It’s been said that the three most expensive things you’ll purchase in your lifetime will be a house, a new car and a college education.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2012–13 academic year, prices for undergraduate education were estimated to be $15,022 at public institutions, $39,173 at private nonprofit institutions, and $23,158 at private for-profit institutions.
The New York Times, in a 2014 article, estimated that Americans with four-year college degrees made 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree. Within medical careers, the higher the degree level, the higher the salary (i.e., a diploma or ADN nurse earn less than Bachelor of Science Nursing).
While daunting, it’s not insurmountable to find cost effective, full or part time, online degree programs that will enhance your career opportunities at a manageable cost. Best Medical Degrees also has ranked 25 Fast Online RN to BSN Degrees.
Best Medical Degrees, using information from US News and World Report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), has compiled a ranking of the most cost effective and affordable RN to BSN, online degree programs. Most of the programs are geared toward the licensed RN, who has a diploma or ADN degree; and, many offer credits for work experience and previous college credits.
Financing Your Degree
There are several ways to finance your college degree and help reduce your total cost.
Tuition Free State Colleges
Recently, many states are moving toward providing tuition-free opportunities at state supported two-year colleges for qualified students.
In 2015, President Obama presented a national proposal to provide federally supported, reduced tuition community college education for some students. President Obama’s proposal is building on several states that have drastically reduced or proposed tuition free community college and technical schools.
Federal Student Aid
The U.S. government provides financial assistance to students entering or returning to college. There are various forms of financial aid available to students that includes grants (money that does not have to be repaid) or student loans (typically, loans at a lower interest rate). You can learn more about whether you qualify for federal, educational financial aid by talking with your high school guidance counselor or college/university financial aid office. Additional information may be found on the Department of Education website Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Nurses Educational Funds Organization
As part of the nationwide effort to attract more nursing faculty and nurse educators, the Nurses Educational Funds Organization offers educational funding for nurses advancing their education. This link will take you to the organization’s webpage where you can learn more: Nurses Educational Funds Organization.
Employer Supported Tuition Assistance
Many hospital systems, recognizing the need for a skilled and qualified workforce, offer tuition assistance to employees advancing their educational careers in healthcare. You may want to check with your Human Resource department to see whether your employer offers tuition assistance and how to qualify.
Educational Degrees and Accreditation Requirements
Depending on the career path, students should be aware of requirements for specific healthcare positions. For instance, students may obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) degree at a two-year community college or a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN), a Master of Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practices (DNP) at a four year school. Not all careers require graduate education; but, salaries will, naturally, be higher for more advanced degrees.
Many medical careers stipulate students attend an accredited institution. Referring again to nursing as an example, most states recognize the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) educational standards. Depending on the career, be certain your school of choice is properly accredited for your field.
Additionally, most of the higher paying healthcare careers require either certification, licensure or both. It’s important you determine that your online program of choice meets your state’s specific licensure requirements.
1. Broward College
Opening in 1960, Broward College now serves more than 68,000 students annually and employs a faculty and staff of more than 2,000. Anchored in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Broward College is a public institution and has graduated over 120,000 students. The college has been offering online bachelor’s degree programs since 2010-2011 and uses a rolling deadline for admission and enrollment. The RN to BSN online degree program is accredited by CCNE.
Developed for the currently licensed and working Registered Nurse, this program requires approximately 3 semesters for completion (between 12 and 16 months). The school will consider Experiential Learning, designed to recognize the academic value of what students have learned through experiences outside the college classroom. Be certain to talk with your admissions advisor regarding your work/life experiences. The RN-BSN program has an Advanced Health Assessment lab, a Community Health Practicum, a senior nurse Capstone Practicum, and an End-of-Life on-campus lab and clinical observational experience. For more information on this program, visit the school’s website at Broward College .
Length of Program: 51 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $91.79 (In-State); $476.51 (Out-of-State) per credit hour
2. University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing
Located in Laramie, Wyoming, The University of Wyoming was founded in 1886, when Wyoming was still a territory. Unlike many colleges and universities of the day, UW enrolled equal numbers of men and women. The university boasts seven colleges with more than 200 areas of study and an annual enrollment of 13,929 students. The School of Nursing at Wyoming University was established in 1950 and renamed to “Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing” in 2003 as a result of Roy Whitney’s three million dollar gift to the university, made as a birthday gift to Fay from her husband.
