Heidi BorstHealth Expert Writer
Heidi Borst is a freelance journalist, healthcare content writer and certified nutrition coach with a love of all things health and wellness. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, MSN, Yahoo and more. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Borst is a lifelong runner and general fitness enthusiast who is passionate about the physical and mental benefits of sleep and self-care.
Heidi Borst
Heidi BorstHealth Expert Writer
Heidi Borst is a freelance journalist, healthcare content writer and certified nutrition coach with a love of all things health and wellness. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, MSN, Yahoo and more. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Borst is a lifelong runner and general fitness enthusiast who is passionate about the physical and mental benefits of sleep and self-care.
Health Expert Writer
Brenna SwanstonDeputy Editor
Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.
Reviewed
Brenna Swanston
Brenna SwanstonDeputy Editor
Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.
Deputy Editor
Reviewed
Updated: Jan 29, 2024, 11:39am
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Nurses play an essential role in healthcare, including patient care and public health education, and the need for qualified nurses continues to rise. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for registered nurses is projected to increase by 6% from 2022 to 2032, double the average projected growth rate for all occupations nationwide.
If you’re interested in a nursing career, a Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) can lead you to an impactful and rewarding career in healthcare.
For students seeking a flexible and cost-effective pathway to becoming a registered nurse (RN), enrolling in an online program can be a strategic choice. In this guide, we explore three of the best online B.S.N. programs with tips on choosing a school that’s right for you.
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Show Summary
- Online B.S.N. Program Options
- Should You Enroll in an Online B.S.N. Program?
- Accreditation for an Online B.S.N. Program
- How To Find the Right Online B.S.N. Program for You
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online B.S.N. Programs
Online B.S.N. Program Options
- National University
- Western Governors University
- University of Central Oklahoma
National University
Undergraduate Tuition
$370/credit
Overall Student Retention Rate
53%
Overall Graduation Rate
34%
$370/credit
53%
34%
Editor's Take
Headquartered in San Diego, California, National University is a veteran-founded nonprofit. The school offers a 120-credit online bachelor’s degree in nursing that combines human care with science to help students develop therapeutic nursing, communication and critical thinking skills.
Applications are accepted year-round. Once approved for admission, students can complete the B.S.N. program in two years, as courses follow a four-week format. Graduates can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn RN licensure.
What To Know
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Private
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
- Notable Major-Specific Courses: Medical-surgical nursing, nursing leadership/management
- Concentrations Available: No
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical hours
Western Governors University
Undergraduate Tuition
$429 to $584/credit
Overall Student Retention Rate
73%
Overall Graduation Rate
54%
$429 to $584/credit
73%
54%
Editor's Take
Western Governors University was founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors. The college operates almost exclusively online. To be eligible for the B.S.N. program, you must be living in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas or Utah.
Around 60% of the curriculum is online, with 40% consisting of hands-on clinical and lab time. Students who earn their B.S.N. and obtain the necessary clinical experience are eligible to take the NCLEX and apply for state licensure to become an RN.
What To Know
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
- School Type: Private
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time
- Notable Major-Specific Courses: Women’s and children’s nursing, psychiatric and mental health nursing
- Concentrations Available: No
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical hours and labs
University of Central Oklahoma
Undergraduate Tuition
$257/credit (in-state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
68%
Overall Graduation Rate
43%
$257/credit (in-state)
68%
43%
Editor's Take
Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, the University of Central Oklahoma was founded in 1890 and now features both on-campus and online classes. The university’s fast-track B.S.N. program serves students who hold bachelor’s degrees in other subjects and are seeking nursing careers.
The hybrid program is approximately 51% online, with the remainder consisting of lab days and classes held on campus. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the program, which students can complete in 16 months.
What To Know
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
- School Type: Public
- Application Fee: $40
- Degree Credit Requirements:
- Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
- Notable Major-Specific Courses: Pharmacology, community health nursing
- Concentrations Available: No
- In-Person Requirements: Yes
Should You Enroll in an Online B.S.N. Program?
