50 Most Affordable Nursing (BSN) School Programs

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People who want to get into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program need to consider a few factors. One of these is accreditation. Without this official recognition of the school and its nursing program, nursing students in that program are pretty limited in what they can do after they complete their program and the funding they can obtain during the program.

Students at the beginning of their nursing education can begin at the associate level. This is one want of saving money and allows them to begin their nursing careers more quickly. Once they gain some experience, they can return to school for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing and breeze through those courses.

Some nursing students may hope to find an online nursing program. For their clinicals, they’ll still need to find a physical location where they can complete practicum hours. Students who find an online nursing program that holds the necessary accreditation will receive the same high-quality education as their peers in an on-campus nursing program.

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Top 50 Affordable Nursing College Rankings

Some students rely on college and university rankings to help them make a decision about which schools they apply to. We offer rankings in a variety of fields, including nursing, and we realize that university rankings should be based on criteria that is important to students. These rankings are provided as a service to students who are trying to choose the best colleges for their career goals, and those that will best fit their or their family’s financial ability to pay for their schooling.

Some of the sources we use include government sites and job search sites that gather solid data on employment across the country. Each site offers valuable information for those students who are interested in where their degree can take them in terms of career and income.

Retention rates are just one of the important factors that colleges and universities track. This is the percentage of first-year students who decide to stay at school for their second year. A higher retention rate is generally accepted to mean that the school offers adequate services to students to allow them to succeed.

Admission rates reveal how competitive each school is. Students might see a correlation between high retention rates and low admission rates. It’s generally understood that those schools which are more exclusive do a better job of holding onto the students they do allow in.

Graduation rates, which are measured at the 4-year and 6-year marks, show the percentage of students graduating in the normal time frame. This is important for students to consider, as it lets them know how many students are meeting their graduation goals at each school. A few students might be dropping out for personal reasons, but if the graduation rate is too low, that’s a red flag you should consider before attending any school.

1

Berea College

Tuition
- In-State:$45,026
- Out-of-State:$45,026
Net Price:$2,020
Total Enrollment:1,433
Undergrad Students:1,433
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:8:1
Acceptance Rate:25%
Retention Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:62%
Diplomas Awarded:14
Grads Salary:$62,000

2

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Tuition
- In-State:$2,938
- Out-of-State:$9,992
Net Price:$2,341
Total Enrollment:20,363
Undergrad Students:20,363
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:23:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:50%
Graduation Rate:37%
Diplomas Awarded:159
Grads Salary:$56,000

3

CUNY Hunter College

Tuition
- In-State:$7,382
- Out-of-State:$15,332
Net Price:$4,848
Total Enrollment:22,970
Undergrad Students:17,256
Graduate Students:5,714

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:48%
Retention Rate:80%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:172
Grads Salary:$70,000

4

CUNY Lehman College

Tuition
- In-State:$7,410
- Out-of-State:$15,360
Net Price:$4,974
Total Enrollment:13,015
Undergrad Students:11,211
Graduate Students:1,804

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:55%
Retention Rate:71%
Graduation Rate:54%
Diplomas Awarded:167
Grads Salary:$67,000

5

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Tuition
- In-State:$7,060
- Out-of-State:$18,940
Net Price:$5,068
Total Enrollment:16,426
Undergrad Students:13,969
Graduate Students:2,457

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:89%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:46%
Diplomas Awarded:181
Grads Salary:$73,000

6

Texas A&M International University

Tuition
- In-State:$7,846
- Out-of-State:$19,382
Net Price:$5,383
Total Enrollment:8,505
Undergrad Students:6,979
Graduate Students:1,526

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:48%
Retention Rate:79%
Graduation Rate:49%
Diplomas Awarded:108
Grads Salary:$55,000

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7

Dalton State College

Tuition
- In-State:$3,283
- Out-of-State:$10,189
Net Price:$5,532
Total Enrollment:4,527
Undergrad Students:4,527
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:67%
Graduation Rate:22%
Diplomas Awarded:27
Grads Salary:$56,000

8

California State University-Los Angeles

Tuition
- In-State:$6,805
- Out-of-State:$18,685
Net Price:$5,801
Total Enrollment:26,460
Undergrad Students:22,737
Graduate Students:3,723

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:87%
Retention Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:51%
Diplomas Awarded:158
Grads Salary:$75,000

