2025 Best RN to BSN Online Programs
An RN to BSN online offers registered nurses a pathway to further their education and professional development. RN to BSN online programs are designed to be flexible, accommodating working professionals with courses that can be completed at your own pace. The curriculum covers advanced nursing concepts, leadership training, and public health, equipping you with skills for improved patient care and career advancement.
Key Takeaways:
- California State University - Dominguez Hills ranks #1 for salary outcomes, with a median graduate salary of $115,301 for its online RN to BSN.
- The top 21 online RN to BSN programs have an A+ Salary Score. (Even #30 on our list has an A grade Salary Score!)
- Loma Linda University offers the best student-to-faculty ratio 3:1, ensuring a personalized educational experience.
We evaluate the real-world outcomes of online school alumni, prioritizing graduate salaries to guide prospective students in identifying the best long-term financial investments. Each program is assigned a Salary Score to reflect its relative earnings outcomes, with programs achieving top scores featuring prominently in our rankings, followed by those with high online enrollment. More details are available on our methodology page.
2025 Best RN to BSN Online Programs
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Earnings | What Is an RN to BSN Program?An RN to BSN degree is a way for a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in less time than the traditional four years. The bachelor's curriculum consists of coursework in biology, chemistry, nursing informatics (data about patients), ethics, and practice methodologies. Some programs have optional concentrations allowing students to specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as family nursing, public and community health, or hospice care. As with other online nursing programs, an online RN to BSN typically has asynchronous virtual courses but still requires in-person clinical experiences. These rotations take place under the supervision of experienced nurses at approved healthcare facilities in the student's community. Our rankings of the most affordable online nursing programs, most affordable online MSN programs, and most affordable online nurse practitioner programs are designed to help students choose a cost-effective degree. Degree RequirementsRN to BSN students typically need to complete about 60 credit hours of coursework. This is about half the credits needed for a traditional bachelor's degree because students transfer their completed credits from an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Nursing students also complete at least one practical experience that might be called a practicum or clinical rotation. Each state's licensing board has a different number of required work hours for these field placements. Online learners might need to complete laboratory work at home with special kits that their college mails to them. They may also need to purchase some items, arrange to visit an academic science lab in their community, or possibly travel to campus for an intensive session once or twice a year. Nursing CoursesRN to BSN curricula may vary slightly between schools, but they tend to share many classes in common. You're likely to take the courses below, with small differences in titles, in any nursing bachelor's program you attend: Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Evidence-based practice has become a cornerstone of the nursing profession, given the amount of patient data that can be collected and analyzed. Students learn how to form testable questions, assess their validity, and adjust their care based on the results. Nursing Leadership This course may help prepare bachelor's-level nurses for management positions. Faculty usually discuss decision-making, quality metrics, patient outcomes data, and safety regulations alongside communication and interpersonal skills. Patient Assessment Professors in this class discuss methods to help figure out the root causes of patients' problems. They may lecture on holistic assessment, normal and abnormal readings for different patient groups, and proper documentation. As assignments, students typically assess fictional patients or actors. Public Health Nurses benefit from understanding the common health problems in their communities, so this course covers assessing and researching population health. AdmissionsMost online nursing degree programs start during the autumn term, but college application timelines typically begin several months before. To start in the fall, you'll probably apply to college sometime between November and February. RN to BSN administrators generally require candidates to complete an online application and submit the following items:
Each college application might cost $30-90 in nonrefundable application fees. Similar PathwaysAn RN to BSN program isn't your only option if you don't have a bachelor's degree but want to become or stay a nurse. Check out the pathways below to see if one of them aligns more closely with your experience and goals. RN to MSN Like the RN to BSN pathway, RN to MSN programs also require applicants to hold an ADN and an RN designation. But they don't stop with granting a BSN; instead, students continue on to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) after earning a BSN. This takes more commitment but can save the time and stress of applying to multiple programs in the future if you know you eventually want an MSN. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Traditional bachelor's in nursing programs are intended for students without any nursing background or education. They start from scratch with introductory courses, just as ADN programs do. What Can You Do With an RN to BSN Degree?The simple answer is that you can continue to be a nurse. But of course, it's more complicated than that. You'll qualify for a wider range of nursing positions with a BSN, you'll have the opportunity to specialize, and you might also choose to pursue a higher degree after your bachelor's. Nursing SpecializationsThere's more room for specialization in a 120-credit bachelor's degree than there is in an ADN. Many bachelor's programs let you pursue a concentration that could help in interviews for specialized nursing roles. We've listed a few popular nursing career specializations below: Neonatal Nurse Neonatal nurses work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) helping newly born babies experiencing complications. Neonatal coursework emphasizes the physiology of infants and the communication skills required to educate anxious parents. Pediatric Nurse Pediatric nurses care for children and adolescents. They can work in any healthcare setting, from