When deciding whether to enroll in an online B.S.N. program, remember that this degree generally requires in-person clinical hours. While an online B.S.N. may allow you to take a large portion of your classes online, you’ll also need to complete in-person requirements on campus or locally.
Also, consider the following factors when deciding whether an online B.S.N. program is for you:
Budget
If you want to save on education expenses, an online program might offer some cost savings over a fully on-campus program. You’ll have fewer transportation-related expenses, for example, and you may not have to pay certain campus fees.
Schedule
If you have to divide your time between work and family commitments, the flexibility of an online B.S.N. program may help you juggle these obligations with your education. On the other hand, if education is your only time commitment, you may prefer a more immersive on-campus program.
Learning Style
An online program may be a good fit if you are disciplined and prefer learning on your own time. However, you may choose an on-campus program if you prefer more in-person interaction and guidance.
Accreditation for an Online B.S.N. Program
Whether you pursue your B.S.N. online or on campus, you should choose an institutionally accredited school. Accreditation indicates that an institution of higher learning has undergone a rigorous peer-review process to ensure it provides a quality education to its students.
Institutional accreditation, which applies to an entire school, is necessary for a student to qualify for federal student aid and transfer credits between schools. Employers and professional credentialing bodies may not recognize degrees from unaccredited schools, too.
Accreditation assessments are conducted by independent agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. To determine if your school is accredited, visit CHEA’s directory.
Specific programs in certain fields, including nursing, may also hold programmatic accreditation. In the nursing field, you can seek programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Some states have their own accreditors for nursing programs as well. Attending an accredited nursing program ensures it meets industry and RN licensing standards.
How To Find the Right Online B.S.N. Program for You
Once you’ve decided to pursue an online B.S.N., what’s next? Follow these steps.
Consider Your Future Goals
Ask yourself the following questions to determine which B.S.N. degree program is right for you.
Once you’ve decided to pursue an online B.S.N., what’s next? Follow these steps.
- What are your career goals? Are you interested in a specific area of nursing, such as pediatrics, critical care or public health? An accredited institution with a strong B.S.N. program should prepare you to practice in all healthcare settings.
- Is licensure or certification required to work in your desired profession? To become an RN, students must pass the NCLEX. Choose an accredited program, and consider researching its NCLEX pass rates before committing. You should also ensure the program prepares you for state licensure requirements or entry to a master’s program, depending on your goals.
- Do you want to attend graduate school? If you’re planning to pursue further education in nursing, such as a master’s in nursing or a doctoral degree, choose a B.S.N. program that provides a solid foundation for advanced studies. Consider programs offering research opportunities, clinical experience and leadership training.
- Do you want to enter the workforce directly after completing your undergraduate degree? If you plan to work after completing the NCLEX, look for an online B.S.N. program that offers clinical rotations, internships or job placement assistance to help get your foot in the door.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The online B.S.N. programs ranked in this guide charge an average of $378 per credit, which translates to $45,360 for a 120-credit degree. In comparison, tuition and fees for a four-year undergraduate program average $38,384 at public universities and $136,164 at private universities, according to 2021–22 data reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.
Online students enrolled in accredited institutions have many of the same financial aid options as their on-campus counterparts. Eligibility for federal financing options, such as federal grants, loans and work-study programs, depends on the results of your FAFSA®. School-specific and private loans and scholarships may also be available to nursing students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online B.S.N. Programs
Programs What is the fastest I can get my B.S.N.?
Entry-level B.S.N. programs take four years to complete. Students with bachelor’s degrees in unrelated fields can complete accelerated nursing programs in as little as 12 months.
Why should I get my B.S.N.?
A B.S.N. isn’t required to become an RN, but it is preferred by most hiring healthcare providers. Earning a B.S.N. translates to higher earning potential and better employment opportunities.
Is it better to do RN or B.S.N.?
RNs with bachelor’s degrees in nursing earn more than those who have only associate degrees in nursing. A B.S.N. can also provide more opportunities for career advancement.
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