9

Indiana University-Northwest

Tuition
- In-State:$7,941
- Out-of-State:$21,301
Net Price:$6,553
Total Enrollment:3,198
Undergrad Students:2,860
Graduate Students:338

Student-to-faculty:12:1
Acceptance Rate:80%
Retention Rate:68%
Graduation Rate:37%
Diplomas Awarded:64
Grads Salary:$73,000

10

CUNY York College

Tuition
- In-State:$7,358
- Out-of-State:$15,308
Net Price:$6,670
Total Enrollment:6,446
Undergrad Students:6,199
Graduate Students:247

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:59%
Retention Rate:61%
Graduation Rate:33%
Diplomas Awarded:49
Grads Salary:$69,000

11

Northern Kentucky University

Tuition
- In-State:$10,592
- Out-of-State:$20,848
Net Price:$7,259
Total Enrollment:15,801
Undergrad Students:10,776
Graduate Students:5,025

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:86%
Retention Rate:77%
Graduation Rate:50%
Diplomas Awarded:274
Grads Salary:$68,000

12

Ohio University-Eastern

Tuition
- In-State:$6,004
- Out-of-State:$8,996
Net Price:$7,478
Total Enrollment:1,143
Undergrad Students:1,143
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:16%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$38,000

13

California State University-Fresno

Tuition
- In-State:$6,663
- Out-of-State:$18,543
Net Price:$7,507
Total Enrollment:23,999
Undergrad Students:21,354
Graduate Students:2,645

Student-to-faculty:21:1
Acceptance Rate:95%
Retention Rate:76%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:177
Grads Salary:$73,000

14

Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Tuition
- In-State:$4,752
- Out-of-State:$12,120
Net Price:$7,822
Total Enrollment:1,145
Undergrad Students:1,145
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:57%
Graduation Rate:26%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$62,000

15

Heritage University

Tuition
- In-State:$19,500
- Out-of-State:$19,500
Net Price:$7,841
Total Enrollment:853
Undergrad Students:796
Graduate Students:57

Student-to-faculty:8:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:74%
Graduation Rate:45%
Diplomas Awarded:21
Grads Salary:$65,000

16

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Tuition
- In-State:$9,538
- Out-of-State:$19,333
Net Price:$8,105
Total Enrollment:31,559
Undergrad Students:26,434
Graduate Students:5,125

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:88%
Retention Rate:76%
Graduation Rate:53%
Diplomas Awarded:183
Grads Salary:$65,000

17

Farmingdale State College

Tuition
- In-State:$8,576
- Out-of-State:$18,486
Net Price:$8,111
Total Enrollment:9,314
Undergrad Students:9,264
Graduate Students:50

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:73%
Retention Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:54%
Diplomas Awarded:82
Grads Salary:$61,000

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18

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Tuition
- In-State:$3,495
- Out-of-State:$7,495
Net Price:$8,208
Total Enrollment:7,666
Undergrad Students:5,643
Graduate Students:2,023

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:90%
Retention Rate:72%
Graduation Rate:45%
Diplomas Awarded:71
Grads Salary:$58,000

19

Coppin State University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,904
- Out-of-State:$13,560
Net Price:$8,562
Total Enrollment:2,006
Undergrad Students:1,757
Graduate Students:249

Student-to-faculty:10:1
Acceptance Rate:45%
Retention Rate:62%
Graduation Rate:24%
Diplomas Awarded:66
Grads Salary:$66,000

20

The University of West Florida

Tuition
- In-State:$6,360
- Out-of-State:$19,241
Net Price:$8,609
Total Enrollment:13,521
Undergrad Students:9,291
Graduate Students:4,230

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:48%
Retention Rate:85%
Graduation Rate:53%
Diplomas Awarded:384
Grads Salary:$67,000

21

Marshall University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,604
- Out-of-State:$19,658
Net Price:$8,756
Total Enrollment:10,691
Undergrad Students:7,952
Graduate Students:2,739

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:97%
Retention Rate:74%
Graduation Rate:50%
Diplomas Awarded:92
Grads Salary:$67,000

22

Monroe College

Tuition
- In-State:$17,442
- Out-of-State:$17,442
Net Price:$9,157
Total Enrollment:7,011
Undergrad Students:5,916
Graduate Students:1,095

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:60%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:56%
Diplomas Awarded:92
Grads Salary:$64,000

