The Best RN-to-MSN Programs (No BSN Required) of 2025
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- Best RN-to-MSN Programs
- What to Look For
- RN-to-MSN Program Accreditation
- Applying to RN-to-MSN Programs
- Paying for RN-to-MSN Programs
- MSN Career Outlook
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: AJ_Watt / E+ / Getty ImagesIf you’re a registered nurse (RN), a master of science in nursing (MSN) can open new career doors and increase your earning potential. You don’t need to earn a separate bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) before starting an MSN degree.
RN-to-MSN bridge programs streamline your path to a graduate degree in nursing and help save you time and money in the process. We’ve identified and ranked the nation’s top RN-to-MSN programs to help you make the best decision for your nursing career.
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best RN-to-MSN Programs (No BSN Required) of 2025
Northeastern University
Boston, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$59,100
- Out-of-state$59,100
- In-State$26,715
- Out-of-state$26,715
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled38,760
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,478
- Out-of-state$47,052
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled48,046
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Irvine
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,522
- Out-of-state$45,096
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$26,802
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate26%
- Students Enrolled36,587
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Emory University
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$57,120
- Out-of-state$57,120
- In-State$45,800
- Out-of-state$45,800
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled14,830
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$53,630
- Out-of-state$53,630
- In-State$20,034
- Out-of-state$20,034
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled6,289
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
University of Vermont
- Burlington, VT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,280
- Out-of-state$41,280
- In-State$12,204
- Out-of-state$30,960
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled14,320
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
- Rockford, IL
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$26,368
- Out-of-state$26,368
- In-State$18,252
- Out-of-state$18,252
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled242
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Louis University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$49,800
- Out-of-state$49,800
- In-State$22,500
- Out-of-state$22,500
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled14,079
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
Montclair State University
- Montclair, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,755
- Out-of-state$21,465
- In-State$13,740
- Out-of-state$13,740
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled22,570
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of St Thomas
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,724
- Out-of-state$31,724
- In-State$20,934
- Out-of-state$20,934
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled3,691
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- 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.
Using Our Rankings: What To Look For in an Online RN-to-MSN Program
What should you look for when choosing an online RN-to-MSN program? Here are the major factors that should guide your search.
Admission Requirements
Check whether you meet the program’s education and clinical experience requirements.
Specializations
Nursing schools offer multiple MSN specializations, so make sure the programs on your list feature concentrations in your chosen areas.
Program Curriculum
Review the program’s course requirements to see what you’ll study and learn more about whether the program aligns with your professional interests.
Clinical Experience
Look at the clinical requirements and the format, including whether the school assists with clinical placements, to find a good fit.
Accreditation
Licensure requires an accredited nursing degree, so restrict your search to programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Program Length
RN-to-MSN programs typically require 24-36 months. However, APRN programs, including MSN degrees for nurse practitioners, may take more than 36 months.
School NCLEX Pass Rate
While RNs have already passed the NCLEX exam, checking a school’s pass rate can provide valuable information on how well it prepares graduates for nursing careers.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online RN-to-MSN programs offer flexible online methods with accelerated, synchronous, and asynchronous course options. Choose a learning format that fits your schedule.
Why Is Online RN-to-MSN Program Accreditation Important?
Nursing school accreditation recognizes programs that meet national quality standards and follow industry best practices. Choosing an accredited RN-to-MSN program is crucial for your career and ensuring your eligibility for licensure. Credits from non-accredited curriculums rarely transfer to programs with accreditation.
Additionally, the government only offers federal grants and loans to students in accredited nursing schools and programs. So, enrolling in an RN-to-MSN program with accreditation is the most economical and efficient course. Our guide lists only accredited programs.
How Online RN-to-MSN Programs Work
A growing number of RN-to-MSN programs offer online options. Depending on your circumstances and needs, there are advantages and disadvantages to online courses.
Some online RN-to-MSN programs require you to be physically present for onboarding, practicums, or other components of the program, while others offer coursework entirely online. Programs also set technology requirements for distance learners.
MSN programs, including those with 100% online coursework, often require hands-on clinical hours to develop experience with supervised patient care in a skills lab. Some schools help you find clinical placements in your local area, while others may rely on you to make the arrangements. Ensure that you can coordinate clinicals in your local community if necessary.
