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Best Online RN to BSN Programs Top Ranked Online Bachelor's in Nursing Degree Programs

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Since 2010, the nursing profession has worked to reach an 80% level of nurses with Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) degrees. Why? This change was recommended partly because of the explosion in healthcare technology, changing attitudes toward nursing, and the shortage of nurses. So, what does earning a BSN mean for the working nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma? It turns out it can mean a great deal, and going back to school may be easier than you think and can offer big rewards. This ranking of the 50 Online RN-BSN Programs will help you identify an undergraduate nursing program that may be perfect for you. 

How We Ranked the Best Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs

The College Consensus Best Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs ranking specifically looks at schools that are accredited regionally and reputable. Programs are ranked by five factors that we evenly weighted:

  • US News Ranking
  • Niche Score
  • Tuition Cost
  • Graduate Salary
  • Graduation Rate

With these elements in mind, our team looks at college programs according to their record of providing a return on investment. Our ranking of the Best Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs shows the best combination of market reputation, educational quality, and rewarding income. We hope there is a program on this list that inspires you to take the next step.

Recommended Online BSN Degree Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

65.5
College Consensus
77.3
Student Consensus
53.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

If you have an Associate Degree in Nursing, you’ll want to look at the RN to BSN degree offered online by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. At a very reasonable  per-credit hour rate, you can earn your BSN for less than $9,000 in approximately nine months. 

Prerequisite coursework is required, and the degree requires 30 credits and 45 hours of clinical hours, and 68 practicum hours completed in your place of employment. Courses are 100% online and include studies in Evidence-Base Practice, Public and Global Health, Physical Assessment, and more. You can adapt your program to prepare for graduate study or Geriatric Nursing Leadership.

You can apply online with the College of Nursing and begin your studies during any semester.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
100
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
76.1
College Consensus
79.4
Student Consensus
72.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Online degrees at Ohio State University rank highly, and the RN to BSN program is no exception. You can earn your BSN in 12 or 15 months. 

You can earn your BSN by requiring 120 credit hours, including transfer hours and 30 hours from OSU. Building on your RN experience, you’ll take classes in Health Care Informatics, Evidence-Based Practice, Concepts in Community Health Nursing, Foundations and Contemporary Issues for Registered Nurses, etc.  There are clinical projects in this curriculum you can complete from your home area. 

You’ll need to hold either an Associate Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma for admission consideration. 

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
98.9
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
72.3
College Consensus
78
Student Consensus
66.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

If you work full-time, the UMass-Amherst’s Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, RN to BSN degree program is designed to let you earn your degree in 12 months. Requiring 60 credit hours, you earn 30 credits for your current nursing license and 30 program credits.

Attending online, you’re provided 24/7 access to classes and technical support, letting you schedule your coursework at your convenience. The university’s online library resources are also available to you. Spring-boarding off your RN degree, this program focuses on current nursing issues such as cultural diversity in health, enhanced nursing professionalism, and health informatics. You’ll also study ethics, nursing care for families and communities, and underserved populations, including a practicum. 

You can apply in Spring or Summer and will be taught by the same faculty as on-campus students.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
96.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
63.4
College Consensus
77.3
Student Consensus
49.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

The University of Central Florida’s online bachelor’s programs are consistently ranked, and this 30 credit hour BSN completion degree is included. There’s also a hybrid option available. Non-Florida residents in this online program must live in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state while enrolled. 

This 100% online program focuses on science and will provide a solid base for leadership roles and graduate studies. Coursework includes healthcare issues, pathophysiology, health assessments, professional practice, and research. Additionally, you’ll study health promotion over the lifespan and community and public health nursing. 

UCF also offers a unique concurrent ASN to BSN option through the Florida College System.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online and Hybrid
School of Nursing Score
96.4

Arizona State University Online is one of the leaders in online education, and this RN to BSN degree is no exception. ASU’s Online is nationally recognized for its innovative approach to education.

If you’re currently enrolled in an accredited Associate Degree program, you’ll want to explore ASU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program. This is a great option and will help you save time and money to earn your ASN and BSN.

This is a 39-credit hour degree that can be completed in 10 classes, lasting 7.5 weeks each. You’ll study nursing theory, community and public health nursing, management, evidence-based nursing, and innovations. The program completes with a capstone project which focuses on research and will assist you in your professional role transition. 

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
93.7
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Recommended Online BSN Degree Programs

Visit site to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid.

70.4
College Consensus
69.5
Student Consensus
71.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Considered one of the country’s top online bachelor’s programs, UIC’s RN to BSN degree promises “personalized attention of a classroom” and the online flexibility to learn as your schedule allows.

