Alabama RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Find an Online RN to BSN in Alabama that matches your unique needs! Use our state listings to evaluate all of your options. Discover rankings of the best, cheapest, and fastest Online RN to BSN programs in Alabama. Browse through a comprehensive list of statewide & institutional scholarships. And get answers to common FAQs, including details on RN to BSN/MSN pathways.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Alabama

1. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 3-5 Semesters
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.81%

UAB’s School of Nursing is a perennial all-star in Alabama. It earns excellent reviews from undergraduates & graduate alumni. It often achieves national honors. It offers tons of scholarships. It has close professional ties to UAB Medicine and Children’s of Alabama. And it features in our rankings of the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. The 30-credit Online RN to BSN can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. If graduate work appeals, you may also be interested in the Online RN to MSN pathway—a BSN is awarded along the way.

2. University of Alabama

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 25
Length: 3 Semesters
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 99.25%

UA’s Online RN to BSN is a solid pick for any RN—in-state or out-of-state. The Capstone College of Nursing has some of the best NCLEX pass rates in Alabama. Scholarships are available from the College of Continuing Studies (CCS). Plus there’s a strong alumni network for job leads. Check the State Authorization section in the RN to BSN FAQs to make sure you’re eligible to apply for RN Mobility programs; almost all states are included.

3. Auburn University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 31
Length: 3 Semesters
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check with RN to BSN Program Coordinator
NCLEX Pass Rates: 99.51%

Auburn’s Online RN to BSN leaps into our Alabama rankings thanks to excellent NCLEX statistics and highly respectable retention rates! The Auburn University College of Nursing (AUCON) has come up with a straightforward 3-semester program that’s the same price for in-state and out-of-state students. Upper division scholarships are also available. (If you live outside of Alabama, contact the program coordinator to make sure AUCON clinical assignments are eligible in your state.)

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Alabama

Alabama is a super-affordable state for Online RN to BSN students. The cheapest programs come from big public universities that also offer internal scholarships & awards. Better yet, these prices are the same for in-state and out-of-state residents.

1. University of South Alabama

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 24
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.79%

USA’s Online RN to BSN is a great deal for everyone—there’s a special per credit rate for all RN to BSN students, regardless of their state of residence. When you multiply that rate by the number of credits (24), you get a total price that’s just shy of the most affordable RN to BSN programs in the country. One important note—this Online RN to BSN is not available to New York and South Dakota residents.

2. University of Alabama

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 25
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 99.25%

UA’s Online RN to BSN is not only top-tier Alabama program, it’s also inexpensive! Tuition is charged at an affordable Bama by Distance rate, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Even though there may be additional course or test proctoring fees, the baseline cost is under $10,000.

3. Troy University

Program: Online RN Mobility (RN-BSN)
RN to BSN Credits: 24
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 95.10%

Tuition for Troy’s Online RN Mobility (RN-BSN) is very similar to UA. All TROY Online students—both in-state and out-of-state—pay the same rate. There are 24 core nursing credits for this degree. If you need additional General Education coursework, the price will go up. Military & Family Tuition Discounts and Online Transfer Awards are available.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Alabama

Feeling the need for speed? A number of Alabama schools appear in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. These programs take less than one year.

1. University of South Alabama

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 24
Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time) or Set Your Own Pace
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes (Except NY & SD)
NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.79%

USA’s highly affordable Online RN to BSN takes ~8 months/2 semesters on a full-time schedule. You can go slower if you wish to set your own pace. There are only 6 required nursing courses (24 credits in total) and clinical hours can be tackled at your place of employment. Keep in mind that this Online RN to BSN is unavailable to New York and South Dakota residents.

2. Troy University

Program: Online RN Mobility (RN-BSN)
RN to BSN Credits: 24
Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check with RN to BSN Program Coordinator
NCLEX Pass Rates: 95.10%

Full-time students can get Troy’s Online RN Mobility (RN-BSN) program done & dusted in 2 semesters/8 months. This degree starts in the spring or fall. Fall candidates have the opportunity to take a graduate-level course while finishing BSN program requirements. There is also a special 18-week RN Mobility Flexible Option for RNs who have worked at least one year in a leadership position.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Alabama

Statewide Scholarships for Alabama RN to BSN Students

Alabama Nursing Organization Scholarships

Start with the Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA). They can provide info on Alabama Nurses Foundation (ANF) academic scholarships and Alabama Association of Nursing Students (AANS) leadership scholarships. In addition, BSN students occasionally qualify for Alabama Board of Nursing Scholarships.

