Best Online BSN Programs of 2024
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2024Are you considering a new career as a registered nurse? A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is the most popular degree for new nurses. In fact, more than 70% of nurses hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, making it the preferred degree for many employers, according to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Study.
Explore the best online BSN programs to help you make an informed decision about your education. Discover accredited nursing schools with comprehensive curricula, experienced faculty, and valuable hands-on learning via clinical labs.
Featured Online BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The 10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,273
- Out-of-state$37,161
- In-State$10,728
- Out-of-state$24,054
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled47,016
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida-Online
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled5,168
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,665
- Out-of-state$19,344
- In-State$6,360
- Out-of-state$16,176
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,378
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,841
- Out-of-state$34,020
- In-State$8,524
- Out-of-state$32,673
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,796
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- Galveston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,018
- Out-of-state$20,683
- In-State$7,917
- Out-of-state$18,443
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,484
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,340
- Out-of-state$30,510
- In-State$9,207
- Out-of-state$26,379
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,750
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Loma Linda University
- Loma Linda, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,736
- Out-of-state$32,736
- In-State$27,382
- Out-of-state$27,382
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,390
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,446
- Out-of-state$38,822
- In-State$15,140
- Out-of-state$32,979
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,244
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
- Brooklyn, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$17,830
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,117
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Medical University of South Carolina
- Charleston, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,622
- Out-of-state$28,184
- In-State$16,333
- Out-of-state$24,304
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,240
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Why Get Your Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree Online?
A BSN degree offers nursing candidates flexible career options. Nursing students wanting to advance in their nursing practice or participate in legislative actions, quality assurance, and facility committee work may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
However, a BSN may not be for everyone. After considering the time and financial commitment needed to get a BSN, you may choose an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Registered nurses (RNs) with ADNs can enter the workforce more quickly and complete a BSN online program while working.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Nursing
- Career Advancement: With this degree, you can move into advanced nursing practice or leadership positions.
- Increased earning potential: Nurses with BSNs tend to make more money than nurses with ADNs.
- Better job prospects: Many employers now require (or strongly prefer) nurses with BSNs.
- Better patient outcomes: BSN programs provide nurses with a broader education and can help them build more advanced problem-solving skills that lead to quality care.
Reasons to Get Your Nursing Degree Online
- Save money: Online degrees can save you money on on-campus fees, commuting, room, and board. In some cases, tuition is less expensive online than in person.
- Manage your time: The flexibility of online scheduling allows you to fit nursing school around your life instead of the other way around.
- Reduce opportunity costs: As an online student, you won’t have to press pause on earning money or developing professionally while you pursue a degree.
“My BSN allowed me to achieve my career goals and earn more money while gaining experience in a high-stress environment that pushed me to develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and decision-making skills.”
― Brian Clark, MSN, BSN
“My BSN was worth it — I was able to complete it in only 16 months because I already had a four-year degree in another area. I would tell anyone considering a BSN that nursing is meaningful and hard work. The valuable skills you learn will translate into every area of your life.”
― Joanna Briggs, RN, BSN
Looking for Other Nursing Degrees? Explore Your Options
How to Find a High-Quality, Online BSN Program
Choosing an online BSN requires careful consideration. Even programs with similar curriculum models can offer different types of online learning. Consider the following factors when researching online programs in nursing.
Accreditation
Always make sure that an online BSN program holds proper accreditation. Accreditation shows you that a nursing program meets both national education standards and licensing standards set by the state nursing board.
For nursing programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Tuition Costs
Plenty of online nursing programs offer affordable tuition rates, but it’s important to shop around and ensure you understand a school’s full cost.
In general, public schools offer cheaper tuition than private schools, but financial aid packages can vary widely. Keep in mind that online colleges may also charge additional fees for technology services and other online resources.
Program Type and Format
Program format can also make a huge difference in your online BSN experience. Different types of nursing degrees serve different needs and offer different timelines for graduation.
If you’re already a registered nurse, an RN-to-BSN usually lets you earn your bachelor’s in about two years of study. A traditional BSN usually takes four years of full-time enrollment to complete.
Accelerated programs allow you to graduate faster but may require a heavier course load or additional prerequisites. Many accelerated BSN programs require you to have a bachelor’s degree in another subject area and have completed nursing school prerequisites.
Location
An online BSN program still requires you to complete an in-person clinical rotation, which means location should be taken into account.
Your program can usually connect you to local healthcare organizations to complete clinical requirements. Location can also affect your tuition, especially when it comes to in-state vs. out-of-state tuition.
Research NCLEX Pass Rates and Career Services
When looking at BSN programs, always research NCLEX pass rates. Pass rates indicate how many students pass their nursing licensure exams each year. A high pass rate usually indicates that a school offers high-quality education and good outcomes for program graduates.
It’s also worthwhile to look into a program’s student services and career placement programs. Many nursing programs maintain relationships with local healthcare organizations, which can help you find job opportunities after graduation.
How Much Does an Online BSN Program Cost?
Several factors influence the cost of your nursing bachelor’s degree. These include whether the school is private or public and whether you qualify for in-state or out-of-state tuition. Some online BSN programs offer the same tuition rates, regardless of location.
The average annual tuition cost for a bachelor’s degree at a public institution is about $10,000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. To help offset BSN expenses, you can seek out several forms of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, private organization scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement for those working in healthcare.
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree (2022-23)
Public Institution
$9,750
Private Institution
$35,248
Total Average Net Cost of Four Years of College
Public Institution
$54,880
Private Institution
$106,080
Everything Else You Need to Know About Online BSN Programs
With a nursing bachelor’s degree, you can pursue various registered nurse opportunities, such as positions in leadership and management, research, health informatics, and case management.
Nurses with a bachelor’s degree can pursue roles with complex responsibilities and duties, such as charge nurses or operating room nurses. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree can also more easily pursue a master’s in nursing, which opens other opportunities as a nurse practitioner, educator, or administrator.
“Working at the bedside doing direct patient care in a hospital is not the only way to nurse! My favorite part about this job is the flexibility — you have a lot of options.”
– Joanna Briggs, RN, BSN
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