Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs

Takeaway

Choosing an affordable RN to BSN program is like hunting for the best value bouquet for a memorable event. While you’re keen to get a good deal, it’s crucial to look beyond just the price tag. Much like ensuring the flowers you pick are fresh and vibrant, make certain that the educational program you opt for is of high quality and aligns with your career goals. Remember, investing in education is about getting the best value, not just the lowest cost.

Top Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs

Below, we will explore some of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs across the United States, spanning various states, graduation rates, and admission requirements.

University of Wyoming

• Location: Laramie, Wyoming
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 
• Admission requirements:
  • Apply for UW undergraduate program
  • Hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing (excluding ReNEW graduates)
  • Possess an active, unencumbered RN license
  • Complete College of Health Sciences background check successfully
• Graduation rate: 58.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98%
• Cost of tuition:

-Wyoming Resident: 

• At Home: $17,730 
• On-Campus: $26,350
• Off-Campus: $21,740

-Non-Resident/ International:

• At Home: $23,100
• On-Campus: $31,720
• Off-Campus: $27,110 

Appalachian State University

• Location: Boone, North Carolina
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • A.D.N., A.A.S. in Nursing, or Diploma in Nursing from an accredited institution/program
  • Unrestricted RN license in North Carolina or compact state
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • 60 transferable lower-division credits, incl. Nursing Core and Cognate
  • 30 major nursing course hours
• Graduation rate: 72.2%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100%
• Cost of tuition:

-NC Resident:

• Tuition: $176.75
• Fees: $27.54
• Total per Credit Hour: $204.29

-Non-NC Resident:

• Tuition: $884.92
• Fees: $27.54
• Total Per Credit Hour: $912.46

University of Texas Arlington

• Location: Arlington, Texas
• Accreditation: CCNE 
• Admission requirements:
  • Active RN license: Verify via Nursys or State Boards
  • RN license waiver for recent ADN grads within one year
  • 2.25 GPA excluding certain grades
  • English: TOEFL waived for specific cases
  • TSI completion within 1st semester
  • Official sealed transcripts from accredited institutions
• Graduation rate: 55.8%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 92.35%
• Cost of tuition: $8,995

Thomas Edison State University

• Location: Trenton, New Jersey
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Admission requirements:
  • Completed application with nonrefundable fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Valid US RN license (verified online or notarized copy if validation process unavailable in your state)
• Graduation rate: 39%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state: $419 per credit registered
  • Out-of-state: $545 per credit registered

Florida Gateway College

• Location: Lake City, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Admission requirements:
  • ASDN from an accredited college
  • Current, valid, unrestricted Florida RN license
  • Complete FGC Baccalaureate Application and RN-BSN Program Application
  • Write a paragraph explaining motivations and future career goals
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Submit proof of American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider Card/Letter or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer Card/Letter
  • Professional resume
  • Submit transcripts from other institutions (excluding FGC or LCCC)
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher in ASDN prerequisite courses with grades of “C” or better
  • Pass Level II background check, paperless 10-panel drug screening, and alcohol test
• Graduation rate: 100%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 73.47%
• Cost of tuition: $5,125

Columbus State University

• Location: Columbus, Georgia
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Admission requirements:
  • Hold a valid nursing license in your intended state for clinicals
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in nursing prerequisite courses
  • Have a good academic standing in previous nursing programs
• Graduation rate: 37%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 75.38%
• Cost of tuition: $199 per credit hour

University of Florida

• Location: Gainesville, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Admission requirements:
  • Accredited associate’s degree in nursing
  • Minimum 2.8 GPA in all NUR coursework from ASN program
  • Active Florida RN license or eNLC licensure by January 5th
• Graduation rate: 87%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88.68%
• Cost of tuition: $129.18 per credit hour

Cleveland State University

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Admission requirements
  • Hold an active Ohio RN License (or a U.S. state license)
  • Complete prerequisite coursework with a ”C” grade or higher
  • Maintain ≥ 2.0 prerequisite GPA
  • Maintain ≥ 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Apply 4 weeks prior to Nursing deadlines
  • Apply by June 1 for Fall cohort, Nov 1 for Spring cohort
• Graduation rate: 49%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 72.78%
• Cost of tuition: $240 per credit hour

Western Carolina University

• Location: Cullowhee, NC
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Unrestricted RN License or NCLEX pass before program start
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • 60 non-nursing credit hours completed
  • Completion/waiver of WCU’s Liberal Studies requirements
  • Prerequisite course completion/waiver
• Graduation rate: 61.8%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98.5%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state: $2,729
  • Out-of-state: $7,729

Lasalle University

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Complete the La Salle Undergraduate Adult application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and nursing schools attended
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prior nursing program
  • RN license number and state
• Graduation rate: 65.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88.66%
• Cost of tuition: $12,150

