The Top 10 Most Affordable Online BSN Degree Programs

AffordableBSN

If you are considering obtaining an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, there are affordable online nursing programs to suit every budget. Completing a BSN degree opens many doors for nursing graduates, a field that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates will “grow faster than the average for all occupations” through at least 2022.

Nursing students often have to pay additional costs above and beyond tuition. Such additional costs can include:

* Liability insurance
* Uniforms
* Equipment
* Instruments
With these extra costs in mind, prospective online nursing students likely want to find an affordable school that still offers a high-quality nursing education.

These choices highlight the ten most affordable online BSN programs, chosen primarily for the cost. The second most important factor in the methodology for selecting these schools is that each program is accredited.

10. Grand Canyon University

grand-canyon-university

Grand Canyon University offers current RNs the opportunity to complete the RN to BSN degree or the BSN to MSN Fast-Track degree option. Registered nurses with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma can enroll in the Grand Canyon University RN to BSN degree program, which GCU says enables “RN-licensed nurses to thrive in leadership roles within health care organizations.”

Students interested in nursing education beyond the Bachelor in Nursing degree can obtain a Master in Nursing (MSN) degree and save considerable cost by completing the BSN to MSN Fast-Track program. RN to BSN candidates with fewer than 84 credit hours can transfer to this accelerated program, choosing two MSN classes as electives in their RN to BSN program.

Tuition is less than $500 per credit hour. Active duty military personnel and their spouses can take courses at nearly 50 per cent less than regular online tuition.

GCU nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.

9. The University of Alabama at Huntsville

univ-alabama-huntsville

For students wanting to get their feet wet before taking on a full course load, UAH offers single nursing classes. Once you have your registered nurse (RN) licensure and are ready to pursue your RN-BSN degree, you attend a one-day orientation on campus at the beginning of the semester. The remainder of the program is completely online.

The cost for completing the RN-BSN at the University of Huntsville online degree program is less than tuition for students enrolled in an on-campus RN-BSN program. Students are completing classes in a hybrid format, both online and on-campus pay the on-campus rate for all classes, which makes the online RN-BSN program an affordable option. The UAH nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

8. Graceland University

graceland-university

At Graceland University, registered nurses complete the online RN to BSN degree. Students receive up to 28 semester hours credit for previously completed undergraduate nursing courses, no matter how long ago the courses were completed. This helps considerably with costs if you completed some nursing classes in the past but never finished your degree.

Students need to make sure the nursing program at Graceland accepts students living in their state since the university does not accept nursing students living in four states. Graceland indicates that some states “require fees and/or application efforts that require a considerable investment of university resources” and that not accepting students from those states is due to “an effort to maintain a reasonable tuition rate.”

Graceland University maintains affordable tuition, which is under $475 per semester credit hour for the 2015-2016 school year in the RN-BSN program.

Graceland University nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

7. Northern Arizona University

Northern-arizona-University

NAU says it is “continually seeking new ways to make college more accessible and affordable.” With two online BSN degrees, it is easy to see the affordable options that NAU gives prospective students, offering online undergraduate nursing courses at less than $400 per credit hour.

Students who are RNs and have an associate’s degree in nursing can opt to complete the RN-to-BSN degree program. Cut the cost “by more than a third,” if you enroll in the BSN-Concurrent Program. In the BSN-Concurrent Program, students take classes at a local community college to earn their Associate of Applied Sciences in Nursing concurrently with the online Northern Arizona University BSN degree program courses.

Nursing programs at NAU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

6. American Sentinel University

American-Sentinel-University

ASU offers nursing degree programs that are 100 percent online, including the RN to BSN, an accelerated degree program. ASU also offers the RN to BSN/MSN fast-track degree program, allowing students to complete their degrees all in the same program. The RN to BSN/MSN is also completely online.

Tuition for undergraduate courses is less than $400 per credit hour. Students can also receive transfer credit for the course taken previously, making total tuition even more affordable.

ASU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

5. Liberty University

liberty-university

Liberty University, a Christian University, offers the fully accredited RN to BSN degree for students currently licensed as an RN. LU says, “Students can complete a bachelor’s degree 100 percent online in less time than it would take to complete a traditional degree.” Students receive credits for their RN licensure. No “challenge tests” are required of nursing students to receive the credits for their RN.

For the 2015-2016 school year, tuition is just $375 per credit hour. Liberty University offers deep discounts in tuition for active duty military personnel, veterans, and spouses.

4. Jacksonville University

jacksonville-university

Jacksonville University offers the RN to BSN degree program in a 100 percent online format, including all lectures, communication and course exams.

When initially looking at the tuition rate for Jacksonville University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs, the $460 cost may seem more expensive when compared to some other online BSN degree programs. However, JU offers several benefits that can significantly lower tuition, making this school a very affordable choice. Receive up to 33 general education credit hours if you previously completed an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university. Students with RN licensure receive 30 credit hours for their U.S. nursing license.

RN to BSN students can also potentially receive a tax credit of up to $2500 for their course materials, further reducing overall costs. JU says that according to the IRS, the American Opportunity Credit “adds required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two.” JU also features “special tuition rates” for nursing students as part of their “corporate partnerships with healthcare organizations nationwide.”

JU is accredited by the CCNE.

3. Walden University

walden-university

Walden University offers current RNs the opportunity to obtain their BSN degree through their “evidence-based online BSN program,” with courses taught by “100% doctorally prepared faculty.” Students also have the option to enroll in the RN to BSN to MSN program, allowing students to complete this accelerated program that gives RNs the opportunity to work on their MSN while completing their BSN degree, saving on overall tuition costs.

Tuition for the BSN degree is under $350 per credit hour, as of the 2015-2016 academic year. Students with an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing receive an automatic $1500 grant towards their nursing degree program at Walden University.

WU nursing programs are accredited by the CCNE.

2. Fort Hays State University

fort-hays-university

Students can complete the RN to BSN degree at Fort Hays State University entirely online. Consistently named to the U.S. News & World Report “Best Online Programs,” the FHSU site indicates that the university is “a leader in nursing education.”

Students can receive credit for prior learning, reducing the cost of tuition, which is already very affordable. Tuition for undergraduate students at FHSU is less than $200 per credit hour. Prospective students can easily plan their education costs in advance since FHSU shows full tuition rates for at least three terms on the site.

Students may wish to continue their education after completing their RN to BSN degree by completing one of the two online graduate degree nursing programs at FHSU.

Fort Hays State University nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.

1. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern-State-University-Louisiana

RNs with an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing can complete the NSU Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing. According to Northwestern State University, Nonprofit Colleges Online ranked the NSU online RN to BSN degree program “the top program in the country.” Ranking among the best does not always mean that the university is affordable, but in this case, it is. NSU tuition for 2015-2016 is only $325 per credit hour for the first 12 months and then just $100 per credit hour thereafter. Additionally, NSU online students do not pay any out-of-state fees.

Students can receive transfer credits for general education courses on an individual basis. Graduates of accredited National League for Nursing (NLN) programs receive 31 hours of credit in certain nursing courses, reducing tuition even further.

NSU indicates that its BSN program is the “first program in Louisiana to be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.” The RN to BSN program is also accredited by the CCNE.