Best Online RN to BSN Programs

1. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX

This 100% Online RN to BSN tops our Best rankings for a bevy of reasons! It’s available in a full-time or part-time format for Texas residents (most students choose the 3-semester plan). It comes from the highly ranked and well-reviewed Cizik School of Nursing, which has ties to Houston area healthcare institutions. It has a practical curriculum with a focus on community health. It can connect you to UTHealth’s BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia and BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner pathways. And it gets results—UTHealth graduates tend to achieve respectable earnings.

Online RN to BSN Format

The entire RN-BSN program is 31 credits. If you choose the full-time, 2-semester plan, you’ll be expected to take 5 courses per semester. The 3-semester plan consists of 3-4 courses per semester. You can extend your part-time plan even further to 4 or 5 semesters.

As we mentioned, all of the RN to BSN coursework at UTHealth is 100% online—students do not have to attend campus for classes. In your final semester, you will be required to complete a Community Health Project for RNs: Clinical. However, this project can be tackled in your home area. During the practicum, students work together to assess populations at risk, analyze issues, plan interventions, and develop an evaluation plan.

2. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD

UMB’s customizable Online RN to BSN is a great deal for Maryland RNs (out-of-state tuition rates can be pricey). The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) achieves excellent U.S. News & World Report rankings in leadership and NP disciplines. Employees of partnership hospitals receive on-site benefits, mentoring, and help with practicum placement during the RN to BSN program. And there are plenty of opportunities to take your career further at UMSON through MSN and DNP programs.

Online RN to BSN Format

This 31-credit RN to BSN is relatively quick once you’ve fulfilled your prerequisite hours (e.g. 2 semesters). Beginning in the fall or spring, you can take full-time or part-time courses in a 100% online format. The final semester includes a public health practicum, which you can complete in a convenient site.

The best thing about UMB’s program? It’s made-to-order. In addition to traditional RN to BSN coursework, it allows students to choose 3 electives. Through these electives, you even have the option to select a BSN focus area in Care Coordination with Health IT or Substance Use and Addictions. Focus areas are rare in online bridge programs, so this RN to BSN is well-worth a look.

3. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL

UIC’s College of Nursing has developed a cohort-based Online RN to BSN that’s affordable for everyone—all RNs pay the same per credit rate, regardless of their state! Continuously enrolled students receive a tuition promise (rates will not go up each year). And RN to BSN graduates are guaranteed admission to UIC’s Advanced Generalist MSN program. With a 94% RN to BSN completion rate, a solid reputation in AGNP graduate programs, and a top 5 ranking for Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees, UIC should be on your shortlist.

Online RN to BSN Format

UIC’s 30-credit, 100% online program is designed to guide you through the degree with a group of fellow students. You can start in any season (January, March, June, August, or October), but you’ll only study for 1 course at a time. Fortunately, all 8 courses are 8-weeks long—that means it only takes 16 months to finish.

UIC is a good choice if you’re interested in a personalized feel to your RN to BSN. Because it’s cohort-based, you’ll have the chance to get to know faculty and peers. The curriculum leans toward leadership, skills, and informatics, but there are also nursing courses that deal with the 10,000-foot-view (e.g. Issues in Nursing Practice). Sign up for an informational webinar and/or speak with an RN to BSN Advisor for more info!

4. OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY | PORTLAND, OR

If you’re craving an RN to BSN with a hands-on feel, OHSU might be right up your alley. The highly regarded—and highly ranked—School of Nursing has come up with a clinically-focused Online RNBS Completion program that puts an emphasis on fieldwork.

• Graduates of OCNE Partner Schools can apply for the streamlined 33-credit pathway.
• Non-OCNE students can take part in the traditional 39-credit program.

Everyone pays the same per credit tuition rate. Both pathways offer BSN graduates a guaranteed transition into OHSU’s online master’s programs in Nursing Education and Health Systems & Organizational Leadership Program (HSOL) through dual enrollment.

Online RN to BSN Format

• For the 33-credit RNBS pathway, OCNE students can choose a full-time, 3-term schedule or a part-time, 6-term schedule.
• For the 39-credit RNBS pathway (winter start), traditional students can opt for a full-time, 4-term schedule or a part-time, 7-term schedule. This program includes 6 credits of 300-level coursework in Health Promotion and Chronic Illness/End-of-Life.

Theory courses are 100% online; clinical courses are a mix of online assignments & mentored, face-to-face fieldwork at a site within your community (Oregon and Washington border counties). The RNBS curriculum includes work in a virtual hospital, global opportunities in Thailand, and an independent & integrative practicum that focuses on systems and health issues for local communities.

5. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER | LUBBOCK, TX

TTUHSC’s Online RN to BSN is a great choice for first generation university students, veterans, and Texas residents—in-state tuition rates are particularly low. Out-of-state prices are much higher, especially when you factor in the extra Distance Learning fees. The School of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence with respectable national rankings and a lot of RN to BSN graduates. We also like the fact that the School has an MSN Expressway, which provides a streamlined path into an MSN in Education or Administration.

Online RN to BSN Format

TTUHSC’s RN to BSN is 100% online, with no mandatory log-in times. Courses are 5 weeks long and the degree can take as little as 2 semesters/8 months to finish on a full-time basis. Part-time enrollment options are also available, but the program must be finished within 2 years. TTUHSC also promises to provide 24-hour IT support and a low student-to-faculty ratio.

The RN to BSN curriculum is intriguing. Along with standard subjects (e.g. leadership, healthcare IT, etc.), you’ll take classes in Health Intervention Design and Nursing Jurisprudence. Plus you can choose an elective from a wide range of subjects (e.g. Genetics, Global Health, Infection Prevention & Control, etc.). During fieldwork, you’ll collaborate with mentors on certain projects and visit sites to interview healthcare professionals and observe operations.

Note: TTUHSC has a number of Articulation & Early Decision Agreements with partner schools & Community Colleges in Texas.

6. GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC

This Online RN to BSN is backed by a private university with a great track record. GW Nursing has achieved superb rankings for its online programs (e.g. top 10 in MSN specialties). It’s known as being veteran-friendly. And it has tight relationships with local institutions & community colleges (e.g. Guaranteed Admission). The best deal is the GW Hospital partnership—hospital employees are guaranteed residency, full tuition coverage and job placement upon graduation from the RN to BSN program. Because it’s private, tuition at GW is pricier than some state alternatives.

Online RN to BSN Format

GW’s part-time RN to BSN has a fixed schedule—4 semesters/15 months of online coursework. You can choose from two start dates (fall or spring). The entire program is 36 credits: 21 credits are devoted to courses and fieldwork; 15 credits are reserved for the Nursing Advancement Professional Portfolio. The Portfolio course is designed to help you assess your competencies, skills, and academic achievements. That means it takes place in the last semester.

The online curriculum is short & sweet, with the typical array of leadership and 400-level nursing subjects (Community and Public Health may include practicums). But GW’s RN to BSN also includes 6 credits of 600-level electives. This is unusual for an undergraduate program, and it puts you in an ideal place for GW Nursing graduate programs; elective credits can be transferred to the MSN.

7. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY | PULLMAN, WA

Pacific Northwest residents take note—WSU’s flexible Online RN-BSN is designed to train savvy RN clinicians. It’s offered by the College of Nursing, which is an NLN Center of Excellence and a hub for research. It’s stacked with opportunities to network with peers and future employers in face-to-face settings. And it can serve as the entry point to a number of MSN, DNP & PhD programs, including PMHNP and FNP tracks.

Online RN to BSN Format

WSU’s 30-credit RN-BSN is primarily online—you’ll be expected to attend 1 on-campus meeting per semester. However, you can choose from five College of Nursing sites for this meeting (Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Vancouver, and Walla Walla). Full-time and part-time study plans are available; students arrange their individual schedules with an RN-BSN advisor. Online coursework is managed through the Blackboard system.

If you like convenience, WSU is the place to be. The updated RN-BSN curriculum replaces on-site, precepted clinical hours with practice experience hours gained by completing a community/population health project and an independent capstone project. Feel free to contact an RN-BSN advisor with questions.

8. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH

Affordable tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. A fluff-free curriculum with a streamlined schedule. A public university with superb national rankings in online degrees. These are just 3 reasons why OSU’s Online RN to BSN appears in our rankings. The College of Nursing has come up with a bridge program that’s backed by low student-to-instructor ratios and evidence-based practice.

Online RN to BSN Format

OSU’s 30-credit RN to BSN is 100% online—clinical work can be done in your home location. It’s available in a full-time format (12 months/3 semesters) or a part-time format (15 months/4 semesters). We especially like the fact that OSU uses open sources & university-provided resources throughout the program. That means you don’t have any textbook costs.

The curriculum is pretty boilerplate for an RN to BSN program: 21 credits are devoted to high-level nursing courses (e.g. leadership, informatics, evidence-based practice, etc.) and 3 credits are reserved for an elective. The remaining 6 credits are prerequisites or General Education credits, which you must complete at OSU. Some courses contain projects with clinical aspects; these will be tailored to your previous RN experience.

