The Top Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program in Every State

If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, a BSN — Bachelor of Science in Nursing — degree is one of the smartest investments you can make in your future. To make it easier to find one, we've rounded up the top BSN program in every state.
 

The Top BSN Program in Each State 

There are approximately 1,000 accredited BSN programs in the United States, with high-quality programs available in every state. The program that’s best for an individual applicant will be determined by highly personal elements, but in assembling this list of the best program in every state, our panel of experienced nurses gave consideration was given to variables including:

• Tuition
• Faculty-to-student ratio
• Nursing program curriculum
• Quality clinical experiences
• Graduation rates
• NCLEX-RN pass rates
• Number of employed graduates

Alabama  

#1 BSN Program - Auburn University 
 
Ranked #58 in nursing programs in the United States, Auburn University boasts a suburban campus in a town that has been ranked one of the best places to live. BSN candidates generally declare pre-nursing as their major in their freshman year, then apply for admission to the BSN program in the fall of their sophomore year. Students who do not declare their major are still eligible for the program if they meet the admission requirements.  
 
Tuition: $11,826 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)  
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Alabama

Alaska  

#1 BSN Program - University of Alaska – Anchorage 
 
The University of Alaska – Anchorage is a public university based in the university medical district in downtown Anchorage but offers nursing education in more than 15 locations across the state. Ranked the 148th best BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, it is the only traditional BSN program offered in the state of Alaska. 
 
Tuition: $282 per credit hour 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Alaska  

Arizona

#1 BSN Program – University of Arizona 
 
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Tucson-based University of Arizona was ranked the 23rd best nursing school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Offered in person on two different campuses as either a conventional BSN or an integrative health BSN, the program encompasses 124 credit hours and 1,000+ clinical and simulation hours. It has a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate and offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to students in a declared nursing major. 
 
Tuition: $16,716 per year including mandatory fees 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Arizona

Arkansas

#1 BSN Program – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
 
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a public institution and the state’s only academic health center. The BSN program that the school offers was ranked 43rd best in the entire country by U.S. News & World Report. Admission requires completion of 58 semester hours of general education courses, which can be completed at any accredited college or university. The program offers its students a full-time academic coach to assist wherever needed. 
 
Tuition: $309/credit hour 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Arkansas 
 

California

#1 BSN Program – University of California – Los Angeles  
 
Ranked the 10th best nursing program in the entire country by U.S. News & World Report, UCLA’s BSN program is a traditional, four-year program that prepares its graduates to take the NCLEX-RN, as well as to move on to master’s programs.  During their final year, each student plans and implements a capstone project designed to improve the system of care provided to patients and their families. The campus’ location provides access to some of the country’s best medical facilities for students’ clinical rotations.  
 
Tuition: $11,928 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in California

Colorado

#1 BSN Program – University of Colorado – Denver 
 
Based on Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus, the BSN program offered at University of Colorado at Denver was ranked 31st best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers four types of bachelor’s programs, including a traditional BS program, an accelerated pathway, an online BS for current AAS students or registered nurses, and an integrated nursing pathway program that works with local community colleges. The Traditional Pathway program is a full-time, 24-month option that includes classroom, clinical simulation, and clinical practice.  
 
Tuition: $558 per credit hour 
Program Length: 24 months 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Colorado

Connecticut

#1 BSN Program – University of Connecticut 
 
Ranked 58th best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Connecticut’s School of Nursing offers an undergraduate BSN program that combines a liberal arts education with professional preparation in nursing. While the first four semesters encompass general education courses, BSN candidates begin taking nursing courses during their first year, with the majority of the curriculum offered in the second half of the program. Students learn and practice physical assessment skills at the school’s Clinical Simulation Learning Center, then move on to several of the 70 health care agencies within a 60-mile radius of the campus. 
 
Tuition: $15,672 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Delaware

#1 BSN Program – University of Delaware 
 
The nursing program at the University of Delaware was ranked 76th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Despite Delaware’s small size, the school has a big reputation for excellence, and the nursing program offers several well-respected options for BSN degrees including a traditional undergraduate program, a 17-month accelerated degree program for those holding bachelor’s degrees in other fields, and an online RN-to-BSN program. 
 