23

Purdue University Northwest

Tuition
- In-State:$8,174
- Out-of-State:$15,165
Net Price:$9,162
Total Enrollment:8,911
Undergrad Students:8,176
Graduate Students:735

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:73%
Retention Rate:64%
Graduation Rate:44%
Diplomas Awarded:119
Grads Salary:$70,000

24

North Carolina A&T State University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,733
- Out-of-State:$20,243
Net Price:$9,189
Total Enrollment:13,487
Undergrad Students:11,833
Graduate Students:1,654

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:56%
Retention Rate:74%
Graduation Rate:57%
Diplomas Awarded:84
Grads Salary:$77,000

25

Western Governors University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,010
- Out-of-State:$8,010
Net Price:$9,207
Total Enrollment:156,935
Undergrad Students:112,807
Graduate Students:44,128

Student-to-faculty:42:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:65%
Graduation Rate:49%
Diplomas Awarded:8,503
Grads Salary:$77,000

26

Utah Valley University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,270
- Out-of-State:$17,830
Net Price:$9,346
Total Enrollment:43,099
Undergrad Students:42,296
Graduate Students:803

Student-to-faculty:25:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:68%
Graduation Rate:39%
Diplomas Awarded:94
Grads Salary:$67,000

27

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Tuition
- In-State:$7,848
- Out-of-State:$19,584
Net Price:$9,529
Total Enrollment:1,481
Undergrad Students:1,481
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:12:1
Acceptance Rate:65%
Retention Rate:56%
Graduation Rate:34%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$78,000

28

Baptist Health Sciences University

Tuition
- In-State:$13,078
- Out-of-State:$13,078
Net Price:$9,549
Total Enrollment:797
Undergrad Students:777
Graduate Students:20

Student-to-faculty:7:1
Acceptance Rate:41%
Retention Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:58%
Diplomas Awarded:114
Grads Salary:$79,000

29

The University of Texas at El Paso

Tuition
- In-State:$9,744
- Out-of-State:$25,152
Net Price:$9,563
Total Enrollment:23,880
Undergrad Students:20,165
Graduate Students:3,715

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:75%
Graduation Rate:47%
Diplomas Awarded:376
Grads Salary:$72,000

30

Langston University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,639
- Out-of-State:$14,166
Net Price:$9,681
Total Enrollment:1,903
Undergrad Students:1,774
Graduate Students:129

Student-to-faculty:20:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:52%
Graduation Rate:23%
Diplomas Awarded:43
Grads Salary:$70,000

31

Florida Atlantic University

Tuition
- In-State:$4,879
- Out-of-State:$17,324
Net Price:$9,711
Total Enrollment:29,592
Undergrad Students:24,191
Graduate Students:5,401

Student-to-faculty:22:1
Acceptance Rate:81%
Retention Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:62%
Diplomas Awarded:374
Grads Salary:$70,000

32

Clayton State University

Tuition
- In-State:$5,068
- Out-of-State:$15,790
Net Price:$9,792
Total Enrollment:5,847
Undergrad Students:5,283
Graduate Students:564

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:56%
Retention Rate:60%
Graduation Rate:34%
Diplomas Awarded:90
Grads Salary:$65,000

33

Shepherd University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,282
- Out-of-State:$18,722
Net Price:$9,827
Total Enrollment:3,235
Undergrad Students:2,718
Graduate Students:517

Student-to-faculty:15:1
Acceptance Rate:96%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:48%
Diplomas Awarded:62
Grads Salary:$71,000

34

University of North Alabama

Tuition
- In-State:$11,220
- Out-of-State:$21,420
Net Price:$9,837
Total Enrollment:9,830
Undergrad Students:7,214
Graduate Students:2,616

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:96%
Retention Rate:76%
Graduation Rate:62%
Diplomas Awarded:165
Grads Salary:$65,000

35

Florida International University

Tuition
- In-State:$6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
Net Price:$9,881
Total Enrollment:55,609
Undergrad Students:45,688
Graduate Students:9,921

Student-to-faculty:24:1
Acceptance Rate:64%
Retention Rate:91%
Graduation Rate:69%
Diplomas Awarded:234
Grads Salary:$68,000

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36

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Tuition
- In-State:$11,498
- Out-of-State:$31,592
Net Price:$9,923
Total Enrollment:1,704
Undergrad Students:1,704
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:76%
Retention Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:45%
Diplomas Awarded:23
Grads Salary:$67,000

