2025 Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs
ON THIS PAGE
Rankings Choosing Online Degrees Courses Cost Career Outlook
The cheapest online nursing programs offer a flexible way to advance your career while balancing work and personal commitments. Designed for RNs, these nursing bachelor's programs combine theory and practical application, covering patient care, healthcare systems, and nursing practice. With interactive online learning, you can expand your skills and credentials without stepping away from your job.
Key Takeaways:
- The most affordable option on our list below is Denver College of Nursing, with a yearly tuition of $3,617.
- National University ranks #3 in low tuition but excels in earnings, with a median of $97,661 among sociology graduates, placing the program in the top 5% nationally.
- Aspen University has the most impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1.
We evaluate tuition rates to identify the most cost-effective online degrees. Each institution is accredited and delivers fully online programs with transparent pricing. Explore our for insights into our selection process.
2025 Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs
Choosing an Online Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
Becoming an RN Online
To become RN's, students must first complete an accredited, state-approved nursing education program and then pass their state鈥檚 , otherwise known as NCLEX-RN. The following are several educational pathways aspiring nurses can take to become eligible for the licensure exam:
- RN Diploma
- Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) / Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The RN programs above cover nursing theory and clinical practice that qualify students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. While BSN and ADN/ASN degree programs are offered online, students must complete the clinical experience requirement in-person at an approved healthcare facility.
RN diploma programs are the least common educational pathway for aspiring nurses and are offered by some hospitals and nursing schools. These diploma programs are not available online and do not culminate in a college degree. RN diplomas and associate degree programs can take two to three years to complete, while a bachelor鈥檚 degree requires three to four years of study.
Getting a BSN Degree Online
There are several types of online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, and most are degree completion programs intended for students with some college credit. These online nursing programs are flexible to accommodate the schedule of working professionals; the majority of the coursework can be completed online and the only in-person requirements are supervised clinical hours that students carry out at an approved site in their community.
Below are some of the different online BSN programs available, their application requirements, and the approximate time it takes to complete the degree:
- RN to BSN: The most common online program is the RN to BSN pathway that requires an active registered nurse license, obtained by passing the NCLEX-RN, and an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to apply. The majority of schools ranked on this page are RN to BSN programs, which students can generally complete in 18-24 months.
- LPN to BSN: Licensed practical nurses have completed an accredited, one-year nursing program and passed their National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Students can typically complete an LPN to BSN program in 2-3 years.
- BSN: Another option is a BSN program for students without an RN or LPN license but with an ADN from an accredited institution. Students can typically complete this BSN program in 2-3 years. Graduates must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse if they don鈥檛 already have that credential.
How Fast Can I Get My Online BSN?
The majority of online BSN programs available are RN to BSN, which require that students have a registered nurse license and an associate degree in the field to apply. Some BSN programs may only require an associate degree in nursing. Regardless of the program, students can earn their BSN degrees in 18-24 months. Some accelerated BSN programs will even allow students to graduate in as few as ten months. Students taking classes part-time will take longer to complete their degrees.
What Are the Advantages of Pursuing a Nursing Degree Online?
One major advantage of online learning is affordability. Enrollment in an online program is generally more affordable because additional on-campus service fees aren鈥檛 included in the overall cost. Additionally, many schools charge their online students the reduced in-state tuition rate regardless of their location.
Other advantages of online programs are increased flexibility and convenience, sometimes with the option to pursue a degree in a part-time capacity. The majority of online nursing programs are RN to BSN, which are intended for working RNs who want to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The ability to watch lectures and participate in classroom discussions when convenient may be helpful for students who work full time while pursuing their education.
Why Accreditation is Important
Regardless of which BSN pathway students choose, it is essential to select an accredited school or a program. Accreditation ensures that students can apply for federal financial aid, transfer credit between programs, and are eligible for certification and employment as registered nurses. Some of the national associations that grant accreditation to nursing programs are the (ACEN) and the (CCNE).
Common Online Nursing Courses
Nursing students will likely take some of the following courses while pursuing their degree, though course names will vary across schools and programs.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Nursing students may be required to take a series of online courses on this topic. Learners will be given an introduction to the body and how organs function. Related topics include how the body and associated structures respond to disease.
- Community Health Nursing: Community health nursing is related to public health and addresses the specific health needs of diverse populations and groups. This course examines disease prevention and management at the individual, family, and community levels. Other topics include healthcare promotion and comprehensive care planning.
