Online RN to BSN Programs in Kansas: Finding a School
Online RN to BSN programs in Kansas provide flexible, low-cost routes to higher education and advanced career opportunities. EduMed’s guide can help you take the leap and decide on a program that can help you grow your nursing potential. Get started by checking out what factors to look for in an ideal school, tuition rates, admission requirements, and curriculum below.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcareMedical CodingMedical Assisting
NursingNursing Ed.Jump To Section
Looking Inside Kansas Online RN to BSN Programs
It may feel overwhelming to think about going back to school while juggling work responsibilities and your personal life, but online RN to BSN programs in Kansas work with your schedule.
Designed for working professionals, these courses provide a flexible study schedule and relatively lower tuition. Earning your BSN in any format gives you access to better-paying jobs and a wider breadth of medical knowledge and advancement opportunities. Take a look below at some of Kansas’ RN to BSN schools that fit the bill.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program — University of Kansas
The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and two other undergraduate nursing programs (Pre-Licensure BSN and a Community College Nursing Partnership).
The goal of this program is to prepare students for work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community health agencies, industrial or long-term care facilities, flights, and more. Students have the option to advance their education further with a master’s or doctoral program. The program can be completed in as a little as one year, putting you on the fast track to career advancement.
Duration: 1 year
Mode: Online
Cost: $371.90 per credit hour (in-state), $968.50 per credit hour (out of state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Current United States RN licensure
- Associate degree in nursing from an ACEN-accredited college
- Completion of 60 prerequisite credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50
Curriculum:
- Emphasizes key nursing skills and knowledge through specific RN-focused courses.
- Offers options for credit transfer and flexible study pace.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
RN to BSN — Wichita State University
Wichita State University offers an RN to BSN program designed with flexibility in mind. Students can accelerate their progress, completing the course in as little as one year.
The university will accept credits from other institutions that are regionally-accredited by the proper agencies (an official transcript will be required for each college or university you have attended if you have studied at more than one). This program offers asynchronous classes, though students will be asked to complete them within a specific timeframe. Wichita State also partners with local community colleges to help associate degree nursing graduates complete the BSN degree.
Duration: 1 year
Mode: Online
Cost: $259 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Must have an active Registered Nurse license at the time of admission or obtain licensure within the first semester of courses.
- Must complete prerequisite course requirements
- Associates degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
Curriculum:
- Develop leadership skills and expand nursing expertise.
- Incorporate 30 credit hours for relevant life and professional experiences.
- Explore evidence-based practices and leadership principles.
RN to BSN Program — Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University’s RN to BSN program is best for those who currently possess an ADN or diploma in nursing. With a low attrition rate of 6.52% over a three-year period, the program is designed to suit the needs of students.
Students can choose to accelerate their studies with full-time studies or go at a slower pace with a part-time schedule. The program is led by experienced professors dedicated to creating an engaging online learning environment that will empower you to succeed.
Duration: As little as three semesters of full-time study
Mode: Online
Cost: $309 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Already hold an ADN or a diploma in nursing
- Complete the online application
Curriculum:
- Complete the program in three semesters full-time or choose a part-time option for flexible scheduling.
- Focused curriculum designed to equip RNs with advanced skills and knowledge for leadership roles.
- Online format caters to working nurses with family commitments, allowing them to balance studies with work and life.
Kansas RN to BSN Student FAQs
Many Kansas-based online RN to BSN programs provide the same features, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to gather all the information you need to choose the right one for you. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions students like you have about RN to BSN online programs.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Kansas prepare me for more opportunities?
You will be prepared for promotions, advanced positions, possible higher earnings, and graduate studies. BSN-prepared nurses are eligible for a greater number of positions, including advanced positions like nursing professor or researcher.
With a BSN you will also be eligible to work at hospitals with a Magnet Recognition designation, which require nurse leaders to have a BSN at minimum. For higher positions in leadership or educational roles at hospitals and medical practices, many hiring teams strongly prefer or require a BSN. In fact, the Veterans Administration (VA)—the largest employer of nurses nationally—now requires BSN degrees for promotion from entry-level positions; they also provide scholarships to their employees to earn this certification.