Applying to an Online RN-to-MSN program
Applying to an RN-to-MSN program is the first step in taking your career to the next level and earning a master’s degree. Admission requirements vary depending on the school, but most programs require the following:
- ADN from an accredited institution (bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields are sometimes acceptable)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Academic transcripts
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- At least one year of clinical nursing experience
- Criminal background check and fingerprinting
- Personal essay
- Letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS (English proficiency tests for non-native English speakers)
- Interview
- GRE or MAT scores (requirement of some schools)
Prerequisite classes ensure prospective MSN students are adequately prepared for the rigor of a master’s degree. Here are the seven most common prerequisites:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Psychology
- Statistics
Institutions commonly offer these classes through online learning, including lab requirements.
Paying for Your Online RN-to-MSN Program
Earning an MSN is an excellent investment in your future but can carry a large price tag, making it challenging to pay for your RN-to-MSN program with savings or current earnings. Fortunately, plenty of organizations and institutions understand the importance of this issue and want to set you up for success.
Identifying available financial aid options, including grants and scholarships, can help lower your financial burden. After meeting eligibility requirements, you do not have to pay back these forms of aid. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer financial assistance programs, including tuition reimbursement or education funds.
Nursing student loans, on the other hand, must be paid back — often with interest. The federal government offers loans to graduate students attending accredited institutions.
You can also pursue loan forgiveness and consolidation programs as a nursing student, including offers that require you to work for a period in an underserved area. Some nurse-specific loan forgiveness options include:
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
- National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
- Army Nurse Corps Benefits/ Health Care Professions Loan Repayment Program
When estimating costs beyond tuition, consider whether you must adjust your work schedule during clinicals or when studying for exams. Factor in other program expenses, such as textbooks and any additional equipment. You may also have expenses related to clinical placements, including tolls, gas, parking, and meals on clinical days.
RN-to-MSN Salary and Career Outlook
Compared to their peers with bachelor’s and associate degrees, nurses with MSNs can benefit from much higher earning potential. Payscale data from March 2025 indicates that, on average, master’s-level nurses earn almost $30,000 more than ADNs.
| Nursing Degree | Average Annual Salary (March 2025) |
|---|---|
| MSN | $104,000 |
| BSN | $96,000 |
| ADN | $79,000 |
Most MSN graduates become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to work as nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNS’), and nurse-midwives. Still, there are other possibilities for RN-to-MSN graduates, including nurse educator, nurse informaticist, and nurse administrator roles. Many nurse leadership positions require at least a master’s degree.
With the need for mental healthcare on the rise, psychiatric nurse practitioners may experience strong demand and lucrative salaries. You may also consider earning a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), which is the highest degree in nursing and a requirement for becoming a nurse anesthetist.
While a nurse anesthetist is the highest-paid nurse specialization, NPs also earn an average six-figure income.
Although PayScale reports an average annual MSN salary of $104,000 as of March 2025, the income varies according to specialty, geographic area, work setting, and other factors.
| Nurse Specialty | Average Annual Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist | $185,130 |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $122,100 |
| Nurse Midwife | $104,140 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $103,410 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $101,970 |
| Nursing Manager | $103,380 |
| Nurse Educator | $83,080 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online RN-to-MSN Programs
RN-to-MSN programs typically require a minimum of two years, during which you’ll complete undergraduate and graduate nursing courses. If you’re enrolling part-time or specializing as a nurse practitioner, you’ll likely spend 3-4 years in an RN-to-MSN program.
Related RN-to-MSN Career Resources
RN-to-MSN Degree Overview
RN-to-MSN programs can boost career advancement and salary potential. Learn more about these nursing bridge programs in this guide.
BSN vs. MSN: How to Choose as an RN
ADN-prepared nurses considering a BSN vs. MSN program find more career opportunities and higher salary potential. Use this guide to evaluate your options.
How a Direct-Entry MSN Program Can Reset Your Career
Direct-entry MSN programs help nurses get their master’s degrees more quickly. Here’s how this program can help you reset – or reinvent – your nursing career.