Note: Do you have an RN license and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree? You may wish to apply to OSU’s Traditional MSN Program instead.

9. UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY

UR’s Online RN to BS is best-suited to New York residents. The School of Nursing has excellent connections to the University of Rochester Medical Center. It achieves superb NCLEX pass rates. And it offers all kinds of juicy discounts to UR employees, RNs at URMC affiliate organizations, and RNs who live or work in the 18-county Finger Lakes region. If you need to earn a BSN to meet the New York State law requirement, give it a chance. Out-of-state residents are welcome to apply, but the per credit tuition costs will be high.

Online RN to BSN Format

Once you meet all the transfer requirements, UR’s Online RN to BS is a 32-credit program that takes 16 months/4 semesters to complete. It’s run on a fixed “modular” schedule—you’ll be expected to take one course at a time. There are supposed to be 8 courses in total, but we noticed that the curriculum section lists a few extra classes. Ask the program coordinator if any of them are covered by transfers (e.g. prior experiential learning). All Online RN to BS students receive an iPad at the start of the program and complete online coursework through Blackboard.

Compared to some other distance learning options, UR’s RN to BS goes fairly deep. In addition to courses in areas like Genetics and Healthcare Policy, the program includes 140 field hours: 56 of these hours are included in the Nursing Leadership & Management of Care course; 84 field hours are devoted to Population Health. You’ll also be able to tackle a capstone project.

Note: The School of Nursing also offers an RN to BS to MS Program pathway.

10. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

UVA’s Hybrid RN to BSN is a good fit for Virginians—tuition at the School of Nursing is reasonable for in-state students. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Commonwealth, the benefits are pretty sweet. Qualified Virginia Community College System (VCCS) students are automatically admitted into the program. UVA Health System employees may be eligible for an RN to BSN tuition advance. And RN to BSN graduates are guaranteed a job interview with the UVA Medical Center. We might also point out that the School has top 20 rankings for its nursing graduate programs and a number of alumni scholarships.

Online RN to BSN Format

UVA’s RN to BSN is a part-time, 2-year program with a fixed schedule. It’s also hybrid—students attend classes in Charlottesville, Fairfax, or Richmond once a month (all other coursework is online).

The curriculum is a mix of standard RN to BSN coursework (e.g. leadership, healthcare policy, etc.) and clinically-minded classes (e.g. Pathophysiology, Trends and Issues in Clinical Nursing Practice, etc.). Statistics is included in the program and students are expected to participate in direct & indirect care experiences. To speed completion, you’re allowed to take up to 3 RN to BSN courses at Charlottesville before you’re admitted into the program.

11. CUNY HUNTER COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY

For New Yorkers, CUNY Hunter’s Online RN-to-BS has a major career draw—the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing is adjacent to the VA Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital, and NYU Langone Medical Center. That means CUNY Hunter is known for training nurses who are skilled in treating diverse populations in urban environments. If you need a BSN to fulfill New York law requirements, stick CUNY Hunter on the shortlist with UR, UB, and SUNY Downstate. Per credit tuition rates are very reasonable for in-state residents, even when you include all the mandatory fees.

Online RN to BSN Format

CUNY Hunter’s 30-credit RN-to-BS begins in the fall semester. You can choose a full-time schedule (3 semesters) or part-time schedule (7 semesters), but you must attend 2 mandatory RN-to-BS orientations at the start of the program. Coursework is 100% online with a practicum in NURS 480: Promotion of Wellness in the Community. This requires 45 hours of clinical work during weekdays.

The curriculum is an intriguing blend of research, theory, and practical considerations—you won’t see a lot of coursework on leadership and management. Instead, CUNY Hunter has chosen to focus on areas such as societal forces, ethics & palliative care, and professional nursing roles. There are also credits in genetics, pathopharmacology, gerontology, and health assessment.

12. UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA – LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS, NV

Here’s why UNLV’s Online RN-BSN makes the grade. The School of Nursing has a reputation as the best school in Nevada. It has an excellent U.S. News & World Report ranking for the Online MSN and superb first-time NCLEX pass rates. It’s the only school in the state to offer a PhD program. It’s part of the UNLV Academic Health Center in the Las Vegas Medical District. And it allows RN to BSN students to complete 9 credits at the 700-level, accelerating their path to graduate studies. Competition for spots is often fierce, so get your ducks in a row.

