Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs for 2023
Find low-cost, accredited online RN programs that fit your budget and schedule, plus learn about ways to save even more on nursing school.
Written By
Michael Hoffman
- Bio
A former practicing attorney, Michael Hoffman has years of experience as a freelance journalist specializing in the research and writing of higher education content – from online learning to financial aid, and everything in between. Michael is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael practiced for several years as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked in Santa Monica, California as a development executive for a major film producer.
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If you want to become a registered nurse or are an RN interested in earning a bachelor’s degree to advance your career, cost and time are likely the biggest factors affecting your decision to move forward. Fortunately, there are dozens of accredited colleges offering quality online nursing programs at surprisingly affordable prices. That means you can limit your student debt and potentially keep working while you advance your nursing education.
This guide will introduce you to this year’s most affordable online nursing programs and show you additional ways to lower the cost of college. Keep reading to find a budget-friendly, convenient online nursing program that meets your career goals and how to emerge with the RN degree you want without breaking the bank.
Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs in 2023
Factors impacting your choice of an online nursing program likely include school and program reputation, curriculum focus and comprehensiveness, study convenience, and proper accreditation. Trumping all of these, though, is likely affordability, which is more than just the tuition cost.
To help you find a quality online nursing program at a reasonable price, our team analyzed hundreds of programs from across the nation. We then ranked them on several key metrics of affordability and quality to come up with the following best-in-class list of most affordable online nursing programs. Click on the “About the Ranking” button below for more details about how we scored schools and calculated the rankings.
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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Affordability
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2022
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sentara College of Health SciencesChesapeake, VA | Private not-for-profit | $ | 3 | Students who have an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in any major and are interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing have two program options to choose from at Sentara College. Students with an associate degree in nursing and a registered nursing license are eligible for the part-time RN to BSN program. Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree but have no prior nurse training or experience can enroll in the traditional BSN program. It takes less than three years to complete, because incoming students will usually have completed the prerequisites and most general education requirements before starting the program. Nurses looking for a graduate degree can consider the clinical nurse leader MSN program. All of these programs allow the majority of the coursework to be completed online, but students must still complete in-person education requirements such as clinicals. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader
Traditional BSN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio9/1 |
AccreditationABHES | |||
| 2 | Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA | Public | $ | 1 | Registered nurses seeking the next step in their professional career will appreciate Fitchburg State University’s online RN to BSN program. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program consists of 32 credits that full-time students can complete in as little as one year if they take two courses per seven-week term. The program can be completed so quickly because incoming students have already earned their associate degree. If students want a slower pace of learning, they can complete just one class for each seven-week term. Except for two practicum courses, all classes can be completed online. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationNECHE | |||
| 3 | Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC | Public | $ | 4 | The Master of Science in nursing program at Western Carolina University provides plenty of flexibility. Except for the clinical or practicum requirements, the classes are mostly online. There are also three specializations to choose from: nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, and nurse leadership. Nurses interested in a terminal nursing degree to enhance their clinical skills can choose the Doctor of Nursing Practice. For maximum convenience, it’s offered in both a full-time and part-time track. Like the MSN programs, the courses are online, but students must complete the in-person practicum requirements. Unlike the MSN programs, the DNP program requires a scholarly project. Program Highlights: Master of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 4 | Santa Fe CollegeGainesville, FL | Public | $ | 2 | The Bachelor of Science in nursing program from Santa Fe College is designed for registered nurses who already have an associate degree in nursing. Because of this, the program’s nursing-related classes consist of only 30 credits. Still, students must also meet the general education and prerequisite course requirements so they’ll have 120 credits when they graduate. All of the classes can be completed online, including a lab experience course. Students must complete two clinical courses consisting of 45 hours of practice experience per course. Students also have the option of completing courses full time or part time, as well as starting classes in the fall, spring, or summer. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 5 | Pensacola State CollegePensacola, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Pensacola State College offers students two ways to earn a nursing degree. There’s the RN to BSN program, which enables current registered nurses with associate degrees to earn their bachelor’s degree. Most of the classes can be completed online, but two of the classes require completing in-person practicums. The school also offers a registered nurse Associate in Science program. This is designed for students with no prior training or experience in nursing. Like the RN to BSN program, many of the classes are available through remote learning, although clinical training must take place in-person at approved healthcare locations. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
Registered Nurse Associate in Science
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 6 | St. Petersburg CollegeClearwater, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 7 | Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 8 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 9 | Pasco-Hernando State CollegeNew Port Richey, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio28/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 10 | Chipola CollegeMarianna, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 11 | Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio26/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 12 | Polk State CollegeWinter Haven, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 13 | Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 14 | Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 15 | The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 16 | College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 17 | Gordon State CollegeBarnesville, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 18 | Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, NC | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 19 | Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 20 | South Florida State