The University of Wyoming has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission continuously since 1923 and its nursing school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The nursing school offers an online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program option for the registered nurse with an associate degree or diploma in nursing or the Wyoming associate degree nursing student who wishes to further their education to the baccalaureate level in nursing. The online program may be completed within a year and requires a Capstone (field experience) which may be completed in the student’s home community. Details of the program may be found at University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing.
Length of Program: 120 credit hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $124 (In-State); $496 (Out-of-State) per credit hour
3. East Carolina University
Part of the University of North Carolina educational system, this Greenville, North Carolina based school, was founded in 1907 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and 75 masters degree programs. A public university, East Carolina University’s Distance Education Division offers over 80 online degree programs ranging from undergraduate degrees in Business, Communications, Health Administration and a RN to BSN degree. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report, East Carolina University has a ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities at #194.
Offering a liberal arts and natural sciences based curriculum, the ECU’s RN to BSN program option stresses the learning of concepts and principles, as well as the use of the nursing process in caring for individuals, families and groups. Curriculum for the RN to BSN degree includes nursing research, clinical scholarship, and evidence based practice, communication in nursing, nursing leadership and finance. The online program may be completed in 33 credit hours and earned in 4 semesters. North Carolina state regulations prohibit ECU from accepting students from Alabama, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maryland and Ohio. The school holds a CCNE accreditation.
Length of Program: 33 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $134 per credit hour (in-state); $207 per credit hour (out-of-state)
4. Western Carolina University
Situated near the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the school was founded in 1889 and now enrolls over 10,000 students. The school offers academic programs which span more than 115 undergraduate specialties and more than 60 graduate programs. In addition, Western Carolina University has been recognized among the Top 15 public regional universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report, named one of 24 Best Value Colleges in the U.S. by Kiplinger Personal Finance and has been noted as one of the Top 12 best online programs for the military and veterans. The WKU School of Nursing was ranked #3 by College Choice as one of the 50 Best Online Nursing Programs in 2015.
Accredited by CCNE, the School of Nursing’s online RN to BSN program degree allows students to complete 24 hours of online core WCU RN to BSN courses, Leadership and Community Health practicums, and 8 hours of upper division online WCU electives on a part-time basis within two years. The program is 100% online; however, students are also required to complete two practicum course rotations, which may be met in the student’s local area with approval from course instructors. Application to the program includes: a current, unrestricted license to practice as an RN, completion of WCU Liberal Studies and School of Nursing prerequisites with a “C” average or better, cumulative GPA of 2.5, completion of 60 transferable non-nursing courses and applications for the Distance Learning and Admissions accompanied with official transcripts.
Length of Program: 34 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $151.62 (In-State); $502.74 (Out-of-State)
5. Fort Hays University
Founded in 1902, halfway between Denver and Kansas City, Fort Hays University was originally named the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School, FHU boasts an overall enrollment of 14,210. Of that number, there are 6,323 virtual, or online, students. The school is well known as a leader in distance education and offers 40 online degrees specifically designed for the adult learner. Recognized as a military friendly school, Fort Hays University has received US News and World Report’s ranking in 2016 as a Best Online Bachelors and Graduate programs for Veterans. The school has also been ranked by US News and World Report as #24 in its Online Bachelor’s Degree. College Choice ranked Fort Hays University #1 Most Affordable Online Colleges in 2016 and recognized FHU’s online nursing program #13 of it’s 2016 Best Online BSN programs.
Estimated tuition cost at Fort Hays University has a tuition and fee structure that is among the lowest in the nation. Fort Hays University offers more than 40 online degrees, the school estimates more than 8,100 online students. The Virtual College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additional information may be found at Fort Hays University.