Online RN to BSN Format

After you’ve completed all your transfers, you can tackle the 30-credit Online RN-BSN. On a full-time schedule, this can be completed in as little as 2 semesters; students are admitted in the summer or fall. There are 3 mandatory trips to campus. If you opt to take NURS 307, you’ll also be required to complete in-person coursework and clinical training.

UNLV’s curriculum puts a strong emphasis on the “Three Ps”: Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and (Physical) Health Assessment. Every student is expect to take these credits at either the 300-level or the 700-level. If you choose to take them at the 700-level, you’ll get a real jump-start on a MSN. The three Ps are usually mandatory for APRN certification.

13. FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY | BOCA RATON, FL

Interested in holistic nursing & whole patient care? Put FAU’s Online RN to BSN on your shortlist. The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has developed an ethos of caring science, and all of its programs are endorsed by the AHNCC. The College also has a reputation for diversity—at least 1/2 of its students are from underrepresented minority groups. Plus rankings for Online MSN specialties are often high. Tuition prices are affordable for in-state applicants, but pricey for out-of-state students. Thinking about graduate work? Take a look at the BSN to DNP pathway.

Online RN to BSN Format

FAU’s flexible RN-BSN is 100% online—the only clinical course is a Nursing Practice Immersion in your choice of community setting. You can choose a start date (spring, summer, or a fall) and a plan of study that suits you best. FAU offers the RN-BSN in a 3-semester, 4-semester, 5-semester, or 6-semester schedule.

Like UNLV, FAU’s curriculum favors the three Ps: Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapeutics, and Health Assessment. But the RN-BSN also includes coursework in whole-patient care, including credits in Creating Healing Environments. In your final semester, you’ll tackle an Immersion. Clinical hours for this course can be completed through:

• The Oklahoma Native American Practicum—a unique transcultural experience that focuses on disease prevention and health promotion activities within tribal settings.
• Semester-long work at a community site in your local area (e.g. home healthcare agency, community outreach program, public health setting, etc.)

14. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON | GALVESTON, TX

UTMB’s Online RN-BSN hits all the right notes. The School of Nursing has a stunning NCLEX pass rate, a strong employment rate for nursing graduates, solid rankings for its Online MSN programs (especially for veterans), nursing scholarships, and a diverse student population. When you enroll in UTMB, you’ll be part of a public academic health science center with a large endowment and close connections to 4 on-site hospitals. Resident tuition rates are eminently reasonable for Texans and local students can take advantage of all of UTMB’s resources (e.g. free seminars, workshops, and brown bag lunches).

Online RN to BSN Format

UTMB’s 30-credit RN-BSN runs on a fixed calendar: 2 semesters (fall & spring), 10 courses, and one admission date per year. You’ll be expected to take 6 courses in the first semester and 4 courses in the second. 24-hour technical support is available. All students begin with a 2-day, on-campus Orientation and Virtual Live Q&A sessions.

The curriculum focuses on research, career-building, and practical leadership concerns (e.g. Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare). But it also includes Health Assessment and Community & Population Based Care. If you can keep up with the pace, you’ll be done in no time.

15. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA

Interested in an Online RN-BSN with unique practicums? Looking for a school with connections to a Magnet-designated tertiary hospital? Want your summers off? Consider UI. The College of Nursing has come up with an intriguing program that’s the same tuition price for in-state and out-of-state students. At UI, you’ll find a College with a big nursing research arm, a reputation for outreach, and great rankings for its graduate nursing programs. The doctoral degree is particularly strong and available in a number of BSN to DNP specialty tracks.

Online RN to BSN Format

UI’s RN-BSN is offered in 2 formats. The full-time schedule is 3 semesters (fall/spring/fall); the part-time plan is 5 semesters. UI students get summers off. Coursework is online, with credits in subjects such as Pathology, Genetics, Healthcare Finance, and Improving Health Systems. During the Leadership course, most students complete a quality improvement project at their place of employment (e.g. healthcare agency in Iowa) or an out-of-state equivalent.

Plus there’s the practicum. As part of the NURS 3655 course, you’ll be expected to complete a Community & Public Health clinical. If you live in Iowa, UI will place you with a preceptor & site close to your address. If you live outside of the state, you can choose to visit Iowa over a 16-week semester or complete an “emersion” practicum in Swaziland (2 weeks on-the-ground).

16. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON | ARLINGTON, TX

UTA is big in nursing circles—very big! It’s the #1 producer of BSN graduates in Texas and it has the largest non-profit College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) in the country. CONHI also happens to be an NLN Center of Excellence with a good track record in online programs, especially nursing administration. If you want a short and inexpensive Online RN to BSN, with the same per credit tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, you’re in the right place.