37

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Tuition
- In-State:$8,668
- Out-of-State:$15,838
Net Price:$9,959
Total Enrollment:2,387
Undergrad Students:2,182
Graduate Students:205

Student-to-faculty:13:1
Acceptance Rate:69%
Retention Rate:59%
Graduation Rate:41%
Diplomas Awarded:18
Grads Salary:$63,000

38

Missouri Southern State University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,026
- Out-of-State:$16,052
Net Price:$10,061
Total Enrollment:4,144
Undergrad Students:4,052
Graduate Students:92

Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Acceptance Rate:99%
Retention Rate:62%
Graduation Rate:36%
Diplomas Awarded:41
Grads Salary:$62,000

39

McNeese State University

Tuition
- In-State:$8,440
- Out-of-State:$9,940
Net Price:$10,154
Total Enrollment:6,230
Undergrad Students:5,696
Graduate Students:534

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:
Retention Rate:69%
Graduation Rate:46%
Diplomas Awarded:134
Grads Salary:$71,000

40

Kent State University at Stark

Tuition
- In-State:$7,058
- Out-of-State:$16,164
Net Price:$10,177
Total Enrollment:3,446
Undergrad Students:3,443
Graduate Students:3

Student-to-faculty:19:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:48%
Graduation Rate:12%
Diplomas Awarded:NA
Grads Salary:$74,000

41

East Central University

Tuition
- In-State:$7,405
- Out-of-State:$16,765
Net Price:$10,221
Total Enrollment:3,376
Undergrad Students:2,730
Graduate Students:646

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:70%
Retention Rate:60%
Graduation Rate:31%
Diplomas Awarded:62
Grads Salary:$63,000

42

University of Illinois Chicago

Tuition
- In-State:$14,046
- Out-of-State:$28,654
Net Price:$10,384
Total Enrollment:33,747
Undergrad Students:21,807
Graduate Students:11,940

Student-to-faculty:18:1
Acceptance Rate:79%
Retention Rate:78%
Graduation Rate:62%
Diplomas Awarded:296
Grads Salary:$77,000

43

New Mexico State University

Tuition
- In-State:$7,627
- Out-of-State:$24,751
Net Price:$10,407
Total Enrollment:14,268
Undergrad Students:11,591
Graduate Students:2,677

Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Acceptance Rate:78%
Retention Rate:72%
Graduation Rate:51%
Diplomas Awarded:153
Grads Salary:$72,000

44

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Tuition
- In-State:$5,970
- Out-of-State:$11,664
Net Price:$10,448
Total Enrollment:1,852
Undergrad Students:1,647
Graduate Students:205

Student-to-faculty:16:1
Acceptance Rate:56%
Retention Rate:60%
Graduation Rate:27%
Diplomas Awarded:31
Grads Salary:$59,000

45

Palm Beach State College

Tuition
- In-State:$3,050
- Out-of-State:$10,910
Net Price:$10,549
Total Enrollment:24,223
Undergrad Students:24,223
Graduate Students:0

Student-to-faculty:27:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:NA
Graduation Rate:42%
Diplomas Awarded:114
Grads Salary:$59,000

46

Miami University-Hamilton

Tuition
- In-State:$7,072
- Out-of-State:$18,196
Net Price:$10,580
Total Enrollment:2,268
Undergrad Students:2,251
Graduate Students:17

Student-to-faculty:12:1
Acceptance Rate:100%
Retention Rate:57%
Graduation Rate:19%
Diplomas Awarded:91
Grads Salary:$57,000

47

University of Washington

Tuition
- In-State:$12,242
- Out-of-State:$40,740
Net Price:$10,603
Total Enrollment:52,319
Undergrad Students:36,213
Graduate Students:16,106

Student-to-faculty:21:1
Acceptance Rate:48%
Retention Rate:94%
Graduation Rate:84%
Diplomas Awarded:141
Grads Salary:$83,000

48

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tuition
- In-State:$8,989
- Out-of-State:$37,550
Net Price:$10,614
Total Enrollment:31,705
Undergrad Students:20,029
Graduate Students:11,676

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:17%
Retention Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:91%
Diplomas Awarded:201
Grads Salary:$75,000

49

University of New Mexico

Tuition
- In-State:$8,076
- Out-of-State:$26,411
Net Price:$10,633
Total Enrollment:21,953
Undergrad Students:16,375
Graduate Students:5,578

Student-to-faculty:17:1
Acceptance Rate:96%
Retention Rate:72%
Graduation Rate:52%
Diplomas Awarded:420
Grads Salary:$73,000

50

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Tuition
- In-State:$7,930
- Out-of-State:$20,659
Net Price:$10,646
Total Enrollment:2,110
Undergrad Students:1,761
Graduate Students:349

Student-to-faculty:14:1
Acceptance Rate:91%
Retention Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:30%
Diplomas Awarded:19
Grads Salary:$98,000

Why a Degree from an Affordable Nursing School?

