars allow graduates to emerge prepared for diverse and complex healthcare challenges while ready to tackle leadership roles. UCF's reputation, accreditation, and commitment to accessibility make it one of the best RN to BSN programs in Florida for working RNs.
- Tuition:
- In-state: $309 per credit hour
- Out-of-state: $632 per credit hour
- Program Length: 10 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Contact Info: ucfnurse@ucf.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
2. University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW Madison is the state's flagship public institution with a standout RN to BSN bridge program that working RNs can complete in 18 months. The university designed this accelerated BSN bridge program to build upon the scientific knowledge and technical skills students learn in ADN programs. This flexible online option allows working RNS to advance their careers through primarily online, part-time coursework.
UW Madison's 30-credit accelerated ADN to BSN program enhances students' nursing knowledge through didactic training and clinical rotations. BSN classes include foundations of professional nursing practice, community health nursing, and chronic care management. Before graduation, BSN students tackle a 60-hour capstone clinical experience.
- Tuition: $425 per credit hour
- Program Length: 18 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: March 1st
- Spring: October 1st
- Contact Info: admissions@nursing.wisc.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
3. Ohio State University-Main Campus
Students can complete the accelerated RN to BSN program at Ohio State University in a single year. Ohio State students must complete at least 30 credits at the institution, which they can do online. Prospective students must hold an ADN and active RN licensure.
Throughout this accelerated RN to BSN program, students tackle essential courses such as:
- Contemporary Issues for Registered Nurses
- Cultural Competence in Healthcare
- Concepts in Community Health Nursing
- Healthcare Informatics
To complete this program, students must graduate with at least 120 credits.
- Tuition: $8,550
- Program Length: 12-15 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: October 30th
- Summer: March 31st
- Fall: June 30th
- Contact Info: nursing@osu.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
4. Appalachian State University
Based in beautiful Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University offers an accelerated pathway toward a BSN degree for working nurses. This accelerated RN to BSN program takes about one year, and students must complete their last 30 credits at App State.
Utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous deliveries, students complete coursework on a part-time schedule. They tackle courses like nursing informatics, nursing care of older adults, health assessment, and nursing research.
Prospective RN to BSN students must hold an ADN degree with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Additionally, applicants must have an active and unencumbered RN license.
- Tuition:
- In-state: $204 per credit
- Out-of-state: $912 per credit
- Program Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: February 1st
- Regular: August 1st
- Contact Info: transferadmissions@appstate.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
5. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus is a leader in quality online programming and is home to a one-year RN to BSN bridge program. Students can access online, hybrid, and in-person options and complete classes in 7-week sessions. Required courses include:
- Integrated Concepts in Nursing Practice
- Advanced Health Assessment for The Registered Nurse
- Health Concepts for Adults With Complex Healthcare Needs
- Introduction to Nursing Informatics
In addition to classroom requirements, RN to BSN students must complete a 45-hour capstone clinical experience before graduating.
- Tuition: $626 per credit
- Program Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline: October 31st
- Contact Info: admissions@worldcampus.psu.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
6. University of North Carolina-Wilmington
The University of North Carolina-Wilmington offers a quality online RN to BSN program that students can complete in 12 months. This flexible and affordable bridge program allows working nurses to develop skills that prepare them for careers as nurse administrators, teachers, and healthcare leaders. Core nursing courses include:
- Health Assessment for Registered Nurses
- Professional Nursing Practice for the Baccalaureate Nurse
- Population and Community Health Nursing
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
Before graduating, RN to BSN students must complete a professional nursing capstone. Applicants must possess an active, unencumbered RN license with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Tuition:
- In-state: $185 per credit
- Out-of-state: $771 per credit
- Program Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline: July 1st
- Contact Info: chhs@uncw.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
7. University of Cincinnati
As the first college to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the best nursing schools. It also provides a standout accelerated RN to BSN program tailored to working nurses' needs. Taking full-time online learners only nine months to complete, students tackle 27 credits of seven-week courses. UC's required RN to BSN classes include topics such as:
- Informatics for Professional Nurses
- Transitions to Baccalaureate Education in Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing Practice
- Nurse as a Professional Leader and Manager
Prospective students must have an active and unrestricted RN license and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Tuition:
- In-state: $556 per credit hour
- Out-of-state: $581 per credit hour
- Program Length: 9 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: November 1st
- Summer: March 1st
- Fall: July 1st
- Contact Info: nursingbearcats@uc.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
8. University of West Florida
Pensacola's University of West Florida is a public institution that's home to a quality 1-year ADN-to-BSN program. With no on-campus requirements, this flexible and affordable bridge program leans on management, policy, and practice to educate the next generation of nursing leaders. UWF RN to BSN students must complete at least 32 credits of major classes, including:
- Care of the Older Adult
- Essentials of Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Health Education in the Community
- Law and Ethics in Nursing
Nursing students complete about 45 hours in a clinical environment alongside traditional coursework. Applicants must have active registered nursing licensure and at least a 2.75 GPA.
- Tuition:
- In-state: $212 per credit hour
- Out-of-state: $641 per credit hour
- Program Length: 12 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: May 12th
- Spring: August 14th
- Summer: November 1st
- Contact Info: cohnursing@uwf.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
9. George Washington University
To ensure maximum flexibility, George Washington University offers a 100% online RN to BSN program that utilizes an asynchronous delivery. Because students can complete coursework at their own pace, the work-life-school balance becomes much more manageable. GWU's 21-credit online bridge program covers essential courses such as:
- Nurses’ Role in Healthcare Policy
- Dynamics of Nursing Leadership
- Principles of Nursing Research
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
GWU applicants must have at least 84 transferable credits, hold an ADN, and provide official transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additionally, prospective students must include two letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a short statement of purpose.
- Tuition: $720 per credit
- Program Length: 15 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: July 17th
- Spring: December 15th
- Contact Info: nursing@gwu.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
10. Georgia Southern University
Based in Statesboro and established in 1906, Georgia Southern University offers an RN to BSN program that students can complete in just two semesters.
This flexible, 100% online bridge program allows working nurses to transfer up to 91 credits. Students must complete their final 29 credits at GSU. Required RN to BSN courses include:
- Professional Nursing Practice
- Complex Nursing Concepts
- Nursing Research Applications
- Complementary Therapeutic Modalities
Before graduation, accelerated RN to BSN program students must complete clinical experiences focusing on community health, leadership, and management. Applicants must hold a current Georgia or reciprocal RN license with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Tuition: $199 per credit hour
- Program Length: 9 months
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: April 1st
- Spring: October 1st
- Contact Info: scarey@georgiasouthern.edu
- Online Options Available? Yes
