Compare costs, outcomes, and formats for second-degree nursing programs across every state
Traditional BSN programs require four years of full-time study. For career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, accelerated BSN programs offer a faster route: 12 to 18 months of intensive coursework and clinical training that builds on prior college credits. The payoff is a BSN and NCLEX-RN eligibility, but selecting the right program means weighing costs, accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and clinical placement quality, not just speed. With demand for registered nurses projected to grow 5% through 20341, an efficient path to licensure matters more than ever.
An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (often called an ABSN, accelerated BSN, second-degree BSN, or second bachelor's nursing program) is a fast-paced pathway that allows career changers to earn a BSN and qualify for RN licensure in roughly 12 to 18 months. These programs are designed specifically for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and want to transition into nursing without repeating a full four-year undergraduate curriculum.
ABSN programs target adults with a prior bachelor's degree who are ready to make a focused commitment. They are not intended for first-time college students, who are better served by traditional BSN programs at top nursing schools, nor for already-licensed RNs seeking degree completion, who should pursue an RN-to-BSN bridge. The typical ABSN student is a career changer from fields like business, education, or the sciences.
Unlike these alternatives, an ABSN is a second bachelor's degree that leverages a student's existing undergraduate credits. It allows students to bypass general education requirements and move directly into nursing coursework and clinical training.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) notes that accelerated programs build on previous learning and are inherently intensive. ABSN students complete clinical hours comparable to those required in traditional entry-level BSN programs, but in a compressed timeframe. This fast pace demands full-time commitment and strong academic readiness, but it also means students can enter the workforce significantly sooner than their peers in longer programs.
Not every nursing pathway leads to the same career starting point, and choosing the wrong one can cost years of time or thousands of dollars in unnecessary tuition. The table below compares five common routes to registered nursing so you can see, at a glance, which path fits your background and goals.
| Pathway | Best For | Prior Degree Needed? | Typical Length | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABSN | Career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's | Yes (non-nursing bachelor's) | 11 to 18 months | BSN plus NCLEX-RN eligibility |
| Traditional BSN | First-time college students seeking comprehensive prelicensure education | No (high school diploma) | About 4 years | BSN plus NCLEX-RN eligibility |
| ADN | Students seeking the fastest entry from high school | No (high school diploma) | 18 to 24 months | ADN plus NCLEX-RN eligibility (many employers later require a BSN) |
| RN-to-BSN | Licensed RNs with an ADN or diploma who want a BSN | Active RN license | 12 to 24 months | BSN completion |
| Direct-Entry MSN | Non-nurses who want a graduate credential and leadership preparation | Yes (non-nursing bachelor's) | 24 to 36 months | MSN plus RN preparation, varies by program |
Federal labor data does not separate RN wages by educational pathway, so you will not find an official "ABSN salary" versus "ADN salary" on the Bureau of Labor Statistics site. What the BLS does report is a national median annual wage for all registered nurses and projected employment growth of 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 189,100 openings expected each year.2 For local wage differentials, state workforce reports and individual employer pay scales are more useful than national medians alone.
That said, workforce surveys from organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing consistently show that BSN-prepared nurses command higher median earnings than their ADN-prepared counterparts.1 Some hospital systems tie pay grades or advancement eligibility directly to BSN or MSN credentials, which can influence lifetime earnings well beyond starting salary.
Before committing to a specific route, take time to verify program outcomes independently.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in any non-nursing field and want to become a registered nurse as quickly as possible, an ABSN program is typically the most efficient route. It compresses BSN-level nursing education into roughly a year of intensive, full-time study while awarding the same credential that a four-year traditional BSN provides. If you prefer a graduate degree from the start and are open to a longer timeline, a direct-entry MSN may be worth exploring, though it comes with higher tuition and a two- to three-year commitment. ADN programs remain a practical option for students entering from high school, but many healthcare employers now expect or require a BSN within a few years of hire.
The schools listed here offer accelerated BSN pathways for students who already hold a non‑nursing bachelor’s degree. Each profile summarizes tuition, institutional graduation rates, and scorecard earnings data where available to help you compare cost and outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | $15,000/yr (net price) | Online learners needing hands‑on bootcamp | |
The University of Tulsa’s online ABSN delivers CCNE‑accredited coursework with a one‑week on‑campus skills bootcamp and 630 clinical hours arranged in a student’s local community. Scorecard data shows median earnings of $61,408 and median debt of $21,500, producing an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.9. Schools offering this program have an institution‑wide graduation rate of 72%.
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| #2 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI | $19,000/yr | Faith‑minded career changers | |
Spring Arbor University’s online pre‑licensure BSN is CCNE‑accredited and integrates a Christian worldview across nursing practice. Scorecard data reports median earnings of $51,732 and median debt of $26,375, with an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 1.96. The institution‑wide graduation rate is 63%.
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| #3 | The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | $14,000/yr | Budget‑conscious Texas residents | |
UT Arlington’s accelerated online BSN combines pay‑by‑the‑course tuition ($21,675 total) with Texas‑wide clinical placements. Scorecard data shows median earnings of $63,199 and typical debt of $17,527, resulting in an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 3.6. The school’s overall graduation rate is 54%.
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| #4 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | $24,000/yr | ||
Elmhurst University’s 16‑month online ABSN includes two on‑campus residencies and 450 clinical hours managed by a university placement team. School‑wide graduation rate is 70%. Scorecard data lists median earnings of $61,462 and median debt of $20,489, yielding an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 3.0.
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| #5 | Edgewood University | Madison, WI | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Edgewood College’s online post‑baccalaureate ABSN requires Wisconsin residency and can be completed in 12 months. Scorecard data reports median earnings of $59,728 and median debt of $24,424, giving an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.45. Institution‑wide graduation rate is 60%.
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| #6 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | $25,000/yr | ||
Baker University’s online ABSN uses 14.5 months of online coursework with clinicals at a Kansas Magnet‑designated hospital. Scorecard data shows median earnings of $63,855 and median debt of $25,000, for an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.55. The institution‑wide graduation rate is 58%.
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| #7 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA | $29,000/yr | ||
Marymount University’s online accelerated BSN leverages clinical partnerships with Inova and MedStar in Northern Virginia. Scorecard data lists median earnings of $67,516 and median debt of $25,000, yielding an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.70. The school’s overall graduation rate is 54%.
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| #8 | Avila University | Kansas City, MO | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | ||
Avila University’s online ABSN blends online theory with Kansas City‑area clinicals, and it offers a full‑tuition Patterson Scholarship for rural service. Scorecard data shows median earnings of $52,773 and median debt of $25,000, with an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.11. Institution‑wide graduation rate is 52%.
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| #9 | Felbry College | Columbus, OH | $55,000 – $60,000/yr | ||
Felbry College’s fully online RN‑to‑BSN program is designed for registered nurses seeking a bachelor’s degree. Median institutional debt is $17,000, though earnings data for this program are not yet available. The school reports a 91% institution‑wide graduation rate.
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| #10 | Hampton University | Hampton, VA | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Hampton University’s CCNE‑accredited RN‑to‑BSN offers 12‑month and 24‑month online tracks for licensed RNs. Scorecard data points to median earnings of $59,159 and median debt of $25,442, yielding an earnings‑to‑debt ratio of 2.33. The institution‑wide graduation rate is 57%.
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Our rankings draw on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, weighing factors like net price, median graduate earnings, student debt, completion rates, and overall return on investment. Only accredited programs are considered. Where program-specific figures for nursing are not published, we use institution-wide metrics such as graduation rate and net price as the closest available proxy.
AACN notes that accelerated BSN programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, but not all accelerated tracks are equally fast; some span two full years.1
The fastest ABSN offerings condense baccalaureate nursing education into 11 or 12 months of continuous full-time study, often with no semester breaks. A 15- or 16-month track adds breathing room between terms, while 18-month models spread the load further. Some universities offer a 24-month version for students who need a slightly less compressed pace. Choosing the fastest option may look efficient, but a breakneck schedule can work against you if you are balancing family obligations or need time to absorb clinical skills. The longer a program runs, the more manageable the weekly workload tends to be, though tuition costs may increase accordingly. Always compare the total required credit hours and clinical hours, not just the calendar length.
Almost all ABSN programs run on a full-time, lockstep cohort model. That means you are admitted into a fixed group of peers and progress through a pre-set sequence of courses together. There is little room to slow down or skip a term; if life interrupts, you typically have to step out and rejoin a later cohort. The intensity mirrors a demanding job: students often spend 40 to 50 hours per week between class time, labs, and out-of-class study. Part-time work may be possible for some, but programs commonly advise against full-time employment. This structure builds strong peer support and professional networks, but it demands upfront planning. Before committing, map your financial runway, child care, and other logistics across the entire program, not just the first semester.
Although exact course titles vary, most accelerated BSN curricula cover a common set of content areas that align with the NCLEX-RN test plan and entry-level nursing competencies. Expect to encounter courses such as:
These courses are not taken one at a time. In a lockstep program, you may juggle two or three intensive courses concurrently, each with its own clinical component.
Even programs marketed as hybrid or online ABSN are not fully remote. Didactic coursework (lectures, readings, discussion forums) can often be completed online, but skills labs and clinical rotations are almost always held in person. In campus simulation centers, you practice IV starts, wound care, catheter insertion, and emergency scenarios on high-fidelity manikins before working with real patients. Clinical rotations place you in hospitals, clinics, and community settings under a preceptor's supervision. AACN emphasizes that accelerated students complete clinical hours comparable to traditional BSN students, typically 700 to 800 hours.1 Before enrolling in any ABSN program with a heavy online component, verify who arranges clinical placements and whether any travel to distant sites is required. These practical experiences are the core of nursing education and cannot be compromised by convenience.
Admission to an accelerated BSN program is more competitive than most applicants expect, even when published GPA cutoffs appear approachable. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's accelerated nursing programs data, roughly 330 programs across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico enrolled about 27,706 students as of 2024. Cohort sizes at individual schools are often small, typically ranging from 20 to 60 seats per intake, which means admissions committees scrutinize every part of an application.
Most ABSN programs require a completed bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field from a regionally accredited institution. This is the single non-negotiable criterion that separates accelerated tracks from traditional BSN pathways. If you have not yet finished your undergraduate degree, you will generally need to complete it before you can apply, though some programs allow you to apply during your final semester if your degree will be conferred before the cohort start date.
Accelerated programs commonly require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. In practice, published minimums range from about 2.75 to 3.0 depending on the school. Roseman University, for instance, lists a 2.75 minimum1, while Baldwin Wallace University requires a 2.8 cumulative and a 3.0 in prerequisite coursework2. Manhattanville University3 and the University of Florida4 both set the bar at 3.0.
Meeting the floor, however, does not guarantee a seat. At the Medical University of South Carolina's accelerated BSN program, priority consideration goes to applicants with a 3.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.8 in prerequisite courses. Competitive programs routinely admit cohorts with average GPAs of 3.2 or higher, so applicants should treat published minimums as a starting point rather than a target.
Prerequisite mapping varies across programs, and some schools accept course substitutions, but most applicants can expect to complete coursework in the following areas before enrolling:
Depending on how many of these courses overlap with your original bachelor's degree, completing prerequisites can take anywhere from one to three semesters. Some applicants finish them at a community college to manage costs, while others use a university's own pre-nursing track. Confirm with each program which courses transfer and whether any carry expiration dates, as science prerequisites older than five to seven years may not be accepted.
A complete ABSN application typically includes several components beyond transcripts and a GPA check:
After admission, expect post-acceptance requirements such as a criminal background check, drug screening, immunization records, CPR certification, and health insurance verification. These items are standard for clinical placement clearance rather than part of the admissions decision itself.
Because cohorts are small and demand is high, treating your application like a graduate school submission is a sound strategy. Retaking a prerequisite course to raise a borderline grade, earning clinical or patient-facing volunteer hours, and crafting a personal statement that clearly connects your prior career to nursing can all strengthen your candidacy. Programs want to see that career changers understand the intensity ahead and have the academic foundation to handle a compressed curriculum that covers the same clinical hours as a traditional four-year BSN.
Accelerated BSN programs condense a full nursing degree into 12 to 18 months, but the speed comes with a price tag that extends well beyond tuition. Understanding the total cost of attendance and identifying financial aid sources early in the application process can help prospective students plan for the investment and evaluate return on outcomes.
Tuition for accelerated BSN programs varies widely depending on institution type and location. Among the programs ranked on this site, annual tuition ranges from approximately $3,600 at public institutions such as Gordon State College to over $42,000 at private schools like Georgetown College. Many programs fall in the $10,000 to $15,000 range for in-state students at public universities, while out-of-state and private tuition can climb significantly higher.
Tuition is only part of the equation. Most ABSN applicants must complete prerequisite courses before starting the program, typically including anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and nutrition. Students who lack these courses may spend $3,000 to $8,000 at a community college to satisfy admission requirements. Additional program costs include textbooks, nursing supplies, clinical uniforms, health screenings, background checks, and technology fees. These expenses can add several thousand dollars to the total.
The largest hidden cost for many students is lost income. Most ABSN programs require full-time enrollment with a locked cohort schedule, leaving little room for full-time work during the program. Students who leave jobs to pursue an ABSN should budget for 12 to 18 months of reduced or eliminated income, which can represent $30,000 to $60,000 in opportunity cost depending on prior earnings.
ABSN students are generally eligible for federal financial aid if enrolled in an accredited program at a Title IV-eligible institution. Because most ABSN applicants already hold a bachelor's degree, they typically do not qualify for federal Pell Grants or subsidized Stafford loans. However, they may take out unsubsidized Direct Stafford loans (up to $20,500 per year for undergraduates classified as independent students) and, if necessary, Direct PLUS loans to cover remaining costs.
The HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offers one of the most generous aid packages available to nursing students. The program covers 100 percent of tuition, fees, and required educational costs, plus provides a monthly living stipend.2 The 2026 application cycle closed on April 9, 2026.1 Scholarships are awarded to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who demonstrate financial need and attend an accredited school of nursing.2 Recipients commit to working at least two years in a Critical Shortage Facility upon graduation.2 The program is highly competitive, but for those who qualify, it can eliminate the need for student loans entirely.
For graduates who have already taken on debt, the HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program repays up to 85 percent of nursing education debt in exchange for a two-year service commitment at an eligible facility.2 The 2026 application cycle is currently closed,3 but the program typically reopens annually.
Many hospital systems and healthcare employers also offer tuition assistance or loan repayment programs for nursing students who agree to work for the organization after graduation. These programs vary by region and employer, but they can provide thousands of dollars in support and often come with job placement guarantees.
While ABSN programs require significant upfront investment, outcomes data suggest the degree can pay off quickly. Median debt at graduation for nursing students at schools in this ranking ranges from approximately $17,500 at institutions like Gordon State College and the University of Texas at Arlington to over $25,000 at private colleges. Median annual earnings one year after graduation for nursing graduates typically range from the high $30,000s to the low $60,000s depending on the institution and regional job market, with many programs reporting median earnings well above $50,000 within the first year.
Comparing median debt to first-year earnings provides a useful benchmark. Programs with strong return on investment ratios show graduates earning two to three times their total debt within the first year of employment, allowing for relatively fast loan repayment. Over a ten-year period, registered nurses with BSN credentials typically see substantial wage growth, making the short-term financial sacrifice manageable for most graduates who enter the workforce full-time after licensure.
The all-in investment for an accelerated BSN includes not just tuition but also prerequisite courses, clinical supplies, background checks, and the income you forgo while studying full-time. Depending on the program and your prior salary, total costs often land between $60,000 and $150,000.
No ABSN program is fully online, no matter what a school's marketing materials might suggest. Every accelerated nursing pathway requires hands-on labs, simulation training, and clinical rotations that simply cannot be replicated remotely. When you see "online ABSN," it almost always means the didactic portion (lectures, readings, and discussion forums) is delivered online, while the experiential components remain strictly in person.
In an online or hybrid ABSN, coursework in subjects like pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory is completed through a learning management system, often with both asynchronous and synchronous components. But the moment the focus shifts to skills like starting IVs, performing health assessments, or managing patient emergencies, you will step into a simulation lab or clinical site. Even programs that advertise extensive online delivery require you to be physically present for skills intensives, lab check-offs, and hundreds of hours of clinical practicum.
A make-or-break detail that many applicants overlook is clinical placement logistics. Some programs arrange all rotations for you, partnering with hospitals and clinics near campus or within a defined geographic radius. Others place that responsibility largely on the student, requiring you to identify and secure your own preceptors and clinical sites. This can be especially challenging in competitive healthcare markets or for students with limited professional networks. Before enrolling, ask squarely: Does the program guarantee placement, or will I need to find my own clinical experiences? The answer affects not only your stress level but also your timeline to graduation.
Online and hybrid programs must be authorized to offer education in your state of residence, and state authorization can affect whether you can complete clinicals locally. Even if a program is accredited, it may not have the necessary approvals to place students in clinical sites within your state, or available sites may be scarce. Before committing, verify that the program is authorized in your state and that clinical placement support extends to your area. Some schools maintain detailed maps of approved placement regions; if yours isn't on the list, you may face delays or be forced to relocate temporarily.
Several programs highlighted in our best ABSN rankings list online or hybrid formats. Those designations reflect the didactic delivery mode and do not waive any lab or clinical time. Program structures evolve, so always confirm the current blend of online and in-person requirements directly with the school before applying.
Prospective students often ask whether accelerated BSN graduates perform as well on the NCLEX-RN as graduates of traditional four-year programs. It’s a fair question, and the short answer is that the evidence is encouraging, even though national data doesn’t allow a clean side-by-side comparison.
The most recent national figures show that first-time NCLEX-RN candidates across all program types passed at a rate of roughly 86.7 percent in 2025.1 That figure covers a broad mix of graduates, including traditional BSN, ADN, and diploma completers. NCSBN publishes annual and quarterly pass rates broken down by education program and attempt status, but the data is not currently segmented by whether a BSN program is accelerated or traditional.2 In other words, you cannot look up a national “ABSN pass rate” in isolation, because that category is not reported separately at the national level.
For prospective students, the overall BSN first-time pass rate is the best available national proxy. Historically, BSN-educated candidates have passed at rates at or above the national average across all entry types.
Published research and AACN data generally find that accelerated nursing students perform comparably to or above their traditional BSN peers on NCLEX outcomes. Researchers point to factors like prior academic achievement, maturity, and strong motivation as likely contributors. The AACN has tracked substantial growth in accelerated baccalaureate programs over the past two decades, reflecting both institutional confidence in the model and sustained demand from career changers. As of recent AACN reporting, more than 370 accelerated baccalaureate programs operate across the United States, a figure that has grown considerably since the early 2000s.
National averages only tell part of the story. Individual program pass rates can vary widely, and checking them is one of the strongest quality signals you can use when comparing schools. Here’s how to find a program’s pass rate:
When reviewing a program's pass rate, look at multiple years rather than a single snapshot, and note whether the figure reflects first-time test-takers only, since repeat candidates lower the reported rate.
The national median annual wage for registered nurses reached $86,070, according to May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics data1, and the profession continues to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% employment growth for registered nurses from 2024 through 2034, with roughly 194,500 openings expected each year over that period. For career changers who complete an ABSN program, this labor market context is a central part of the return-on-investment question.
The path from ABSN applicant to licensed registered nurse follows a clear sequence, even if individual timelines vary.
Program-level earnings data for the specific ABSN programs featured on this page are not yet available through federal reporting sources, so direct comparisons between individual program debt and individual program earnings cannot be made here. What can be said is that the broader picture is encouraging. An RN median annual wage of $86,0701 against typical ABSN program costs that range from roughly $20,000 to $60,000 or more in total suggests that most graduates can expect to recoup their investment within a few years of full-time employment.
Students should look closely at total cost, not just tuition. Books, supplies, health screenings, and foregone income during an intensive full-time program all factor into the real cost. Hospital employers in some markets offer tuition reimbursement or sign-on incentives that can reduce net debt meaningfully. Running a simple comparison between expected starting wages in your target state and total estimated program cost, including prerequisites, gives a clearer picture than tuition figures alone.
The combination of a relatively short program timeline, a stable and growing labor market, and a nationally recognized credential makes the ABSN a well-established route for career changers who are prepared for the pace and commitment the program demands.
Becoming a registered nurse through an accelerated BSN program follows a clear, multi-stage pathway. Here’s what the journey looks like from prerequisites to licensure.
Get quick answers to common questions about accelerated BSN programs, from prerequisites and format to career outcomes and how they compare to other nursing pathways.
Below are additional accelerated BSN programs worth exploring. Each entry includes the school location, program format, and key details to help you find the right fit. For a full list of programs in your state, visit our state-specific pages.
