Top Cheap and Fast Online RN to BSN Programs in 2024
If you want to earn your BSN degree as quickly as possible, for as little money as possible, you're in the right place. We've ranked the top 10 cheapest and fastest RN to BSN programs for nurses in 2024 based on criteria such as NCLEX pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation.
Read on to learn more about how these fast-track RN to BSN online programs suit your budget and schedule.
Top 10 Cheapest & Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs for 2024
1. University of Central Florida
- Admissions: Applications are accepted three times a year with summer, fall, or spring start dates.
- Program Length: 30-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as one year of study.
- Location: 100% online, with full- or part-time availability.
- Program Cost: $5,375.70 ($179.19 per credit hour), including lab fees and additional University associated costs.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Institution by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 407-823-2744
- College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: ucfnurse@ucf.edu
2. University of Wyoming
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in the fall and spring of each calendar year.
- Program Length: 30-Credit Hours. Can be completed in one calendar year, depending on course availability. Courses are 8 weeks long in this program.
- Location: 100% online, with full- or part-time availability.
- Program Cost: $5,370 ($154.00 per credit hour), including lab fees and additional University associated costs.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Higher Learning Commission.
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: (307) 766-4312
- College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: uwnursing@uwyo.edu
3. University of South Florida
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in the fall, spring, and summer of each calendar year.
- Program Length: 30-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as one calendar year, depending on the number of courses taken at a time.
- Location: 100% online, with full- or part-time availability.
- Program Cost: $3,152.10 ($105.07 per credit hour) plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: (813) 974-2191
- College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: nurstudent@usf.edu
4. Appalachian State University
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in the fall and spring of each calendar year.
- Program Length: 30-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as one calendar year depending on the number of courses taken at a time.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $6,720 ($224.00 per credit hour) plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 828-262-3113 or 1-800-355-4084
- College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: online@appstate.edu
5. University of Texas Arlington*
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in the fall and spring of each calendar year.
- Program Length: 35-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as NINE months. This is one of the fastest RN to BSN programs available online.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $8,995 ($257.00 per credit hour) plus additional lab fees, online fees, and additional University associated costs.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 817-272-2776 or 866-489-2810
6. Lasalle University
- Admissions: Applications are accepted five times a year in January, February, May, June, August, and October.
- Program Length: 27-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as quick as one year or up to two years.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $10,800 ($400 per credit hour) includes all lab fees but does not include books.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 844-466-5587
7. Thomas Edison State University
- Admissions: Rolling admissions
- Program Length: 27-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as 15 months. BSN courses are offered during 8-week sessions and there are 4 one-week breaks every 12 months.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $14,850 ($550 per credit hour)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 609-777-5680
- College of Nursing - Email Address: admissions@tesu.edu
8. Florida International University
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in April, August, and December
- Program Length: 24-Credit Hours.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $5,491.44($228.81 per credit hour)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 855.780.7466
9. Messiah University
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in spring, fall, and summer on a rolling admission.
- Program Length: 30-Credit Hours.
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $12,300 ($410 per credit hour)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 717-796-1800 or 717.796.5061
- College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: onlineinfo@messiah.edu
10. Florida Gateway College
- Admissions: Applications are accepted in March and September
- Program Length: 31-Credit Hours. Students could choose to enroll full-time (3 semesters) or part-time (6 semesters).
- Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Program Cost: $5,125. Tuition $3,730, lab fees $545 and textbooks $850.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 386-752-1822
How to Choose an RN-BSN Program?
Everyone has different factors that they consider when choosing an RN-BSN program. This list specifically is focused on the fastest and the cheapest RN-BSN programs because we know nurses want to get their education as quickly as possible while spending the least amount of money. However, one major consideration that must be taken into account when applying for an online nursing program is accreditation.
Non-accredited universities should be a HUGE red flag for all nurses and students. The ten programs mentioned are all accredited, and students will earn a BSN at the end of the program that will be accepted in all states and by all healthcare organizations.
There are two main accrediting bodies for nursing programs:
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The purpose of accreditation is to focus on the same standards and criteria across all nursing programs. This ensures that there is a level of consistency within the programs. The accreditation process ultimately improves the quality of nursing education and keeps the curriculum up to date on current trends in advances in nursing and healthcare.
RN to BSN Program Requirements
The requirements for each of the five programs will vary slightly, but all share a few basic requirements:
- License in good standing, which means that no disciplinary action without explanation and follow-up. If this is a concern, reach out to the program and have a frank discussion with an admissions counselor to see if it will affect acceptance. Do not apply to a program if you have current disciplinary action and have not spoken to a program representative.
- Possess a Registered Nurse license as well as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for all bridge programs. Some programs will require students to have a nursing license in a specific state, but this will be communicated prior to acceptance.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA to be accepted into the program.
- Criminal background checks are required for all individuals and must be current. This means that most will have to get another one even if they had one for their place of employment.
- Working a minimum of 30 hours per week or completing the equivalency exam. As long as the student is working as a Registered Nurse during the program, this will fulfill the requirements. If a student takes time off from the bedside during the program, there are other ways to satisfy the requirements. It is best to talk to your advisor about this if it is a concern.
- Completion of the required prerequisite courses is required in order to be considered for admission. If the classes were not previously completed, students will have to add these courses to their program. These classes include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Abnormal Psychology
- Nutrition
- Chemistry
- Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
Based on the program, other requirements may include:
- Child abuse clearance
- Drug test
- Vaccinations
- Physical examination
- Letters of recommendations
Is an RN-to-BSN Program Right for You?
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) made a strong recommendation that by 2020, 80% of the nursing workforce should have a baccalaureate degree (BSN). As a result, there is an increased push for non-BSN-prepared nurses to earn their degrees quickly and in the easiest way possible.
RN-to-BSN FAQs
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