Students planning on entering nursing school know their time in school will cost money. Even though the U.S. has experienced an extended shortage of nurses, documented in a statement from the Tri-Council for Nursing in 2010, nursing schools have been struggling to expand nursing programs all across the country. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has been working with schools, nursing organization, the media, and policy makers to keep attention on this shortage of nursing schools and nurses.

Nursing associations and nursing programs have joined together to help students make their nursing degree programs more affordable. Families may not be able to help their children realize their dreams of becoming nurses by paying for their degrees themselves. However, scholarships and grants can help to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families.

Despite access to nursing programs being made easier, going to school is still expensive. Students might experience sticker shock when they see the full cost of their schooling and, even if financial aid pays for a large portion of the costs, they’ll still pay a pretty penny for their degree. This is why it is important to nearly all students to start by seeking out an inexpensive program. No student wants to skimp on quality, but they may find that slightly larger classes or more complicated living arrangements are worth paying less overall for their schooling.

Choosing an Affordable Nursing College

For students who are getting ready to graduate from high school and start nursing school, a big part of their preparation includes looking at tuition and other costs. These students may also want to choose a school in a certain area, with a large or small student body, with plenty of online options, with a certain on-campus culture, or something else they find particularly necessary for their college journey. Students focus, not just on finding an inexpensive school, but on finding the one that is right for them.

Knowing what you want to major in is a big step in the right direction. With that decision made, you can move on to finding a program that offers you the nursing degree you need to succeed, and everything else you want, without leaving you in too much debt.

Students should be, and most are, aware that leaving school with a pile of debt on their shoulders can affect their lives long-term. Even if attending a well-known school is tempting, choosing a state university or even a community college may serve their goals better. Once they’ve weeded out schools they may not be able to afford, they can start looking at the financial aid packages available for nursing students. If loans are a part of the package, they should consider how this will affect their future plans before deciding.

The next important consideration is accreditation. Accredited universities, colleges, and individual nursing programs have been evaluated by an independent assessor and found to be of high quality. As a result, the school or program receives recognition (accreditation) which will have an impact on future students. Students from accredited schools or programs are more easily able to access financial aid, transfer and retain completed credits should they need to do so, receive a better return on their investment, access licensure programs—which is mandatory for every nurse, get into graduate or professional schools later in their careers, benefit from full career preparation, and be more likely to stay in the nursing program.

Accreditation is important enough that students should only consider schools that have at least regional accreditation. And it would be a good idea, though not necessary, to choose schools with programmatic accreditation of their nursing programs, such as that offered by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The recognized regional accreditation organizations are as follows.

Accrediting Commision for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Online Options

If a student finds that their best option is an online nursing degree (BSN), they should know that today’s online degree programs are just as challenging and rigorous as their on-campus counterparts. Even though they won’t be sitting in a physical classroom or lab, they will have everything they need to succeed in their classes, as long as they are determined and good at time management. Students will also need to be comfortable working with technology; online learning platforms may seem intuitive to those who are comfortable with technology and baffling to those who aren’t. A good online nursing program should also have opportunities for students and faculty to interact with each other.

Just as with on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, students should verify whether the school is accredited. Is the accreditation regional, national, or programmatic? If any online programs students are reviewing don’t have accreditation, they should just skip those and keep looking.

As for the options available online, students can find 16-month accelerated programs that offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the end, hybrid programs that offer online courses with in-class labs and practicums, or fully online programs that allow you to perform clinical hours at nearby locations. Students who already have an associate degree can choose an RN to BSN bridge program to provide them with their bachelor’s.

Are Nursing Programs (BSN) in High Demand?

Bachelor of Science in Nursing education programs are definitely in high demand and the employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 7% between 2019 and 2029. As the U.S. population ages and older people generally experience more medical issues, this career field is expected to continue to grow. As long as people also develop chronic health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, dementia and heart disease; nurses will continue to be needed and this will be a major factor for the increase in the employment of nurses at all education and licensure levels.

