Question 1

Are online nursing programs accredited?

Accepted Answer

Every program compared on this page holds either CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) accreditation. Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and qualify graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN in any state. If you are looking at a program not listed here, verify its accreditation on the school's own page and cross-reference with the accrediting body before enrolling. Unaccredited programs will not qualify you for licensure in most states.

Question 2

Can I get an initial RN license through a fully online program?

Accepted Answer

For most students, no. Initial RN licensure requires supervised clinical hours, which cannot be completed fully online. What you can do is complete the didactic coursework online and the clinical hours at a partner hospital or facility in your local area. Purdue Global and Chamberlain both offer this hybrid pathway in select states. If you already hold an RN license, an RN-to-BSN completion program can be truly 100% online since you have already completed initial clinical requirements.

Question 3

Which online nursing program is the fastest to complete?

Accepted Answer

For RN-to-BSN completion, WGU's competency-based model is typically the fastest, with experienced RNs finishing in 12 months by testing out of familiar material. Purdue Global's ExcelTrack RN-to-BSN follows the same model and offers similar speed at similar cost. For MSN programs, WGU and GCU both offer accelerated options that finish in 18 to 24 months. Traditional term-based programs like Walden and Chamberlain take 18 to 24 months for RN-to-BSN and 24 to 36 months for MSN.

Question 4

What is the cheapest accredited online nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Aspen University offers the lowest published per-credit rate at approximately $150 per credit, making a full RN-to-BSN completion possible for around $6,000. WGU comes in second at approximately $7,500 to $15,000 total for RN-to-BSN. GCU sits at $10,880. Chamberlain, Walden, and Purdue Global are in the $15,000 to $22,000 range. Cheapest is not always best. Compare NCLEX pass rate history, clinical placement support, and student outcomes before optimizing purely for price.

Question 5

Do employers accept online BSN degrees?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided the degree is from a CCNE or ACEN accredited program. Major hospital systems including HCA Healthcare, Ascension, Kaiser Permanente, and Providence Health accept online BSNs from accredited programs on the same footing as in-person BSNs. Some magnet-status hospitals still prefer BSNs from four-year residential programs for new graduates, but for RN-to-BSN completion (where you already hold an RN license) the modality is essentially irrelevant. What employers care about is your license, your NCLEX result, and your clinical experience.

Question 6

How do clinical rotations work for online nursing programs?

Accepted Answer

For pre-licensure online programs, the school either places you at a partner hospital in your local area or requires you to arrange your own clinical site (with school approval). Chamberlain and Purdue Global have established clinical placement teams that handle this for you. WGU and GCU place more responsibility on the student to secure the site, with school support. For RN-to-BSN completion programs, clinical hours are typically minimal (100 to 400 hours of practicum) and can often be completed at your current employer.

Question 7

Can I use federal financial aid for an online nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All six programs on this page are eligible for federal financial aid including Pell grants, Direct Stafford loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Graduate PLUS loans for MSN programs. Some programs also offer institutional scholarships specifically for working nurses. Aspen University's monthly payment plan lets you bypass federal loans entirely by paying tuition month-to-month, which can be cost-effective if you finish quickly. See the financial aid guide for the complete list of programs.

Question 8

How do I know if an online program is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Five checks. First, verify CCNE or ACEN accreditation on the accrediting body's own website, not just the school's marketing page. Second, confirm the school is listed in the federal IPEDS database (this is what our tool uses). Third, check the NCLEX first-time pass rate for the program in the state where you plan to practice, published by that state's Board of Nursing. Fourth, read student reviews on independent forums like Reddit r/StudentNurse and AllNurses. Fifth, verify the program is approved by your state's Board of Nursing if you plan to practice in your home state.

Question 9

What is the difference between RN-to-BSN and traditional BSN?

Accepted Answer

A traditional BSN is a four-year bachelor degree that includes all pre-licensure nursing education plus general education requirements. Graduates take the NCLEX-RN after completion to become RNs. An RN-to-BSN is a completion program for people who already hold an active RN license (typically from a two-year ADN program). It covers only the additional coursework needed to reach BSN level, typically 30 to 40 credits, and finishes in 12 to 24 months. If you are not yet an RN, you cannot enroll in an RN-to-BSN. If you are already an RN, an RN-to-BSN is faster and cheaper than a second traditional degree.

Question 10

How much do online nursing programs cost total?

Accepted Answer

RN-to-BSN completion ranges from $6,000 (Aspen) to $22,000 (Chamberlain). Online MSN programs range from $15,000 to $45,000 total depending on the school and specialization. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs range from $35,000 to $70,000. These figures are for tuition only and do not include textbooks, exam fees, or clinical placement fees. Institutional aid and employer tuition reimbursement can reduce out-of-pocket cost substantially. Most major hospital systems reimburse RN-to-BSN completion for their employed nurses.

Program	Degrees	Accreditation	Per credit	Time	Starts/yr
Western Governors University	RN-to-BSN · MSN Nursing Leadership · MSN Education	CCNE-accredited	Flat term rate (~$3,795/6-mo term)	12 to 24 mo	12x
Purdue Global	RN-to-BSN · MSN · ADN (in select states)	CCNE-accredited (BSN, MSN)	$371 to $420 per credit	12 to 18 (RN-to-BSN) mo	6x
Chamberlain University	BSN (online + campus) · RN-to-BSN · MSN · DNP · Post-Grad Certificates	CCNE-accredited	$675 per credit (RN-to-BSN)	12 to 16 (RN-to-BSN) mo	6x
Grand Canyon University	RN-to-BSN · MSN (multiple tracks) · DNP · BSN (evening)	CCNE-accredited	$340 per credit (RN-to-BSN online)	15 to 24 mo	12x
Aspen University	RN-to-BSN · MSN	ACEN-accredited (BSN)	$150 per credit (monthly payment plan available)	12 to 30 mo	12x
Walden University	RN-to-BSN · MSN (multiple tracks) · DNP	CCNE-accredited	$355 per credit	18 to 24 mo	5x

Online Nursing Programs, Compared Honestly

The six programs, honest details

Western Governors University

Purdue Global

Chamberlain University

Grand Canyon University

Aspen University

Walden University

Which one fits your situation

Working RN who wants BSN fast

Working RN with tight budget

Nurse aiming for NP

New to nursing, needs pre-licensure

Wants six start dates per year

Wants faith-integrated curriculum

Read the degree guide before you commit

Questions about online nursing programs