Top 10 Cheapest ABSN Programs
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are for aspiring nurses who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Also called second-degree nursing programs, many are quick to complete and focus on science and nursing courses. An ABSN is ideal for your transition into the in-demand and gratifying nursing profession.
While the cost of nursing school can be steep, we've found several affordable schools for students on a budget. Continue reading to explore the top 10 cheapest ABSN programs, including accreditation, tuition, program length, and so much more!
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Top 10 Cheapest ABSN Programs
Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and we use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.
|
School |
Total Tuition |
Program Length |
Accreditation |
|
Georgia Southwestern State University |
$11,640 |
24 months |
CCNE |
|
Arkansas State University |
$18,894 |
15 months |
ACEN |
|
Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles |
$24,501 |
12 months |
CCNE |
|
Wichita State University |
$30,000 |
13 months |
CCNE |
|
Spalding University |
$30,000 |
13 months |
CCNE |
|
Metropolitan State University of Denver |
$40,000 |
17 months |
CCNE |
|
Holy Family University |
$40,120- $50,560 |
14 months |
CCNE |
|
University of Massachusetts Amherst |
$40,310 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
University of Kentucky |
$40,506 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
Colby Sawyer College |
$41,700 |
16 months |
CCNE |
GSSU offers the cheapest ABSN program on this list, but it is also the longest among these pathways. However, unlike other programs, students attending this ABSN get summer breaks. GSSU requires HESI pre-nursing entrance exam scores of 75 or above as an admissions requirement. Students may take the HESI exam only twice within two years.
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: February 15th
- Spring: October 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (229) 931-2286
- Email Address: nursing@gsw.edu
ASU is among the cheapest ABSN programs in the USA, with a total tuition cost under $20,000. The program is flexible and convenient, featuring multiple start dates annually. Students may complete prerequisites before attending the ABSN program, further reducing their tuition costs.
The coursework at ASU is entirely online, with in-person clinicals that students must complete in Jonesboro and surrounding areas. They attend clinical rotations on weekends, Friday through Sunday.
- Application Deadline: August 13th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (866) 621-8096
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Mount Saint Mary's ABSN is one of the most popular on the West Coast and has a large number of applicants. Because admission is highly selective, a decent number of applicants end up on the waitlist. Students in the program attend didactic classes two days a week on campus. They also take clinical rotations three days a week at hospitals in and around Los Angeles County.
- Application Deadlines
- Summer: November 1st
- Fall: March 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (310) 954-4000
WSU's ABSN is a lock-step cohort program, which means that students must follow a set progression plan. Learners may not take more or fewer classes than the outlined plan, allowing for less flexibility than other options.
The application process for this program is quite competitive, with WSU only accepting 30 students per cohort. Students attend clinical rotations during day and night shifts, as well as on weekends.
- Application Deadline: February 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (316) 978-5801
- Email Address: nursing.undergraduate@wichita.edu
Spalding University provides a dedicated coach to students in its cheap ABSN program to help ensure their success. Learners receive clinical placements based on the Clinical Homes Model and can continue into an FNP or PMHNP program after passing the NCLEX.
Spalding's affordable accelerated BSN is already on the lower end of overall costs. However, students may also access endless scholarships and other funding opportunities to increase savings.
- Application Deadline: February 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (502) 585-7111
- Email Address: admissions@spalding.edu
Among the most competitive programs in Colorado, students attend the ABSN program at MSU Denver on campus. Notably, MSU's application process can be confusing. So, it's vital that students reach out to admissions counselors with their questions.
Applicants start by applying to the university as an undergraduate student and select "pre-nursing" as their major. Then, they attend an interview with the nursing admissions team to determine whether they will be admitted.
- Application Deadline: September 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (303) 615-1099
- Email Address: nursingadvising@msudenver.edu
HFU offers the most affordable accelerated BSN program in the Philadelphia region, with three unique pathways. The traditional ABSN is the cheapest, and students can finish it in 14 months. The university also offers an evening and weekend program that lasts 22 months.
Finally, students can attend an online ABSN program at Holy Family University. This option includes in-person clinical rotations and costs more than the other two ABSN pathways.
- Total Tuition
- In-person: $40,120
- Online: $50,560
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (267) 341-3327
- Email Address: gradstudy@holyfamily.edu
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a full-time, in-person, and affordable accelerated BSN program. Students in this program attend didactic courses at the Amherst campus and clinical rotations at local Boston hospitals. Since Boston is home to some of the best hospitals nationwide, students in this program gain exceptional clinical experience.
- Application Deadline: January 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (413) 545-5094
- Email Address: csurreira@nursing.umass.edu
Ranked in the top 2% of all BSN programs, the University of Kentucky's ABSN lasts 16 months, including a summer term. It combines online didactic and lecture coursework with face-to-face simulation labs and clinical rotations.
The university offers its cheap accelerated BSN program at its Lexington and Ashland campuses. Students must determine their “home” campus when applying.
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: March 1st
- Spring: August 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (859) 323-6135
- Email Address: shaun.ketterman@uky.edu
The ABSN program at Colby Sawyer College is a 16-month in-person program with clinicals completed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Students complete four 15-week semesters with new terms beginning in September and January.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (603) 526-3700
- Email Address: admissions@colby-sawyer.edu
What to Expect in an ABSN Program
ABSN programs are fast-paced educational pathways solely focused on science and nursing. An entire ABSN program can take as little as 9 months, although most last about a year. For context, a traditional BSN program takes 2-2.5 years to cover the same curriculum as an entire ABSN program.
ABSN students must absorb massive amounts of information in short time periods as they attend extremely condensed courses. Needless to say, these programs can be extremely challenging.
Additionally, between classes, clinicals, and studying, it is highly recommended that students avoid working throughout the program. This can put a financial strain on students, especially if they have relocated for the program.
Admission Requirements
Generally, admission requirements are similar for all ABSN programs, but it’s important to check with the specific program. Requirements usually include:
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- Prerequisites, including:
- Chemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Nutrition
- 2.5 or higher GPA
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Interview, if applicable
Classes & Coursework
Accelerated BSN programs are specifically for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and have taken the required prerequisite courses. Typically, an accelerated BSN program focuses primarily on science-based courses and nursing classes.
Students attend didactic nursing courses specific to different patient populations and then complete corresponding in-person clinicals.
Courses you can expect to take include:
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research
- Foundations of Clinical Nursing
- Ethics Principles and Policies
- Health Promotion
- Health Care Policy
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Professional Practice in Nursing
- Medical/Surgical Nursing and Clinical
- Maternal Nursing and Clinical
- Pediatric Nursing and Clinical
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing and Clinical
- Community Health and Clinical
How to Choose an ABSN Program
Choosing the right ABSN program depends on several factors, but the most important is nursing school accreditation. The two main accreditation bodies for nursing programs in the United States are:
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Other factors to consider include:
- Tuition (in-state vs. out-of-state)
- Attrition rate
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Course progression plans
- Program length
- Clinical hour requirements and placement opportunities
- Admission requirements
- Availability of financial aid
- School ranking
- Job placement percentage after graduation
- Flexibility within the program
- NCLEX pass rate
If you have more questions, contact the program representative. Talking to a point of contact can help your application become noticed while addressing your concerns.
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
ABSN Resources
- I Already Have a Bachelor's Degree, How Can I Become a Nurse?
- Best Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs
- Top 10 Online ABSN Programs
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs by State