Online RN to BSN Format

Coursework for UTA’s 35-credit RN to BSN is 100% online—any clinical assignments will be completed in the workplace. You can take as many or as few classes as you wish at a time, but you can’t exceed the maximum credit hour limit (19 hours in fall/spring and 14 hours in summer). On a turbo-charged pace, with all your prerequisites in hand, you’ll be able to finish the program in 9-10 months. Have a look at the sample schedules & start dates to plan your calendar.

The RN to BSN kicks off with a 5-week intro course and finishes with a 7-week capstone. In-between, you’ll take standard subjects such as research, healthcare policy, leadership, and electives. Like many schools, UTA incorporates clinical work into Population & Community Health Nursing. But here’s the intriguing part—it also includes application-based practicums in its courses on Holistic Health Assessment and Holistic Care of Older Adults.

17. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA | TAMPA, FL

Florida residents will find a great deal to love about USF’s Online RN to BSN. It’s customizable, convenient, and affordable—in-state tuition rates are pretty darn reasonable. We especially like the fact that you can cluster your electives to focus on your career goals. The College of Nursing is a big school with solid NCLEX pass rates and a large number of clinical partners (e.g. USF Health). Plus it offers a ton of well-reviewed graduate programs, including BSN to DNP and BSN to PhD pathways.

Online RN to BSN Format

Coursework for this 30-credit RN to BSN is 100% online—clinical practicums can be tackled in your place of employment. (If you’re not currently working as an RN, USF will assign you a clinical site in Tampa or approve one.) At USF, you can choose from a full-time schedule of 3 semesters or a part-time schedule of 5 semesters. However, for the full-time option, you’ll need to receive the program director’s approval.

The curriculum is evenly split between 15 credits of core nursing courses (e.g. Population Health, Leadership & Management, etc.) and a whopping 15 credits of electives. The electives are grouped into 4 clusters: Leadership/Management, Patient/Staff Education, Clinical Excellence, or Ambulatory Care. That means you’ll be able to decide which cluster you want to focus on!

18. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – FULLERTON | FULLERTON, CA

California RNs should stick CSUF’s Online RN to BSN on their shortlist. Thanks to its size and scope, the School of Nursing is well-known and well-connected—check out the list of clinical facility partners. Graduate nursing programs earn a lot of positive student reviews. And tuition rates are reasonable for CA residents (just be aware that extra distance learning fees will apply). If you’re currently enrolled in a California ADN, be sure to consider the Jump Start program.

Online RN to BSN Format

CSUF students have a choice for the RN to BSN: campus-based or online. You’ll be allowed to create a full-time or part-time schedule. Full-time students may be able to finish in as little as 2 semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall). Keep in mind that students without a previously earned bachelor’s degree must complete at least 9 units of upper-division General Education at CSUF. In other words, 24 RN to BSN credits + 9 GE credits = 33 credits.

The distance learning version is primarily online. However, there are in-person clinical labs for Health Assessment and Population Health Nursing. These labs are offered in California partner facilities in a number of counties (e.g. Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino). The remainder of the curriculum is relatively straightforward—online coursework includes credits in leadership, research, pathophysiology, and professional nursing concerns.

19. GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY | FAIRFAX, VA

GMU’s Online RN to BSN is a poster child for Virginia. The School of Nursing has the largest BSN program in the state (with great NCLEX pass rates). It’s known for being diverse and military-friendly. It has tight connections to local hospitals & community clinics, including Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics. And it benefits from being attached to a public research university with a national reputation. In-state tuition rates are manageable; out-of-state rates are comparable to expensive private universities. Check out the BSN to DNP pathway if you’re thinking of graduate work in the future.

Online RN to BSN Format

GMU’s RN to BSN is a 30-credit, 10-course program that’s billed as online. It can be completed on a full-time basis (1 year) or a part-time basis, with a fall or spring semester start. Most classes are delivered in a 7-week format.

The curriculum consists of 300-level and 400-level nursing courses, as well as a Mason Core course in Advanced Composition (ENGH 302). Only students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can avoid taking ENGH 302. Nursing courses are typical for an RN to BSN program, although GMU does include 3 credits in Vulnerable Populations. We noticed that the Comprehensive Health Assessment course includes labs—you should ask GMU how these are handled for distance students. You can also attend an RN to BSN Information Session for more info.

20. PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA

Penn State’s College of Nursing and World Campus have teamed up to offer nurses a customizable Online RN to BSN with an open admissions policy. If you have a piecemeal educational background, with undergraduate credits from a number of institutions, it may be just the ticket. The World Campus is a) huge and b) long-standing. It’s been in business since 1998 and often achieves a top 10 national ranking for its Online Bachelor Degrees. Tuition isn’t super cheap, either for in-state or out-of-state students, but RN to BSN faculty are experienced. And you can burnish your degree even further with a career-focused certificate.

Online RN to BSN Format

At Penn State, you can “build your own” RN to BSN program. You’re welcome to choose the online format (World Campus), a hybrid format, or a campus-based degree at one of six campus locations. Coursework in the World Campus degree is online; the final capstone has a 45-hour clinical practicum that can be completed near your home. You can start in any semester (fall, spring, or summer) and decide how fast you want to go. Some 15-week courses are also offered in an accelerated 7.5 week format. The total time will depend on how many credits you need to earn.

Speaking of which… Penn State requires that all RN to BSN students earn 36 credits of their last 60 credits from Penn State. This number will include 22 credits of upper-level courses in nursing (e.g. Informatics, Health Assessment, Family & Community Health, and Health Concepts for Adults with Complex Health Care Needs) and 6 credits of supporting & related nursing courses (i.e. electives). You’ll need to make up the rest with General Education credits or other nursing coursework.

21. DREXEL UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA

Drexel has got Online RN to BSN learning down! The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) earns superb national rankings for its online nursing programs, including top 10 spots for APRN specialties, administration, and education. It receive excellent reviews on independent websites—students praise the caring professors, interactive online elements, and relevant coursework (no “fluff” here!). And it offers major discounts to alumni, military members, and members of its Partner Organizations. If you’re not eligible for any tuition breaks, the per credit rate is similar to Penn State.

Online RN to BSN Format

Drexel’s RN to BSN is 45 quarter credits, which is the equivalent of 30 semester credits. It contains 9 courses, all of which are online—there are no on-campus requirements. On an accelerated, full-time schedule, you can complete the program in 12 months. But Drexel also allows you to go at your own pace with a 3-year tuition lock. Students have access to 24-7 tech support, interactive learning software (e.g. Shadow Health), simulation labs, video case studies, and more.

The curriculum is a mix of standard 300- and 400-level nursing subjects (e.g. Nursing Research, Transformational Leadership, Health Assessment, etc.) and specialist subjects (e.g. Genetics and Genomics, Issues in Aging and Longevity, etc.). There’s a final capstone project and a course that addresses technology, patient safety & quality. It’s not clear if Population Health includes practicums—it has applications on a local or global level. Ask the program coordinator for full details.

Note: RNs with a non-nursing bachelor degree should check out the streamlined RN-BSN-MSN route.

22. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY | RICHMOND, VA

VCU’s Online RN to BS is a sturdy pick for Virginians. In-state tuition rates are reasonable for a public research university and the School of Nursing is well-connected. It has a longstanding partnership with the VCU Medical Center—a Level I Trauma Center & Magnet facility—and ties to many community clinics. Better yet, VCU nursing professors get great reviews from students on independent websites. The School receives solid national rankings for MSN programs, so you may even want to consider graduate studies. Out-of-state students are accepted—just be aware that non-resident tuition rates are expensive.

Online RN to BSN Format

VCU’s 32-credit RN to BS is run on a 6-semester, part-time schedule; the program starts in the fall. All coursework is online, with virtual clinical experiences and online team activities. Details are a little slim on the RN to BS program website—ask the program coordinator for details on digital support & typical semester schedules.

The curriculum consists of 11 courses, with the usual blend of leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. To give its program a unique flair, VCU has also made a point of including a Clinical and Management Decision-Making capstone. This final project and a course on Population Health contain labs—you may wish to ask if those labs encompass on-the-ground practicums in your home area. Attend a virtual information session to learn more.

23. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT

An Online RN to BS from U of U is nothing to sneeze at! The College of Nursing is part of the only academic health sciences center in the Intermountain West. It offers undergraduate scholarships. It’s affiliated with University of Utah Health. It maintains strong national rankings for its MSN and DNP programs. And it has a Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence that supports the RN to BS Geriatric Nursing Leadership track. Traditionally, the UOnline One Rate has been very low for in-state and out-of-state students, but COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the works. Check the tuition page for the latest prices.

