Online RN to BSN Costs: How Much Does It Cost to Pursue Your BSN?

In the nursing world, it’s being acknowledged more and more how big of a step forward for your career pursuing a BSN degree is. Contemplating the idea of going back to school has many ramifications you need to consider – few of them are as pressing as finding an RN-to-BSN program that’s not only good but also affordable.  

The financial aspect of advancing your nursing degree is definitely important to take into account. That’s why in this article we will examine the costs associated with pursuing an online RN-to-BSN and we will also tell you everything you need to know about the price tag that comes along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. 

Why Should You Get a BSN?

First thing’s first: you may be wondering why spend money on getting your BSN if your ADN qualification is perfectly valid and it has landed you a good job in the healthcare environment? Why should you subject yourself to the stress, hassle, and expense of advancing your education further?  

There are multiple reasons why becoming a BSN RN is actually a good idea. 

Here are a few: 

• There’s a direct correlation between BSN nurses and better patient outcomes. There is no shortage of studies showing that higher nursing education leads to better clinical outcomes, fewer medical errors, and lower mortality rates. 
• Higher pay. Not only will you be a better nurse, but you will also be a better-paid nurse. Learn how much BSN Nurses earn in every state. 
• More job opportunities. BSN is increasingly becoming the gold standard of nursing education and employers do take notice. Many employers in the healthcare industry – about 41% – already make it a requirement that their new hires have a BSN degree while over 82% have expressed a strong preference for BSN graduates. 
• Expanded opportunities for advancement. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing will open the door to being hired for more specialized nursing roles, as well as leadership and management positions. 

This is just a fraction of the benefits of getting your BSN qualification, even if you’re already working as a Registered Nurse. Find out more in our guide to why getting your BSN is important. 

What Makes Online RN-to-BSN Programs So Desirable?

Online RN-to-BSN programs are gaining more and more traction due to the flexibility they offer to working professionals. The online degree takes a fairly short time to finish and many – Nightingale College’s RN to BSN program included – can be completed in as little as three semesters. The asynchronous nature of online RN-to-BSNs is also considered a big plus. Being able to fulfill coursework on your own schedule makes it easier for you to balance having a job and studying at the same time. 

Online RN-to-BSN programs are meant to increase a nurse’s professional knowledge and expertise in order to improve the quality of patient-care. For that purpose, RN-to-BSN coursework is centered around community nursing, leadership, policy, ethics, critical care, disease prevention, informatics, and other essential nursing concepts. 

How Affordable Is Advancing Your Education From RN to BSN?

Now that we went through the “why” of it all, it’s time to turn to the practical side and examine how cheap (or not) the process of obtaining your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is. 

Online RN-to-BSN programs are different from brick-and-mortar options and that applies to costs as well. Pursuing an online degree will save you some money from the start, mostly related to living expenses and commuting to and from the campus. You may still be required to pay for certain applications and tools needed to pursue online classes, but that will vary from institution to institution. Also, the rates may vary depending on whether you are enrolled at an in-state or out-of-state school. 

All in all, the average cost of online RN-to-BSN degree programs is situated in the range of $20,000 to $80,000. That is significantly less compared to on-campus programs, for which – when you factor in living and commuting expenses – you may be expected to pay from $32,000 to more than $100,000 yearly. So, online RN-to-BSN programs are definitely cheaper than their on-the-ground counterparts. For the most part, financial aid options are also available for online programs, just as in the case of traditional offline programs. Some employers might also offer tuition reimbursement for Registered Nurses who’ve decided to go back to school and get their BSN.

How Affordable is Nightingale College?

Our online RN-to-BSN program is designed with you in mind. We are here to help you pursue your dream nursing career while also elevating the future of healthcare and all that at affordable rates. 

At Nightingale College, the tuition for the RN-to-BSN program stands at $400 per semester credit. So, the estimated total program cost for learners with an ADN who transfer in 68 credits from their previous degree is around $23,625 if the program they’re enrolled in commences on or after the summer 2019 academic semester. Tuition, however, does not include the nonrefundable application fee of $150. There are some additional fees for some courses that you can explore in our College Catalog. For instance, our learners can choose to pay a $100 course resources fee for their GE requirements or they may elect to personally purchase all general education required materials.

Are There Financial Aid Options? 

There is a large and diverse selection of financial aid options that prospective learners can access based on their individual needs. Our financial aid staff helps you explore what options you have available. But in general, financial aid resources include scholarships, prepaid college savings plans, personal savings, and income or institutional, state, and federal student aid. 

At Nightingale College, we understand how essential continuing education and degree advancement is. That’s why we offer several scholarships opportunities that you can apply to your student account once you’re enrolled in the program. Our financial aid department is always ready to help you review the financial opportunities best suited for your situation. You can always request more detailed information here. 

We know how complex financing college can be. Finding affordable RN-to-BSN online programs without sacrificing the quality of education can be quite challenging. But with the right amount of research, you can find an affordable, accredited, and valuable program that will help you become the best BSN Registered Nurse you can be. 

Find out more about Nightingale College’s 100% online and career-friendly RN-to-BSN program. Invest in your education and reap the benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing!