Most Affordable ABSN Programs

Career changers face a brutal equation: the $200 NCLEX-RN registration fee is trivial next to ABSN tuition that can add tens of thousands of dollars on top of a bachelor's degree they already paid for, while required clinical hours make full-time work difficult.

This list orders affordable accelerated BSN programs by net price after financial aid, not sticker tuition, because second-degree students often receive less grant aid than first-time undergraduates.

Across the U.S., later sections compare total cost, aid limitations, debt against early earnings, and state-specific alternatives. A low published tuition matters only if the program still fits your income during the 12-to-18-month program.

10 Most Affordable ABSN Programs for 2027

The order below weighs net price after aid and scholarships more heavily than sticker tuition, because a low published rate does not always mean low out-of-pocket cost for a career changer. We compare estimated net price, in-state and out-of-state tuition, delivery format, and schoolwide graduation rate. Every school on this list has a campus-based or online/hybrid accelerated BSN option, but the final cost can look very different once grants, loans, and fees are added.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	CUNY Hunter College	New York, NY	$3,000/yr	New York City career changers on a budget
CUNY Hunter College anchors this list with one of the lowest estimated net prices in the country for an accelerated BSN. The public college in Manhattan serves a large share of Pell Grant recipients and runs a cohort-based, second-degree nursing track that moves students from prerequisites through NCLEX preparation. Its location gives students access to major New York City hospitals for clinical rotations. Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program (A2D), Bachelor's — On-Campus Visit Website 18-month full-time campus program 51 total credit hours CCNE accredited Requires entrance exam (NEX) 3.2 GPA minimum for admission Designed for non-nursing bachelor's degree holders Prepares for NCLEX-RN
#2	Miami Dade College	Miami, FL	$3,000 – $10,000/yr	South Florida students wanting campus-based clinicals
Miami Dade College pairs low in-state tuition with strong local clinical connections in South Florida. The accelerated BSN is campus-based and includes a mandatory boot camp orientation along with health, background, and CPR requirements. Its large, urban campus environment supports a collaborative cohort experience for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website ACEN accredited Campus-based format in Miami Mandatory 3-day nursing boot camp ACEN accredited CPR/BLS certification required Background screening and drug screening required Financial aid and scholarships available
#3	CUNY Lehman College	Bronx, NY	$3,000/yr (net price)	Bronx career changers needing a summer start
CUNY Lehman College offers another low-cost public option in New York City, this time in the Bronx with a summer-start accelerated BSN. The program is full-time and 15 months, with a 75-credit curriculum and HESI A2 admission exam. Its borough location opens clinical placements in community health centers and hospitals serving diverse populations. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website CCNE accredited 15-month full-time campus program 75 total credit hours CCNE accredited HESI A2 entrance exam required Starts summer 2.8 GPA minimum Designed for second-degree students
#4	California State University-Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA	~$4,000/yr (est.)
California State University-Los Angeles runs a self-support accelerated BSN through its PaGE division, so pricing and aid can differ from traditional state-supported CSU nursing tracks. The 15-month campus program is cohort-based and emphasizes a streamlined transition into RN practice for prior degree holders. It is one of the more affordable California options after aid, though total program tuition is listed near $39,615. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website ACEN accredited 15-month full-time campus program 57 total credit hours $39,615 total program tuition $695 per credit ACEN accredited Cohort-based structure Starts summer
#5	California State University-Fullerton	Fullerton, CA	$7,000 – $20,000/yr
Cal State Fullerton's accelerated BSN is a two-year, fall-start pathway delivered on campus for students with a prior bachelor's degree. Because accelerated students are charged at the post-baccalaureate or graduate rate rather than the standard undergraduate rate, the all-in cost runs higher than some CSU peers, even though the program remains competitive among California options. The school's strong overall graduation rate and Orange County clinical network are draws for career changers. Accelerated BSN — On-Campus Visit Website ACEN accredited 2-year full-time campus program Starts fall Eligible for California RN license ACEN and CCNE accredited For students with any bachelor's degree
#6	California State University-Stanislaus	Turlock, CA	~$6,000/yr (est.)
California State University-Stanislaus offers a 17-month accelerated second-degree BSN option on its Turlock campus. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA, ten prerequisites including anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, and a TEAS exam score. The program is full-time and CCNE-accredited, with clinical practicums across pediatrics, adult health, mental health, and community settings. Nursing B.S.: Accelerated Second Degree Option (ASBSN), Bachelor's — On-Campus Visit Website CCNE accredited 17-month full-time campus program 59 total credit hours CCNE accredited TEAS entrance exam required 3.0 GPA minimum Ten prerequisite courses required Designed for non-nursing graduates
#7	Florida International University	Miami, FL	~$9,000/yr (est.)
Florida International University offers an Accelerated Option BSN on its Biscayne Bay Campus in Miami. The full-time, four-semester program is 58 credits and designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. FIU's larger university structure provides access to hospital systems across South Florida for clinicals, and its admission is competitive as a limited-access program. Accelerated Option Bachelor of Science in Nursing (AO BSN) — On-Campus Visit Website ACEN accredited 4-semester full-time campus program 58 total credit hours Starts fall Classes at Biscayne Bay Campus ACEN and CCNE accredited Prepares for NCLEX-RN Designed for second-degree students
#8	California State University-Northridge	Northridge, CA	~$7,000/yr (est.)
California State University-Northridge's accelerated BSN is a self-support, cohort-based program delivered in partnership with The Tseng College. It can be completed in four semesters and includes clinical rotations that may require evenings and weekends. Published Fall 2027 tuition estimates place the program at $1,086 per unit for 58 units, or $62,988 in tuition alone, before books, health compliance, and other costs. Nursing, B.S. - Accelerated, Bachelor's — On-Campus Visit Website CCNE accredited 4-semester full-time campus program 58 total credit hours $62,988 tuition for 58 units $1,086 per unit (Fall 2027 estimate) Self-support program funded by student fees CCNE accredited Cohort-based structure Clinical rotations include evenings and weekends
#9	California State University-Sacramento	Sacramento, CA	$8,000 – $21,000/yr
Sacramento State offers an accelerated second bachelor's in nursing in collaboration with CSU Stanislaus, administered through the College of Continuing Education. The six-semester program includes 55 units and places students in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and community agencies across the Sacramento region. It is CCNE-accredited and prepares graduates for California RN licensure. Accelerated Second Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program Collaborative with CSU Stanislaus — On-Campus Visit Website CCNE accredited 6-semester full-time campus program 55 total credit hours Collaborative with CSU Stanislaus CCNE accredited Eligible for California RN licensure Clinical sites include hospitals and clinics For students with a prior bachelor's degree
#10	University of Central Florida	Orlando, FL	$10,000/yr
University of Central Florida rounds out the list with an accelerated second-degree BSN that starts in fall, spring, or summer. The Orlando public university is one of the largest in the nation, with a high overall graduation rate and broad clinical partnerships across Central Florida. The program is 60 credits, CCNE-accredited, and requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, making it accessible for many second-degree students despite higher out-of-state costs. Accelerated Second Degree BSN — On-Campus Visit Website ACEN accredited 60 total credit hours Starts fall, spring, and summer CCNE and ACEN accredited 2.5 GPA minimum No thesis or capstone required In-state tuition $212.28 per credit Mandatory drug screening required

How We Ranked Affordable Accelerated BSN Programs

What Counts Most

Net price after financial aid carries the most weight in this ranking, because it reflects what students typically pay once grants and scholarships are subtracted. Financial aid measures, such as the share of students receiving Pell Grants, come next. Sector matters too: public universities generally charge less than private ones, which is why state schools in New York, Florida, and California fill the list.

Debt and Earnings Data

Where it exists, we also look at program-level figures from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard:

• Debt: median federal loan debt at graduation
• Repayment: the estimated monthly payment on that debt over a 10-year plan
• Earnings: median graduate earnings one to five years after finishing

Where the Numbers Fall Short

Net price and graduation rate are campus-wide figures. They describe the whole undergraduate population, not a quote for one accelerated nursing cohort. Many accelerated BSN programs run as self-support or continuing-education programs priced separately from regular tuition. Cal State LA, for example, lists $39,615 in total program tuition for its ABSN, far above its campus-wide net price. For the schools ranked here, program-level debt and earnings for the accelerated track are not yet published, so treat those comparisons as directional.

What This Ranking Doesn't Measure

This list does not score NCLEX-RN pass rates or how much help a school gives with clinical placements, and both affect whether a cheap program is a good value. Before you apply, check NCLEX-RN pass rates and clinical placement support directly with each program.

Sticker Price vs. Net Price vs. the All-In Cost of an ABSN

The $200 NCLEX-RN registration fee for U.S. licensure candidates in 2026¹ is only a fraction of what an ABSN actually costs. To compare programs fairly, track three different numbers:

• Sticker price: the published tuition and required fees before any aid.
• Net price: the sticker price minus grants and scholarships, not loans.
• All-in cost: the net price plus every non-tuition expense required to complete the program and become licensed.

Non-Tuition Costs That Rarely Show Up in a Tuition Chart

• Lab and clinical fees: charged separately at many schools; amounts vary by campus, course, and clinical site.
• Uniforms and equipment: scrubs, shoes, stethoscope, watch, and other clinical supplies; totals depend on program requirements.
• Background checks and drug screens: often required by schools or state boards; costs differ by vendor and state.
• Immunizations and titers: priced by clinics and your own health history, with no single national rate.
• ATI or HESI testing packages: separate charges at several ABSN programs; fees vary by vendor, bundle, and remediation needs.
• NCLEX-RN registration: $200 for 2026 U.S. candidates, nonrefundable¹; an international test center adds $150³. The fee will rise to $350 effective February 1, 2027².
• State RN licensure application fees: set by each state board and separate from the NCLEX fee; confirm your state board's 2026 schedule.

The Living-Expense Gap

A 12-to-18-month accelerated BSN leaves little room for outside income. Most accelerated BSN programs discourage or restrict outside work because lectures, labs, skills checkoffs, and clinical rotations consume most waking hours. Treat rent, food, transportation, health insurance, and loan interest as program costs, not background costs. Missing these line items is the most common way students underestimate an ABSN budget.

Ask for the Full Cost-of-Attendance Sheet

Before committing, contact each program and request the full cost-of-attendance sheet, not just the tuition figure. The sheet should list every fee, supply, testing package, and estimated living allowance. Compare that all-in number with the net price after grants. A program with lower published tuition can still end up more expensive once clinical fees, testing, and a longer commute are added.

How Much Do Three Common Science Prerequisites Cost?

This is a representative example, not a quote from one ABSN program. It shows the cost of three common science prerequisites (Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Microbiology) at a private online provider. The same courses taken through a community college can cost far less, but prices vary by district, residency, and lab fees.

Related Articles

Debt vs. Earnings: Which Affordable ABSN Schools Pay Off Fastest

Three programs on this page stand out for their low published median federal student loan debt at completion: CUNY Hunter College ($11,000), CUNY Lehman College ($10,950), and University of Washington Seattle ($14,615). Program-level first-year earnings are not yet published for these accelerated BSN programs, and a program-specific NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is also not published in the sources this page can verify. Because a monthly loan payment comparison would require a fixed interest rate and a program-level earnings window that are not available, the table below sticks to the debt figure that is directly reported for each program and does not substitute an institution-wide number.

ABSN Admission Requirements: GPA, Prerequisites, and Timeline

Accelerated BSN admission standards vary by school, but most programs ask for a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree, a competitive GPA, specific science prerequisites, and an entrance exam.

1. Degree requirement

   Most ABSN programs require a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from a regionally accredited school. Some programs, such as University of St. Thomas, accept at least 60 non-nursing college credits instead.
2. Minimum GPA

   A 3.0 overall GPA is common, but minimums range from about 2.75 (Michigan State) to 3.0 (Touro, Quinnipiac, St. Thomas). Competitive cohorts may expect a higher GPA; there is no single national standard.
3. Prerequisite courses

   Typical prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition, and Lifespan/Developmental Psychology. Minimum grades vary: some programs require B- or better (Touro, Quinnipiac), while Michigan State accepts at least 2.0 in each course.
4. Prerequisite recency

   Time limits vary. Touro and Quinnipiac require prerequisites within the last 5 years; Samford uses 7 years and Rutgers allows 10. Some schools have no expiration, so check each program's policy.
5. Entrance exam and clearances

   Many programs require TEAS or HESI A2. Passing scores differ: St. Thomas asks HESI 80% or TEAS 78%, while St. Thomas University uses TEAS 60%. Background checks and immunizations are also standard.
6. Program length and start timing

   Most accelerated BSN programs run 12-18 months, though reviewed examples range from 11 to 23 months. Cohort start frequency varies, some begin once a year in fall, while others offer spring or multiple starts.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Affordable ABSN Programs: Common Questions

Choosing an affordable accelerated BSN means weighing more than the sticker price. These answers address the most common questions about cost, value, working during the program, and employer help with loans.

Find More Affordable ABSN Programs in Your State

The ranking above highlights the most affordable accelerated BSN programs on a national basis. The directory below gathers additional programs to consider, grouped by state and noting each school's city and delivery format. State-level pages offer a closer look at regional options, and the national accelerated BSN hub is the place to start if you are still comparing pathways.