The 30-credit hour curriculum is only ten courses, allowing you to earn your BSN in as few as 12 months. Coursework will introduce nursing informatics, research and statistics, nursing leadership, quality and safety, etc. Courses are 100% online.

UIC offers this degree at very reasonable tuition, regardless of your residency. As long as you’re continuously enrolled, the tuition rate will not change. You’ll need an unencumbered RN license or an Associate in Science nursing degree for admission.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
92.57
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
65.3
College Consensus
77.4
Student Consensus
53.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Considered one of the best online colleges in Florida, the RN to BSN degree through the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences (NWCNHS) is designated for currently licensed RNs only. You can complete this degree in one year, depending on your enrollment status. 

The completely online degree requires 120 credit hours, including 60 transferrable hours and the program’s required upper-division courses. This curriculum complements your clinical experience and prepares you for an advanced degree or nursing leadership role. NWCNHS allows you to begin the program in any semester.

You’ll study global and community healthcare issues, evidence-based nursing concepts, and wellness concerns. A Senior Clinical Practicum provides you with leadership experiences. 

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
91.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
54.1
College Consensus
76.3
Student Consensus
31.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

If you’re a licensed RN or recent nursing school grad, you can earn your BSN from the University of Arkansas. Offered 100% online, with asynchronous courses, the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing RN to BSN can be completed in three semesters.  

Courses are provided in 8-week terms and emphasize improving clinical reasoning skills as preparation for expanding your practice skills. Classes cover health informatics, geriatric nursing, health assessment, pathophysiology, and more. Guided by your mentor, you’ll develop a quality improvement, evidence-based project in a nursing concern. This project requires 75 clinical hours. 

Applications are accepted anytime with five start dates throughout the year. Admission requires verification of your employment status.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
89.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
55.1
College Consensus
78.3
Student Consensus
31.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

WVU Online’s RN to BSN degree, through the School of Nursing, is open to licensed nurses who are graduates of a diploma or Associate Degree program. The School of Nursing has an impressive 98% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate and 100% job placement.

Once all general education requirements are met, this 30- credit hour degree takes three semesters (whether you’re full-time or part-time). This curriculum covers a range of topics in leadership, health assessment, research, ethics, and evidence-based practices. As a Health Sciences student, 25 hours of Community Service is required in your home area. 

You may want to listen to the school’s live “Online Roadmap Podcast 2022” every Monday from February 21 to April 28 to learn more about WVU.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
89.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
50
College Consensus
71
Student Consensus
28.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

If you have a nursing license or are completing your nursing associate degree, you’re given options with this RN-BSN online degree from UC’s highly ranked School of Nursing. You can enroll in whatever suits your schedule best is full-time (2 semesters), part-time (3 semesters or five semesters).

Courses are offered every seven weeks and include studies in Nursing Informatics, Health Issues of Vulnerable & Marginalized Populations, Gerontology for Nurses, and others. No practicum is necessary, but you will need to complete a Capstone Experience. If you choose, you can also minor in Public Health.

Tuition for Ohio residents is $505 per credit hour, and out-of-state residents are charged $520 per hour. (Note: UC cannot admit students from Louisiana, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington, or Tennessee.)

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
88
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Recommended Online BSN Degree Programs

Visit site to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid.

61.4
College Consensus
72.7
Student Consensus
50
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Drexel University was innovative when it began in 1891 and continued that cutting-edge with its online degree programs in 1996.  This 180 credit hour RN-BSN degree is offered in 10-week quarters per year, and Drexel has a generous 135 quarter-hour transfer policy.

You’ll study topics in critical nursing issues, leadership concepts, ethics, local and global health concerns, research methods, and evidence-based practices. This program also covers Genetics and Genomics: Application to Nursing Practice, Complex Systems of Care: Technology, Patient Safety, and Quality, and a Senior Capstone Project. Courses are provided in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. 

Drexel has a 3-year tuition lock, giving you three years to complete the degree at the same rate.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
87.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
49.4
College Consensus
76.2
Student Consensus
22.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

UAB’s nursing school’s legacy dates to 1950 and is considered one of the top schools in the nation. The 30-credit hour RN-BSN degree is delivered online and designed for the working nurse with an Associate Degree or diploma. 

You’ll study a solid curriculum in courses including Applied Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Quality, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Informatics, Systems Leadership, etc. A unique honors program is available for students with a 3.4 GPA and above, which offers opportunities in research for the nurse scientist.

You can register for the school’s online information session every Tuesday from 3-4 pm. It’s an excellent opportunity to talk with faculty and staff about the RN-BSN program. 