primary care physicians' offices to intensive care units in hospitals. As with NICU nurses, pediatric coursework focuses on children's health needs and the ability to gently and accurately explain conditions to them and their families. Nurse Anesthetist Nurse anesthetist is the highest paying nursing occupation in the country. This specialty currently requires at least a master's degree to practice, but new certified registered nurse anesthetists will soon need a doctorate. Because anesthesia is highly regulated, there are no undergraduate concentrations in this field. You'll need to specialize once you enter graduate school. Travel Nurse Travel nurses help fill workforce gaps wherever they're needed. For example, a rural hospital might post a temporary opening for a pediatric nurse during flu season. You can choose any undergraduate concentration if this lifestyle appeals to you because there's a general affecting most specialties. Further EducationNursing has grown more professionalized over the decades, meaning that a great number of jobs require advanced education 鈥� a phenomenon also known as "." Like it or not, an advanced degree is often needed at higher levels of nursing practice. You can review some post-bachelor's options below. Master's in Nursing Master's of Science in Nursing curricula usually include courses on leadership and advanced topics in a specialty area such as gerontology, neonatal nursing, or psychiatric nursing. They're intended for nurses who want to take on more responsibility in their focus area. An MSN is also the minimum credential needed to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a . Doctor of Nursing Practice The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is increasingly required at higher levels of nursing, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has been trying to make it the minimum credential to for years. As a professional doctorate, DNPs emphasize advanced practice skills over research, though students can expect to do plenty of original research and writing during their program. Nursing CareersAs an RN to BSN student, you will have already done the hard work of becoming a nurse. But there are many different types of nurses, and graduating from a bachelor's program might help broaden the scope of jobs that you're eligible for. Some possibilities include an ER nurse treating traumatic injuries, an oncology nurse caring for patients with cancer, or a travel nurse who fills employment gaps around the country. It's possible that you're drawn to nursing but worried about the state of the industry after the stresses of COVID-19. The good news is that it's possible to make a successful career transition if you feel burnt out on nursing after a few years. During their degree programs and careers, nurses learn a variety of skills that translate well to other roles in and outside of healthcare. If you don't already have an RN credential, you might be interested in how to become a nurse and the type of nurse you might become. Financing Your RN to BSN ProgramCollege comes with considerable costs, which often leads to significant student loan debt. You might complete a bachelor's degree in as little as four years, but most students actually take longer to finish. Thankfully, you might qualify for financial aid to help reduce the total price tag and pay for what's left. We detail college costs and review financial aid options in this section. CostsYou need to pay your school's tuition and mandatory fees in order to attend. It's also necessary to buy supplies, such as software and books. Online students tend to pay less in fees than in-person learners, but this varies by college. Below, we've listed the for the 2020-2021 school year.
Financial AidThe best types of financial aid are called "gift aid" because you don't need to repay them. Gift aid includes grants based on financial need, scholarships based on need or academic merit, and work-study programs based on need. Most students take out at least some loans, which they need to repay with interest. You should try to get all available financial aid because you can't receive what you don't apply for. Completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine your eligibility for different sources of funding, starting with federal aid. Some states offer similar forms to students with undocumented immigration status because they're not eligible for financial aid from the federal government. Scholarships and grants might come from federal or state departments of education, colleges, individual donors, or foundations. One notable opportunity is the , which pays all tuition and fees for nursing students who agree to work in underserved areas of the country for 2-4 years. What Else Should You Consider?Cost is a major factor in your education decisions, but it's not the only one. You might also ask yourself the following questions about each college you're researching to see how well it meets your needs: Is the School Institutionally Accredited? Institutional accreditation 鈥� which used to be called either regional or national accreditation 鈥� is a designation an independent agency grants to colleges that pass its quality test. Accredited schools receive regular reviews of their faculty, curricula, administrations, and student services. Is This Degree Program Accredited? Individual programs can also receive accreditation from specialty agencies in particular fields. The (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education () both accredit bachelor's programs, though the CCNE is larger and more established. Nursing accreditation can have a profound effect on your career because many states will only give licenses to candidates who graduated from accredited nursing programs. Therefore, it's important to understand a program's accreditation status before committing. What's the College's Pass Rate for the NCLEX? The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) tests a nursing graduate's competency in delivering care to patients. Even if you've already passed the NCLEX to earn your RN, it's helpful to see how well a school prepares its students for this important step in their careers. Should I Study Online? Some people perform better within the structure of on-campus study, but others are drawn to the flexibility of distance learning. Thankfully, online degrees are respected more than ever in the workforce. What Features Does My Dream College Have? Make a list of your must-have and nice-to-have features and services, then compare them across colleges. These can be anything that matters to you, from disability and accessibility services for online students to a concentration that can help build the knowledge you need to earn a special nursing certification. To learn about online nursing programs and requirements in other states, explore our list of accredited nursing degrees by state below: Nursing Degrees by State