Expert Insight
Aside from salary, one of the greatest benefits of earning a BSN is the ability to advance your career fairly quickly without “working your way up” so-to-speak. Your increased marketability to employers is immediate. This is coupled with at least a few years of experience under your belt, of course.
How long is an RN to BSN program in Kansas?
Working nurses enrolled in the RN to BSN program at Kansas University can graduate in as little as one year of full-time study, or as many as five years of part-time study. You can expect to complete most programs within two years. Kansas RN to BSN programs are designed to be completed on flexible timelines, many of which are dictated entirely by the students taking them.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Kansas cost?
Tuition ranges from less than $200 per credit for 30 credits to almost $1,000 per credit for out-of-state students. Online RN to BSN programs in Kansas are among the most affordable for a number of reasons.
- They can typically be completed in one year of full-time study, at a lower tuition rate than traditional in-person programs.
- These online bridge programs often allow students to transfer credits over from their ADN programs, meaning students take—and pay for—fewer classes.
Washburn University has one of the lowest tuition costs in the country at just $261 per credit for both in- and out-of-state students.
Other schools like Fort Hays State University still offer affordable tuition rates but charge online students tuition rates associated with their state of residence.
Most universities offer financial aid via the FAFSA, while many also offer need and merit-based scholarships. Wichita State University, for example, offers four different scholarships specifically geared towards nursing students, including the Shirley E Hazen RN-BSN Endowed Nursing Scholarship.
What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Kansas?
The most important admission requirement to most RN to BSN programs online in Kansas is an active and unencumbered Kansas RN license. Some programs, like Wichita State University, may have slightly more flexible criteria, which allow prospective students who do not yet possess an RN license to begin the program and obtain their licensure within the first semester of study.
Other common requirements across programs in Kansas include a minimum GPA and an ADN. Additionally, many programs have prerequisites, but these are easily met by transferring credits over from your associate degree program.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Kansas?
Look for a program that comes closest to meeting all your priorities and is accredited. What you should look for in an RN to BSN program will be different than what someone else should, so be sure to consider whether you need a flexible schedule, a low-cost or fast-track option, or an asynchronous course delivery format.
In addition to your unique priorities, you should guarantee that the schools you are applying to are accredited, so that you can be confident in the quality of education you receive. RN to BSN programs online across Kansas offer all these options.
RN vs. BSN Career Outlook in Kansas
Healthcare is constantly evolving, with new technologies, treatment methods, and patient care standards shaping the nursing profession. To stay competitive and continue growing in your career, advancing your education is one of the smartest investments you can make. Key advantages include:
- Stronger clinical skills: BSN programs build on your existing nursing knowledge and help you develop advanced patient care, communication, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Higher earning potential: Nurses with BSNs often earn more than those with ADN degrees. In Kansas, RNs earn an average annual salary of about $85,000, while BSN-prepared nurses average closer to $92,000, though pay varies by experience, employer, and location.
- Expanded career opportunities: Many healthcare employers prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses for management, public health, and specialized nursing roles.
- Specialization options: RN to BSN programs often include specialty coursework, allowing you to focus on areas such as pediatrics, community health, leadership, or critical care.
- Improved patient outcomes: Research continues to show that BSN-prepared nurses contribute to better patient care and stronger healthcare outcomes overall.
With flexible online learning options, Kansas RN to BSN programs make it easier for working nurses to advance their education while continuing to balance work and personal responsibilities.
Top Online RN to BSN Programs in Kansas
The schools below were chosen using a streamlined methodology to determine the best online RN to BSN programs in Kansas. This list is based on a combined overview of accreditation, academics, financial aid, tuition, faculty, career services, and academic counseling, with a full description of our methodology available below. Read on to explore the top education options for potential students like you.
