Top LPN to BSN Programs

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a bridge for LPNs to advance their education and earn a BSN. One of the main benefits of an LPN-BSN program is that students can earn a BSN faster than starting from scratch.

Some states refer to LPNs as License Vocational Nurses (LVNs), but most states use LPN, so we will use that credential for this article.

If you are an LPN who wants to advance your education, earn more money, and advance your nursing skills, an LPN to BSN bridge program might be an excellent opportunity for you!

Top 10 LPN to BSN Programs

Choosing an LPN-BSN program is a huge decision that requires careful consideration. Fortunately, Nurse.org put a list together of some of the best LPN-BSN programs.

Our ranking system considers factors such as accreditation, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. 

1. Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University is home to some of the best nursing bridge programs in the state. The Christian university offers an LPN-BSN that students can complete in two years at its Victorville, San Bernardino, and Monrovia campuses.

APU also has one of the top RN to BSN programs in California for students who already have an RN diploma or ADN degree.

• Application Deadline: 

  • October 1 (spring semester)

  • February 1 (summer semester)

  • June 1 (fall semester)

• Tuition: $825 per credit 

• Accreditation: Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC)

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number:  (626) 815-5386

  • Email Information:  gpadmissions@apu.edu

• Online Options Available: No

2. Saint Xavier University, Chicago IL

Saint Xavier University’s LPN-BSN program is a 1 to 2-year program, depending on how quickly students complete their coursework. One of the benefits of this program is that it offers students the ability to achieve a BSN in a reduced time frame. As an added support layer, the university provides the Academia Success Coaching program for nursing students to meet with faculty members and identify and address students’ areas of opportunity.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

• Tuition: $750 per credit

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 773-298-3050

  • Email Information: admission@sxu.edu

• Online Options Available: No

 3. Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University’s School of Nursing boasts cutting-edge technology in various clinical settings. The program offers students over 1,100 clinical hours by graduation day. The program website also reports that professors aim to get to know their students personally while holding them accountable for completing work with a healthy work-life balance.

• Application Deadline: Nov 15

• Tuition: $20,000 per semester

• Accreditation: CCNE, WSCUC

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: (619) 849-2200

  • Email Information: sfs@pointloma.edu

• Online Options Available: No

4. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

The University of Arkansas’ LPN to BSN program takes 2 to 3 years to complete and is 100% online. This program is designed for working LPNs who want to earn a BSN and advance in their field.

Currently, the LPN to RN bridge program is limited to Arkansas residents only to serve local students better and bolster resources for future students. 

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

• Tuition: $302.04/credit

• Accreditation: CCNE 

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 800-952-1165

  • Email Information: online@uark.edu

• Online Options Available: Yes

5. California State University East Bay, Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay’s LPN to BSN program is part of the pre-licensure BSN nursing program. Admission is highly competitive, and the program includes LVN to BSN, second bachelor's degree BSN, and all other students who are brand new to the nursing field. 

Cal State East Bay has two campuses: Hayward and Concord. Fall admissions start at the Hayward Campus, and spring admissions start at the Concord campus.

• Application Deadline: Dec 15th and Aug 31st

• Tuition: $2,871 per semester

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 510-885-3000

  • Email Information: nursing@csueastbay.edu 

• Online Options Available: No

6. Excelsior College, Albany, NY

With 50 years of educating nurses, Excelsior College offers an online LPN to BSN program that is faster than traditional BSN programs. This program is designed for LPNs currently working in a clinical setting who want to advance their careers with a BSN. The online program allows students to learn anytime and anywhere.  Students can also transfer in up to 31 credits of prior college-level coursework and approved professional training and certifications. 

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

• Tuition: $510/credit

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 888-647-2388

  • Email Information: admissions@excelsior.edu

• Online Options Available: Yes

7. Kent State, Kent, Ohio

LPN students who wish to earn a BSN at Kent State must first earn admission into the university as undergraduate students. Upon completing the necessary prerequisites, students then apply to the Professional Nursing Sequence, where they complete an LPN to BSN bridge program. 