Tuition: $6,685 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Delaware

Florida

#1 BSN Program – University of Florida 
 
Ranked 23rd best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Gainesville-based University of Florida offers three separate BSN degree tracks, including a traditional BSN or students enrolled at the university or transfer students who’ve completed all lower division and pre-professional requirements; an accelerated BSN or students who have a 4-year degree in another field and have completed all pre-professional requirements; and an online RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses who have earned an Associates Degree in Nursing. More than 80% of UF nurses go on to pursue graduate study within three years. 
 
Tuition: $6,380 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Florida

Georgia

#1 BSN Program – Emory University 
 
Emory University may be one of the most costly programs on this list, but the school also makes $16.9 million available in financial aid and scholarships, and its tuition is a reflection of the program’s quality. Ranked 4th best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory offers multiple options, including a four-year undergraduate experience, transfer opportunities, and a distance-accelerated BSN that allows distance learners with a previous bachelor’s degree to earn a nursing degree in twelve months. For 2021, 95% of the school’s pre-licensure graduates had job offers within three months of graduation. 
 
Tuition: $26,535/semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Georgia

Hawaii

#1 BSN Program– University of Hawaii at Manoa 
 
This public university located on the island of Oahu was ranked the 96th best in the country by U.S. News & World Reports. In addition to its remarkable location near downtown Honolulu, it offers BSN candidates multiple options for earning a BSN degree, including a direct four-year program for high school graduates, a traditional BSN program for pre-nursing, transfer, and veteran students, and an online, on-demand RN-to-BSN program available both part-time and full-time students who have their Associates Degree in Nursing. 
 
Tuition: $5,652 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Hawaii

Idaho

#1 BSN Program– Boise State University 
 
Located in Western Idaho, Boise State University’s BSN program is nationally respected. It was ranked the 96th best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Reports and notably, expanded its nursing program in response to Idaho’s shortage of professional nurses.  The BSN program boasts an 8:1 faculty/student ratio in its clinical courses and has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships over the last three years and its BSN program graduates consistently achieve higher pass rates for the NCLEX-RN than the national average. The program itself is five semesters, and accepts students who have completed their pre-nursing courses from either Boise State or from other schools. 
 
Tuition: $4,182 per semester 
Program Length: 5 semesters 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Idaho 

Illinois

#1 BSN Program – University of Illinois at Chicago 
 
This large, public research institution has earned a rating of 19th best BSN nursing program in the entire country. The curriculum is available in a traditional two-year program completed on any of the school’s three campuses that follows completion of 57 credit hours of college-level coursework, or as a transitional, 100% online program that allows Registered Nurses to earn their BSN in as few as 12 months while continuing to practice and earn a living.  
 
Tuition: $10,098 per semester 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Illinois

Indiana

#1 BSN Program - Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 
 
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is a collaboration between Indiana University and Purdue University. Its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was ranked 31st best in the country and offers three different program tracks: a BSN traditional track for students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree; an RN-to-BSN online degree completion program that can be completed in as little as 12 months after meeting general education requirements; and a BSN accelerated second degree track for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The school also offers a nursing honors program specifically for admitted students who qualify and who are contemplating going on directly to graduate school. 
 
Tuition: $4,485.78 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
Show Me Top 10 Nursing Schools in Indiana 

Iowa

#1 BSN Program in Iowa – University of Iowa 
 
The University of Iowa’s College of Nursing has a national reputation for excellence that has resulted in U.S. News & World Report ranking it tenth best in the country. The program offers multiple options for students seeking BSN credentials, including a Direct Admission pre-licensure program for qualified high school students who can complete the program in four years, and a 4.5-year standard admission option that provides five semesters for students to complete prerequisite courses. Both of these programs offer access to the school’s Nursing Clinical Education Center’s clinical labs. The school also offers an online RN-to-BSN program and an accelerated online U2G program for nurses who have their Associate Degree in Nursing.  
 