FAQs About RN to BSN ProgramsWhat Does an RN to BSN Mean?RN to BSN means "registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing." Applicants must already have an RN credential, and the goal is to earn a BSN. Do You Have to be an RN Before Pursuing a BSN?Yes, an RN is required for admission to an RN to BSN program. However, you can sign up for a traditional bachelor's in nursing program if you have no nursing education, nursing experience, or RN credential. How Long Are RN to BSN Programs?Faculty design these degrees to last 18-24 months for full-time students. Many programs provide part-time options for working nurses, who may be able to complete at least some of their clinical requirements at their place of employment. Part-time learners may take up to three years to finish the degree. Is an RN to BSN Hard?Most students find some aspect of their RN to BSN degree to be hard because nursing is a complex discipline. For example, a student might excel at science and statistics but struggle with bedside manner and accurately recording patient data. Bottom LineRN to BSN degrees let RNs build on their existing nursing education so they can earn a bachelor's degree in less time. Professors teach more advanced science, math, and nursing practice material than an ADN curriculum 鈥� sometimes including a specialization, such as pediatric nursing or public health. Each program requires students to complete clinical hours in order to gain professional experience in a live medical setting, even if their coursework is fully online. Student Reviews of Online RN to BSN ProgramsChamberlain is a phenomenal school. It provides everything you need to be successful. The resources and support are endless. Students who are searching for a great way to attend school while balancing other components of life (work, family, etc) should consider Chamberlain University. Review Date: 3/20/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Chamberlain has made going back to school as an adult learner so easy. From the very first contact with the advisors, to attending class they are there for you. You can still work full time and advance your career with Chamberlain, they truly want you to succeed. Review Date: 3/17/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Sure, I can help refine your writing. Here's a polished version: --- I know you might read through other reviews and think this is just another typical one, but it鈥檚 not. Let me explain why. I've been searching for a bachelor's program that fits a working full-time nurse ever since I graduated with my associate's degree and passed my boards. I've been through five other programs, and I never finished any of them because something always felt wrong; they just didn鈥檛 work for me. Word-of-mouth is the... Read More Living in Florida, I faced numerous challenges while pursuing my education. For instance, during two hurricanes, I had to be at the hospital and had no time to work on assignments. However, with appropriate communication with professors, they always worked something out. I remember messaging my professors two or three days before an assignment was due to explain the situation. Even though the class was ending, my professors and the dean helped me set up a plan to finish my courses, and I still finished with high grades. The support is there if you reach out and ask for help or need assistance. Use emails, notify your professors, pay attention to the syllabus, and make use of their office hours and communication methods. I graduate in seven weeks, and after a break to get things in order, I plan to return to Chamberlain for my FNP, psych NP, and executive leadership programs. This school is phenomenal 鈥� the best online program I have ever been in. The support at Chamberlain, from the professors to the dean, is excellent. There could be some improvements in the financial department, but I鈥檓 not grading the school based on that because financial discrepancies can happen in any program. It depends on the student and what the school can do for them. The online interface is easy to navigate. They use Canvas to check grades, but I preferred using their website, which offers a comprehensive view of finances, classes, grades, and degree progress. As an alumni returning for another program, you get a discount on tuition, and sometimes your employer's discount is even more significant. If your employer is affiliated with Chamberlain, it could be very beneficial. Based on my experience, I would gladly be a recruiter for Chamberlain. I only market things I truly believe in and have experienced firsthand. So, with that said, try Chamberlain University because, they Care! Review Date: 3/12/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I am currently in the online RN-BSN program, it's a great program, I received support from start to finish. They made registration easy, they help with getting your transcripts, most of my classes did transfer over. I like how involve the professors are, they make it easy to contact them if you need to. Review Date: 3/10/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes The professors are kind, helpful, and intelligent. Going to school from home has given me back the time that I needed to take care of my family, making school balance achievable. I find time to rest and enjoy more of life. Excellent experience for me. Review Date: 2/20/2024 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Chamberlain University provided me with an increase knowledge and understanding in my 29 year nursing career. The staff are very knowledgeable, encouraging, and supportive. The courses enabled me to continue to work full time while being a wife and mother. Review Date: 3/23/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I needed a BSN to be promoted at work and liked the idea of the ExcelTrak for finishing quickly. At first it was going really well and I was going to finish within a year. However, my advisor never informed me of the clinical requirements when I enrolled, insisting that there was no clinical aspect. When the time came, I was appointed a clinical advisor who told me 60 hours of clinical were required to complete the final two courses. Then she never communicated a date for submitting all preclinical... Read More Review Date: 4/29/2024 Would Recommend: No Helpful for Career: No I love the online portion of the school but having to do clinicals when working full times as a nurse is hard to do. The staff was very companionate, willing to work with you, and caring due to losing family members while in school. I would love to continue my education with them