Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in North Carolina

1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• Program: Online RN to BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 3 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

UNCC’s Online RN to BSN Completion program hits our #1 spot thanks to a 100% online format and great tuition prices for in-state & out-of-state students. The School of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence with respectable NCLEX pass rates, a solid local reputation, and useful connections—permanent, full-time UNC Health Care employees can apply for UNC Tuition Waivers. You can begin the Online RN to BSN in spring, summer, or fall, and there are no required visits to campus. If you’re interested in further education, check out UNCC’s range of graduate programs.

2. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 3 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes from Compact State

UNCG’s flexible Online RN-BSN is available in an online-only cohort OR a hybrid version with classes that are held once per week in multiple locations. Thanks to its cohort structure, you’ll have the support of fellow classmates as you proceed through 3 semesters. Better yet, the School of Nursing is packed with quality markers. It’s an NLN Center of Excellence with strong national rankings, excellent in-state tuition rates, and glowing student reviews for the rigor of its programs, including Online MSN and BSN-DNP pathways. Anyone can apply for School of Nursing scholarships; UNC Health Care employees are also eligible for UNC Tuition Waivers.

3. East Carolina University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 33
• Length: 3 Semesters + 1 Summer Session (16 Months)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes from Compact State

ECU is part of the UNC system, so in-state tuition rates for its 100% Online RN to BSN are remarkably affordable! Here you’ll find a College of Nursing and NLN Center of Excellence with superb NCLEX pass rates, UNC Tuition Waivers, dedicated RN to BSN Scholarships, and a number of outreach programs. In addition to accepting RNs who have been working for a while, ECU also runs a RN to BSN Early Assurance program for RNs currently enrolled in an ADN and offers direct admittance to RIBN and aRIBN students.

4. University of North Carolina at Wilmington

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31-32
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

UNCW’s 100% Online RN-BSN has convenient start dates (2 per semester) and plenty of room in scheduling. We also like the fact that this well-reviewed program includes a final capstone on a real-life healthcare issue; this can be completed in your local area. View the RN to BSN FAQs for more info. Interested in rural nursing opportunities? The School of Nursing has close connections with a variety of communities in Southeastern North Carolina. Plus it offers 50+ nursing scholarships and UNC Tuition Waivers to UNC Health Care employees.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in North Carolina

If you’re lucky enough to reside in North Carolina, you’re living in one of the cheapest states in the U.S. for Online RN to BSN students! Truly—these are some of the best in-state tuition rates we’ve seen.

For our Cheapest rankings, we decided to feature any North Carolina program that was under $5,000 for NC residents. However, you’ll discover tons of other NC universities in our list of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country. Top-ranked schools like UNCC, UNCG, UNCW, and ECU charge between $5,000-$7,000.

1. Western Carolina University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees | UNC Tuition Waivers

WCU’s Online RN to BSN hits our #1 spot thanks to the NC Promise Tuition Plan. This plan reduces student costs at three UNC campuses: Western Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Elizabeth City State University. In-state tuition rates are excellent and required per credit fees are minimal. Even the out-of-state price is spectacular! WCU’s estimate for the entire Online RN to BSN includes one-off costs (e.g. graduation fee) and books & supplies. Have a look at the helpful Cost Breakdown and tuition & fees section for more info.

2. North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

• Program: Online BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

North Carolina’s A&T’s 100% Online BSN Completion is another great choice for NC residents. Even when you include the mandatory fees, the total tuition price for this ACEN-accredited program is still incredibly reasonable for in-state students. Out-of-state rates for RNs with a Compact State license are expensive. The Online BSN Completion can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis; a full-time plan of study will take 3 semesters to finish.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

Want to get your BSN done and dusted? Check out these turbo-charged options. To appear in our fastest North Carolina rankings, Online RN to BSN programs had to be less than 3 semesters on a full-time schedule. If you’d like to expand your search, explore our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country—some of them are self-paced.