Alabama Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Do you work for an Alabama healthcare institution? You may be eligible for financial aid and education benefits from your place of work. For example:

Baptist Health Care Foundation Scholarships are plentiful. Brookwood Medical Center offers scholarships to students enrolled in accredited nursing schools.
Huntsville Hospital has partnered up with UNA to offer the Huntsville Hospital Scholarship Program.

University Scholarships for Alabama RN to BSN Students

In Alabama, big public universities tend to offer the most nursing aid, including specific scholarships & grants for RN to BSN students (e.g. UNA’s WORC/Alphabet Grant). Under each school, we’ve also included links to university-wide scholarships, but make sure that online, upper division students are eligible to apply. Some awards will be reserved for “traditional” 4-year undergraduate students.

Auburn University

Auburn University at Montgomery

Jacksonville State University

Spring Hill College

SHC Scholarships

Troy University

University of Alabama

College of Continuing Studies (CCS) Scholarships

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama in Huntsville

UAH Scholarships (Nursing & General)

University of Mobile

UM Scholarships

University of North Alabama

University of South Alabama

RN to BSN Requirements in Alabama

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. Alabama universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license.

The Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) can answer any questions you may have about the state RN licensure process.
It also posts a list of Approved Nursing Programs in Alabama and NCLEX pass rates.

State Authorization: If you’re from out-of-state, check the fine print on state authorization. Most Alabama Online RN to BSN programs are open to RNs with a current license from any state, but there are exceptions. For example, USA’s fast & affordable Online RN to BSN is not available to applicants from New York or South Dakota. And UNA can’t accept students from California.

Advice from Alabama Nurse Educators

Dr. Tiffany Scarborough, DNP, RN, serves as the Nursing and Allied Health Department Director at Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette, AL.

Dr. Scarborough on Finding the Best Program for Your Needs

Finding the best program for your needs is probably THE most important decision a prospective nursing student can make. Start by visiting the campus and speaking with faculty, staff, and students that are already immersed in day-to-day life at the institution. The right fit will be the college that offers hospitality and kindness while offering a top-notch education!

Dr. Jean Graham, DNP, ANP, CNOR, serves as Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette, AL.

Dr. Graham on Finding the Motivation to Pursue a BSN

You will never regret furthering your education. No time is ever a good time, so just go for it! Pursuing higher education will open more doors in your career, and if you find yourself getting into a slump, try working in a new area of nursing. It’s refreshing to work with a different patient population.

Alabama Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Do Alabama RN to BSN Programs Have the Same Coursework?

No. Although there are certain baseline standards for RN to BSN programs, each Alabama university has developed their own take on the curriculum. For example:

UA and Auburn’s Online RN to BSN programs contain a course on informatics.
SHC’s Online RN to BSN features a capstone project.
JSU’s Online RN to BSN covers ethical issues.
AUM’s Online RN to BSN includes a course in rural health and a leadership immersion.

Choose the RN to BSN that best suits your interests, time-frame, and budget.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Alabama?

Yes. If you need to earn both a BSN and an MSN for employment reasons:

University of Alabama: UA offers an Online RN to BSN/MSN for aspiring nurse leaders. RN students who have demonstrated academic and clinical excellence can complete the BSN jointly with a MSN in Nurse Administration.
University of Alabama at Birmingham: UAB offers an Online RN to MSN in which the BSN degree is awarded along the way.
University of North Alabama: UNA offers an Online RN to MSN that includes a BSN. Students earning their BSN at UNA will have completed 9 graduate credits at the time of their admittance into the MSN portion–this reduces the credits needed for the master’s degree.
University of South Alabama: USA offers an Online RN to BSN/MSN. It looks like you can exit with a BSN if you end up deciding that you don’t want to earn a graduate degree, but it’s always best to check with the program coordinator.

What About Online RN to BSN Programs in Border States?

Curriculum Info Cost Info How To Apply

University of South Alabama

College of Nursing

Mobile, Alabama

RN to BSN

Offered Online

Curriculum Info Cost Info How To Apply