Florida International University

• Location: Florida
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Complete FIU online undergrad and NursingCAS RN-BSN apps
  • Transfer students meet FIU undergrad requirements before RN-BSN
  • FIU app: Official college transcripts, AP/CLEP scores
  • NursingCAS app: Official college transcripts, unofficial HS transcript for foreign language
• Graduation rate: 73.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 86.99%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state 235.57 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state 648.87 per credit hour

California State University 

• Location: Carson, CA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Active California RN license or expected ADN graduation from accredited program
  • Completed Nursing Program Prerequisites, including Golden Four
  • Recommended: Obtain GE Certification from community college
  • Meet University admissions criteria
  • Reside in approved state for online education from CSU Dominguez Hills
• Graduation rate: 51.6%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 97.75%
• Cost of tuition: $28,004

Pensacola State College

• Location: Pensacola, Florida 
• Accreditation: ACEN and CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Apply with $30 fee
  • GPA ≥ 2.0 in postsecondary courses
  • Nursing diploma/associate degree from an accredited program
  • Valid RN license from practicing state
  • Submit all transcripts
  • High-school transcripts if foreign language requirement needed
• Graduation rate: 37.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 71.90%
• Cost of tuition: $13,987

Fort Hays State University

• Location: Hays, KS
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Active US RN license
  • GPA ≥ 2.5
  • WES+ and CGFNS transcript reviews if applicable
• Graduation rate: 68.2%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 94%
• Cost of tuition: $187.80 per credit hour

Messiah University

• Location: Mechanicsburg PA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements
  • GPA: 3.5 or higher
  • 2+ science classes with lab, B or higher
  • 1 science: high school chemistry, B or higher
  • Strong extracurriculars/leadership
  • Honors/AP courses preferred
• Graduation rate: 78.6%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100%
• Cost of tuition: $39,700 in total

Eastern Florida State College

• Location: Cocoa, FL
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements
  • ADN degree from accredited institution
  • Hold active Florida RN license
  • Submit non-EFSC transcripts by deadline
• Graduation rate: 49%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 71.11%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state: $128.51 rate per hour
  • Out-of-state: $508.92 rate per hour

Georgia Southwestern State University

• Location: 100% online program
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Meet Georgia RN-BSN Articulation Model requirements
  • Hold an active, unencumbered RN license in Georgia
  • No exclusion from previous nursing programs
• Graduation rate: 37.7%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 93.72%
• Cost of tuition: $169.33 per credit hour

Georgia Southern University

• Location: Fully online
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Accredited associate degree
  • Current Georgia/Compact RN license
  • GPA: 3.0 (2.7 for provisional admission)
  • Prerequisites: “C” or higher grades
  • 10 or fewer core credit hours left
  • RN-BSN application completion
• Graduation rate: 49.4%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 99%
• Cost of tuition: $182.13 per credit hour

Winston-Salem State University

• Location: Winston-Salem, NC
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Active NC RN license
  • Prerequisite courses completed:

-Statistics (3 credits)

-Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

-Anatomy and Physiology I and II (6 credits)

• Passed NCLEX
• Minimum 51 transferable credit hours outside nursing major

• Graduation rate: 50.3% 
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88%
• Cost of tuition
  • In-state: $19,728
  • Out-of-state: $29,975

Fayettville State University

• Location: Fayetteville, NC
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Be admitted to Fayetteville State University
  • Hold an active and unencumbered RN license
  • Show proof of an accredited Associate’s Degree in Nursing or Hospital Diploma in Nursing
  • Submit the RN to BSN Application to the School of Nursing
• Graduation rate: 50.3%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88.33%
• Cost of tuition:
  • NC Resident: $41.67 per credit hour
  • Outside NC: $104.17 per credit hour

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• Location: 100% online 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Active U.S. RN license
  • AAS from a U.S. Dept. of Education (recognized university)
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA in transferable credits
  • A “C” or better grade in nursing prerequisites
  • Completed all prerequisites and general education courses
• Graduation rate: 63.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88.17%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state: $5,843.00 in total
  • Out-of-state: $23,196.00 in total

Pfeiffer University

• Location: 100% online 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • 4 units of English
  • 3 units of math (including Algebra)
  • 2 units of science (1 lab science)
  • 2 units of social studies
  • Application
  • Official high-school transcript through counselor
• Graduation rate: 44.1%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100%
• Cost of tuition: $19,182 (after aid)

American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University

• Location: 100% online 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Completed application
  • Driver’s license or state-issued ID
  • Copy of active U.S. RN license
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended (unofficial copies allowed for evaluation, must show degree conferral and GPA)
  • Official transcripts with degree conferral date, transfer credits, and minimum GPA required after initial registration
• Graduation rate: 55.5%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 82%
• Cost of tuition: $430 per credit hour