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
87.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
57.4
College Consensus
73.7
Student Consensus
41
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing at Loyola University Chicago is considered one of the top 50 nursing schools in the country and provides an RN-BSN completion program for professional, licensed nurses. You can complete your bachelor’s degree on a fast track of 3 semesters. 

This online RN-BSN degree program concentrates on teaching leadership skills, ethical decision-making, evidence-based practice for quality patient care, etc. A sampling of classes includes Health Assessment, Community Health, Nursing Informatics, an Integrative Clinical Practicum, etc. 

Courses last 6-8 weeks and are in an asynchronous format. The school allows the opportunity for you to earn up to 18 credits through a Professional Nursing ePortfolio. Admission is open year-round.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
81.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
48.7
College Consensus
75
Student Consensus
22.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Designed specifically for the licensed nurse, holding an Associate Degree in Nursing, the University of Louisville’s online RN to BSN degree offers several great benefits.

By submitting a Professional Nursing Portfolio, you can shave 30-tuition free credit hours off the 120 total degree hours  (59 transfer and 31 core credits). Classes are 100% online and offered in 8 weeks terms, including a practicum completed in your home community.

This curriculum is developed to your leadership skills and enhance your ability to work with diverse patient populations. UL overs rolling admission with classes beginning in August, October, January, and March. If you’re a recent ADN grad and aren’t licensed yet, you can be admitted but will need your license by the end of the first semester to continue.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
81.5
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
73.9
College Consensus
79.3
Student Consensus
68.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Here’s an online RN-BSN completion program for the working nurse with an Associate Degree. You can continue working and earning your degree in 12 months (full-time) or 18-24 months (part-time).

You’ll need an Associate Degree in Nursing and a nursing license for admission consideration. This 33-credit hour degree provides studies in informatics, evidence-based practice and research, community health issues, ethics, nursing management, and more. The curriculum also offers elective courses in health assessment, aging, genetics, management, and pharmacology. Depending on your goals, your practicum and clinical experiences will be conducted in your place of employment.

Admission is on a rolling basis, with start times in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
81
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
46.5
College Consensus
68.9
Student Consensus
24.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Open to working diploma or ADNs nurses, the College of Nursing provides an entirely online RN-BSN degree you can complete in five consecutive terms of nursing courses. This program has a solid liberal arts component involving approaches outside of the sciences your ADN may have included.

Designed with flexibility, you’ll study current nursing topics in health assessment, research and evidence-based practice, community-based health issues, leadership, and clinical activities.

While there’s no application deadline for this program, and the college admits year-round, you should plan on submitting your application 4-6 weeks ahead of when you want to begin. One final note: UMSL cannot admit students from all states, so you’ll want to verify your state is accepted.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
80.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

The Waters College of Health Professions School of Nursing offers a fast-tracked and flexible RN-BSN online degree. It’s up to you if you complete the degree in two semesters, or you can take up to five years.

Even online, you’ll have access to individual advising as you plot your coursework. A total of 120 credit hours are needed for the BSN. The 8-course, 28-credit hour nursing courses include community health (and clinical) studies, nursing research, nursing theories, therapeutic modalities, leadership and management (including a clinical), and leadership skills and critical thinking.

An Associate Degree in Nursing degree is required for admission. Also, you need to be licensed in Georgia to apply or have a valid compact nursing license.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
77.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Entirely online, Michigan’s Oakland University School of Nursing offers an RN-BSN Completion Sequence, where you can earn your BSN in 32 credit hours in 12 or 2o months.

This curriculum will prepare you to advance your nursing career and provide studies in community health and promotion, informatics, nursing research, etc. You’ll also complete a Capstone Project. The capstone can be in research, supervised clinical, or an independent project.

Unlike other programs, you won’t pay student fees, and the SON encourages student-faculty interaction for its online students. You can learn about application and admission requirements and detailed program information by attending one of the school’s monthly, online Advising/Information Sessions.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
77.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
71.6
College Consensus
80.4
Student Consensus
62.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

WCU’s nationally-ranked School of Nursing is dedicated to helping you simultaneously work and earn a quality undergraduate degree. Offered 100% online, the BSN can be awarded in just four semesters.

This 30-credit hour nursing curriculum (with electives) offers leadership, research, and community health courses. You’ll also be guided in your transition to a professional leadership position in nursing. You may have some prerequisites to complete based on when you completed your ADN or if you’re not a North Carolina resident. Thanks to NC’s Promise Program, tuition has been reduced to $500 for fall and spring semesters for residents and $2,500 for non-North Carolina residents.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
76.9
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Northern Arizona University offers two unique approaches to earning your BSN if you’re an ADN or diploma nurse. This program builds on your ADN or diploma to transform your RN to a BSN with this program. There are two options: RN-BSN or the competency-based Personalized Learning Program.

