The Best Online Programs Bachelor's in Nursing
An associate degree in nursing fulfills the minimum education requirement for registered nurse (RN) licensure and entry-level work, but many professionals ultimately decide to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing. Nurses who hold a BSN can pursue work in specialization areas like neonatology, public health, and critical care. Those with a bachelor's degree also are stronger candidates for management positions like assistant clinical nurse manager, charge nurse, and head nurse.
Top 9 Online BSN Programs
- Western Governors University - Salt Lake City, UT
- The University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington, TX
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh - Oshkosh, WI
- North Dakota State University - Fargo, ND
- Concordia University - Wisconsin - Mequon, WI
- Marian University - Indianapolis, IN
- St Petersburg College - Clearwater, FL
- Utica College - Utica, NY
- Indiana State University - Terre Haute, IN
2020's Best Accredited Online Bachelor's Programs in Nursing
With dozens of BSN online programs to sort through, your college search can easily become an overwhelming task. To help you narrow the field and make the best decision for your future, we've put together a list of the 25 best online BSN programs available in the U.S.
Our methodology focuses on academic quality, affordability, and a school's commitment to online learning. We reveal what makes each program unique and provide comprehensive coverage of the topics that matter most to you: tuition discounts for distance learners, program format options, admission requirements, and curriculum and practicum details.
Only you can properly evaluate whether or not a program fits your needs, so we encourage you to conduct further independent research before making your selection. Learn more about the schools and programs featured below by visiting their websites. Contact the admissions specialists at each school of interest with any questions.
| Rank | School | Location | Cost | Graduation Rate | Description | Toggle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Western Governors University |
Salt Lake City, UT | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 38% |
Founded by a group of U.S. governors in 1997 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University provides higher education programming through its affiliates and satellite campuses across the western and central United States. This regionally accredited, online-based school offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree ideal for licensure-seeking learners residing in California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, or Utah. This 120-credit program possesses programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and covers a variety of topics necessary to obtain nursing licensure in the field, including clinical practice, pharmacology, and applied healthcare. The program delivers synchronous instruction in a hybrid format that combines online learning with hands-on modules. Learners pay a flat rate each term and can complete the program in 2.5 years. Interested applicants must satisfy certain general education prerequisites and must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA as well as a passing score on the ATI TEAS exam. This program prepares learners for a variety of state-level licensure processes in the field and relevant examinations such as the NCLEX-RN exam. Degree seekers take part in a vigorous course of study and an enriching clinical placement experience that allow for exploration within the field while also providing a quality foundational education. Individuals in this BSN online program acquire the knowledge and core skills to land gainful employment in a range of industries that require nursing and healthcare professionals. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 2 |
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Arlington, TX | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 50% |
Established in 1895 and nestled in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the University of Texas-Arlington stands as a major public research university, offering degree seekers a plethora of online and accelerated academic programs. UTA's bachelor of science in nursing online boasts one of the state's highest graduation and licensure rates, exceeding an impressive 90% annually. This affordable, 120-credit BSN online program offers learners a hybrid experience, delivering course content in a digital space while placing late-stage degree seekers in supervised clinical sites located in a major Texas city, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, or San Antonio. Interested learners must meet general education requirements with a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA. Individuals must also complete the TEAS exam prior to application. Once enrolled, degree seekers experience a swift but demanding course of study that covers material necessary for the NCLEX exam and further career advancement. Some course topics include pathophysiologic processes, holistic health, and clinical foundations. Most learners graduate in as few as 15 months, finding themselves on the precipice of licensure and fully prepared to enter a growing, competitive workforce. UTA's BSN online program offers services to degree seekers across the entire contiguous United States (except Tennessee and Washington) at a flat tuition rate of $350 per credit. UTA and its nursing courses of study hold regional and programmatic accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and CCNE, respectively. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 3 |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
Oshkosh, WI | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 52% |