Tuition: $5,664.50 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Iowa

Kansas

#1 BSN Program – Baker University 
 
Baker University is Kansas’ original university, and its nursing program has achieved the distinction of being named the #388th best in the country by U.S. News & World Reports. The school offers the first two years of prerequisite on Baker’s Baldwin City campus combined with collaboration with a pre-nursing advisor. Following completion of this rigorous program, students relocate to Topeka where they complete their two-year professional program at Stormont Vail Health.  The program boasts outstanding first-time licensure exam pass rates. 
 
Tuition: $21,318 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Kansas  

Kentucky

#1 BSN Program – University of Kentucky 
 
The University of Kentucky’s BSN program is not only the largest in the state, graduating close to 200 BSNs each year, it is also recognized as one of the top programs in the country. The school has been ranked 23rd best BSN program in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports. It offers multiple routes to a BSN, including a traditional four-year BSN program with an 8:1 faculty-to-student ratio and an NCLEX pass rate above 97%; an accelerated 16-month BSN program for candidates who either hold a baccalaureate degree in another area of study, who hold their LPN license or who served as a medic in the U.S. military; and an RN-to-BSN program that is offered as both a part- or full-time program, 100% online. 
 
Tuition: $6,242 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Kentucky

Louisiana

#1 BSN Program – Louisiana State University in Health Sciences 
 
Louisiana State University Health Sciences is a public institution based in New Orleans. Its BSN program was ranked 43rd best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, offering three different routes to earning a BSN degree: BSN candidates can pursue a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree that takes three years after applicants have fulfilled required pre-nursing courses; a CARE (Career Alternative RN Education) program for those who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in any field and who want to become a nurse; and a one-year RN-to-BSN program specifically designed for RNs who have earned their Associate Degree in Nursing.  
 
Tuition: $7,019.98 per year 
Program Length: Three years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Louisiana

Maine

#1 BSN Program – University of Maine at Orono 
 
The University of Maine is the top public research university in the state. It also boasts the #76th best BSN nursing program in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. The school was home to Maine’s very first nursing program in 1939 and continues to prepare nurses through both liberal arts courses, physical and social science studies, and nursing courses and clinical experiences. In May of 2020, the school’s NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate was 97%. 
 
Tuition: $11,940  
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Maine 

Maryland

#1 BSN Program – University of Maryland Baltimore 
 
The University of Maryland offers both an Entry-into-Nursing BSN program for those without a nursing degree and an RN-to-BSN program for licensed RNs who want to complete their BSN online. The quality of the program has warranted the school’s BSN program being ranked 10th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report 
Blurb about the program. The traditional program requires students to complete 49 prerequisite credits equal to two years of undergraduate education at an accredited college or university before entering the pre-licensure program, while the RN-to-BSN program is offered fully online to licensed RNs who have a diploma in nursing or an Associate Degree in Nursing. 
 
Tuition: $4,723 pe semester 
Program Length: 61 credits, or two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Maryland 
 

Massachusetts

#1 BSN Program– Boston College 
 
Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing has earned the distinction of being ranked the 19th best nursing program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The program offers study abroad opportunities along with classroom learning and clinical experiences, and allows students to take graduate-level electives during their junior and senior years. The school’s sole offering is a traditional four-year program that provides prerequisite science-based courses during freshman year that introduces basic nursing courses during sophomore year and the study abroad opportunity during junior year that 34% of students take advantage of, along with a full nursing curriculum that continues into senior year. Clinical opportunities take advantage of the 85+ clinical sites located throughout the Boston area. 
 
Tuition: $31,475 per semester 
Program Length: Four year 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

Michigan

#1 BSN Program – University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 
 
The nursing program at University of Michigan is over 130 years old, and in the time since its founding, its BSN program has earned international respect reflected in U.S. News & World Report ranking it as the fourth best program in the country. The school offers unique mentorship and networking opportunities through its 13,000 alumni and a remarkable clinical education through more than 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical experiences and courses. Students pursue a robust, well-balanced curriculum that includes humanities courses and social and biological sciences studies, as well as the opportunity to explore global health through studies and fieldwork abroad. 
 