Coursework is delivered online, and the RN-BSN clinical experiences are conducted in your home area. The Personalized Learning Program has no set deadlines or schedules. The degree requires 30 preprofessional credits and 30 SON essential requirements, with electives to meet the degree’s 120 credit hours. You’ll study theory, critical thinking, ethics, local and global health, nursing leadership, etc.

If you live in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Washington, state regulations won’t allow you to enroll in this program.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
74.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

This Ohio university maybe 110 years old, but it’s kept up with the times. In three semesters, you can earn your BSN degree entirely online.

Asynchronous courses are seven weeks in length. You’ll start with a class in Transition to Practice designed to enhance your leadership and management skills. Other topics include informatics, healthcare issues and policies, research-based in evidence-based practice, health assessment, and more. Practice experiences are developed around your preferences, and the program ends with a Capstone Project.

You’ll complete 30 nursing credits for this degree, and along with transfer credits, your BSN is awarded after you earn 122 total hours. An ADN degree or nursing diploma is required for admission, and you’ll need an active nursing license as well.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
74.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

You’ll need an ADN to apply for this online BSN completion program from Wichita State University.

This degree requires 120 total credit hours. WSU accepts up to 30 transfer credits from your ADN, and you’ll complete 32 upper-division nursing classes from WSU. An RN-BSN advisor will guide you in plotting your study plan. Courses examine evidence-based practice and research, health assessment, clinical pharmacology, leadership, nursing populations, as well as concluding with a clinical practicum. Two electives are required, and WSU offers a strong slate.

A valid RN license is necessary for admission, and, regrettably, students living in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington aren’t eligible for this program.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
73.2
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

You can complete your nursing BSN degree offered at The Lienhard School of Nursing of Pace University, one of New York’s top-ranked schools with previous college coursework. You can earn this BS in as few as three semesters, depending on your previous college experience.  You can even take up to 12 graduate credits if your eventual goal is an MSN or higher. The program offers an optional minor in Public Health.

Pace University designed this program specifically for the working nurse, offering flexible scheduling and an accelerated format. Courses in the nursing major include studies in pathophysiology and pharmacology, women’s health, newborn and child health, acute and chronic care, ethics, and transition to a professional nursing role.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
72.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

It may be small, but Marian University is well respected and has educated students since 1851. MU is considered one of the Midwest’s most innovative schools. The Leighton School of Nursing supports a reasonably priced  RN-BSN online degree program.

Your nursing core courses with this program include 24 credit hours ethical and legal issues, communication, health assessment, gerontology, community healthcare, and healthcare informatics. The curriculum is designed to provide you with a foundation in professional development and enhance your nursing skills. You’ll also find liberal arts studies interwoven in the program, intended to improve your critical thinking skills, communication, and management abilities.

You’ll need an ADN and a current nursing license to apply.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
72.3
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

West Texas A&M University understands you’re a busy professional and has geared its RN-BSN online degree to help you take your next career step. The online programs at WTAMU have consistently ranked highly in national ranking services.

While the program will require a clinical practicum experience, you’ll never have to set foot on the WTAMU campus. The degree involves core nursing studies in leadership (including a practicum), management and informatics, concerns in healthcare delivery, legalities, and ethics in nursing. The program culminates with a Capstone Project.

You need an associate degree and an unencumbered nursing license to apply to this program.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
72.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Recommended Online BSN Degree Programs

Visit site to learn more about enrollment, tuition, and aid.

This Buffalo, NY school may not sound familiar, but if you live in NY state or Ontario, Canada, you’ll want to explore D’Yourville College’s online RN-BSN degree that can be completed in as few as nine months.

This 122 credit hour online degree accepts up to 92 transfer hours and comprises seven courses in the major, each being eight weeks in length. Core classes cover evidence-based nursing topics, vulnerable community and population nursing issues, professional nursing concerns, and a capstone project focused on nursing quality, safety, and leadership. A statistics course is also required. Clinical experiences will be conducted at your place of employment.

A nursing diploma or ADN is required for admission to this comprehensive undergraduate program.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
70.3
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

This is a very student-oriented program offered by one of the best midwest universities. The RN-BSN completion degree is worth consideration if you hold an ADN and have a current nursing license. You’ll also want to check out the unique, double RN-BSN and Health Services Administration.

