Best Accelerated Nursing Programs 2021

CSUF's accelerated nursing program is ideal for students seeking a registered nurse license. The program allows candidates with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field to explore the nursing discipline, focusing on evidence-based practice, leadership and management, cultural diversity in health and illness, and other foundational concepts.

Classes begin every fall, and learners graduate in two years. The full-time, cohort-based format combines general nursing courses, lab requirements, a capstone course, and a nursing capstone clinical component.

• Program: Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Fullerton, California
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $3,588 per semester for in-state; $396 added per unit for out-of state
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution; minimum 3.25 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 2 years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.55%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

Widely regarded as one of the country's most innovative higher learning institutions, this research university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees across disciplines, including a flexible second degree nursing program.

The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) curriculum prepares learners who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field to take the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Along with the required coursework, enrollees must satisfy 30 residency hours and maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the program's duration.

• Program: Accelerated BSN
• Campus: Orlando, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $212 per credit hour for Florida residents; $749 per credit hour for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; criminal background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 2 years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.64%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

Second bachelor's degree-seekers at UW can satisfy their accelerated nursing program requirements in as little as one year, completing 49 credits of coursework. The rigorous curriculum explores five core concepts: professional nursing leadership, health and illness, healthcare context and systems, scholarship for evidence-based practice, and person, family, community, and systems-centered care.

Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) candidates work with clinical experts as they learn to care for individuals, families, and communities. Throughout the program, degree-seekers take courses on topics like professionalism in nursing practice, pharmacology essentials for nursing practice, and social justice in local and global settings.

• Program: Accelerated BSN
• Campus: Madison, Wisconsin
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $17,384 per semester for residents; $22,934 per semester for nonresidents
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 2.75 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

WCU's accelerated nursing program makes it easy for candidates with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to pursue registered nurse licensure. While the program follows the same curriculum as WCU's traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program, the accelerated format lets students complete all program requirements in four consecutive semesters.

The curriculum explores topics such as nursing assessment across the lifespan, nursing ethics and health policy, and pharmacotherapeutics in nursing. Cohorts begin every fall and end in December of the following year. While schedules may differ, most learners participate in two classes and 1-2 days of clinicals each week.

• Program: Accelerated BSN
• Campus: Cullowhee, North Carolina
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $3,451 per semester for North Carolina residents; $5,451 per semester for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 99%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

North Carolina's first public higher learning institution, UNC-Chapel Hill was founded in 1789 and began enrolling students in 1795. As one of the nation's oldest universities, UNC-Chapel Hill is also the only institution to have conducted classes during the eighteenth century. Today, the university offers a variety of innovative undergraduate and graduate programs, including one of the country's top accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs.

Students in the accelerated nursing program take classes for four semesters, earning a degree in as little as one year. Eligible applicants must meet prerequisite coursework requirements including fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, general psychology, and microbiology.

• Program: Accelerated BSN
• Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $17,998 total cost of program for residents; $59,921 total cost of program for nonresidents
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

UNF's accelerated nursing bachelor's degree gives bachelor's degree-holders the knowledge and skills needed to seek registered nurse licensure after graduation. The unique format lets candidates study for four consecutive semesters and earn their degree in about 15 months.

Working in 36-student cohorts, degree-seekers complete clinical/laboratory courses and professional classes. The curriculum explores professional nursing concepts, family and community assessment, and health assessment. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam.

• Program: Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Jacksonville, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $105 per credit
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution; minimum 3.2 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 15 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.4%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

Located in Kirksville, Missouri, Truman's flexible accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs expose learners to fundamental nursing concepts and hands-on clinical experiences. Candidates begin classes during the summer semester, typically satisfying their requirements within 18 months of full-time study.

The 48-credit curriculum includes an National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) preparation course during each of the final two semesters. Degree-seekers must satisfy specific prerequisite coursework before becoming eligible to enroll in the program.

• Program: Accelerated BSN
• Campus: Kirksville, Missouri
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $7,975 per academic year for residents; $15,335 per academic year for nonresidents
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; 3.0 minimum GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.65%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

This research university located in College Station became Texas' first public higher learning institution in 1876. The campus spans 5,200 acres, making it one of the largest in the nation. Today, Texas A&M offers more than 150 different, innovative programs, including some highly competitive second degree nursing programs.

Learners must satisfy 59 credit hours of prerequisite coursework before enrolling in the accelerated program. Most are able to graduate in 15 months. Spanning four semesters, the program prepares graduates to sit for the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam.

• Program: Second degree bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: College Station, Texas
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $12,000 per academic year for residents; $38,962 per academic year for nonresidents
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; personal statement; community service
• Minimum Time Commitment: 15 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: N/A
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

Stony Brook's accelerated nursing degree stands out among the nation's fast-track nursing programs for its exceptionally fast graduation time. The 12-month concentrated option is open to candidates with a bachelor's degree in an area other than nursing.

Building upon prerequisite coursework, the curriculum explores topics such as the fundamentals of pharmacology, transitions into professional practice, and professional role development in nursing. Learners also participate in clinical experiences at a variety of healthcare settings, including Stony Brook University Hospital. Graduates can sit for the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam after completing the required 69 credits.

• Program: Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Stony Brook, New York
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $295 per credit in-state; $1,031 per credit out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; minimum 2.8 GPA; personal statement; three letters of recommendation
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid

Tampa-based USF operates as the fourth-largest university in Florida and the seventh-largest public university in the entire nation. Until 2020, USF was part of a university system. Now, the university functions as one institution with campuses across three different locations including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. Among the university's vast program offerings, learners can enroll in the accelerated second degree nursing program.

Bachelor's-prepared students who want to explore the nursing discipline can enroll in the flexible 16-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) track, completing four semesters of coursework and clinical requirements. USF's program stands out among similar opportunities at other institutions, offering enrollees the opportunity to serve the community through the Peace Corps.

• Program: Accelerated second degree BSN
• Campus: Tampa, Florida
• Type: Public
• Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $105 per credit hour for residents; $211 per credit hour for nonresidents
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; 3.0 minimum GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.04%
• School site: Tuition | Financial aid