Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Indiana (2026)
16 nursing programs at Indiana schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Indiana State University's RN to BSN at $12,600 total. Online programs from 42 more out-of-state schools also enroll Indiana residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Indiana tuition
- Tuition at Indiana schools and campuses ranges from $12,600 to $56,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Partner programs in Indiana.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Compare tuition and financial aid for Indiana nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $12,600 |
| Purdue University GlobalOnline RN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $13,500 |
| Lincoln College of TechnologyLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months | On Campus | 11 mo | $18,000 |
| Indiana State UniversityMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $18,000 |
| Indiana State UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $18,000 |
| Rasmussen UniversityLPNOn Campus · 12 months | On Campus | 12 mo | $21,000 |
| Indiana State UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $23,000 |
| Purdue University GlobalMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 30 months | Online | 30 mo | $23,625 |
| Purdue University GlobalOnline MSN – Executive LeaderOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $23,625 |
| Purdue University GlobalOnline MSN – Nurse EducatorOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $23,625 |
| Lincoln College of TechnologyADNOn Campus · 21 months | On Campus | 21 mo | $32,000 |
| Indiana State UniversityBSN (Hybrid)Hybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $35,000 |
| Rasmussen UniversityADNOn Campus · 24 months | On Campus | 24 mo | $36,000 |
| Purdue University GlobalOnline Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $36,000 |
| Indiana State UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $37,200 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Indiana residents
These schools are based outside Indiana but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Indiana
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Indiana is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Indiana state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Indiana’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Indiana Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Indiana requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Indiana nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Indiana often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Indiana include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Indiana is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Indiana
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Indiana
Indiana is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Indiana
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Indiana.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Indiana?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Indiana with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Indiana as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Indiana?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Indiana?
Compare nursing programs in Indiana
- All nursing programs in Indiana
- Online nursing programs in IndianaPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in IndianaPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in IndianaSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Indiana
- ADN programs in IndianaAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in IndianaFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.