Tuition: $7,925 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Michigan

Minnesota

#1 BSN Program – University of Minnesota 
 
The University of Minnesota’s nursing program offers a small college feel within a Big 10 university. The school has earned recognition for U.S. News & World Report as the tenth best BSN program in the country, and boasts a 97.5% first-time pass rate for its BSN graduates. Students are admitted directly into the program as freshmen and are considered full members of the School of Nursing from their first day. Admission into the top-ranked program is highly competitive. 
  
Tuition: $15,368/year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Mississippi

#1 BSN Program – University of Mississippi 
 
The University of Mississippi, often referred to as “Ole Miss”, has a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that has distinguished itself with the high quality of its training. Ranked #96 in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Mississippi offers multiple tracks to a BSN degree, including a traditional 2+2 program where students spend 2 years completing prerequisites before moving on to a two-year dedicated nursing program; an accelerated 4+1 BSN program for students who have already completed a 4-year baccalaureate program and then complete a one-year accelerated nursing program, and an accelerated MSN program that allows non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders to earn their RN and BSN while working to complete an MSN program. 
 
Tuition: $4,363.92 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Mississippi

Missouri

#1 BSN Program – Saint Louis University 
 
Ranked 43rd best BSN program in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Saint Louis University has been providing high-quality education and training to nurses for nearly a century. The private Catholic school’s nursing program has been honored to have a faculty member named the top nursing educator in the region by St. Louis Magazine for six out of the last seven years, and they created the first accelerated B.S.N. and comprehensive online M.S.N. programs in the country. Saint Louis University offers three different BSN programs: a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, an accelerated one-year BSN for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, and an online RN-to-BSN bridge program.  
 
Tuition: $24,050 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Missouri 

Montana

#1 BSN Program – Montana State University 
 
Ranked 96th best Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the United States, the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University offers both a traditional four-year BSN program that allows students to work directly with patients by their junior year, and an accelerated three-semester BSN program for students who have successfully earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. 
 
Tuition: $7,726 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Montana

Nebraska

#1 BSN Program – University of Nebraska Medical Center 
 
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Medical Center provides high-quality nursing education and clinical training in one of the country’s leading health sciences centers. The BSN program is ranked tenth in the country by U.S. News & World Report and offers BSN degrees across three different tracks: the Traditional, campus-based program that follows two years of prerequisites from any accredited bachelor’s degree program consists of four semesters with summers off between students’ first and second years; an accelerated one-year program for those who have already completed a bachelor’s degree program in a non-nursing area of study; and an online advancement program for RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Diploma in Nursing that can be completed in two semesters.  
 
Tuition: $378 per credit hour 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Nebraska 

Nevada

#1 BSN Program – University of Nevada – Las Vegas 
 
Rated the 43rd best BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas offers multiple paths to earning a BSN degree. Their traditional BSN undergraduate program requires students to have completed all prerequisite courses before taking the program’s three consecutive 15-week semesters. The school also offers an accelerated second-degree BSN as an online, synchronous curriculum that can be completed in approximately one year of intensive, full-time didactic education. Though UNLV has previously offered an RN-to-BSN bridge program, it is currently on hold. 
 
Tuition: $8,893/year 
Program Length: 16 months 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Nevada

New Hampshire

#1 BSN Program – University of New Hampshire 
 
The University of New Hampshire offers a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that U.S. News & World Reports has ranked 120th best in the nation. The program’s curriculum is divided between biological, social sciences, and humanities courses. Nursing courses are offered early in the program, and clinical training is offered at area health facilities, community health agencies, and a state-of-the-art simulation laboratory. The senior year culminates in a capstone practicum. 
 