CollegeAvon Park, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 21 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee, FL | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 22 | Great Basin CollegeElko, NV | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 23 | Oklahoma Panhandle State UniversityGoodwell, OK | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 24 | North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 25 | The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 26 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 27 | Texas A & M International UniversityLaredo, TX | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 28 | West Virginia University at ParkersburgParkersburg, WV | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 29 | Bismarck State CollegeBismarck, ND | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 30 | University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA | Public | $ | 5 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 31 | University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 32 | Albany State UniversityAlbany, GA | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 33 | Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 34 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 35 | Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 36 | Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 37 | Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA | Public | $ | 4 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 38 | Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 39 | University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 40 | Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TX | Public | $ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 41 | Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 42 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 43 | East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC | Public | $ | 8 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 44 | University of FloridaGainesville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 45 | University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio31/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 46 | Montana State University BillingsBillings, MT | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 47 | Montana State University-NorthernHavre, MT | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 48 | Delaware Technical Community College-TerryDover, DE | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1 |
AccreditationMSCHE | ||||
| 49 | New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio13/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 50 | Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX | Public | $ | 3 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC |
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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.
Affordability
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2022
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA | Public | $ | 1 | The Associate in Science nursing degree from Bristol Community College is available in two modes. The traditional mode requires students to attend a physical classroom for face-to-face learning. The eHealth mode follows a hybrid model where students will take their classes online and in a physical classroom. Besides classes, students must complete clinical experiences which take place during the day, nights, and weekends. One unique feature about this program is that graduates will not only have associate degrees and become eligible to practice as registered nurses, but they can take advantage of the MassTransfer program and complete their bachelor’s degree at a participating school. Program Highlights: Registered Nurse Associate in Science
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationNECHE | |||
| 2 | Trinity Valley Community CollegeAthens, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Trinity Valley Community College’s RN to BSN program is a degree-completion program for existing registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing. Depending on prior learning credits and experiences, students can complete the program with 30 credits in just two semesters. The bulk of the coursework will be similar to what students finishing their final year of a traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing degree would experience. The program offers a hybrid learning format, with students taking classes online and on-campus. In addition to the in-person class attendance, students must also complete in-person clinicals, where they demonstrate their skills in a real-world, supervised setting. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 3 | Mesa Community CollegeMesa, AZ | Public | $ | 1 | The online Associate in Applied Science nursing program at Mesa Community College follows a hybrid model. Many classes can be completed through distance learning, but there will be some on-campus classes. Additionally, there will be in-person clinical experiences where students will learn and practice their hands-on skills. This program component must be completed at approved healthcare locations under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. The program will teach students not just clinical and medical knowledge and skills, but also how to communicate effectively with patients and practice in a way that complies with ethical and legal requirements. Program Highlights: Associate in Applied Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 4 | Davidson County Community CollegeThomasville, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Davidson County Community College offers three nursing programs, though only the LPN to ADN option is available online. This program is for students who are licensed practical nurses and want to take the next step in their career by becoming registered nurses. As a result, the curriculum focuses on more advanced levels of caregiving. This focus includes concepts like inflammation, perfusion, safety, behavior, and sensory-perception. This program is offered in a blended format, so in addition to online classes, students must take classes on campus. There’s a clinical requirement for this program where students will complete supervised hands-on training at approved medical facilities. Program Highlights: LPN to ADN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 5 | Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City, KS | Public | $ | 1 | The Kansas City Kansas Community College Associate in Applied Science program in nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Of the required 68 credits needed for graduation, 37 make up the registered nursing program. The remaining classes consist of general education credits. To make learning as convenient as possible, many of the required nursing and general education classes can be completed online, but in a synchronous format. This means they are not self-paced and have set start and stop dates with weekly assignment due dates. In addition to the classroom requirements, nursing students must also complete in-person clinical experiences. Program Highlights: Registered Nurse – Associate in Applied Science
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 6 | National Park CollegeHot Springs, AR | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 7 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegePerkinston, MS | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 8 | East Mississippi Community CollegeScooba, MS | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 9 | Umpqua Community CollegeRoseburg, OR | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 10 | John A. Logan CollegeCarterville, IL | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 11 | Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls, MN | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 12 | Northwest Technical CollegeBemidji, MN | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationHLC |
What Makes an Online Nursing Program Affordable?
