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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.