Most Affordable Nursing Programs

Find accredited nursing programs with the lowest tuition costs. Programs in our database start at $8,100 total — compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and ROI side by side.

Nursing School Cost: What You Actually Need to Spend

The nursing education market spans an enormous price range — from community college ADN programs costing under $10,000 to private university BSN programs exceeding $80,000. The good news: price does not predict quality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses earned a median salary of $86,070 in 2023, creating strong ROI even for higher-cost programs — and exceptional ROI for affordable ones.

Community college ADN programs remain the most cost-effective path to RN licensure. Students complete the program in 18–24 months, pass the NCLEX-RN, and enter the workforce with minimal debt. Many then pursue an employer-sponsored RN-to-BSN while working, completing the full BSN at little or no out-of-pocket cost.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are now over 1,000 RN-to-BSN programs in the United States, many offered fully online for under $15,000. Hospitals increasingly cover tuition for employed nurses — making the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN pathway the most affordable route to BSN credentials for many students.

Average Nursing Program Cost by Degree Type

Degree	Duration	Typical Cost Range	Best For
LPN Certificate	9–12 months	$4,000–$15,000	Fastest entry into nursing
ADN (Associate)	18–24 months	$6,000–$20,000	Best overall value for RN
RN-to-BSN (online)	12–18 months	$10,000–$25,000	Working RNs advancing degree
BSN (traditional)	36–48 months	$20,000–$80,000+	Students starting from scratch
LPN-to-RN Bridge	12–18 months	$8,000–$25,000	Licensed LPNs advancing to RN

Cost ranges represent total program cost. In-state community college rates are typically on the lower end. Source: AACN, NCSBN, and institutional data (2026).

Financial Aid for Nursing Students

Nursing students have access to a wide range of financial aid programs that can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs:

Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year for eligible students with financial need. No repayment required.
NURSE Corps Scholarship: Covers full tuition, fees, and monthly living stipend in exchange for 2-year service at a Critical Shortage Facility.
NHSC Scholarship Program: Full scholarship for students who commit to primary care practice in health professional shortage areas.
State nursing scholarships: Most states offer programs specifically for nursing students. Check your state Board of Nursing and state higher education commission.
Hospital tuition reimbursement: Many hospitals offer $3,000–$10,000/year in tuition assistance for employed nursing staff. Working as a CNA or tech while in school can unlock this benefit.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Nurses working at nonprofit hospitals or government facilities may qualify for forgiveness after 10 years of payments.

Use our Nursing ROI Calculator to estimate your break-even point and 10-year earnings for any program you are considering.

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Compare Nursing Programs by Tuition

Sorted by total program cost — lowest tuition first. Programs without tuition data listed at end.

Program	School	Degree	Format	Tuition	Duration	NCLEX Rate	Grad Rate	Clinical Hrs	Action
RN to BSN	American Public University System	RN-BSN	Online	$8,100	15 mo	—	58%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to American Public University System based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Texas A&M University	RN-BSN	Online	$9,000	15 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Texas A&M University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Alabama at Birmingham	RN-BSN	Online	$9,600	12 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Alabama at Birmingham based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Ohio State University	RN-BSN	Online	$9,900	12 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Ohio State University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Illinois Chicago	RN-BSN	Online	$10,200	15 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Illinois Chicago based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	RN-BSN	Online	$10,200	12 mo	—	85%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Tennessee at Knoxville	RN-BSN	Online	$10,500	15 mo	—	79%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Tennessee at Knoxville based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Texas at Arlington	RN-BSN	Online	$11,940	12 mo	—	76%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Texas at Arlington based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Michigan State University	RN-BSN	Online	$12,000	15 mo	—	79%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Michigan State University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Purdue University Global	RN-BSN	Online	$13,500	18 mo	—	65%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	National University	RN-BSN	Online	$13,500	18 mo	—	62%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to National University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Liberty University	RN-BSN	Online	$14,820	18 mo	—	72%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Jacksonville University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,000	15 mo	—	74%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Jacksonville University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Herzing University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,000	18 mo	—	68%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Herzing University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Southern New Hampshire University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,120	15 mo	—	70%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Gonzaga University	RN-BSN	Online	$16,200	18 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Gonzaga University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Phoenix	RN-BSN	Online	$16,200	24 mo	—	55%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Western Governors University	RN-BSN	Online	$16,800	18 mo	—	55%	90	Request Info
LPN (Practical Nursing)	Lincoln College of Technology	LPN	On Campus	$18,000	11 mo	70.9%	62%	600	Request Info
RN to BSN	Grand Canyon University	RN-BSN	Online	$18,900	12 mo	—	68%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Chamberlain University	RN-BSN	Online	$20,460	9 mo	—	62%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Drexel University	RN-BSN	Online	$20,850	18 mo	—	75%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Drexel University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Sacred Heart University	RN-BSN	Online	$21,000	18 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Sacred Heart University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	DePaul University	RN-BSN	Online	$21,000	18 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to DePaul University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Villanova University	RN-BSN	Online	$21,750	18 mo	—	88%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Villanova University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
LPN (Practical Nursing)	Concorde Career College	LPN	On Campus	$22,000	11 mo	74.8%	64%	600	Request Info
RN to BSN	George Washington University	RN-BSN	Online	$22,500	18 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to George Washington University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Seton Hall University	RN-BSN	Online	$22,500	18 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Seton Hall University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus	MSN	Hybrid	$28,800	30 mo	—	85%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
ADN	Brookline College	ADN	On Campus	$32,000	22 mo	78.6%	69%	650	Request Info
ADN	Keiser University	ADN	On Campus	$32,000	22 mo	78.8%	67%	650	Request Info
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	University of Pittsburgh	MSN	Hybrid	$35,000	24 mo	—	87%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Pittsburgh based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
ADN	Rasmussen University	ADN	On Campus	$36,000	24 mo	79.4%	63%	650	Request Info
ADN	Ameritech College of Healthcare	ADN	On Campus	$36,000	24 mo	80.3%	74%	650	Request Info
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	University of Washington	MSN	Hybrid	$36,000	24 mo	—	88%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Washington based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
ADN	Unitek College	ADN	On Campus	$38,000	24 mo	79.4%	70%	650	Request Info
ADN	ECPI University	ADN	On Campus	$38,000	20 mo	79.2%	67%	650	Request Info
Accelerated BSN	Galen College of Nursing	BSN	On Campus	$46,860	15 mo	85.3%	71%	800	Request Info
Accelerated BSN	Denver College of Nursing	BSN	On Campus	$52,000	19 mo	84.2%	72%	800	Request Info
BSN (Pre-Licensure Online)	Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences	BSN	Online	$52,000	36 mo	91.2%	82%	750	Request Info
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Loyola University Chicago	MSN	Hybrid	$52,800	30 mo	—	83%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Loyola University Chicago based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Case Western Reserve University	MSN	Hybrid	$55,200	30 mo	—	88%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Case Western Reserve University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Rush University	MSN	Hybrid	$55,200	24 mo	—	89%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Rush University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Arizona College of Nursing	BSN	On Campus	$56,000	28 mo	88.3%	78%	800	Request Info
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Simmons University	MSN	Online	$67,200	36 mo	—	83%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Simmons University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Boston College	MSN	Hybrid	$67,500	24 mo	—	90%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Boston College based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	West Coast University	BSN	On Campus	$72,000	18 mo	83.1%	73%	800	Request Info
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Emory University	MSN	Hybrid	$76,800	24 mo	—	91%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Emory University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	University of Pennsylvania	MSN	Online	$86,000	24 mo	—	93%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Pennsylvania based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner	Yale University	MSN	Hybrid	$88,200	24 mo	—	94%	600	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Yale University based on your location and goals. First Name Zip Code * Program Type Background Education When do you want to start? Email — get your matches emailed to you Phone (optional — for program advisors) Free. No obligation. No spam.