There are many things that can affect the affordability of your online nursing program. It’s crucial to identify all that impact a program’s bottom line in terms of cost, regardless of their size before you enroll. Here are five of the biggest factors to consider.
How much financial aid you can secure for your online nursing program
Financial aid plays a crucial role for most college students. Types and amounts of financial aid available vary significantly among programs. Consult with the financial aid office for each school under consideration as early as possible in your program search process.
If the RN program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working
Most students work at least part-time while pursuing their degrees. If you’re one of them, pay careful attention to the specific curriculum requirements of any program you consider, especially if you’re required to attend classes synchronously. A program that conflicts with your work schedule significantly impacts its affordability.
If the college is private or public
In general, private colleges charge substantially higher tuition rates than public colleges. Don’t dismiss private colleges out of hand, though, since there are exceptions. You may even find a private school program or two with lower costs than their public school counterparts.
Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state
Another general rule is that public colleges and universities charge a higher – sometimes substantially – tuition rate to students residing outside state borders. All else being equal, consider online nursing programs from public schools in your state first. Note that some public schools charge the same in-state tuition rates to all online students regardless of residence.
How much of the nursing coursework is offered online
Online degree programs save you money in large part by eliminating many of the transportation costs associated with commuting. The more of your degree program that’s online, the more you’ll save. Fortunately, many online nursing programs feature all or most of their classes and other activities online. In fact, some programs don’t have any on-campus requirements.
How expensive application fees are
Tuition is usually the biggest cost, but it won’t be the only one. Expect additional fees for any number of things, the most common being application fees. While these likely won’t be the excluding factor for a school, in some cases they might. Remember to consider all the costs related to a program when determining its affordability.
How to Lower the Cost of Your Online Nursing Degree
No matter how affordable your online nursing degree program there are likely ways to make it even less of a financial burden. Your school’s financial aid office and nursing department are great places to ask about how to save on your education. The three suggestions below can help you get started lowering your nursing program total costs as much as possible.
- Search for scholarships and grants designed specifically for nursing students.
The most popular of college funding resources is scholarships and grants because they’re essentially free money you don’t pay back. There are countless programs available, each with its own target population and award requirements. While many are merit-based, many are not. Start with your school’s financial aid office or nursing department, and check out EduMed’s list of scholarships for RN students.
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement, sometimes called tuition assistance, refers to employment benefits programs where an employer reimburses an employee some or all the tuition costs for a degree or other education program that advances them in their current field. Employees typically commit to continuing their employment with their benefits provider for a stated length of time in exchange for reimbursement. Examples include programs at Mission Health and Wentworth-Douglas Hospital.
- Nursing Student Discounts
Tuition and other program fees are not, of course, the only expenses you’ll incur in pursuit of your online nursing degree. Fortunately, lots of great organizations and merchants offer valuable discounts to nursing students. Visit our 50 Dynamite Discounts for Nursing Students guide to give you an idea of what’s available.