The Best Online LPN-to-RN programs of 2025

Are you a licensed practical nurse (LPN) looking to become a registered nurse (RN)?

Earning your RN license can increase your job prospects, boost your earning potential, and expand your professional responsibilities. Licensure also provides greater professional autonomy. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in Texas and California, must perform many of their day-to-day tasks under RN or physician supervision.

The first step toward becoming an RN is earning an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Online LPN-to-RN programs provide a quick and cost-effective pathway to accomplish this.

Explore our rankings of the nation’s best online LPN-to-RN degree programs to find your ideal program today.

When researching online LPN-to-RN programs, start with indicators of academic quality, such as accreditation status, NCLEX pass rates, and graduation rates. Here’s what to look for when comparing programs.

Enrolling in an accredited nursing school can provide access to many benefits. All the online LPN-to-RN programs listed in our rankings have been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Accreditation from ACEN and CCNE signals that programs meet strict academic and professional standards. These accreditations also meet RN licensure requirements. The list below includes several points about the importance of accreditation.

Online LPN-to-RN programs offer a flexible, convenient, and potentially less expensive alternative to in-person learning.

With online learning, you may use video conferencing tools like Zoom to meet with faculty and classmates or watch recorded lectures on your own time. Hybrid formats combine remote and in-person learning. Make sure to select a program that fits your schedule and learning style.

Some online LPN-to-RN programs let you complete all non-clinical coursework remotely, while others may require you to attend a few on-campus sessions. Depending on the program, you may be able to arrange your clinical placements, or you may have to travel to approved sites.

The admission requirements for online LPN-to-RN programs depend on degree level and institution, but all schools require an LPN or LVN degree from an accredited nursing program.

Becoming an RN can boost your earning potential, but paying for a nursing degree can be challenging. Fortunately, nurses benefit from several forms of financial aid.

Start by filling out the Free Application for Financial Student Assistance (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for government-funded grants or loans. Many states and schools also use the FAFSA to award aid.

If you’re currently working, find out if your employer offers tuition reimbursement programs. Some healthcare organizations partner with nursing schools to provide discounts.

You can also apply for school-sponsored or privately funded scholarships and grants, some of which assist specific populations, such as first-generation students, adult learners, and members of underrepresented groups.

Finally, federal and state governments sponsor loan forgiveness and repayment programs for nurses interested in working in high-need areas.

ADN and BSN degrees prepare graduates to perform similar routine clinical tasks such as monitoring patients, administering medication, and updating medical charts.

While an ADN is the fastest route to RN licensure, a BSN can offer more opportunities for career advancement over time. More healthcare employers now require or prefer candidates with BSNs over those with ADNs — at least one study found that healthcare facilities that employed more BSN-trained nurses were likelier to report better patient care outcomes.

At the same time, nurses with BSNs can pursue leadership positions and graduate programs more easily. Consider your short-term and long-term goals when choosing your educational pathway to become an RN.

Critical care nurses work in intensive care units and emergency departments, monitoring critically ill or injured patients and working with physicians and other healthcare professionals. According to March 2025 Payscale data, critical care nurses earn an average annual base salary of $80,890.

These specialized RNs work in hospital surgical units, outpatient clinics, or physician offices that offer surgical procedures. They provide patient care before, during, and after surgical and diagnostic procedures, working with surgeons, technicians, and other nurses. According to Payscale data from March 2025, surgical nurses earn an average annual base salary of $72,680.

Geriatric nurses care for older people with conditions that typically affect the aging population, like arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. They assist patients with daily living challenges to help them maintain their quality of life and independence. Payscale data from March 2025 indicates that this in-demand RN specialty offers an annual base salary of $76,930.