Online RN to BSN Format

This 30-credit RN to BS is available in a 2-semester, 3-semester, or 4-semester format and a special 4-semester, Geriatric Nursing Leadership (GNL) track. View sample schedules. You can start the general RN to BS in any semester, but the GNL track has a fall start. If you are thinking of full-time study, U of U recommends that you only work up to 20 hours per week.

The curriculum will depend on your choice of program:

• General Program: Along with traditional coursework (e.g. Evidence-Based Practice), the curriculum includes course in Global Health and Public Health, 1 elective, and a capstone called Nursing Initiatives.
• GNL Track: This track contains all kinds of relevant subjects in gerontology, including Applications of Research in Aging, Best Practices in Geriatric Nursing, and Nursing Across Systems and Populations.

The RN to BS isn’t 100% online—you’ll be expected to attend a 1-day on-campus orientation and a poster presentation during your final semester (consideration is given to those at a great distance). The program also contains 45 clinical hours partnered with a nurse leader and a 68-hour clinical practicum leading to a durable quality improvement project, but these can be completed at your place of employment.

24. TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY | DENTON, TX

TWU’s Online RN to BSN joins the other Texas contenders in our rankings. The College of Nursing is well-known in the state—TWU’s Houston campus is in the middle of the Texas Medical Center—and it often earns great national rankings for its online graduate programs in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration. The RN to BSN is built to appeal to Texans: per credit tuition rates for in-state residents are fairly low; out-of-state rates are quite pricey. When calculating the bill, be sure to consider the additional Tuition Surcharges for nursing courses and the mandatory fees.

Online RN to BSN Format

TWU states that the 32-credit RN to BSN is 100% online—courses that require clinical components are completed through classwork and a capstone project with a preceptor in your home community. TWU doesn’t provide a sample schedule, but you’ll be able to get through the program in 3 semesters if you commit to taking 3-4 courses per semester. Courses are 7 weeks long and you can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer semester.

The curriculum is similar to many other RN to BSN programs, with coursework in research, health assessment, informatics, and leadership. However, it does include credits in Community Health Competencies, RN with Families and Groups, and Promoting Wellness in the Aging Family. If you’re interested in primary care practice, these might appeal.

25. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | MIAMI, FL

A big Miami school with an active alumni network. Affordable rates for in-state students. A 70% ethnically diverse student body. These are just a few of the reasons why Florida RNs might wish to consider the Online RN to BSN at FIU’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences (NWCNHS). We especially like the fact that reviewers on independent websites praise the nursing programs for being flexible, diverse, and career-focused. Admissions can be competitive, so put your best foot forward!

Online RN to BSN Format

FIU’s 30-credit RN to BSN can be completed on a 3-semester, full-time basis or a part-time basis. However, part-time students must take at least 1 RN to BSN course per semester in order to maintain enrollment. You’ll be able to start during any semester (fall, spring, or summer) and courses can be taken in any order.

During the Online RN to BSN, you’ll be expected complete 21 upper division credits in nursing, 9 credits in elective courses, and the Excelsior challenge exams. The 300- and 400-level nursing subjects cover the usual bases (e.g. health assessment, leadership & research), but the electives can help you customize the program. There are also practicums. The Community Health course will include fieldwork at a designated community site. And the degree ends with a 120-hour Senior Clinical Practicum. See the fine print for details on how to choose preceptors & settings.

26. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL

Nurse leaders take note—UAB’s Online RN to BSN is studded with quality markers! The School of Nursing has a ton of clinical & global partnerships, including close ties to UAB Medicine and Children’s of Alabama. Rankings for UAB’s online bachelor’s degrees, the MSN, and the DNP are outstanding (e.g. top 20). Per credit tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, and scholarships are offered. Best of all, student reviews of UAB’s nursing programs are glowing, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Online RN to BSN Format

UAB’s 30-credit RN to BSN is available in the fall and spring terms. There are nine online courses, which can usually be completed within 3-5 semesters on a full-time or part-time basis. Students are expected to attend an on-campus orientation.

Leadership is the name of the game at UAB. This bridge program contains a number of relevant courses (e.g. Professional Leadership Development, Systems Leadership, and Transitional Care Coordination Across the Lifespan), an elective, and a course devoted to Quality and Patient Safety. Practicum work isn’t specified on the RN to BSN website—ask the program coordinator for details on clinical requirements.

27. SUNY DOWNSTATE HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY | BROOKLYN, NY

Yet another great option for New Yorkers! SUNY Downstate’s flexible Online RN-BS is aimed at RNs who hold an NYS license. Per-credit tuition rates are extremely reasonable for NY residents, even when you factor in the mandatory fees. The College of Nursing is part of the only academic medical center for health education, research, and patient care in Brooklyn, and it has a reputation for diversity & nurse midwifery training.