- Ethical-Legal Issues in Nursing: This course introduces nursing students to clinical ethics across various healthcare settings. Students learn how to use ethical reasoning and analysis to resolve issues with patients as they arise in clinical practice. The topics covered can include current legislation and differences in politics or religion.
- Foundations of Nursing Practice: This topic is covered as a single course or as a series of courses, depending on the school. Coursework emphasizes patient health assessments and clinical concepts. Nursing students learn to promote patient health and safety through communication and proper assessment techniques. Students may also study the role of technology in providing patient care.
- Nursing Informatics: Students take this course to learn about the applications of information technology in nursing. Students learn how to manage clinical information as it relates to patient care. Other topics include ethical issues and emerging technologies in the field.
- Nursing Research: Nursing research is designed to teach students the fundamentals of evidence-based practice. Students learn about research processes related to nursing knowledge and care. Additionally, students are taught how to identify valid research in the field.
- Pharmacology: An online class in pharmacology teaches students how to administer drug therapy to patients. Topics covered include the major drug groups, the mechanisms of drugs in the human body, and drug testing and approval. Additionally, students must demonstrate competency in their knowledge of drug interactions and side effects.
Cost of an Online BSN Degree
The average cost for undergraduate tuition among all higher education institutions was for the 2017-2018 academic year. In comparison, the schools ranked on our list of affordable online colleges for nursing have significantly lower tuition rates, ranging from $2,750 - $6,211 per year, which translates to approximately $5,550 - $12,422 for the total cost of a two-year RN to BSN program. However, the time it takes to complete a degree can vary by student and depends on several factors, such as the number of transfer credits you have and whether you are enrolled part- or full-time in the program.
While online programs do not charge for on-campus fees in most cases, they may charge students distance learning or technology fees in addition to tuition rates. However, students can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for higher education by applying for financial aid, outside scholarships, and tuition assistance programs outlined below.
Funding an Online Nursing Degree
Most students pay less than a college鈥檚 sticker price because of financial aid. Regardless of whether students enroll in an accredited online or an on-campus degree program, they apply for aid in the same way.
Students should submit a FAFSA form to see if they qualify for government aid. There are several types of federal student aid available, including grants or loans. Grants do not need to be repaid, so they have the potential to significantly reduce tuition costs. However, students must follow specific requirements in order to maintain eligibility.
Colleges or universities also offer new or currently enrolled students need- or merit-based scholarships. Students should check with their school鈥檚 financial aid office or website to view a list of available scholarships, application requirements, and deadlines. If you are currently working as an RN, reach out to your healthcare employer to determine if they offer programs to employees pursuing their BSN degrees. There are also outside organizations that provide scholarships and financial aid to nursing students:
- (AACN): The AACN offers multiple scholarships to nursing students pursuing degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Some undergraduate scholarship options include the Geraldine "Polly" Bednash Scholarship, the National Black Nurses Association, Inc (NBNA), and the Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA) Undergraduate Scholarship.
- (NSL): The Health Services and Resource Administration (HRSA) offers NSL loans to qualifying students. These are long-term, low-interest loans for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who pursue an associate degree in nursing, a BSN, or an MSN.
- : The HRSA also offers the Nurse Corps program to currently enrolled nursing students. If accepted into the program, the HRSA pays all of the student鈥檚 tuition, fees, and textbooks and provides a monthly stipend. In exchange, students must work at a facility that has a critical shortage of nurses after graduation.
Are There Any Free Nursing Programs Available?
While there are no free nursing programs, the does cover the full cost of tuition for students accepted into an accredited nursing program in exchange for a service commitment. This federal program is offered by the to help communities in need have greater access to health care resources. Eligible students receive a monthly stipend in addition to full coverage of tuition, fees, and other educational-related expenses, such as textbooks and uniforms. After graduating, students in the program must work for a minimum of two years at a critical shortage facility. To apply, students must submit an application and supporting documentation.
After receiving your RN licensure, there are many continuing nursing education (CNE) courses available at no cost. The University of Washington offers several free , including the Nursing Ground Round Series covering patient care delivery and best practices. Free CNE courses are also provided by the , , and .
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses
Is Getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Worth It?