The 31 credit RN-BSN core curriculum blends applied learning and clinical experience, specially designed for adult learners. Among the topics covered: are nursing transitions, public health, diverse populations, gerontology nursing, family health, and professional development. With some overlap, courses in the RN-BSN-HSA double major include topics in law, ethics, Human Resources, informatics, organizations, and an internship.

The department has a generous transfer credit policy toward this online, 120 credit hour degree.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
70.3
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

USI is a well-known name in online education, and its RN-BSN program is part of that reputation.

You’ll need an ADN or diploma and an unrestricted nursing license for admission to the 30-core credit hour program. This curriculum covers health assessment, informatics, nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, and a concentrated clinical experience. Additional education in communication and critical-thinking skills is interlaced throughout the courses. Non-nursing other methods will be suggested once your transcripts are reviewed during the admission process. You may even receive academic credit for prior learning and training through a USI validation process.

USI offers a pay-as-you-go option for its low tuition.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
69.7
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

This Louisiana university may be small, but it’s part of the University Louisiana System and has been in existence since 1948. NSU provides an online RN-BSN Articulation program that will award you credit for what you already know and your nursing experience.

Online classes are in accelerated 8-week periods and cover a range of nursing processes and topics. NSU offers nursing courses in communication concepts in nursing, global and community health, research and evidence-based practice, informatics, health assessment, and bioethics. Ethical considerations are explored, and you’ll improve your communication skills, leadership, management, and selected health topics.

NSU estimates you can complete this RN-BSN degree in 12 months of full-time, continuous enrollment. You never need to visit the Thibodaux, LA campus.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
69.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

If you have an unrestricted Texas nursing license and are looking to advance your nursing career, you’ll want to look into the RN-BSN degree at Sam Houston State University.

Offered entirely online, this is a well-regarded nursing program. Covering a wide range of nursing issues in the curriculum to advance your career, you’ll study career transition, legal/ethical issues, informatics, genetics and genomics, basic research for nurses, community and rural health nursing, health management in older adults, and more. A Capstone Project in your final term is recommended.

You’ll have 32 credit hours applied from your ADN/nursing diploma toward the degree’s required 62-core nursing hours and transfer course hours. Additional credit is awarded for a successful NCLEX-RN exam.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
69.2
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

With no required campus visits and designed for the working nurse, Maryville University of St. Louis RN-BSN degree may be the online program you’re looking to find.

If you have a valid nursing license, you may be awarded 40 transfer credits right from the start. The slate of the core nursing curriculum is strong, with studies in leadership, assessment for individuals and families, transitional skills to professional nursing, informatics, and research. There are two electives from which you can choose either end-of-life nursing or genetics. You’ll complete your degree with a Capstone Project with a public health focus.

You’ll receive personalized attention from faculty, even online students, and have 24/7 technical support. Maryville University has six start dates each year, and you can begin when it’s convenient for you.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
69.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Part of the greater Pittsburgh area, Slippery Rock University was the first accredited nursing program to offer an online format. The faculty for this RN-BSN degree are certified Distance Education professors.

You need an ADN or RN diploma to enter the program and an unencumbered license. This curriculum offers you core and elective studies in a range of healthcare topics. Classes include evidence-based practice and research subjects, public and community health nursing, professional transition, medical ethics, healthcare informatics, etc. A practicum experience in leadership/management is required. There’s an impressive roster of nursing electives offered.

You’ll be awarded 30 credit hours of the 120 overall degree credits required and any general education transfer credits from the start.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
68.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

The Richard & Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing at this Texas university is considered one of the state’s best nursing programs. If you’re currently working as a nurse in Texas or are a new graduate looking for nursing employment in the state, this may be your program.

Courses are 6-8 weeks, with practicum experiences lasting 16-weeks. Classes in health assessment, informatics, ethical and legal issues, research, community care, and cultural and diversity will be among your studies.

Admission is open year-round, and you have three start dates to choose November, April, or July. You never have to go to the Nacogdoches, Texas, but you’re welcome to attend orientation and graduation!

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
68.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
66.3
College Consensus
80.2
Student Consensus
52.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

If you want to earn your BSN from a nationally recognized online degree program, check out the accelerated degree offered by PennState World Campus through the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.

There are no particular application requirements except you must have completed a nursing program (ADN or diploma) and hold a valid nursing license. Of the 120 credits required, you’ll need 42 core nursing courses (33 additional credits earned by validation of your professional portfolio) and 44 general education credits (transfer accepted).