Currently, insurance companies are pushing hospitals to discharge patients as quickly as they can. If patients are suffering from a long-term condition that makes medical and nursing care necessary, they may be transferred to long-term care facilities until they are able to care for themselves. This push also means that home health nurses will be needed in greater numbers to care for these patients’ needs.

Long-term care facilities admit patients with Alzheimer’s disease as well as those suffering from head injuries or the aftermath of strokes. Outpatient care centers are also being built in communities around the country. Patients go here to receive needed rehabilitation services, chemotherapy, and same-day surgery. Nurses are needed to help care for all of these patients.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Nursing?

Once nursing students graduate from school, no matter what educational level they chose, it’s time to find a job. They have a wide field of options from which to make their choice. Nursing students graduating from master’s programs will find that their choices are especially good.

For those who are drawn to education, academic deans work within an education setting at a nursing school or university, where they play a large part in in the direction of the nursing curriculum for incoming students.

Nurse anesthetists often work in operating suites.

Ethicists work at one of the highest levels in the nursing field. They will be looking at real-life situations, as well as situations created for nursing students and guiding the nurses and nursing students they work with on matters of ethics in this field.

Nurse midwives work with pregnant women and those who are about to give birth.

Nurse practitioners are becoming more common in physician’s practices. While they aren’t doctors, they will take on some of the patient load in a practice, so they can see patients and make diagnoses.

A nurse researcher may be required to earn their doctorate degree in nursing. They address the questions that come up in this field, carrying out research and helping to expand the field.

A psychiatric mental health nurse must earn their RN licensure. An associate degree in nursing is a good way into this field, although a bachelor’s in nursing is better.

Nursing Graduates Earn More After College

Nurse graduates with associate degrees (Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN) earn an average of $71,000 annually. With this type of degree, they would fit well into an insurance company or a physician’s practice, where they would work directly with patients.

Nurses who earned their BSN earn an average of $87,000. As you can see, a more advanced degree helps them increase their annual income. As a nursing manager, they may earn $90,000 and, if they choose to work as a family nurse practitioner, their annual earnings increase to $97,000.

A nurse who has earned their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may see their annual salaries increase to $96,000. If they are interested in working as a family nurse practitioner (FNP), their annual earnings remain the same. They will work with patients of all ages, as their title suggests. An advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) has earned some additional licensing, has more responsibilities, and earns an annual salary that is commensurate with their experience: $99,000.

Nurses may also choose to earn their Master of Public Health (MPH), focusing on Health Services Administration. This professional sees an annual income of around $100,000 on average.

A doctorate (PhD) nursing degree allows any nurse who has earned this terminal degree to earn even more, around $99,000 on average. If these nurses don’t want to work in a medical setting, they may choose to work as a Quality Assurance (QA) Director, where their annual salary rises to $116,000.

FAQs

What type of students should consider online RN to BSN bridge programs?
Registered nurses who have earned nursing certification from low-level programs or their ADN are the best suited for RN to BSN bridge programs. This allows RNs to get credit for courses they have already taken without having to repeat their clinical hours.
What are the admission requirements for nursing students?
Prospective nursing students who are still in high school must usually earn a certain score on their standardized test. One program requires a minimum of 28 on their ACT or a minimum 1300 score on their ACT. Some schools may also require a minimum cumulative GPA and have some required prerequisite courses.
What are the requirements of LPN to RN bridge programs?
Current LPNs who are considering entering an LPN to RN bridge program should make sure they have all documentation ready before they apply. Some requirements are the same in nearly every program.

These are:
- A current LPN license
- High school diploma
- A minimum of six months of LPN experience
- A passing score on the entrance exam
Can I apply relevant learning, work, and life experience toward credit?
In some programs, students who have relevant experience outside the classroom may be able to qualify for academic credit. Students can prove their knowledge through prior learning assessments (PLAs). These measure their knowledge against college-level material. Students who receive PLA credits can save whole semesters of study time.
What are the requirements for transferring to a new program?
Nursing students who want to transfer into a new school have to meet several requirements. These include a grade of “C” or better for every nursing course that will be accepted for transfer. Students transferring to a different nursing school are required to submit a nursing admission application, an official transcript from all previous schools attended, and they may need a letter of good standing from the director of their previous nursing school.

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