Length of Program: 124 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $155.14 (In-State); $455.23 (Out-of-State)
6. University of Texas at Arlington
This school originated as Arlington College in 1895 and its history is as rich in tradition as it is in change. Serving as a military academy in the early 20th century, the school eventually joined the Texas University system in 1967. Today, the University offers more than 180 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs to more than 48,000 on-campus and online students. Its ever-expanding facilities span 420 acres and include more than 100 buildings. Located in Arlington, Texas the school has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA in its 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, Tier 2. The school’s online Graduate Nursing Program is ranked #76 nationally by U.S. News and World Report.
Developed specifically for the working nurse, The University of Texas School of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN program in collaboration with Academic Partnerships that is accredited by CCNE. Clinical experience can be completed at the student’s work place. The program blends liberal arts study with evidence-based nursing practices and may be finished in as few as nine months. This online program has graduated more than 6,500 students in less than six years and there is also a BSN to MSN online program available that may be completed in as few as 36 months.
Length of Program: 35 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $168 per credit hour-General Courses; $257 per credit hour-Nursing Courses; $350 per credit hour-Pre-Nursing Courses
7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The School of Nursing of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, located in Lubbock, Texas, is the only nursing school in West Texas that provides baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral education. This school, started in 1979, has been providing online nursing degrees since 1999 and holds AACN and CCNE accreditation and is part of the Texas Tech University System. The nursing school provides Articulation Agreements with community colleges to allow for an easier transition for associate’s degree graduates and entering TTU. TTU School of Nursing requires 30 hours of prerequisite coursework. The school’s online Graduate Nursing Program has been recognized at #36 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Graduate Program.
Students are required to take general education courses in subjects such as history, biology, psychology and English before completing core nursing courses in evidence based practice, risk analysis, issues and trends in nursing and nursing and leadership. TTU’s RN to BSN offers field experiences where a student will work with a mentor of the student’s choosing on certain projects required to complete course work. The field experience is completed at your place of employment.
Length of Program: 84 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $199 per credit hour (in-state); $615 per credit hour (out-of-state)
8. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The School of Nursing of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, located in Lubbock, Texas, is the only nursing school in West Texas that provides baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral education. This school, started in 1979, has been providing online nursing degrees since 1999 and holds AACN and CCNE accreditation and is part of the Texas Tech University System. The nursing school provides Articulation Agreements with community colleges to allow for an easier transition for associate’s degree graduates and entering TTU. TTU School of Nursing requires 30 hours of prerequisite coursework. The school’s online Graduate Nursing Program has been recognized at #36 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Graduate Program.
Students are required to take general education courses in subjects such as history, biology, psychology and English before completing core nursing courses in evidence based practice, risk analysis, issues and trends in nursing and nursing and leadership. TTU’s RN to BSN offers field experiences where a student will work with a mentor of the student’s choosing on certain projects required to complete course work. The field experience is completed at your place of employment.
Length of Program: 84 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $199 per credit hour (in-state); $615 per credit hour (out-of-state)
9. Lamar University
Located in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University is named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas and the “Father of Education” in Texas. Founded in 1923, the school joined The Texas State University System in 1995. Currently, the school has an enrollment of more than 15,000 students and provides a robust online degree option. The school offers both an accelerated and traditional distance education opportunities. The accelerated programs allow students to receive credit for life experiences. Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
As a state school, Lamar University is a public institution that provides popular degree options for active duty military and currently working adults. Tuition costs vary, dependent on course load and educational level (undergraduate or graduate); and, the school offers federal financial aid for qualifying students. Additional information on the distance education programs of Lamar University may be found at Lamar University.
Length of Program: 120 credit hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $208-268 per credit hour
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10. Walden University
Walden University was founded in 1970 by two teachers wanting to develop an educational opportunity for working adults to obtain their doctoral degrees. The first doctoral degrees were conferred in 1972, and since then, Walden University has exponentially expanded its degree offerings to 10 colleges (ranging from education, nursing, healthcare, management, etc.); and, confers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University is a proprietary school, accredited by CCNE for its nursing programs. The school offers a generous 75% transfer credit option and has two tracks in RN to BSN degree and RN to BSN to MSN.
The curriculum explores nursing research, role of the nurse in public and global health, leadership competencies, quality and safety through evidenced based practice, issues and trends in nursing and information management and patient care technology. The program is 100% online and additional information is available at Walden University.
Length of Program: 181 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $325 Per Credit Hour