Top 10 Best Online RN to BSN Programs

Top 10 Online RN to BSNNursing is one of the fastest growing professions in the nation and nursing education is just beginning to cover the growth. One of the main issues in nursing is that with many nurses retiring, the real shortage is with more experienced, better educated, specialized nurses. One of the best ways to position yourself to fill these shoes is by pursuing an RN to BSN program that will allow you to further specialize in the field and pursue new and exciting career paths.

Ranking the Top Online RN to BSN Programs

Listed below are 10 of the best available online RN to BSN programs. Many of the schools on this list offer affordable and flexible programs, though some are cheaper than others. All schools on this list are respected, regionally accredited institutions.

#1. University of Illinois Chicago: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: The University of Illinois Chicago may not offer the cheapest RN to BSN program on this list, but it is one of the best all around options. The University of Illinois Chicago is very highly regarded not just as a top public university, but as offering one of the best nursing programs available.

Tuition: UIC’s RN to BSN tuition is $617.00 per credit

Unique Features: The University of Illinois Chicago is ranked #147 among national universities, #77 among top public schools, #11 in the nation for nursing, and #11 among best online bachelor’s degree programs by U.S. News and World Report.

#2. Pennsylvania State University: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: Penn State is one of the highest regarded public universities in the United States. The university has a long history of distance education dating back to the late 1800s and it continued that tradition by becoming one of the first major public universities to offer online education programs. The online BSN program at PSU is designed for professional, licensed nurses that desire to advance in their careers without having to relocate or leave their jobs in order to earn the degree.

Tuition: Online RN to BSN program tuition at Penn State is $504.00 to $542.00 per credit.

Unique Features: Penn State is ranked #46 among national universities, #13 among top public schools, and #44 in the nation for nursing by U.S. News and World Report.

#3. Loyola University Chicago:

Executive Summary: Loyola University Chicago is a Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition. The school is very highly respected, and while its programs may not be among the cheapest on the list, the university is devoted to helping students achieve new heights in their careers and improve the care they can offer to their patients.

Tuition: Loyola Chicago tuition for the RN to BSN program is $600.00 per credit hour.

Unique Features: Loyola Chicago is ranked #106 among national universities, #49 among best value schools, #50 in the nation for nursing, and #64 among top online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News and World Report.

#4. Northeastern University: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: Northeastern Universities is one of the top private research universities in the country. The online RN to BSN program offers nurses access to one of the cheapest, highest quality programs available online and students can earn this degree at their convenience, from wherever they might be located, while working full time, continuing to build both their practical and academic experience. Students will find that a degree from Northeastern offers them myriad quality opportunities for advancement within the field. Northeastern boasts some of the best online programs available at both the bachelor and graduate levels.

Tuition: Northeastern’s RN to BSN program tuition runs $335.00 per credit hour.

Unique Features: Northeastern is ranked #56 among national universities, #99 in the nation for nursing, and #7 among up and coming schools by U.S. News and World Report.

#5. University of Cincinnati: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: The focus of the RN to BSN program at the University of Cincinnati is on flexibility, and affordability. The program is one of the cheapest programs offered by a highly regarded nursing program. The RN to BSN program at UC offers students the chance to earn a respected degree at an affordable price on their own terms, while working full time.

Tuition: The cost of the RN to BSN program at University of Cincinnati is $381.00 per credit.

Unique Features: The University of Cincinnati is ranked #139 among national universities, #70 among top public schools, #64 for nursing, and #133 for online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News and World Report.

#6. Drexel University: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: Drexel University is a highly respected private university best known for its devotion to providing students with a high quality professional education. The online BSN program is designed for working professionals, that they might continue working full time while pursuing further education and advancing their careers. Drexel has partnership programs with many companies and organizations that allow students working for or affiliated with those programs attend the RN to BSN program at a more affordable rate.

Tuition: The cost of the RN to BSN program at Drexel is $569.00 per credit, $474.00 per credit for members of partner organizations.

Unique Features: Drexel University is ranked #83 among national universities, #3 among up and coming schools, and #127 in the nation for nursing by U.S. News and World Report.

#7. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: The University of Wisconsin is a public state university dedicated to providing working registered nurses with an affordable opportunity to open doors and advance in their careers by completing a BSN program. The program is designed to provide the student not just with the education, but with networking opportunities that will aid the student in the pursuit of advancement within the nursing profession.

Tuition: The cost of UW-Green Bay’s RN to BSN program is $415.00 per credit.

Unique Features: The University of Wisconsin is ranked #66 among midwestern regional universities and #18 among the top public schools in the midwestern region by U.S. News and World Report.

#8. Bowling Green State University: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: The RN to BSN program at BGSU is very affordable for Ohio residents, and even non-residents don’t pay much more than average for a degree from a respected research university. The program, is designed with flexibility in mind, to meet the needs of busy nursing professionals.

Tuition: The cost of the RN to BSN program at BGSU is $359.00 per credit for residents, $664.00 per credit for non-residents

Unique Features: BGSU is ranked #184 among national universities, and #103 among top public schools by U.S. News and World Report.

#9. Indiana State University: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: Indiana State University is a public school that offers an affordable and flexible option to practicing RNs through its online RN to BSN program. The primary focus of Indiana State University’s College of Nursing, Health and Human Services is on providing practicing RNs with a high quality professional BSN degree program.

Tuition: Undergraduate tuition for online bachelor programs at Indiana State is $358.00 per credit hour.

Unique Features: Indiana State University’s is ranked among top national universities by U.S. News and World Report, though the rank is not published, and the nursing programs at ISU are ranked #79 in the nation.

#10.University of Texas Arlington: RN to BSN

Executive Summary: University of Texas Arlington is one of the top public universities in the state of Texas. The price of the program is the most affordable of any on this list and the nursing program has a higher rating nationally than the university itself.

Tuition: UT Arlington tuition for the RN to BSN program is $257.00 per credit hour.

Unique Features: UT-Arlington is ranked #64 in the nation for its nursing programs bu U.S. News and World Report.

Related Article: LPN to RN Degree