but the cost is to high for me at this moment. Review Date: 3/2/2024 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes My experience with Chamberlain has been amazing since the beginning of the admission process. The instructors are very interactive with the students and involved with helping the students succeed, always giving feedback. Chamberlain offers many different programs to help students succeed, not just in an education standpoint but in a personal standpoint as well. I recommend Chamberlain to all my friends and family who are considering furthering their education. Review Date: 3/27/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I am currently in my last BSN course at GCU and I have not had one problem with tuition, customer service, grading times, instructor responsiveness, etc. I don't particularly like online group assignments or spreading out response posts throughout the week but that's to be expected with an online learning platform. I've been unclear instructions about assignments and instructors usually get back to me within a few hours, grades are in no longer than a week after the assignment is due and my counsellors... Read More Review Date: 1/1/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No If I could give this school a -5/5 stars I would. The only good thing about this school is the flexibility of the flex path to be able to complete your classes when you can while also working a full time job. Aside from that, good luck getting ahold of a coach or a professor. The fact that this is an online school and not one person is available 24/7 is insane. Unless you get tuition assistance/financial aid or finish your degree in 3 months you'll be paying loads of money. 3,500 plus more fees here... Read More Review Date: 1/16/2023 Would Recommend: No Helpful for Career: No I read the review when I was looking for a RN-BSN school. I saw all the negative reviews but again hundreds of students were graduating in the program. I had to decide to be among the negative students or join the positives and graduate. Definitely if they made it, why not me? thats what I asked myself.I enrolled at UTA and now about to graduate with high honors. I feel proud because I never listened to negative reviews. Just listen to your heart. Do whats required in the program and you will do... Read More Review Date: 1/20/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Chamberlain has helped me achieve my higher education goals. Classes are designed to help each student succeed, Professors are helpful and easily accessible. I have been able to maintain a good work/school/life balance while attending Chamberlain. I highly recommend checking out their programs! Review Date: 3/30/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I loved Aspen university. The class flexibility for signing up was amazing. I felt that I learned so much in this program and the instructors were great and very helpful when reaching out to them. The monthly payment plan was a great option for me and helped me to make my dream of achieving a BSN a reality. Review Date: 4/19/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I have been a Registered Nurse for 19.5 years working with an associate's degree. The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an advanced degree. I am so glad I chose Aspen University. The faculty have been there to guide me every step of the way and ensure my success in the program. The RN to BSN program is intense and will impact your professional development. The program is set up for you to succeed. The key to your success in the program is your level of commitment to academics and... Read More Review Date: 4/30/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Aspen University provided an excellent, quality online learning opportunity. I am very satisfied with the knowledge that I have acquired through my studies at Aspen. Courses are challenging, but the professors where always available and very helpful. Aspen University is a great choice for those of us who have to continue to work full time, while perusing higher career goals. Oh, did I mention affordable? Review Date: 6/15/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Not the best school if you are still working while doing the RN-BSN program. While it鈥檚 not impossible to meet to coursework requirements, there are other universities that provide more flexibility for working RNs. You will be required to do 2 discussion board posts a week, 6 weekly peer responses scattered on different days, and one essay or PowerPoint presentation a week (or sometimes more). I switched school and we only have 1 discussion post and reply a week, and 1-2 essays for the whole course.... Read More Review Date: 6/28/2023 Would Recommend: No Helpful for Career: No Chamberlain College of Nursing was recommended to me when I decided to continue my journey and obtain my BSN. While I initially was not finding the information I was seeking when looking them up, I am immensely glad I persevered and enrolled in their program. My experience with all the staff has always been nothing but positive, they are extremely helpful with any and all questions I have presented, and they have made my time learning smooth. While classes can be demanding during the 8 week sessions,... Read More Review Date: 7/8/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Would you believe me if I told you I finished a program that takes most students 12-16 months in less than 3 months? With Capellas flex path program I was able to do a RN to BSN with almost 2 weeks to spare to my 12 week deadline. By choosing the flex path program you get to go at your own pace, which is amazing for us who work full time jobs. They charge per 12 weeks rather than per semester or course. I was offered the options to use a program called Sophia, which is free, and in that program I... Read More Review Date: 8/14/2023 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I did not do my research before attending GCU's online RN-BSN program. I went because my nursing school advertised them A LOT. The degree is extremely difficult for those who work full time. At first, it's easy with 1 paper a week and 2 discussion questions, and 6 peer responses. But then as the program continues you have to do community projects (you have to have signed papers from administrators and organizations in the community), interviews with nearly unattainable people (community health workers... Read More Review Date: 7/5/2022 Would Recommend: No Helpful for Career: No Why Trust Us?27 Data Researchers 60,000 Degrees Researched Annually 20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually Launching Rankings Since 2009 Related Articles |
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