The Best Online Nursing Schools and Programs

While all nursing programs educate and train nurses, online nursing programs serve as an alternative to traditional on-campus degrees. The flexibility of online schools especially appeals to students who may work full time, live far away from college campuses, or possess other responsibilities like caring for families.

Aspiring registered nurses (RNs) can enroll in online associate or bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Experienced nurses can find distance learning programs for master’s degrees. Check out this guide that outlines the best online nursing programs, no matter where you are in your career.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online nursing 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 key factors to consider when choosing a program, or go straight to our full ranking of the best online nursing programs.

Online nursing programs consist of distance learning courses along with supervised clinical hours.

The curriculum can offer synchronous courses, when students log on for online lectures at specific times. Or they can offer asynchronous courses, which means learners can complete their coursework at their convenience, as long as they meet deadlines.

The specific structure of online nursing programs depends on the school. Universities may offer accelerated, part-time, or full-time degrees. Associate degrees traditionally take two years to complete; bachelor’s degrees last four years. Master’s degrees often take two years to complete. However, this also depends on how many credits students take each term.

Supervised clinical requirements occur on-site, usually at a healthcare facility or on campus. Students typically complete these in the latter part of their programs.

Different online nursing programs come with different admission requirements.

Students who apply for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) usually need a high school diploma, as do individuals who apply for a bachelor or science in nursing (BSN). Some nurses enroll in RN-to-BSN programs, which allows registered nurses to earn their bachelor’s degrees on an accelerated track. Applicants for these programs need an ADN, nursing licensure, and previous nursing experience.

Candidates for master of science in nursing (MSN) programs should possess a BSN, active RN licensure, and usually previous nursing experience as well.

Nursing school is an investment of time and money, and students like to know that they’re investing into their education wisely. That’s where accreditation comes in. The nursing accreditation process serves as an independent review of higher education programs, including online nursing programs.

Accreditation boards evaluate academic programs to ensure they deliver students a quality education and prepare them for their careers. Accredited degrees allow students to qualify for nursing licensure, and they help boost job prospects.

Graduate schools typically accept students only with accredited degrees. Because of the importance of accreditation, all of the programs in this ranking hold accreditation.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This ranking is from 2023.

The material that students learn in online nursing programs doesn’t differ from the material they would learn in a traditional, on-campus program. However, some students may find themselves more suited to online courses, while others prefer campus classes.

Online learners must possess discipline and time management skills, since distance learning programs may require more independent work.

As long as an online nursing degree is accredited, it holds the same value as any other nursing program. Make sure that you enroll in an online degree acknowledged by the state where you want to practice. Some state boards only accept licensure from specific schools within that state.

Online nursing school doesn’t come with some of the structure of an on-campus program. Some online programs only offer asynchronous courses as well. Because of this, students must possess self-motivation, discipline, and time management skills to succeed, especially if they also work a full- or part-time job.