Some of the core subjects you’ll study are informatics, community and family health, nursing research, ethics, Human Resources, and other classes to help you move into a nursing leadership role. A Capstone Project clinical experience culminates the program.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
68.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

If you have a valid nursing license in Indiana or Michigan, you can earn your BSN degree at Goshen College with the 12 months fast track by taking two courses at a time (20 months part-time) for its 40-hour degree. All classes are online.

A small Indiana college, Goshen College has an impressive 92% first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate, well above the national average. The school is affiliated with the Mennonite Church but welcomes students of all denominations.

You’ll receive credit for all courses (with at least a “C” grade) you’ve taken from an accredited institution. This curriculum covers nursing topics in research, nursing theories, healthcare statistics, community health, and nursing leadership.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
68.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Considered one of the best online programs in Connecticut, Sacred Heart University’s RN-BSN degree program concentrates on the holistic approach to nursing leadership and patient care.

You can earn 30 hours of validation credits for previous learning applied to this 120-credit hour program, and SHU accepts up to 90-credit hours from your ADN degree. Classes in this degree include The Human Journey to Nursing, Information Technology for Nursing Practice, Care Management: Individuals and Families, Population and Global Health, etc.

An ADN or nursing diploma is required for admission consideration, as is an unencumbered nursing license in your state of residence and any other license you may hold.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
67.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

If you have a currently valid Texas nursing license (or a Nurse Licensure Compact license), you’ll want to look at the RN-BSN online degree at UT-Permian Basin.

In 38 credit hours, you’ll earn your BSN online and be awarded a Nurse Manager Certificate from Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. This curriculum offers informatics, public health, nursing leadership, management, and quality improvement issues studies. Two of the courses require clinical experiences, but you won’t have to visit the campus. A Leadership Immersion and Capstone Project finish out the program.

You may want to check out the school’s “Falcon Free Program,” which may help you with tuition costs if you qualify.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
67.6
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

In just 30 credit hours of online study, you can earn your BSN degree from EMU and prepare to assume a nursing leadership role. If you have a valid nursing license, you should review these degree options.

A three-pronged curriculum covers core nursing classes, electives, and a Capstone Project. The online courses are designed to improve your nursing leadership and advocacy skills, look at quality improvement strategies, and improve healthcare delivery. You might be required to complete prerequisites in foundational courses such as chemistry, psychology, microbiology, etc. if you didn’t meet those at your prior institution. Clinical experiences, if any, can be conducted in your home community.

Classes are offered in 7.5 weeks, and EMU has six start times per year.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
67.5
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Indianapolis University’s School of Nursing promises an accelerated, online program to earn your BSN.

Offered in 8-week sessions, you’ll take one course at a time of the 30 credit hours needed for this degree. Some of the classes you’ll take include: Health Promotion Across the Lifespan, Methods of Nursing Research, Promoting Health Communities, Pathophysiological Concepts for Professional Nursing, and a Capstone Professional Nursing Practicum. Check out the SON’s offering in Primary Care Minor Minor and Concentration option.

You’ll need an ASN/ADN or an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing diploma program for admission. An unencumbered RN license is required, and you’ll need to pass a background check and complete the online orientation module in January before your first class.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
67.4
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

This online BSN from Indiana State University is slightly different and designed for the professional Licensed Practical and Vocational Practice Nurse. Completion of this program will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN in Indiana. (Note: Most Non-Indiana residents qualify for admission, but not all. Be sure to check if your state is eligible).

The 40-hour nursing curriculum offers studies in professional nursing transition, mental health nursing, leadership, nursing care of adults, health assessment, nursing theory and research, a clinical experience, and more. ISU requires 9 hours in psychology, pathophysiology, and statistics elective courses.

Academic transcripts, a valid LPB or LVN license, a completed background check, and other documents will be part of your admission process.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
67.0
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

From the start, you’re awarded 42 credit hours in this RN-BSN degree for your licensure and nursing experience from Pittsburgh’s Robert Morris University. The school has an admirable first attempt, 98% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.

The RN-BSN program at the School of Nursing, Education, and Human Studies at RMU is dedicated to developing your career and enhancing professionalism. This curriculum is focused on evidence-based practice, community and health culture, emphasizing quality patient care, informatics, and others. You’ll take classes in ethics, health promotion, and leadership skills.

Admission requirements are simple, asking for a copy of your unencumbered nursing license, academic transcripts, and a curriculum vitae/resume.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
Tennessee
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
50.4
College Consensus
63.2
Student Consensus
37.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

While you may not be familiar with Massachusetts’ Fitchburg State University (founded 1894), you’ll want to consider the RN-BSN degree offered 100% online.

