Best Affordable RN-to-BSN Online Programs of 2025

We ranked RN-to-BSN programs based on both affordability and graduate outcomes.
Bennett Leckrone
By
Edited by
Updated September 29, 2025
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At a Glance: Top Affordable Online RN-BSN Programs

  • #1: Ramapo College of New Jersey — The college lets you work at your own pace or follow an 18-month completion plan.
  • #2: Virginia Commonwealth University — The university guarantees students admission from Virginia community college graduates.
  • #3: Ball State University — The university allows students to work clinical hours in their local community instead of at the university.

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.

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Best Affordable Online RN-to-BSN Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

Ramapo College of New Jersey

  • Mahwah, NJ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Ramapo College of New Jersey offers an online RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses who already have an associate degree or diploma in nursing. You can work the program according to your own pace or follow an 18-month completion plan. Transferring credits is seamless, and you will have a personalized advisor for degree support.

Nearly all of the program is online, but some on-site experience is required. There are also some elective courses that you can only take on campus.

Highlights

  • ACEN-accredited
  • Multiple start dates each year
  • Personal advisor to help you complete your degree

Know Before You Apply

  • Some in-person requirements
  • Limited interactions with professors

20%

Online Enrollment

$15,978

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

87%

Retention Rate

$26,388

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
5,521
Institution Type
Public
#2

Virginia Commonwealth University

  • Richmond, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Virginia Commonwealth University's RN-to-BSN program is offered online and part-time over six semesters. It's for licensed registered nurses who already hold a diploma or associate degree. Once you complete the program, you will be prepared to practice nursing in acute care or community-based settings.

You can choose from three annual start dates and can have a flexible study plan to support your goals. VCU offers guaranteed admission to graduates of Virginia community colleges (limited by the total number of positions available).

Highlights

  • CCNE-accredited
  • Highly ranked among undergraduate nursing programs

Know Before You Apply

  • Part-time only, meaning it takes longer to graduate
  • Technology dependence

67%

Online Enrollment

$12,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

86%

Retention Rate

$34,744

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
93%
Students Enrolled
28,238
Institution Type
Public
#3

Ball State University

  • Muncie, IN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Ball State University's online RN-to-BSN degree program offers registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers with flexibility. Advisers will help you set up a course plan to guide your learning. The program is asynchronous, so you can complete your work on your own schedule.

This program emphasizes care for women and children in need, along with other vulnerable populations.

Students can set up clinical hours locally, which eliminates the need for in-person campus visits.

Highlights

  • CCNE-accredited
  • Affordable tuition

Know Before You Apply

  • Clinical placement is your responsibility
  • Limited interaction with peers

59%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,688

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

77%

Retention Rate

$26,696

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
72%
Students Enrolled
20,440
Institution Type
Public

Why the Cheapest Online RN-to-BSN Program Isn’t Always the Most Affordable

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.

Image of Melissa Bronstein

Ask an Expert: How Important Is Nursing Accreditation?

“Accreditation benefits the community by guaranteeing nursing programs produce competent graduates who contribute to positive public health outcomes. Employers value it as evidence that graduates meet industry standards for delivering high-quality care.”

Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC

Benefits of Getting an Affordable RN-to-BSN Online

  • 98% of online nursing and healthcare students and graduates we surveyed for our 2025 Online Education Trends Report said they would recommend online education to others.
  • 94% said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
  • Three-quarters said an online learning environment is better than or equal to learning on campus.

How Much Does an Online RN-to-BSN Cost?

Health Professions and Related Programs, 2020

Online

Avg. Tuition & Fees: $9,561

Avg. Net Price: $6,305

On-Campus

Avg. Tuition & Fees: $16,908

Avg. Net Price: $9,505

Source: NCES PowerStats

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.

What Is an Online RN-to-BSN’s ROI?

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.

How to Save Money on Your Online RN-to-BSN

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:

1. Apply for Financial Aid

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.

2. Complete a Community College RN-to-BSN

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.

3. Get Exempt from Credits

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.

4. Explore Employer Tuition Reimbursement

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.

5. Attend a Tuition-Free School

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online RN-to-BSN Programs

The cheapest RN-to-BSN programs charge no tuition at all. A number of schools, like the University of Rochester, offer completely free RN-to-BSN tuition.

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