The Best Online Nursing Schools and Programs in 2025
Credit: valentinrussanov / E+ / Getty ImagesOnline nursing programs are a convenient alternative to traditional on-campus learning and offer one of the fastest ways to become a nurse.
Concerned about the quality of online education compared with traditional pathways? Fortunately, accredited online nursing programs meet the same rigorous academic standards as in-person programs.
Great online nursing programs cater to a wide spectrum of nursing professionals. For example, aspiring registered nurses (RNs) can enroll in online associate or bachelor’s programs in nursing. More experienced nurses can find distance learning programs for master’s degrees to move into in-demand nursing specialties.
This guide can help you find the best online nursing program for you, whether you’re looking to join the field or level up your current skills. Explore detailed information on how these programs operate below.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Online Nursing Schools and Programs in 2025
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School:
The UF Online’s RN-to-BSN program provides a pathway for RNs to earn their BSN degrees online. We like the 100% asynchronous online classes that enable RNs to balance their other commitments as they work toward their degrees.
Half of the clinical training, or about 45 hours, occurs through virtual simulation activities.
This BSN curriculum prepares you for general nursing practice, where you'll be equipped to provide holistic care to diverse populations and patients of all ages. Courses include clinical reasoning and personalized nursing care, genetics and genomics in health care, and professional nursing in the evolving healthcare system.
Highlights:
- Holistic training that's sensitive to diverse patient groups
- 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023
- Most affordable program on the list
Considerations:
- First-time BSN applicants need a Florida RN license or multi-state nursing license
- Transfer and second bachelor's degree applicants need an ADN
- 45 clinical hours require in-person attendance on site in a student's local area
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled5,356
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
CUNY Lehman College
- Bronx, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Lehman College offers an online BSN program for non-nurses and RNs in New York state. Applicants must hold a New York RN license and either an ADN or a diploma from a hospital school of nursing. You'll also need 60 transferable credits of science and foundation courses with a 2.5 GPA to qualify for admission.
If you have a hospital nursing school diploma, the program recommends taking exams in adult-gerontology nursing, maternal and child nursing, and psychiatric-mental health nursing to earn advanced standing credit.
We like that the nursing program accepts applications anytime during the school year and offers 100% online course delivery. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- Most affordable program on this list
- 86% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023
- Includes clinical preparation practicum hours
Considerations:
- Degree-completion program
- Curriculum includes an honors project research paper
- Located in a city with higher-than-average salaries and cost of living
- In-State$6,930
- Out-of-state$14,880
- In-State$11,090
- Out-of-state$20,520
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled15,143
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The MSN program at UNC Chapel Hill will be offered online in the fall of 2025. We chose this program for its flexibility and emphasis on understanding patients' clinical progression, care transition, and care quality and safety. You can choose between two concentrations: healthcare leadership and administration or nurse practitioner advanced practice. The curriculum includes clinical core, research core, and professional core courses, along with in-person clinical practicums.
The NP track features advanced practice areas in adult-gerontology, family, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health. The healthcare leadership and administration track includes both synchronous and asynchronous courses taught by industry leaders.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- Full- and part-time study tracks
- Nursing school offers numerous funding options
- Concentrations in healthcare leadership and several advanced practice nursing areas
Considerations:
- Campus immersions required each semester
- All tracks require a master's paper
- Admission requires a North Carolina or nurse compact state RN license and six months to one year of clinical work experience
- In-State$7,020
- Out-of-state$37,360
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,844
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled32,496
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
St Luke's College
- Sioux City, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
St. Luke's College RN-to-BSN program enables RNs to earn their BSN degrees online. We chose this program for its flexibility, learner focus, and suitability for both new and experienced RNs.
The 100% online curriculum includes core courses in pathophysiology, informatics, healthcare leadership, and population-focused nursing. Electives span diverse topics including healthcare finance, leadership, strategic decision-making, and death and dying.