Tuition: $15,520 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in New Hampshire

New Jersey

#1 BSN Program - Rutgers University-New Brunswick 
 
Ranked the 31st best BSN program in the nation, Rutgers University’s nursing program is part of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, which offers programs across all levels of nursing practice. The school has a 95.4% NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test takers, a reflection of the program’s high quality. Rutgers University offers BSN candidates multiple paths to their degree, including a traditional full-time, four-year program for students beginning their nursing education right after high school; a 2+2 BSN program providing students from a local community college to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing; an accelerated, full time, 14-month second-degree program for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area of study; and an RN-to-BSN program for applicants who are already registered nurses without BSN degrees. This program can be completed online in four semesters. 
 
Tuition: $7,337 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education  
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in New Jersey

New Mexico

#1 BSN Program – University of New Mexico 
 
Candidates seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing have two options in this program ranked 43rd best in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports. The University of New Mexico offers students an exceptional education also recognized as 6th best in the Mountain West region and #15 in the Southwest, with $11 million in scholarship and grant dollars already awarded and $270,000 in available nursing department scholarships. The school offers both a pre-licensure BSN for students who do not have an RN license and want to become a nurse for the first time: this option is offered at multiple campuses and as either a freshman direct-entry program or a BSN dual degree program. The school offers an online RN-to-BSN program for students who have an associate’s level degree in nursing.  
 
Tuition: $7,093 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in New Mexico

New York  

#1 BSN Program – New York University 
 
NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing sets the standard for the state, as well as high marks for the rest of the nation. Ranked 7th best BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the program’s graduates are awarded for their diligence with the highest median salaries. The school offers both an accelerated 15-month program for students who already have completed a baccalaureate degree in another field and who have completed the prerequisite courses, and traditional four-year programs and select students will be eligible to participate in a specialized fellowship dedicated to the care of older adults. The school’s clinical training takes place in some of the nation’s most esteemed medical centers while the didactic training offers a robust liberal arts education in the arts and sciences. The program’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 99%. 
 
Tuition: $26,885 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in New York

North Carolina

#1 BSN Program – Duke University 
 
Ranked second-best BSN program in the country, Duke University only offers a BSN degree to candidates who have already earned an undergraduate degree and required prerequisite classes. The program is campus-based and full-time, designed to be completed in 16 months and providing graduates with the education and training that they need over 58 credit hours of study and almost 800 hours of clinical experience. The program allows students the opportunity to earn nine credits towards a Master’s degree. 
 
Tuition: $24,147 per semester 
Program Length: 16 months 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in North Carolina

North Dakota

#1 BSN Program – University of North Dakota 
 
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered at the University of North Dakota consistently leads to a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate well above the national average. The four-year, 121 credit-hour program is ranked #96th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and the school also offers an online RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses with a diploma or associate degree in nursing. Admission to the full-time program is available on an early admission basis to select students with exemplary high school performance and 76% of undergraduate students at the University of North Dakota receive $12,700 per year in financial assistance. 
 
Tuition: $10,808.16 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in North Dakota

Ohio

#1 BSN Program – Case Western Reserve 
 
Case Western Reserve’s BSN program is ranked 10th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and this rating is owed in large part to the program’s unique approach: rather than holding nursing education and clinical training for the last two years of students’ curriculum, hands-on training begins in the first month of freshman year. The cost is high and the program is only offered as a traditional, four-year program, but students get the benefit of 1,300 clinical hours and have an NCLEX pass rate well above the national average. 
 
Tuition: $61,040 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Ohio

Oklahoma

#1 BSN Program – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 
 
The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is ranked 58th best BSN program in the country. BSN candidates have four different options available to them, ranging from a traditional BSN available after students have completed 67 academic credit hours of prerequisite course work to an accelerated BSN for those who have completed their baccalaureate degree in another area of study and can be completed in 14 months of concentrated study. The school also offers bridge programs for LPNs and RNs as hybrid and online programs that can be completed in two semesters.  
 