Kent State is one of the only universities in the nation that offers other non-LPN allied health professionals, such as paramedics, EMTs, and medics, an opportunity to earn a BSN through a bridge program. 

• Application Deadline: 

  • Fall Semester: April 1- June 1

  • Spring Semester: July 1- Sept. 1

  • Summer Semester: Dec. 1- Feb. 1

• Tuition: 

  • In-state: $12,471.44/annual

  • Out-of-State: $21,578.24/annual

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 330-672-7930

  • Email Information: nursing@kent.edu

• Online Options Available: Yes

8. Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University offers a fully online LPN to BSN track that opens opportunities for students to be communicators, educators, advocates, and leaders in the nursing field. 

Per the university’s website, some courses may be satisfied by challenge and course equivalent exams at Indiana State. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical completion within their own communities. 

• Application Deadline: Feb 1st

• Tuition:

  • In-state:$4,726 per semester (full-time)

  • Out-of-state: $6144 per semester (full-time)

• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: (812) 237-2345

  • Email Information: IndianaStateOnline@indstate.edu

• Online Options Available: Yes

9. Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus GA

According to the university website, LPN to BSN students at Georgia Southwestern State train in various clinical settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, community clinics, treatment centers, and other long-term care facilities.

Students can work directly with a professional nursing advisor and are first enrolled as Pre-LPN Nursing Students. Then students must obtain acceptance into the upper-division level during their second year of full-time study.

• Application Deadline: 

  • Feb 15th: (for fall admission)

  • Oct 15th (for spring admission)

• Tuition: 

  • In-State: $2,540/Semester

  • Out-of-State: $9,241/Semester

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number:  229-931-2275

  • Email Information: nursing@gsw.edu

• Online Options Available: No

10. Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University is a private college with more than 45,000 alumni worldwide and is known as one of the most culturally diverse universities. If you are a stateside LPN interested in advancing your education on the beautiful island of Honolulu, this university may be an excellent option for you.

Before starting the prescribed LPN-BSN curriculum, LPN students must complete the general education requirements and nursing prerequisites. 

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission

• Tuition: $15,720 (per semester)

• Accreditation: CCNE

• Contact Information: 

  • Contact Phone Number: 1-808-544-0200

  • Email Information: admissions@hpu.edu

• Online Options Available: No

Types of LPN to BSN Programs

Online

Some LPN to BSN programs offer online lectures and coursework that students may complete remotely. However, all LPN to BSN programs have clinical requirements that students must complete in person. 

In-person

Most LPN to BSN programs are on a university campus where students attend in-person classes. However, many in-person LPN to BSN programs are “hybrid” and also offer some portion of online coursework.

Bridge

Bridge programs allow LPNs to earn a BSN without having to start from scratch and begin their education as if they were starting university as a freshman. LPN to BSN programs take prior education and professional experience into account so students can complete their programs more quickly. 

FAQs About LPN to BSN Programs

• Is becoming an LPN before RN worth it?

  • One of the benefits of becoming an LPN before an RN is that students can enter the workforce more quickly. LPN programs usually take less than half the time to complete than an ADN or BSN. However, RNs have significantly greater earning potential and career options to choose from throughout their careers. 

• What is the shortest LPN to RN program?

  • The shortest LPN to RN programs can take as little as one to one-and-a-half years. However, a BSN is the standard entry-level for registered nurses, and LPN to BSN programs typically take at least two years to complete.

• What is the highest-paying state for LPNs?

  • According to the BLS, the highest-paying state for LPNs is California. The annual mean wage for LPNs in California is $137,690.

• Is LPN school easier than RN?

  • Neither LPN school nor RN school is easy. Both require a lot of determination and grit, and they are both intensive programs. However, LPN programs are typically less rigorous than RN programs because LPNs are required to complete less classroom and clinical work to graduate. LPN programs usually take one year to complete, while a BSN takes at least four years.