Best Affordable Online RN-to-MSN Programs
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesEarning a master of science in nursing (MSN) can advance your clinical skills and bring expanded role opportunities. Registered nurses (RN) can earn an MSN through RN-to-MSN bridge programs, many of which offer online instruction.
Read more to learn about our top-ranked affordable online RN-to-MSN programs for career advancement.
Learn More About the Best Affordable Online RN-to-MSN Programs
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY- 4 year
- Campus + Online
University of Rochester's RN-to-BS-to-MS, intended for experienced registered nurses, integrates nursing practice, education, and research in convenient online and hybrid formats. Students may choose from nurse practitioner, nurse education, clinical nurse leader, and leadership in health care systems specializations and apply up to nine credits toward their bachelor's and master's degrees. Online learners complete their clinical experiences on campus at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The university's School of Nursing boasts that 100% of its graduates find employment in their field.
- Program: RN-to-BN-to-MS programs
- Campus: Rochester, New York
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $1,200-1,740 per credit hourÂ
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 monthsÂ
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 84%
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $83,708Â
- In-State$58,276
- Out-of-state$58,276
- In-State$46,779
- Out-of-state$46,779
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled12,039
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Maine
- Portland, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Ranking among the most affordable RN-to-MSN online programs, University of Southern Maine'smaster of science in nursing degree combines affordability with convenience. The fully online accelerated degree, intended for working nurses, allows students to take fewer courses than earning BSNs and MSNs separately. Enrollees may select concentrations in nursing administration and leadership or nursing education. Distance learners participate in various clinical experiences throughout central and southern Maine and opportunities for international service.
- Program: RN-to-MSN
- Campus: Portland, Maine
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $443 per credit hourÂ
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license; undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or higher
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 88.76%Â
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $63,969Â
- In-State$8,064
- Out-of-state$22,041
- In-State$7,776
- Out-of-state$21,888
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled7,996
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Rivier University
- Nashua, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Rivier University's MSN with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) specialization allows registered nurses with nursing diplomas or associate degrees to pursue national board certification in this field. This program prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with psychiatric disorders and mental health needs as PMHNPs.
The fully online MSN requires on-campus attendance for three weekends. The curriculum includes courses in psychiatric nursing theory, pathophysiology, health assessment, and biostatistics for health sciences.
- Program: MSN-Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Campus: Nashua, New Hampshire
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $697 per credit; $1,088 for clinical courses
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license, 2 years nursing experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 92.47%Â
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $73,734Â
- In-State$34,412
- Out-of-state$34,412
- In-State$11,880
- Out-of-state$11,880
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled2,424
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
Ottawa University-Kansas City
- Overland Park, KS
- 4 year
- Online
Ottawa University-Kansas City's MSN bridge degree is one of the most affordable RN-to-MSN online programs. This curriculum includes 10 courses in eight-week terms, which can reduce time to completion. Qualified students may enroll in three graduate-level courses instead of three undergraduate courses, paying the undergraduate tuition rate for their MSN classes. The program features two concentrations: a nurse leadership track for nurses seeking administrator roles and a nurse educator pathway for aspiring teachers.Â
- Program: RN-to-MSN bridge program
- Campus: Overland Park, Kansas
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $499 per credit hourÂ
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 2.5 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$12,229
- Out-of-state$12,229
- In-State$10,328
- Out-of-state$10,328
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled551
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The accelerated RN-to-MSN program at University of Maryland, Baltimore allows students to earn both BSNs and MSNs in less time and for less money than pursuing each degree separately. RNs without bachelor's degrees who are interested in moving into leadership and advanced nursing positions can apply six credits of BSN coursework to their master's requirements. Students may choose from three specializations. The university offers a community/public health track in a blended (face-to-face and online) format, along with health services leadership and nursing informatics management specializations delivered fully online.
