The Best Online BSN Programs
Interested in becoming a nurse or advancing your registered nursing career? Earning an online bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) offers flexibility and convenience compared to on-campus programs. If you need to balance personal responsibilities or continue working while attending school, pursuing your nursing bachelor’s online can help you achieve your goals on your schedule.
Explore our rankings of the top online BSN programs to find a school that best fits your needs.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best ADN-to-MSN (RN to NP) bridge programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: Academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Learn More About The Best Online BSN Programs
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online BSN Program
Deciding which online nursing bachelor’s program works best for you depends on several factors such as program length, curriculum, clinical requirements, and accreditation. Our ranking of the best online BSN programs takes into account these considerations to help you make the right choice.
Admission Requirements
All schools require a high school diploma or equivalent, but some programs may stipulate a minimum GPA, specific prerequisites, and SAT or ACT scores. Before applying to an online BSN, make sure you meet the admission criteria.
Clinical Experience
All BSN programs require clinical experiences but handle them differently. Find out if your program offers online learners the option of fulfilling clinical requirements close to home.
Accreditation
Accreditation impacts your opportunities for employment, graduate studies, and certification. It is important to choose an online BSN that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Program Length
Full-time students typically earn their online BSN in four years. Accelerated BSN and RN-to-BSN programs take less time, anywhere between 18-24 months, depending on the program’s requirements and the applicant’s previous experience.
School NCLEX Pass Rate
The NCLEX-RN pass rate shows how well the program prepares graduates for RN careers. As of June 2022, the national pass ratefor first-time test takers is just over 82%, according to the NCSBN. A higher-than-average pass rate can indicate a quality program.
School Graduation Rate
The school graduation rate reports the percentage of students who graduate in the expected time frame. A high graduation rate gives you a good indicator of the program’s commitment to learning and student success.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Not all online BSNs use the same learning and technology formats. Programs that offer an asynchronous curriculum allow you to attend class when it’s most convenient for you. Others follow a synchronous schedule with fixed log-in times or include hybrid courses that combine web-based instruction with in-person meetings.
Why Is Online BSN Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation ensures that a nursing program meets nationally established academic standards to prepare graduates for nursing practice. All online nursing bachelor’s selected for our rankings have earned accreditation by either the CCNE or the ACEN.
A program’s accreditation status has important implications for financial aid eligibility, licensure,
and future educational and career plans:
- The NCLEX-RN exam and certification exams for advanced practice nursing roles require applicants to hold degrees from accredited nursing schools.
- State nursing boards only grant licenses to RNs who have graduated from an accredited program.
- Government financial assistance can only be applied to nursing programs at accredited schools.
- Credits earned at nonaccredited schools may not transfer to other programs.
- Employers and graduate nursing programs may not consider graduates from nonaccredited schools.
- Graduating from an accredited program signals to employers that you have received a high-quality education, making you more competitive in the job market.
How Online BSN Programs Work
Depending on the program, you may complete all degree requirements online, except for clinical placements. Asynchronous programs appeal to highly motivated, independent learners who need minimal faculty supervision. Synchronous formats that require specific attendance times work best for students who desire face-to-face interaction with faculty and other students.
Distance learners must complete in-person clinical requirements to become licensed RNs. While some online programs can arrange placements close to your home, you may have to find your own clinical placements at approved sites.
Applying to an Online BSN Program
Online nursing bachelor’s programs generally follow the same admission procedures as traditional BSNs. Although criteria varies, applicants must have a high school or GED diploma. Many programs require specific math and science prerequisites for admission, but previous nursing or work experience is often not required.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Official transcripts
- Prerequisites in natural science
- Online application and payment of application fees
Admission Materials
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay or personal statement
- SAT or ACT scores (optional)
- Criminal background check and fingerprinting
- Physical exam and drug screening
- Immunization verification
GPA Requirement
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
Paying for Online BSN Programs
Prospective nurses often worry about how to pay for their online BSN. Several factors impact the cost of a nursing degree, including program length, required credits, and in-state versus out-of-state tuition rates. Depending on the program’s intensity, you may have difficulty working full-time while enrolled.
Many students offset the cost of their nursing degree through financial aid opportunities. You should begin your search for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for government-funded grants or loans.
You may also qualify for need-based or merit-based scholarships offered by schools or private organizations. Federal and state governments sponsor student loan forgiveness programs for nurses who agree to work in high-need areas when they graduate.
What Can You Do After an Online BSN?
Graduates of BSN programs receive training in nursing care, leadership, and case management, acquiring the skills for a wide array of professional opportunities. The degree also prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and state licensure as a registered nurse.
RNs with a BSN degree find careers in specialties, including geriatrics, pediatrics, and neonatology. While hospitals and physicians’ offices are the major employers, RNs also work in outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.
Employers have a strong preference for bachelor-prepared nurses, especially in administrative and supervisory positions. Graduate programs that prepare you for highly-paid advanced practice roles require a BSN for admission. The following job outlook percentages for RNs are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Registered Nurse
RN generalists provide patient care, administer treatments and medications, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. They work in virtually every type of healthcare setting, from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes and home care.
Median Salary
$77,600
Job Outlook
+6%
Public Health Nurse
A public health nurse works with groups and communities to promote health and safety, reduce health risks, and prevent disease through education, advocacy, and the direct delivery of care. These nurses often find employment in government and nonprofit organizations, school systems, and community clinics.
Average Salary (October 2022)
$64,368
Job Outlook
+6%
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses take temporary positions in healthcare settings across the U.S. and overseas in high-need areas experiencing nursing shortages.They work on a short-term contractual basis, taking assignments that may last for a few weeks or as long as two years.
Average Salary (October 2022)
$84,000
Job Outlook
+6%
Frequently Asked Questions About Online BSNs
Can you become a registered nurse online?
A growing number of aspiring nurses choose distance learning programs to earn their undergraduate degree and prepare for the NCLEX-RN and state licensure. The NCLEX-RN exam can only be taken in-person at an official test site.
What education is required to be an RN?
While you can qualify for your RN license after earning a two-year associate degree in nursing, the BSN has become the professional standard. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes the BSN as the minimum education requirement for professional practice.
What are the benefits of online nursing education?
Online BSN degrees offer flexibility and convenience to degree-seekers who balance their studies with personal and work responsibilities. Distance learners may save on living and transportation expenses while receiving the same access to student services and other resources available to campus-based students.
Can nursing clinicals be done online?
Typically, students must complete nursing clinical in-person at approved sites. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some nursing schools and healthcare organizations began to supplement face-to-face clinical experiences with virtual simulations and telenursing. Many state boards of nursing, following guidelines established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, have begun to accept virtual simulations in place of some on-site clinical experiences.
Related Pages
Page last reviewed: October 26, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.