Determining if a degree is worth it can depend on several factors, such your financial situation, the amount of time you have to study and complete coursework, and your return on investment (ROI). ROI is calculated by weighing the financial investment against future salary and employment opportunities. Earning a BSN is often worth the cost since RNs with a BSN tend to earn higher wages and have greater responsibilities than RNs with an associate degree. According to ADVANCE Healthcare鈥檚 , RNs with a bachelor鈥檚 degree earned an average salary of $71,901 compared to $64,983 for those with only an associate degree.
Having a BSN degree can also lead to increased employment opportunities as many hospitals require or strongly prefer to hire entry-level RNs with a BSN based on a . Nursing organizations are also advocating for increased credentials among nurses; the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) recommends that nurses have at least a BSN degree since this with a better quality of care and patient outcomes. As of 2019, of RNs have a BSN, compared to only 49% in 2010.
Do Employers Hire Online Nursing Graduates?
In a conducted by Northeastern University, 61% reported that they view online credentials equal in quality to those completed in-person. To ensure that a college or university is reputable, students should determine that the institution is accredited. The (CCNE) is an accrediting body for nursing programs that is recognized by the . Other factors to consider are graduation rate, course content, clinical experiences facilitated by the program, student support services, and employment rate after graduation.
Student Reviews of Online Nursing Programs
The school got great teachers, great resources, flexible schedule. Teachers are very patient and attend to every student by their needs and they are always prompt to answer and assist. The enrollment department too is very great as they elaborate so well on the school and various programs they offer.
Review Date: 3/11/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The reputation of the school helped me to be able to secure a better education. The education allowed me to be able to secure better employment by moving up within the federal system. The school of nursing equips me with the latest technology and explicit instruction on the use of the equipment.
Review Date: 3/19/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Chamberlain University is a good school for achieving your goal. They have many tools for helping any student achieve their goal. As an online student at Chamberlain University, I have found that it significantly enhances my learning skills by offering multiple live sessions for a better understanding of the courses. The university also provides writing centers to help improve writing skills. All students at Chamberlain receive support from faculty, instructors, and peers, which is crucial for succeeding... Read More
While it can be challenging for busy students to read through numerous texts filled with information, Chamberlain University offers a solution through Edapth. This platform breaks down the course material into manageable and helpful information, making it easier to understand. Completing quizzes on Edapth helps evaluate your comprehension of the course material.
For any concerns or clarifications, students can easily reach out to an advisor. All instructors are available to provide explanations regarding assessments. If you are looking to achieve your goals, I encourage you to consider Chamberlain University.
Review Date: 3/13/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Wonderful completely online RN-BSN completion program. This program is designed for working students who live in the real world and have responsibilities other than school. Most of the classes have the same format and the school provides so many resources. Everything is at your finger tips. All the faculty are very caring and supportive. I suggest enrolling in the BSN competition program and using the tuition assistance provided by your job. It鈥檚 the most economical way to advance yourself professionally.... Read More
Review Date: 3/22/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
As an associate degree nurse, it is an obligation that we obtain our BSN degree within a year to five years (depending on the organization in which you work as an RN). I have chosen Chamberlain University as it was highly rated among my fellow nursing students from my community college. They recommended other schools, but most praised Chamberlain. I am halfway through my program, and I find the courses challenging yet achievable when you apply your best efforts. The school's communication process... Read More
Review Date: 3/22/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My RN-BSN program was structured with the most professional, fair minded yet caring professors that encouraged class interaction enriching my learning. I enjoyed the classmates that hailed from all over the country and learning about their career experiences was both intriguing and fun! I love that I can say that I am a Chamberlain graduate and also an inductee of the Sigma Theta Tau honor society!
Review Date: 3/19/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Being a full time nurse, wife, and mom of 4, it seemed near impossible to be able to continue my education. I talked to the admissions team at Chamberlain and knew this was the place for me. All of the staff here are centered around helping you achieve your goals, and they did just that for me. Since starting, I have had 3 friends sign up for the RN-BSN program and they love it too. I am thankful for Chamberlain University and the opportunities it provided, and continues to provide for me.
Review Date: 3/11/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing online through Aspen University. Tuition was affordable and could be done in installments. I also got a discount from work. Classes were 8 weeks long with manageable workload and good instructors. Each class was unique and contributed to my learning as a nurse. I thought this would take long, but it ended up being faster than I thought. My academic advisors were very helpful and answered all my questions.
