Top 10 Online ABSN Programs for 2025
Online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are nursing pathways designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. These second-degree programs allow non-nurses to enter the field quickly without attending a traditional 4-year BSN.
If you have a bachelor's but want to become a nurse, these programs may be perfect for you. To help you find the best options, we compiled a list of the top online ABSN programs in 2025.
Keep reading to learn more about each program, including accreditation, tuition, program length, contact information, and more.
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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 nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
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
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Top 10 Online ABSN Programs
Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation and use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
|
School |
Program Tuition |
Program Length |
Accreditation |
|
Holy Family University |
$50,560 |
14 months |
CCNE |
|
Rockhurst University |
$46,980 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
Wilkes University |
$31,138 |
15 months |
CCNE |
|
Marymount University |
$37,400 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
University of Indianapolis |
$860 per credit hour |
15 months |
CCNE |
|
Elmhurst University |
$50,000 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
Cleveland State University |
$21,196.80 |
16 months |
CCNE |
|
The University of Tulsa |
$625 per credit hour |
24 months |
CCNE |
|
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine |
$54,000 |
15 months |
CCNE |
|
University of Kentucky |
$33,696 |
16 months |
CCNE |
Holy Family University offers various nursing programs, including a newer online ABSN program for non-nurses. This hybrid ABSN program has three annual start dates, with online classwork and in-person clinicals. Students in this program complete an ABSN online via synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Although all the ABSN coursework is online, students must complete the required in-person residency in the Philadelphia area. Because of these requirements, students must live in Pennsylvania to become eligible for this program, excluding Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
- Application Deadline: March 14th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (267) 341-3327
- Email Address: gradstudy@holyfamily.edu
Rockhurst offers an accelerated BSN program online that's excellent for Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska residents. Students in this program complete didactic classes online, with a 10-day on-campus residency. During the immersive clinical experience, students can practice their skills, complete high-fidelity simulation, and demonstrate competencies in various nursing elements.
- Application Deadline: May 19th
- Contact Info: Online Form
Students can complete Wilkes University's online ABSN program in just 15 months, attending 11 courses over four semesters. The program includes a mandatory two-week residency on the university campus in Wilkes-Barre, PA in preparation for transitioning into clinical experiences.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (800)-WILKES-U
- Email Address: admissions@wilkes.edu
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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 nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
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
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Marymount University offers one of the best ABSN programs online with in-person residencies at the Arlington, Virginia campus. The program encompasses 65 credit hours that students can complete in 16 months.
After they complete in-person clinicals, students can take the NCLEX exam. Students must reside in Virginia, Maryland, or D.C to qualify for admissions.
- Application Deadline: September 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (888) 902-1771
Students in this online ABSN program complete 100% of their coursework online. They also attend in-person clinicals with two four-day residencies on campus. The clinical department at Indianapolis also helps students secure clinical sites. It uses a 1:1 placement model, ensuring students receive even more time with their preceptors.
- Application Deadline: September 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (317) 788-8031
- Email Address: chsadmissions@uindy.edu
Students admitted to Elmhurst's online ABSN program can enroll in fall or spring. In addition to online coursework, they must complete two on-campus residences and in-person clinical rotations. Students complete 60 credit hours and over 450 clinical hours. Despite being online, students have direct access to professors and other students.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info: Online Form
CSU's ABSN program is 100% online and has two in-person residencies. Students must complete a minimum of 764 clinical hours and 171 lab hours.
Despite its primarily online delivery, this ABSN program is only available to students living in Ohio. The program also offers clinical placement services so students don't have to worry about securing their own site.
- Application Deadline: January 10th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (216) 687-5411
Before starting online courses at Tulsa, students must attend an on-campus, five-day skills boot camp. Tulsa is currently accepting online ABSN applications from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas residents.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (918) 612-5036
This hybrid ABSN program includes 100% online coursework via synchronous and asynchronous didactic classes. Students also attend in-person direct patient care clinicals and two on-campus immersions that include low and high-fidelity simulations.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine boasts a 90% NCLEX pass rate, making it an excellent option for aspiring nurses. To be eligible to apply to the online ABSN, students must live in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont.
- Application Deadline: May 15th
- Contact Info
- Email Address: admissions@studyonline.sjcme.edu
The University of Kentucky's online ABSN allows students to earn a degree from a top university at home. In addition to online coursework, they also complete weekly in-person labs and clinicals throughout the program. Students have the flexibility to choose between the University of Kentucky's Lexington or Ashland campus for this program.
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: March 1st
- Spring: August 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: 1-833-855-3276
- Email Address: Stephanie.konkel@uky.edu
What to Expect in an Online ABSN Program
Online ABSN programs focus solely on science and nursing, which is challenging. They are also quite fast-paced, with some ABSN programs lasting just 12 months. Online ABSN programs also feature condensed classes requiring students to absorb substantial amounts of information quickly.
You should expect your didactic coursework to be entirely online. These programs require students to log into the course workbooks to track synchronous learning. Some courses also rarely use asynchronous course delivery, allowing students to attend class on their own schedule.
Regardless of the didactic coursework, all ABSN programs will require in-person clinicals. You can expect to attend these rotations several times a week throughout the program.
Admission Requirements
Most ABSN programs have similar admission requirements, including general standards and prerequisites. Check with your desired program to understand its specific requirements.
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- Official transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Interview, if applicable
Prerequisites
- Chemistry with lab
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II taken within 5 years
- Microbiology with lab
- Statistics
- Nutrition
Classes & Coursework
ABSN programs are curated for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and have taken the required prerequisite courses.
Students complete 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 + Clinical
- Maternal Nursing + Clinical
- Pediatric Nursing + Clinical
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing + Clinical
- Community Health + Clinical
How to Choose an Online ABSN Program
Choosing the right ABSN program depends on various factors, but national accreditation is most important. The two central accreditation bodies in the United States are as follows:
- 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
- NCLEX pass rate
Popular Online Accelerated BSN & RN-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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 nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
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
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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