Students may also complete an independent research project. We also noted the program's special focus topics that cover chronic health issues, older adult care, women's health, palliative nursing, and pharmacology.
Highlights:
- 100% graduation rate
- Flexible full- and part-time schedules
- Special foci include chronic conditions and palliative care
Considerations:
- Asynchronous coursework requires self-motivation
- ADN or diploma required for admission
- RN-to-BSN program does not hold programmatic accreditation
- In-State$19,440
- Out-of-state$19,440
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled196
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School:
Charter Oak offers an online BSN for RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma. The program accepts students from most U.S. states and is in the process of seeking approval from the others. Major requirements include courses in population health, leadership, healthcare policy, economics, regulation, and ethics. You'll also complete a practicum-based baccalaureate nursing capstone project.
Residents of Connecticut, where the college is located, may qualify for community college tuition matches or the CT Health Horizons Scholarship Opportunity for Charter Oak RN/ADN to BSN Students.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- 100% graduation rate
- Special coursework for students with ADN or nursing diploma
- May accept transfer credits from other RN-to-BSN programs
Considerations:
- Selective admissions
- Students must self-identify in-person practicums, which may include their current employers
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,602
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
We chose UCF’s online MSN program for its low tuition rates and focus on the clinical and soft skills needed to lead healthcare systems. The 31-36-credit curriculum develops leadership, management, and teaching strategies with the goal of improving healthcare quality.
You can choose one of three program tracks: nursing and healthcare simulation, nurse educator, or nursing leadership and management. Core courses include health promotion, pathophysiological bases for advanced nursing, and theory for advanced practice nursing.
Nurse educator students complete internships in their home communities. The nursing and healthcare simulation track brings together interdisciplinary teams to develop cutting-edge applications to advance healthcare.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- Affordable nursing master's program
- GRE scores not required for admission
- Three program tracks: nursing and healthcare simulation, nurse educator, leadership
Considerations:
- Requires an RN license and a BSN or an ADN or diploma with a non-nursing bachelor's degree
- Applicants must reside in Florida or nurse-licensure compact states
- In-State$6,368
- Out-of-state$22,467
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate43%
- Students Enrolled68,842
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Johns Hopkins offers an MSN in healthcare organization and leadership online. The program emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, outcomes management, and technology-based innovations in healthcare delivery and care improvements. Graduates qualify to take the exam for a national certifications for nurse executives.
You'll complete 34 credits and 504 in-person clinical practicum hours. Courses include leadership role identity and career development, biostatistics for evidence-based practice, foundations of healthcare quality and safety, and healthcare finance. The program's clinical placement team assists with finding clinical practicum sites and preceptors.
Johns Hopkins also offers an MSN in healthcare organizational leadership/MBA dual degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- Emphases on healthcare organization and leadership
- Full- and part-time study options with synchronous and asynchronous sessions
- No campus attendance required
Considerations:
- Admission requires a BSN or entry-level nursing master's degree
- Distance learners need an RN license from an authorized state
- Students cannot complete clinical training in Louisiana
- In-State$60,480
- Out-of-state$60,480
- In-State$60,480
- Out-of-state$60,480
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate8%
- Students Enrolled30,363
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
We selected Vanderbilt University for its hybrid and online MSN options. Hybrid programs require some in-person sessions at the Nashville, Tennessee, campus.
Available advanced specialties include adult gerontology, emergency nurse, family, neonatal, pediatric, psychiatric-mental health, and women's health gender-related. You can become an NP in 4-5 semesters of full-time study, and complete clinical training near your home in most areas. The school can assist with clinical coordination.
Nursing informatics and nursing and healthcare leadership degrees take six part-time semesters to earn, and Vanderbilt offers these specialties 100% online. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Highlights:
- 97% of graduates employed in advanced practice nursing
- Online and hybrid learning options
- Become an NP in as few as four semesters
Considerations:
- Applicants need RN license and BSN degree from an accredited program
- Fall entry only
- Depending on your course of study, campus visits to Nashville may be required
- In-State$58,130
- Out-of-state$58,130
- In-State$53,160
- Out-of-state$53,160
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled13,456
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M University-College Station
- College Station, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Texas A&M's online and hybrid nursing programs include MSN degrees in nursing education, family nurse practitioner (FNP), and forensic nursing.