Catawba College

• Location: 100% online
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • English: 4 units
  • Mathematics (including Algebra II or higher): 3 units
  • Laboratory Science: 3 units
  • Social Science: 3 units
  • Foreign Language (recommended): 2 units
• Graduation rate: 50.1% 
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100% 
• Cost of tuition: 199/credit hour

Southeastern University

• Location: Lakeland, FL
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:

• High school transcript/GED scores (if transferring <60 college credits)
• College transcript (if dual enrollment or post-high school courses taken)
• Essay
• Optional: SAT and/or ACT scores

• Graduation rate: 39%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 78.38%
• Cost of tuition: $200 per credit hour

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

• Location: Wilmington, NC
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • GPA: 2.50+
  • 24 transferable credits, incl. 6 English, 3 math
  • Return eligibility to last institution
  • RN/Diploma Graduation
  • Active RN license
  • Min. “C” grade in prerequisites
• Graduation rate: 71.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90%
• Cost of tuition:
  • In-state: $6,089.13 in total
  • Out-of-state: $23,084.29 in total

University of Wisconsin

• Location: 100% online 
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • ADN or undergraduate nursing diploma
  • Active state RN license
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Work experience as a nurse
• Graduation rate: 87.5% 
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 93% 
• Cost of tuition: $2,250 

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

• Location: Natchitoches, LA 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Admission requirements:
  • Fulfill Regents’ Core Curriculum (19 units)
  • Minimum 2.35 Cumulative HS GPA
  • ACT: 18+ English (450 SAT) or 19+ Math (460 SAT), or ACCUPLACER 250+ Writing and QRAS
  • HS Core GPA 2.00 or ACT 20 (940 SAT)
• Graduation rate: 45.9%
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.30%
• Cost of tuition: $225 per credit hour

What To Consider When Choosing a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Opt for schools accredited by reputable nursing organizations. Accreditation ensures the program meets industry standards and provides a recognized and respected education.
• Admission requirements: Review the school’s admission criteria, such as prerequisites, GPA, and standardized tests. Ensure your qualifications align with their expectations to increase your chances of acceptance.
• Cost: Considering tuition fees and additional expenses, along with exploring scholarships and financial aid, is essential to ensure that the financial aspects of nursing education are manageable and don’t hinder your academic pursuits.
• Program format: Choose a format (traditional in-person, online, hybrid) that suits your learning style and schedule. Consider the availability of hands-on clinical experiences and simulation labs.
• Faculty: Research the qualifications and expertise of the nursing faculty. Instructors with real-world experience and advanced degrees can provide valuable insights and mentorship.
• Program length: Compare program durations, including accelerated options, to align with your time commitments and career goals. Remember that shorter programs might be more intense.
• Curriculum and clinical hours: Assess the curriculum to ensure it covers essential nursing topics comprehensively. Sufficient clinical hours in diverse healthcare settings are vital for practical-skills development.
• Graduation and NCLEX-RN pass rates: A high graduation rate reflects a supportive learning environment, while a strong NCLEX-RN pass rate indicates effective exam preparation. Both factors reflect the program’s quality and your potential success.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, finding the most affordable and suitable online RN to BSN program requires careful consideration of various factors. The options listed, encompassing elements such as location, accreditation, admission requirements, graduation rate, NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the cost of tuition (both in-state and out-of-state), offer a comprehensive overview of the choices available to students. Each aspect is crucial in determining the best fit for individual circumstances. By weighing these factors thoughtfully, prospective students can make informed decisions that align with their financial, academic, and career goals.

FAQ

Is an RN to BSN Program right for me?

A BSN benefits RNs seeking advancement, higher earnings, and more profound nursing knowledge—it unlocks managerial, specialized, and educational opportunities.

What is the easiest RN to BSN online program?

Ease can be subjective when looking for RN to BSN online programs. Look for programs with flexible schedules, user-friendly platforms, and supportive faculty. However, prioritize a program that offers a well-rounded education, as the quality of education matters most.

What is the cheapest RN to BSN? 

Fayettville State University with only $41.67 per credit hour.

How long does it take to get an RN to BSN online? 

Typically, these programs can be completed in about 1 to 2 years of full-time study. If you’re aiming for faster completion, consider accelerated options.

What is the fastest RN to BSN program? 

Accelerated options are worth exploring for those seeking the fastest RN to BSN program. These programs are designed for motivated individuals who can commit to an intensive study schedule. 

How much does an online RN to BSN cost?

The cost of an online RN to BSN program can range widely. It ranges anywhere from $6,000 to $80,000.