Tuition: $5,220 per year 
Program Length: Two years after completion of 67 academic credit hours 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> Show Me Top 10 Nursing Schools in Oklahoma

Oregon

#1 BSN Program – Oregon Health and Science University 
 
Oregon’s Health and Science University’s BSN program is ranked 7th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Available at five different regional campuses across the state, the full-time program takes three years across nine terms to complete. The school also offers an online RN-to-BSN program for RNs who have completed their associate degree in nursing at an OCNE partner community college or non-OCNE community college, as well as an accelerated program for students who have or will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major other than nursing, that can be completed on a full-time basis in 15 months. 
 
Tuition: $54,454 total 
Program Length: Three years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Oregon

Pennsylvania

#1 BSN Program – University of Pennsylvania 
 
Beyond being the top BSN program in the state of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania’s nursing program has been named #1 in the country by U.S News & World Report, and #1 in the world by QS World University. The program emphasizes community involvement and cultural awareness and includes a curriculum that features a state-of-the-art simulation lab, clinical practice, and an extensive mentorship program. The program also offers a unique opportunity to count courses taken towards both an undergraduate degree and a master’s program. 
 
Tuition: $56,212 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

#1 BSN Program – University of Rhode Island 
 
Ranked the 96th best BSN program in the country, the University of Rhode Island’s Bachelor of Science pre-licensure nursing program is a traditional four-year, program designed to provide both foundational nursing theory and hands-on training in clinical practice. The program encompasses 120 credits and provides clinical training in hospitals, community health agencies, nursing homes, schools and clinics throughout the state. The school also offers an on-campus RN-to-BSN and an online RN-to-BSN program. 
 
Tuition:  $15,880 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Rhode Island

South Carolina

#1 BSN Program– Medical University of South Carolina 
 
With a 98% NCLEX pass rate, $4.9 million in research funding, and a specialty program emphasizing palliative care, it’s no surprise that the Medical University of South Carolina’s accelerated 16-month BSN offering is ranked 23rd in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and its RN-to-BSN program is ranked #3.  The program was first established nearly 140 years ago and offers its nursing students clinical practice opportunities at the Medical University Hospital, private, county, and military hospitals, community health agencies, clinics, daycare centers, and gerontology facilities. 
 
Tuition: $7,811 per semester 
Program Length: 16-month 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in South Carolina

South Dakota

#1 BSN Program - South Dakota State University 
 
Ranked 96th best BSN program in the United States by U.S. News & World Reports, South Dakota State University offers multiple paths to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, including a standard 4-year BSN intended for students seeking their first college degree in nursing (and available via a direct admit program), an accelerated 12-month BSN program for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field, and a 100% online, flexible RN-to-BSN program offered three times per year. The school has four different sites across the state, has an 89% pass rate for first-time test takers of the NCLEX-RN, and a job placement rate of 90% within three months of graduation. 
 
Tuition: $4,650 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Tennessee

#1 BSN Program – University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center 
 
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center was the first College of Nursing in Tennessee. Founded in 1898, it has grown into a renowned urban medical campus with a reputation for training nursing leaders. The BSN program, which was ranked 43rd best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, offers multiple paths to the degree, including a traditional four-semester BSN program for students who have earned their prerequisites, a 12-month Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN program for students who have already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and an online RN-to-BSN program that takes 12 months to complete. 
 
Tuition: $12,705 per year 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Tennessee

Texas

#1 BSN Program – University of Texas at Austin 
 
The BSN program at University of Texas at Austin is one of the most competitive programs in the country. Ranked #23rd best BSN program by U.S. News & World Report, the four-year program emphasizes critical thinking and clinical judgment, integration of knowledge from nursing, biological and behavioral sciences, and the humanities. The school also offers an internal transfer option and an AND-to-BSN program. 
 
Tuition: $12,040 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Texas

Utah  

#1 BSN Program – University of Utah 
 
The University of Utah’s BSN program is ranked the 31st best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The program offers multiple tracks, including the popular Nursing Early Assurance Program (NEAP) for high school seniors and college freshmen with fewer than 30 credit hours; the two-year pre-licensure track available to students who have completed all prerequisites and general education courses; an online RN-to-BSN program; and the SLCC RN-BS Express Pathway, a bridge program allowing Salt Lake Community College second-semester nursing students to seamlessly enter the University of Utah College of Nursing Online RN to BS program. 
 