You'll complete coursework primarily online but will also attend clinicals and some course sessions on campus. You should also expect to secure a preceptor for in-person clinical experiences at off-campus healthcare facilities. Core courses include advanced pathophysiology, healthcare quality improvement and informatics, advanced health assessment, and prevention and population health.
Texas A&M also offers an online RN-to-BSN bridge track and a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Highlights:
- MSN tracks in nursing education, family NP, forensic nursing
- Most tracks offer full- or part-time study options
- 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023
Considerations:
- Admission requires a BSN and RN license
- The FNP track requires verification of at least 1,500 BSN practice hours
- In-State$8,443
- Out-of-state$36,637
- In-State$6,885
- Out-of-state$19,593
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled76,633
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Georgetown University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Georgetown’s online nursing schools offer online options for its adult-gerontology acute care, family practice, nurse-midwifery/women's health, and women's health NP programs.
We like Georgetown's support teams, which help online learners navigate admissions, clinical placements, and post-graduate employment.
You can expect weekly synchronous class sessions and on-site clinical training near your local community and clinical intensives in the Washington, D.C. metro area. You'll graduate prepared to take national certification exams in your specialty area.
Georgetown's DNP programs are also available online. The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Highlights:
- Robust student support
- National certification exam pass rates at or near 100%
- Students can complete 40-49 credits in 19-27 months, depending on specialty track
Considerations:
- Costliest program on the list
- Admission requires a BSN or entry-level MSN from an accredited program and an RN license
- Some educational tracks require one year of full-time experience
- In-State$61,872
- Out-of-state$61,872
- In-State$56,592
- Out-of-state$56,592
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled20,392
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best 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 list is from 2025.
How Do Online Nursing Programs Work?
Online nursing programs combine distance learning courses with supervised clinical hours. Programs may offer synchronous learning, in which students attend online lectures at specific times. They may also use asynchronous courses, which allow learners to complete assignments on their schedules, as long as they meet deadlines.
Nursing students who complete coursework online must still complete in-person clinical requirements. Supervised clinical experiences occur on-site, usually at a healthcare facility or on campus. Students typically complete these in the latter part of their programs. Online nursing programs may require distance learners to attend specific sites or work with enrollees to arrange local clinical experiences.
Applying to an Online Nursing Program
Admission requirements for online nursing programs vary depending on the degree level and nursing school. Typically, an applicant for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) needs a high school diploma. RN-to-BSN programs require an ADN, nursing license, and previous nursing experience.
A candidate for a master of science in nursing (MSN) should possess a BSN, an active RN license, and previous nursing experience.
- Admission Materials: Transcripts from previous education; prerequisite courses in anatomy, biology, and chemistry; a resume outlining previous academic and career achievements; recommendation letters; personal statement
- GPA Requirement: Typically at least a 2.0-2.5 GPA for ADNs; at least a 2.5-3.0 GPA for BSNs and MSNs
- Other Requirements: RN-to-BSN programs and MSNs typically require clinical nursing experience; international students must submit English language test scores
Why Is Online Nursing Program Accreditation Important?
Nursing school is an investment of time and money, and students like to know they’re investing wisely in their education. The nursing accreditation process serves as an independent review of higher education programs, including online nursing programs, to provide quality assurance.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredit in-person and online nursing programs. They evaluate academic programs to ensure students receive a quality education and prepare for clinical responsibilities.
Accredited degrees allow students to qualify for nursing licensure and can help boost job prospects. Graduate schools typically accept students only with accredited degrees, and attending an unaccredited school will likely result in learners receiving less financial aid and fewer job opportunities. All of the programs in this ranking are accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nursing Schools and Programs
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