Located in Sawdust City, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is the third largest higher education institution in the Badger State, providing academic programming to more than 25,000 degree seekers each year. UW-Oshkosh offers an accelerated online bachelor's to BSN program ideal for learners residing in select states across the U.S. This 12-month, 50-credit course of study ranks highly among online accelerated BSN programs due to its rigorous academics and its success in graduate placement. With an attrition rate of less than 1% and a NCLEX first-attempt pass rate that consistently exceeds the national average, UW-Oshkosh's BSN online program places degree seekers in an excellent position to advance their careers. Eligible applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA and meet the UW-Oshkosh course prerequisites. Learners must also provide proof of residence in their home state, submit evidence of current nursing assistant certification with attendant experience, and agree to a criminal background check. Following admission, degree seekers begin an intensive and robust experience that combines online coursework with clinical rotations in learners' home communities. Students explore topics such as health assessment theory, pharmacology, and mental health theory, all of which prepare them for a variety of careers and professional placements within the industry. UW-Oshkosh and its accelerated BSN online hold full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and CCNE. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 4 |
North Dakota State University |
Fargo, ND | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 58% |
Located in Fargo, North Dakota State University is one of the state's largest universities and a major component of the Red River valley research corridor. This intellectual hub centers on science, technology, engineering, and professional disciplines in the healthcare industry. NDSU offers an appealing LPN-to-BSN online degree to interested learners and working professionals. This blended program uses synchronous instruction and caters to LPNs with an associate degree in nursing. Like other online BSN programs, this program offers students all the resources necessary to obtain RN licensure and further advance their careers in the field. This program requires learners to complete in-person validation exams and carry at least 60 hours of transferable, general education credits from an accredited institution prior to admission. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, both in credits transferred and in their work at NDSU. Most degree seekers finish their course of study in two years or less, acquiring knowledge in topics such as integrated and psychosocial nursing while completing synthetic, practical components. The standard tuition rate for NDSU's LPN-to-BSN online program is $545 per credit. Enrolled learners can expect to gain the core skills and knowledge necessary to obtain RN licensure and increase both their professional aptitudes and their overall earning potential in the field. NDSU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The school's LPN-to-BSN program possesses programmatic accreditation from CCNE. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 5 |
Concordia University - Wisconsin |
Mequon, WI | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 53% |
Founded in 1881, Concordia University-Wisconsin is one of nine regionally accredited colleges and universities comprising the Concordia University System, a higher education organization operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Located in Mequon, a municipality of the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area, CUW boasts a BSN online program specifically designed with working professionals in mind. Thanks to CUW's accelerated, online, and hybrid programming, learners can streamline their BSN experience in as few as 18 months at an affordable tuition rate of approximately $500 per credit. Degree seekers interested in CUW's program must hold a current RN license and an associate degree in nursing from an accredited school with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Enrolled learners acquire a broad knowledge base and transferable skills throughout the 63-credit course of study, with a special emphasis on population health, nursing research, and healthcare informatics. Many degree seekers tailor this curriculum to fit the needs of their social and professional lives, taking one class at a time, several at once, or blending online learning with instruction on one of CUW's 10 conveniently located learning centers in the Midwest. Learners can also opt to move through the program with a cohort of colleagues. Cohorts work together in theory courses, corresponding labs, and stimulating clinical practicum experiences, all of which contribute to an enriching overall experience centered around peer support and professional development. CUW's nursing program holds programmatic accreditation from CCNE. The BSN prepares learners for successful, fulfilling careers in the nursing industry and other related fields. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 6 |
Marian University |
Indianapolis, IN | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 52% |
Positioned in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Midwest's third largest city, Marian University is a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic-affiliated institution first founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1851. This regionally accredited university provides professional and liberal arts-oriented programming to prepare and cultivate transformative leaders. Through its online BSN program, Marian's Leighton School of Nursing offers degree seekers an attractive, expedited path to career advancement. This degree stands out among online accelerated BSN programs because of its special emphasis on hybrid learning that combines synchronous online coursework with onsite labs and in-person clinical rotations in Indianapolis or Nashville, Tennessee. Marian's BSN online program provides learners with a highly individualized, well-rounded educational experience that most can complete in less than 18 months at a tuition rate of $825 per credit. This accelerated program focuses on second-degree nursing instruction. The university's online, accelerated BSN program holds programmatic accreditation from CCNE. The school's graduates enjoy an NCLEX pass rate of more than 90%, placing them in an excellent position to obtain licensure and enter the growing workforce. Applicants must hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA. Learners must also complete a series of pre-nursing coursework prerequisites prior to admission. Once enrolled, learners begin an accommodating but intensive course of study that lays the foundation for professional development and rigorously prepares degree seekers for nursing licensure. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 7 |
St Petersburg College |
Clearwater, FL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 29% |
A public, regionally accredited state university located in Pinellas County, Florida, St. Petersburg College confers associate and bachelor's degrees in a variety of disciplines, including healthcare and nursing. St. Petersburg's BSN online program provides a convenient path to graduation for licensed RNs interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree. This 40-credit program, which most learners complete in two years or less, focuses on evidence-based practice, leadership and management, health promotion, ethical issues, and community risk reduction. The school possesses programmatic accreditation from CCNE and offers courses in discrete, eight-week modules. Upon admission, degree seekers begin a vigorous course of study oriented around practical application in clinical settings and overall professional development. Courses cover pathophysiology, health assessment, informatics and clinical reasoning, and multicultural nursing theory. A practicum component of 45 documented hours gives degree seekers the opportunity to develop their own individualized learning contract specific to their community or organization. Working professionals enrolled in St. Petersburg College's accelerated online BSN program benefit from asynchronous instruction. Students can conveniently take one course at a time or several at once depending on outside factors such as work and family. Interested applicants must hold a relevant degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA as well as an active, unrestricted RN license. Learners must maintain their active licensure throughout the program's duration. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 8 |
Utica College |
Utica, NY | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 49% |
Initially established in 1946 by Syracuse University as an extension campus, Utica College, now an independent, private four-year institution located in New York's Mohawk Valley, provides programming across a broad swath of healthcare-related disciplines. Like other online accelerated BSN programs,UC's accelerated bachelor of science in nursing benefits degree seekers interested in completing their course of study quickly and efficiently. This hybrid program combines convenient online coursework with robust nursing simulation labs and clinical rotations in local hospitals. These components provide learners with the levels of theoretical knowledge and practical application they need to pass the NCLEX exam, obtain field licensure, and further advance their careers. Graduates from UC's online nursing program benefit from an impressive 91% first-time passing rate on this exam. Learners complete this 62-credit BSN online program in as few as 16 months on average, paying a variable tuition rate of about $800 per credit. Interested applicants must hold either 65 credits that meet the stipulated general education prerequisites or a non-nursing degree (associate or bachelor's) from a regionally accredited institution that satisfies those same requirements. Following admission, degree seekers cover a variety of subjects necessary to earn licensure and acquire gainful employment in the industry. Topics include physiological integrity, safe and effective care environments, psychosocial integrity, and health maintenance. UC holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The school's online accelerated BSN program carries programmatic accreditation from CCNE. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 9 |
Indiana State University |
Terre Haute, IN | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 39% |
Founded nearly 125 years ago, Indiana State University offers more than 175 undergraduate majors and professional degrees. The school is located in Terre Haute, just along the Hoosier State's westernmost border. ISU's LPN-BSN track allows interested LPNs and LVNs to complete a BSN online degree and achieve RN licensure. This 120-credit program provides degree seekers with an enriching 2-3 year course of study at an affordable rate for Indianans and students from nearly every other state. ISU maintains full regional accreditation. The BSN online degree possesses programmatic accreditation from CCNE. Unlike most other online BSN programs, ISU's program requires applicants to already hold an active LPN/LVN license in their state of residence. Interested learners must retain a minimum 2.75 GPA throughout the program. Applicants must also complete the Kaplan Admissions Test (KAT) prior to admission. The KAT, a standardized pre-admissions assessment, costs $50 and serves as a predictor of learners' potential for success in the program. Once enrolled, full-time degree seekers and part-time learners embark on a stimulating journey that covers subjects such as pathophysiology, health biostatistics, and nursing leadership. Students must all undergo a special licensure preparation class. This course equips learners at all levels to successfully sit for the NCLEX examination and obtain full licensure in the field. Online learning modules at ISU pair with local clinical experiences based in degree seekers' home communities. This BSN online program brings theory and practice together as learners acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to advance their careers in the field. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
Online RN-to-BSN programs offer flexible, personalized pathways to fit both your schedule and academic needs. Visit the complete degree guide to learn more.
Earning a BSN allows registered nurses to pursue positions in management and other roles with enhanced responsibility and earning potential. Explore our career guide.