Tuition: $7,108.61 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Utah

Vermont

#1 BSN Program – University of Vermont 
 
The University of Vermont’s BSN program, ranked 120th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, takes a holistic and humanistic approach to nursing, viewing the profession as both a science and an art based on behavioral, natural and nursing sciences. Clinical experiences begin during the second semester of sophomore year, and by the end of the program, students will have completed 594 hours of direct faculty-supervised clinical instruction. In 2021 the graduating class had a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 87%, and 96% of graduates were employed within six months of completing the program. 
 
Tuition: $16,280 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Vermont

Virginia

#1 BSN Program– University of Virginia  
 
The University of Virginia offers multiple paths to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ranked 10th best BSN program in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports, all nursing candidates are required to conduct independent research as well as to participate in work with teams. The school offers a traditional four-year program for high school graduates and a two-year, part-time hybrid online RN-to-BSN program offered at three different locations. The school also offers several different transfer options. The four-year program also offers an international exchange program.  
 
Tuition: $19,142 per year 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Virginia

Washington

#1 BSN Program – University of Washington 
 
The University of Washington is one of the top-ranked public schools in the country and was ranked the #2nd best BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The two-year program builds on the students’ first two years of baccalaureate education with both didactic classroom learning and hands-on patient care experience under the guidance of licensed care providers. The school boasts a 98% graduation rate. 
 
Tuition: $4,026 quarterly 
Program Length: Two years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Washington

West Virginia

#1 BSN Program – West Virginia University 
 
Ranked the 120th best BSN program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, West Virginia University’s BSN-degree graduates have a remarkable record of success with a 99%passing rate for first-time test-takers of the NCLEX-RN and nearly 100% job placement rate. The school offers an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and administers more than $2 million in research awards, grants and contracts. The nursing program offers three different paths to a BSN degree: the four-year BSN program; the 18-month BS/BA to Bachelor of Science program for college graduates who want to pursue a nursing degree; and the online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in three semesters.    Every student is required to complete 100 hours of community service.  
 
Tuition: $5,868 per semester 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in West Virginia

Wisconsin

#1 BSN Program – University of Wisconsin in Madison 
 
The University of Wisconsin’s BSN program was ranked 14th best among public colleges, and 19th in the nation overall by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers three paths to the BSN: the traditional 2+2 program that encompasses 2 years for pre-nursing prerequisites and 2 years in the program is open to UW–Madison undergraduates, transfers, and second-degree seekers; the accelerated 12-month BSN program for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in another area; and the online RN-to-BSN program which can be completed in 1.5-to-2.5 years. 
 
Tuition: $8,807.36 
Program Length: 4 years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the  Top 10 Nursing Schools in Wisconsin

Wyoming

#1 BSN Program – University of Wyoming 
 
The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming was ranked #183rd best BSN program in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports. The school offers a four-year on-campus Bachelor of Science option with clinical sites mainly in Laramie and Cheyenne; a 15-month summer-to-summer accelerated Bachelor of Science (BSN) option for students with a previous non-nursing baccalaureate degree who desire to become a registered nurse, and an online RN-to-BSN program for ADN-degreed nurses. 
 
Tuition: $18,862 
Program Length: Four years 
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
 
>> See the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Wyoming 
 
 

FAQs

• How many BSN programs are there in the US?
  • There are approximately 1,000 accredited BSN programs in the United States.
• What state has the easiest nursing program?
  • Every accredited nursing program has to demonstrate that it meets the same rigorous standards to prepare a nurse to provide high-quality patient care. No matter what program you attend or where it is located, in order to get your nursing license, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN.  
• How many RN to BSN programs are there in the U.S.?
  • Though accredited programs are constantly modifying and expanding their offerings, at the time of this writing there are 777 RN-to-BSN programs available in the United States.
• How long is a BSN program?
  • Most BSN programs take four years to complete, though there are some online programs that can be completed in three years on an expedited year-round schedule.