A valid nursing license is required for this 32-credit hour degree you can complete in as few as 12 months, depending on your transcripts. You’ll study healthcare finance and policies, global and community nursing, evidence-based practice, genomics in nursing, etc. Two classes are somewhat unique in the topics of Caring for Forensic Populations and Social Justice and Advocacy. You’ll finalize your degree with a Capstone Project focused on nursing trends you experience in your clinical practice practicum.

Be prepared to provide a valid nursing license, academic transcripts, and other documents for admission. The Department of Nursing at FSU offers a comprehensive nursing student handbook you’ll want to review.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
66.0
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Wright State University, named for Ohio’s favorite sons, the Wright Brothers, has an online RN-BSN completion program specifically designed for the working nurse. Provided through the School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences, the BSN can be earned in as few as 15 months.

This is a post-licensure degree that, while online, may require you to visit the Dayton, Ohio campus for orientation, advising, or other reasons. The BS degree requires 120 total hours for completion, including 30 credit hours in nursing. Some of the nursing topics you’ll study are transitioning into a professional role, leadership, community healthcare, holistic nursing practices, and critical thinking in healthcare.

Besides your valid nursing license, you’ll be asked to provide clear FBI and Ohio background checks on file as part of the overall application process.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
66.0
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Long known for its well-regarded online programs, Eastern Kentucky University’s RN to BSN degree is offered in traditional or accelerated options.

Most online students opt for the traditional program, taking one course every 8-weeks and offering flexible start dates. Or, you may choose the accelerated, 18-months track in which you’ll take two courses most terms. You’ll complete 29 credit hours of nursing classes and other university-required classes. EKU offers a generous transfer policy to evaluate general education courses you’ve taken at prior schools. A sampling of courses includes Professional Role Transitions, Leadership and Management, and Complex Client Care.

An unrestricted RN license, ADN or nursing diploma, academic transcripts, and more are required for admission consideration.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
65.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes
46.8
College Consensus
72.4
Student Consensus
21.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: June, 2022

Michigan’s Ferris State University has an RN-BSN degree completion program offered flexibly online.

The bachelor’s requires 120 credit hours, 26 of which are in nursing. You probably have most of the general education requirements from your ADN or RN diploma studies. Some of the areas you’ll study are evidence-based practices, population health, community and global health,  leadership theories and skills, and a Capstone Project. There isn’t a clinical experience in the curriculum, but your capstone will be a leadership-focused team project in a healthcare or community care environment.

FSU also offers an RN to MSN accelerated degree as part of its RN-BSN completion program that you may want to explore.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
65.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

American Public University offers one of the best online bachelor’s degrees available, and its RN-BSN degree is no exception. Admission requires you to hold a current nursing license and be a graduate of an Associate Degree in Nursing or an RN diploma program.

You’ll be awarded 30 credit hours for your current, unencumbered nursing license. The nursing curriculum is 27 credit hours and covers a variety of topics. Classes include Assessment, Evaluation and Clinical Decision-Making, Transformational Leadership and Cultures of Safety, Informatics and Technology in Healthcare, Science of Evidence-Based Practice, Caring for Today’s Veterans, etc. The program completes with a Senior Seminar in Nursing Studies similar to a Capstone Project.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
64.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Fort Hays State University in Kansas is one of the pioneers in online education and consistently places highly in college rankings. With an ADN or nursing diploma, this online RN-BSN program may fit you as a working nurse.

Courses are 8-weeks in length and concentrate on critical thinking, leadership skills development, and tapping into your clinical knowledge. The curriculum covers legal and ethical healthcare concerns, current healthcare trends,  nursing informatics, quality improvement, and leadership. A preceptor-led clinical course is required, typically in your home area.

As a licensed nurse, you may be eligible for Advanced Standing Credit toward your BSN by demonstrating successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam. With Advanced Standing Credit, you can be awarded 36 hours towards your degree.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
64.8
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

McKendree University may be the oldest college in Illinois (est. 1828), but it’s on the cutting edge of online education with its RN-BSN degree. You can earn your degree in as few as three semesters at McKendree’s School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Unlike other RN-BSN programs, McKendree University will consider all general education courses completed if you have an appropriate Associate Degree.

This program has 30 hours of nursing courses designed to incorporate your prior educational and nursing experiences and prepare you for a professional nursing leadership role. Your studies will examine health assessment, healthcare organizations, systems, research, nursing practice, etc. The curriculum also calls for two practicum experiences in leadership and management and population-based healthcare.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
63.2
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

This is a reduced tuition, online RN-BSN program for licensed nurses offered at Cleveland State University you can complete in as little as three semesters. CSU has recently launched an RN-BSN Blended program you may also want to explore.