Most Affordable Nursing Programs by State

Tuition costs vary significantly by state. Browse state-specific listings for the most accurate cost comparisons in your area.

Explore More

Cheapest Online BSN Programs Fastest Nursing Programs Online Nursing Programs RN to BSN Programs LPN to RN Bridge Nursing ROI Calculator Nursing Salary by State

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest accredited nursing program?

Community college ADN programs are typically the most affordable pathway to RN licensure, with tuition often ranging from $4,000–$12,000 total for in-state students. LPN certificate programs at community colleges can cost even less, sometimes under $8,000. Online RN-to-BSN programs are often the most affordable path for working RNs looking to advance, with tuition as low as $10,000–$20,000 total.

Can I get financial aid for nursing school?

Yes. Most accredited nursing programs qualify for federal financial aid including Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year for eligible students), federal student loans, and work-study programs. Many states offer nursing-specific scholarships and loan forgiveness for graduates who work in underserved areas. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program covers tuition, fees, and living stipend in exchange for service at a critical shortage facility.

Are cheap nursing programs less respected by employers?

No — employers hire based on NCLEX pass rates, accreditation status, and clinical preparation, not price. Many affordable community college ADN programs have higher NCLEX pass rates than expensive private BSN programs. The key quality indicators to check are ACEN or CCNE accreditation, first-time NCLEX pass rates above 85%, and clinical placement partnerships with local hospitals.

Is an ADN or BSN a better value?

ADN programs offer the fastest, cheapest path to RN licensure (18–24 months, $4,000–$15,000). BSN programs cost more and take longer but are increasingly preferred by hospitals and required for magnet facility employment. The most cost-effective strategy is often ADN first (enter the workforce quickly), then complete an online RN-to-BSN program ($10,000–$20,000) with employer tuition reimbursement — many hospitals cover 50–100% of RN-to-BSN costs for employed nurses.

How can I reduce the cost of nursing school?

Strategies to minimize nursing school costs: (1) Choose a community college ADN program for initial RN licensure; (2) Apply for FAFSA to access federal grants and loans; (3) Apply for state nursing scholarships — most states have nursing-specific programs; (4) Investigate loan forgiveness programs (NHSC, NURSE Corps, Public Service Loan Forgiveness); (5) Work as a CNA or patient care tech while in school — hospitals often offer tuition assistance; (6) Complete prerequisites at community college before transferring to a BSN program.

What nursing scholarship programs are available?

Major nursing scholarship programs include: NURSE Corps Scholarship Program (full tuition + stipend for service commitment), NHSC Scholarship Program, Indian Health Service Scholarship, state Board of Nursing scholarships (varies by state), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) scholarship database, and Johnson & Johnson nursing scholarships. Many hospitals also offer sign-on bonuses and tuition reimbursement for new graduates who commit to a minimum employment period.

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