1. North Carolina Central University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 6 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

NCCU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is both fast and affordable. This ACEN-accredited program can be completed within 2 semesters on a full-time schedule or 2 years on a part-time schedule. There are 3 start dates—summer, fall & spring. Online coursework is delivered by regular NCCU faculty and offered in a synchronous format. Most courses are 8 weeks in length; the 15-week practicum in Community Health Nursing can be tackled in your local area.

2. Fayetteville State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Length: 2.5 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

FSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN is even more affordable than NCCU! On a full-time plan, you can complete the program in 2.5 semesters/40 weeks; a part-time plan of study would take 5 semesters. There are 10 courses—full-time students take 2 courses in an 8-week block (e.g. 4 courses per semester). The program starts in spring or fall. Clinical coursework (e.g. Community Health & Senior Practicum) can be completed in your home area.

RN to BSN Scholarships in North Carolina

RN to BSN Requirements in North Carolina

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. Schools of Nursing will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—your RN license. Some NC universities will want to see an RN license upfront; others are a little more flexible. For instance, Barton accepts new & unlicensed ADN graduates, but they must have their RN license before the NUR 319 course.

• If you need any help with state licensure, visit the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). NCBON doesn’t have authority over post-licensure programs, but it does provide a list of North Carolina RN to BSN programs (on-campus & online).
• We also like to use NCLEX Pass Rates for pre-licensure programs as a quality benchmark. Any school with consistently low pass rates is one to avoid!

State Authorization: Do you live out-of-state? Be sure to check the Admissions section. North Carolina schools have a hodgepodge of rules. Some Online RN to BSN programs:

• Only accept candidates with a North Carolina RN license (e.g. WSSU, NCCU, etc.).
• Accept out-of-state candidates with a multi-state NLC license from a Compact State (e.g. UNCG, ECU, etc.).
• Accept out-of-state candidates, but have rules regarding State Authorization (e.g. NCWC).

When in doubt, talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina?

Yes! The vast majority of programs in our North Carolina listings are 100%, with no campus visits required. Just bear in mind that 100% online programs will still include practicums in your local community and/or place of employment.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN Program in North Carolina?

Probably not. Accredited RN to BSN programs contain practicums & clinical components. However, these will be different from your diploma or associate degree experiences. Clinicals at the RN to BSN level often involve work at community/public health sites and current work sites. For instance:

• FSU’s Online RN to BSN includes clinicals in Community Health and the Senior Practicum. There are options for service learning, virtual learning, and project-based experiences.
• UNCW’s Online RN-BSN incorporates practice experiences that address different aspects of nursing (e.g. conducting research on nursing challenges in a specific healthcare setting, planning & executing a local community wellness initiative, etc.). Supervisors mentor any students working in a direct care capacity or otherwise interacting with patients.
• Cabarrus’s Online RN to BSN includes a population health service learning project in the final spring semester. This can be conducted in your local area.

Do I Need to Have Statistics to Apply for North Carolina Online RN to BSN Programs?

Check the Curriculum and Admissions sections. Statistics is a standard prerequisite at most North Carolina schools (e.g. WSSU), but universities may be willing to let you take it after you have applied. For example, at North Carolina A&T, up to three general education courses may be taken after enrollment.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in North Carolina?

We had trouble finding any dedicated “Online RN to BSN to MSN” programs in North Carolina.

• Programs like UNC’s Online RN to MSN and QUC’s Online RN to MSN appear to skip the BSN and go straight to the master’s degree (though it never hurts to check)!
• Gardner Webb’s RN to MSN allows students to earn a BSN on their way toward a master’s degree, but it’s an on-campus program.

If you’re planning on earning an MSN and you need a BSN for employment purposes, talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator. You may be allowed to substitute some of your BSN-level coursework for MSN-level credits. This will save you time and money in the future.

Should I Choose an ACEN-Accredited or CCNE-Accredited Online RN to BSN in North Carolina?

It’s up to you. Both organizations are well-known and well-respected accreditation bodies for BSN-level programs. See our section on Accreditation for more details.

You should also make sure your university is regionally accredited. That’s because having a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited degree from a regionally accredited institution is the standard requirement for MSN and BSN to DNP programs.