There are 30 nursing credits required in this 120-hour bachelor’s, and you’ll want to discuss any prior courses you’ve taken with CSU dedicated Transfer Center. Some prerequisite courses are necessary for areas of anatomy, psychology, microbiology, etc. The curriculum of the School of Nursing covers gerontology, evidence-based practices, informatics, data analysis, diversity, end-of-life and palliative nursing, and genetic and genomic technology. There’s only one clinical experience required. A Capstone Project completes the program.

Cleveland State University’s SON has bragging rights to a  90% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online/Blended
School of Nursing Score
63.1
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

It’s a testament to the quality of instruction at Ashland University that BSN graduates have a 95% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.

From the beginning, you’re awarded 27 credit hours for your nursing experience to apply to the online RN-BSN degree from Ashland University, not to mention the school has an unlimited transfer credit policy. Pre-requisite courses for the degree typically are completed in pre-licensure studies and, many of the general education hours can be transferred from ADN or RN nursing programs. A valid nursing license or recent nursing grad eligibility for the NCLEX-RN are required for admission.

This curriculum examines nursing theory, legal, political and ethical considerations, research and evidence-based practices, community and public health, informatics, genetics in nursing and patient care, and more. You’ll find this program emphasizes the ethical and legal/political influences on nursing and healthcare.

Online RN to BSN Program Format
Online
School of Nursing Score
63.0
BSN Programs Accredited?
Yes

Recommended Online BSN Degree Programs

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Should I Choose an BSN Degree Online Program?

A bachelor’s in nursing online might be the perfect fit for you if you are a busy adult professional who requires flexibility to take this next life step. Nursing bachelor online degrees offer some perks that you will not find in residential programs. Some of the benefits include: the option of self-pacing, the flexibility to complete coursework when your schedule allows, and also affordability. Many of these programs allow students to study on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on their personal needs and desires. The online learning platforms are all a little different, but one thing they have in common is the ability to access most of the coursework 24/7. Most of these nursing programs do have a hands-on component, but some of them can be completed while doing the work the student already gets paid for. 

Going Back to School for Your BSN Degree

Are you currently working? No problem. Nursing schools offer great online program options for earning your BSN degree that allow you to continue working. Most nursing programs can be completed in 12-24 months without you ever having to step foot on campus.

Patient Care

There’s evidence that patient outcomes may improve when nurses have a BSN degree, partially due to more clinical education and nursing autonomy.

Salary

The pay gap between an ADN/RN and a BSN degree is significant. PayScale estimates ADN nurses earn annual salaries of $69K, and BSN degree nurses can reach $84K or more. Hospitals and healthcare systems are hiring more nurses with a BSN degree than ever before.

Career Options with a BSN Degree

Healthcare is a field that loves advanced degrees. Nurses with undergraduate degrees can advance to leadership and supervisory roles, earn certifications in specific areas or advance to administrative positions.

How Do I Find the Best Online BSN Degree?

There are many things to look for when considering nursing programs. One thing is for sure, accredited RN to BSN online programs are an important thing to look for. In order to advance in your career, it is crucial that your degree shows that you attended a school with the appropriate accreditations. As you can see from this list that we came up with many of the bachelor’s in nursing online programs have different focal points. Some have a religious aspect, some are meant to foster diversity and support cultural competence in the healthcare field, and others are driven by medical research. Obviously, some bring together all of these focal points and/ or other disciplines that you never considered. Think about some aspects that are important to you when accomplishing your education. Make sure you are accounting for your career and personal goals when finding the right course of study for you. It is never a bad idea to contact the program itself and to ask all of the questions you may have to ensure you have found the perfect fit before making the time and money investment. 

Can I Get a Specialization in BSN Online Degree Programs?

There are many important specializations that you can focus on when searching for the online program that is right for you. Some of these BSN online programs highlight the types of nurse that might benefit from their coursework. Maybe you want to focus on the NICU and pediatric intensive care, hospice nursing, or geriatrics. You will see that the specializations are there as you look at the different offerings. There are different nursing specialties in the demand, and even if you do not see what you are looking for in the program description of a school, that doesn’t mean that you can’t choose a focus for your clinical practice hours that line up with the specialization that interests you. We hope you have been brought to this BSN Online Programs ranking because you are ready for this next step in your life, and maybe today you discovered the keys to the door.

Related:

25 Best Online MSN Nursing Degrees
25 Best Online DNP Nursing Degrees
Fastest Online MBA Programs

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