- Program: RN-to-MSN
- Campus: Baltimore, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $873 per credit hour for in-state residents; $1,549 per credit for out-of-state studentsÂ
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 81.11%Â
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $75,365Â
- In-State$9,446
- Out-of-state$38,822
- In-State$15,140
- Out-of-state$32,979
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,244
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Jacksonville University
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Designed for working RNs with an associate degree or nursing diploma, the RN-to-MSN program at Jacksonville University provides an accelerated and affordable pathway to earning a BSN and an MSN at the same time. This 100% online program delivers courses in a flexible eight-week format, with start times available throughout the year. Students may apply 30 credits from previous nursing education toward their BSN degrees. The RN-to-MSN program prepares graduates for careers in nursing leadership, healthcare quality and safety, nursing education, and nursing informatics.
- Program: RN-to-MSN
- Campus: Jacksonville, Florida
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $325 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 81.82%Â
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $70,697Â
- In-State$42,250
- Out-of-state$42,250
- In-State$13,889
- Out-of-state$13,889
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled3,995
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Goodwin University
- East Hartford, CT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Goodwin University's online RN-to-MSN program features a collaborative cohort model that allows distance learners to progress through their degrees with the same group of students. The curriculum emphasizes disease prevention, social justice efforts in healthcare, and improving access to and quality of care. Online learners may select a general MSN, family nurse practitioner, or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specializations. Some tracks require on-campus immersion weekends. The curriculum also requires a 90-hour fieldwork capstone project.
- Program: RN-to-MSN bridge program
- Campus: East Hartford, Connecticut
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $949 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ADN or nursing diploma, minimum 3.0 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 83%Â
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $88,131Â
- In-State$19,988
- Out-of-state$19,988
- In-State$11,934
- Out-of-state$11,934
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,258
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- 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 ranking was created before 2025.
What Can You Do With an MSN Degree?
Earning an MSN degree can launch you into a rewarding career as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), nursing administrator, nurse educator, or other nursing specialization.
Nurses with an MSN typically earn a higher salary than those with an undergraduate nursing degree as they make more complex clinical decisions, carry greater responsibilities, and practice with greater professional autonomy.
How Do Online RN-to-MSN Programs Work?
Traditionally, you need a BSN to apply for an MSN program. But RNs with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) can bypass BSN programs altogether by enrolling in RN-to-MSN programs. These programs take about 2-3 years of full-time study to finish. Upon completion, you earn an MSN, but some institutions award you a BSN as well.
RN-to-MSN curriculum includes core and specialty courses, preparing you for advanced nursing roles, such as clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner (NP). Many of these programs offer the flexibility of online coursework, but any clinical training required must be completed in person.
Applying to an Online RN-to-MSN Program
Nurses applying to RN-to-MSN programs must prove clinical competency as the coursework builds upon fundamental nursing knowledge. Admission requirements can vary per institution, degree program, and specialty of choice. For example, candidates applying to acute care NP programs need acute care experience as an RN.
- Admission Materials: Applicants must submit proof of an ADN, RN license, and at least one year of clinical or health-related experience; A resume or CV detailing professional or volunteer work is also required; Transcripts should be submitted and include prerequisite courses, such as chemistry and statistics.
- GPA Requirement: 3.0
- Other Requirement: Candidates may have to pay an application fee; Personal statements and recommendation letters may be required; Some programs require language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers.
Why Is Online RN-to-MSN Program Accreditation Important?
Nursing school accreditation is important because it helps ensure nursing schools and programs meet certain educational standards established by accrediting bodies, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Accredited graduate nursing programs undergo rigorous evaluations to ensure graduates have a high chance of meeting specialty role competencies.
Choosing an accredited RN-to MSN program increases the likelihood you will be adequately prepared for an advanced nursing role. It also makes you eligible for financial aid and gives you the ability to transfer course credits to other accredited schools.
All RN-to MSN programs in the rankings above are accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online RN-to-MSN Programs
RN-to-MSN programs can be in-person, fully online, or a combination of both (hybrid). Any clinical training required must be completed in-person though, even if your program is fully online.
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