Online RN to BSN Format

This 35-credit RN-BS is designed to be a 3-semester program, starting in the fall. Each semester is 16 weeks long. Thanks to flexible scheduling, with studies taking up to 2 days per week, you should be able to work full-time. You may be able to reduce some of the time by transferring existing credits (e.g. Statistics). Coursework is a mix of hybrid and 100% online.

The curriculum is built on a standard RN to BSN framework (e.g. leadership, informatics, healthcare policy, etc.), but it does include a few unique features. In the first 2 semesters, you’ll be able to choose an 8-week elective in Client Teaching & Learning, Nursing Law, or Quality Improvements in Healthcare Settings. When it comes to practicums, you’ll also be expected to tackle Health Assessment labs and fieldwork in Community Health Nursing and Organizational & Systems Leadership in Nursing.

28. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ

Why ASU’s Online RN to BSN? The university consistently achieves a top 10 rank for Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees, thanks to a huge amount of student support. We’re talking about mentor networks, virtual practice interviews, virtual career & internship advising, and more. Meanwhile, the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation has connections to the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, and the WHO. It can boast solid NCLEX pass rates and national nursing rankings. And it receives fantastic independent reviews. Alumni of all the programs, from the RN to BSN to the DNP, loved their experience.

Online RN to BSN Format

This 39-credit RN to BSN has a total of 10 courses. With a schedule of 7.5 weeks per course, you can finish the entire program in as little as 14 months. There are 5 start dates per year—two in the fall, two in the spring, and one in the summer.

The program mixes traditional RN to BSN coursework (e.g. research, management, and health promotion) with a few one-of-a-kind topics. There are courses on the Art of Nursing, Innovation Nursing, and Public & Global Health. Fieldwork is included in the class on Community & Public Nursing in the U.S.—this can be done in your home area. The program ends with a capstone.

29. UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY

UB’s Online RN to BS may fly under the radar, but it deserves to join the other New York schools in our rankings! This public research university is a) part of the SUNY system; b) a high-achiever in rankings for Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees; and c) fairly affordable, especially for New York residents. The School of Nursing has a small & intimate feel, and it only accepts qualified candidates. If you’re part of the SUNY system, you can take advantage of SUNY Seamless Transfer. Keep in mind, too, that the School offers a BS to DNP pathway for further graduate study.

Online RN to BSN Format

UB’s 32-credit RN to BS is 100% online—there are no required log-in times and you don’t need to visit the campus. It’s designed for working nurses, with rolling admissions and multiple starts (summer, fall, or spring) On a full-time schedule, you’ll be able to finish it in 1 year/3 semesters. Part-time students may take 2 years/6 semesters. All students in the Early Assurance program will be in a 2-year track.

The curriculum mixes research, leadership, and health promotion with a fair amount of deep-dive coursework. You’ll be taking undergraduate and graduate classes in Family Nursing, Patient & Family Centered Care, Ethics, Clinical Reasoning, Informatics, and Public Health Nursing for Population Health. The program finishes with a BS RN Leadership Synthesis Project. Check with the program coordinator for details about possible practicums.

30. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA

Pitt’s Online RN-BSN equals respect. School of Nursing is an academic powerhouse. It often earns top 10 rankings for its MSN & DNP programs, including specialty rankings for PMHNP, PNP, and Nursing Administration. It receives an enormous amount of NIH funding. It’s affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). And it has significant clout in the Northeast—employers will know the name. The only thing holding it back is the price. Online tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students are expensive.

Online RN to BSN Format

Pitt’s RN-BSN is offered online or on-site. Online students can finish the program in 4 terms on a full-time basis or ~6 terms on a part-time basis. Courses are taught by the same faculty as the traditional four-year BSN program. And the RN-BSN starts in any term (fall, spring, or summer). Pitt packs a lot of coursework into those terms, so be prepared for a significant time commitment.

Along with standard upper-level BSN coursework (e.g. leadership, research, informatics, etc.), Pitt’s RN-BSN contains a whole slew of electives, clinicals in Community Health Nursing & Advanced Clinical Problem-Solving, practicums in Professional Development, and a Senior Special Topic. For this topic, you can choose Fundamentals of Disaster & Mass Casualty or Pathophysiology.

Note: If you’re considering graduate work, we recommend the RN-MSN (Online in Informatics or CNL) or RN-DNP (On-Site Only). These RN Options contain bridge coursework that will speed up the pace of your degree.