Online RN to BSN Programs in Alabama

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 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

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 (e.g. U.S. News & World Report Top 20). 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 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)

USA jumps into the #2 spot thanks to two major factors: speed and tuition. In contrast to UAB’s pricier program, USA’s 24-credit Online RN to BSN is pretty darn cheap. You won’t be attending a university with the same prestige, but you will be saving money. We should also add that the College of Nursing has strong NCLEX pass rates. It has established clinical ties to hospitals in USA Health. It offers plenty of undergraduate nursing scholarships. And it has an Online RN to BSN/MSN pathway. One thing to note—the RN to BSN is not available to New York and South Dakota residents.

3. University of Alabama

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 25
• Length: 3 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

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 Capstone and the College of Continuing Studies (CCS). Plus there’s a strong alumni network for job leads. In addition, UA offers an Online RN to BSN/MSN for RNs who wish to earn the BSN in conjunction with an MSN in Nurse Administration. 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.

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

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. Troy University

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

Tuition for Troy’s Online RN Mobility (RN-BSN) is eminently affordable. 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.

3. University of Alabama

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 25
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Tuition for UA’s Online RN to BSN is charged at an affordable Bama by Distance rate. This distance learning rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. There may be additional course or test proctoring fees. When you add up the numbers, the total tuition cost for USA’s Online RN to BSN is only ~$1,500 more than USA’s price.

4. Jacksonville State University

• Program: Online STEP RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

All students in JSU’s Online STEP RN to BSN—in-state and out-of-state—pay the same online tuition rate. But we should mention that JSU charges different per credit rates for fall & spring online courses vs. summer online courses. And additional fees may apply. If you complete the program in one year (fall/spring/summer), you’ll only end up paying ~$2,500 more than USA.

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)

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

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.

3. Spring Hill College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 25
• Length: 9 Months (Full-Time); 18 Months (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

On a full-time schedule, SHC’s Online RN to BSN takes 9 months (~4 courses per semester); part-time study might last 18 months. Three of the courses contain practicums/fieldwork, but you can complete these requirements in your local community & current place of employment.

RN to BSN Scholarships in 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

Frequently Asked Questions

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?

Do you live in Alabama? Be sure to take a look at Online RN to BSN Programs in Florida. A number of schools in this state offer heavy tuition discounts to Alabamans. For example, Northwest Florida State College offers a special border tuition rate that’s only $1 more than the in-state per credit rate. Pensacola State College has a similar BSN tuition deal.