Review Date: 3/12/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Most of these negative reviews are from people that didn't understand the billing structure and/or have no concept of "competency based" programs. ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU ENROLL. My enrollment counselor, Randy answered everything for me. I knew what program points vs credits meant, I understood I had to have EVERY class closed out and completed by the end of the billing cycle, not just assignments turned in. I knew there was no instruction, it was all competency based evaluations This program BUILDS... Read More
Review Date: 8/13/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I鈥檓 glad I鈥檓 done, but I鈥檓 really glad I choose this school. I had a wonderful experience. The teachers responded very quickly at anytime and we鈥檙e very helpful when I needed explanation鈥檚 on any of the material. They were also very flexible as well when I needed more time for assignment submissions.
Review Date: 2/27/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I can鈥檛 say enough about the flex path. I 100% thought it was too good to be true but I started my BSN 3/6 and finished 5/19/23. I had a referral scholarship that got tuition down to a little under 2700 for the 12 week cycle and I straight up busted my behind to get every class done before they billed me again. I am recommending this program to everyone I know and I can鈥檛 believe this huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. Professors were great!! And the directions are clearly defined on each assignment,... Read More
Review Date: 5/20/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I had an excellent learning experience. The instructors were helpful, the counselors encouraged me till graduation. I have no negative feeling about this school.A friend that I recommended the school to graduated right after me and we are enjoying a wonderful nursing career. Would have gone back if they had Masters program in psych.
Review Date: 3/28/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I completed my BSN this year after 2 years of COVID! The instructors were understanding and knowledgeable in the material they presented. At the beginning I was hesitant, since it was a few years since I attended college. ACE provided free monthly tutoring and the books were included with the courses! The program was challenging and encouraged "out of the box" thinking. It was exciting to locate an issue in my industry (Home Health) and provide ways to help meet challenges for better patient outcomes.... Read More
Review Date: 3/9/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I'm extremely happy that I'm a student of chamberlain university, and one very good thing about chamberlain that makes it different from other college i have witnessed is that chamberlain has every academic recourses that will enable one to be successful throughout your graduation.
Review Date: 12/1/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This has been an exceptional experience for me going to Aspen for my degree. It has been many years since I received my Associates and I only wish that I was dedicated to do it earlier. The professors are wonderful, I found the school helpful when questions were asked and very attentive. I had one class out of the 15 that I needed to complete that I felt was a bit hard to work through, which was the Nursing Research class but even that was exceptional. You have got to be dedicated to pursue your... Read More
Review Date: 2/3/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
This school was everything I needed and I will always be grateful I was able to get my BSN in nursing with CTU. There are so many bad reviews I hesitated and looked into many other schools before just deciding to use CTU and I never looked back or regretted it, not for one minute. I know 100% that I would have never gotten my Bachelors if it was not for CTU. I used my Associates degree, my RN license, my nursing experience and a few classes I'd taken to get enough credits to graduate in 10 months... Read More
Review Date: 11/12/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I enjoyed the BSN program at UT Tyler because it was convenient. The classes were online and Canvas was easy to navigate. I am a full time working nurse and mom and believe the assignments gave me time to balance my responsibilities. The staff was very helpful and responded quickly to emails. I will start my MSN program in 2018.
Review Date: 11/11/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Very happy with over all experience, will recommend this school to anyone that's ready to get it done quick. The curriculum was easy to follow, each class start and end in five weeks. The discussion forum was very important and helpful with students asking to each other and the instructors. Good school.
Review Date: 12/15/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Keiser seemed to be a very good school at the beginning. However, I came across struggling with a class in which I thought retaking on campus I would do better. I personally went in to discuss with a Dean about my issue and I was surprised at his response. To make it short, he basically said you should just settle for a C and does not understand why I would rather get a higher grade, if possible. I also got stuck with paying a whole semester because of someones mistake of not enrolling me in my next... Read More
Review Date: 1/21/2016
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
My enrollment with Chamberlain was easy and made my anxiety about going to nursing school a little easier to manage. The process was simple and easy to understand. So far I鈥檝e only had difficulty with one professor but other than that my experience has been amazing. I enjoy the hybrid teaching because it gives me the chance to utilize the time more efficiently. I work full time and have children at home so my life is occasionally chaotic, but my time with Chamberlain hasn鈥檛 been overwhelming to the... Read More
Review Date: 3/23/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes