Best Affordable RN-to-BSN Online Programs of 2026

As a registered nurse (RN), getting your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) can unlock new career opportunities, but the college you choose matters.

An online RN-to-BSN program with a cheap sticker price might not actually be the most cost-effective option. Our list of affordable online RN-to-BSN programs looks beyond the base tuition price of a degree to factor in student outcomes like graduation rates and the percentage of student debt compared to graduates’ income.

We only rank accredited programs, meaning a third-party accrediting body has evaluated these schools based on factors like instructor qualifications and curriculum relevance to ensure students learn workforce-ready skills.

An online RN-to-BSN program’s tuition price doesn’t determine the true cost.

Our ranking looks at the net price of online programs rather than the cost of tuition alone. Financial aid through the federal government, states, and institutions themselves can significantly lower the cost of a degree from its stated tuition price.

Return on investment (ROI) is another key factor when looking at the total cost of a degree. Getting a BSN from a nonaccredited institution might mean sunk costs with minimal increased earnings. Attending a slightly more expensive institution with accreditation and industry-recognized curriculum will likely be more affordable in the long run.

An online RN-to-BSN program is typically much more affordable than a traditional in-person degree.

Online health professions degrees, in 2020, had an average tuition and fees price of $9,561 yearly, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). That’s a little over half the $16,908 average yearly price of an on-campus degree that year.

That cost is reduced significantly by financial aid: The average net price of an online degree was just $6,305 yearly, and the net price of an on-campus degree was $9,505.

Getting your BSN can pay off.

The median annual wage for all registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but earning your degree can further boost your earnings. The highest-earning 10% of registered nurses in May 2024 had an annual salary of more than $135,320.

Getting a BSN can have an immediate impact: Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree have an average starting salary of almost $69,000, as of 2023, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). They have a higher average starting salary than associate degree-holders overall, according to NACE.

That’s because an online RN-to-BSN program can help you qualify for more job opportunities.

“Many employers, especially Magnet-designated hospitals, prefer nurses with a BSN because of the curriculum emphasis on critical thinking, leadership, case management, health promotion, and evidence-based practice,” Jones said.

Tuition assistance programs are widespread in the fast-growing field of nursing. Here are some ways to help you further cut down the cost of your degree:

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to cutting down the cost of your RN-to-BSN. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for both grants, which don’t need to be paid back, and federal loans with income-based repayment options.

The FAFSA isn’t just used by the federal government. State programs and individual colleges also use it for their own aid programs.

You might not need to go to a four-year school to earn your bachelor’s. Community colleges in two dozen states allow students to earn a four-year degree.

Community colleges on the whole are much more affordable than four-year colleges, and they can serve as key higher education access points for nontraditional students.

Credit for prior learning (CPL) might be an option if you have past college experience or a lengthy resume. CPL programs apply past experience to allow students to skip core degree requirements. This can also include testing programs, like the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, which can be used to demonstrate knowledge and eligibility to skip courses.

Your employer might help you pay for an RN-to-BSN program. The staffing agency Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) pays the full cost of tuition for accelerated RN-to-BSN programs as part of its tuition reimbursement program. West Coast health system Banner Health also offers a free tuition RN-to-BSN program.

You won’t have to worry about affordability at all at some universities. Several schools across the country have free nursing programs. The University of Rochester, for instance, recently began offering a free BSN that can be finished in just 12 months.