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Author: Kenya McCullum
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Kenya McCullum is a professional writer and researcher with over twenty years of experience. She has authored hundreds of feature-length articles, guidebooks, and in-depth content, specializing in healthcare topics including women's health, fitness, mental health, addiction, and nutrition, as well as challenges faced by healthcare providers. McCullum also has extensive expertise in higher education, online learning, continuing education, and professional development. Throughout her career, she has interviewed numerous leaders in the healthcare and education sectors. She holds a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in English.
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Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
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The Best Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

If you’re looking to advance your registered nursing career, earning your BSN is a great next step. And online RN to BSN programs offer a flexible and affordable option. This guide introduces you to some of today’s top online RN to BSN programs in North Carolina. Learn about program content, delivery formats, program lengths and costs, and much more.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

An orange stylized graduation cap with the letter "E" forms part of the design, set against a white circular background.
Author: Kenya McCullum
An orange stylized graduation cap with the letter "E" forms part of the design, set against a white circular background.
Kenya McCullum Arrow up right
Staff Writer
Kenya McCullum is a professional writer and researcher with over twenty years of experience. She has authored hundreds of feature-length articles, guidebooks, and in-depth content, specializing in healthcare topics including women's health, fitness, mental health, addiction, and nutrition, as well as challenges faced by healthcare providers. McCullum also has extensive expertise in higher education, online learning, continuing education, and professional development. Throughout her career, she has interviewed numerous leaders in the healthcare and education sectors. She holds a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in English.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingPre-Nursing
HealthcareNursingPre-Nursing
Editor: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
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North Carolina RN to BSN Programs: A Comparison

Online RN to BSN programs are designed for working nurses, but it’s still important to understand how they’re structured before applying. While formats vary by school, most programs share a few key features:

  1. Flexible online coursework: Many RN to BSN programs deliver coursework entirely or mostly online, making it easier to balance school with work and personal responsibilities.
  2. Required in-person experiences: Even in online programs, students typically complete hands-on components such as labs or clinical experiences at approved healthcare facilities or campus sites.
  3. Adaptable timelines: Programs often offer full-time, part-time, or self-paced options, allowing students to choose a pace that fits their schedule.

We’ll explore these elements in more detail below. To help you begin your search, we’ve compared three current online RN to BSN programs in North Carolina that illustrate what you can expect.

RN-to-BSN Completion Program — University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The RN-to-BSN Completion Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte features didactic coursework that is completed entirely online with no campus visits required.

Content is delivered asynchronously, allowing students the convenience of logging on and attending to their studies at any time. Through the use of the Canvas learning management system, students watch lectures, submit assignments, and connect with professors and peers.

Following completion of all prerequisites and general education requirements, students complete 31 credits of nursing coursework to earn the BSN.

Duration: As few as 12 months (for full-time students)

Mode: Fully-online coursework with in-person clinical experiences

Cost: $189.48/credit (NC residents); $864.73/credit (out-of-state residents)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Nursing diploma or ADN
  • RN license
  • Completion of prerequisite coursework
  • Minimum 2.0 grade point average

Curriculum:

  • Concepts of Professional Nursing Science
  • Issues in Cultural Health
  • Health Assessment for Nurses
  • Aging and Health
  • Information Technology: Applications in Healthcare
  • Leadership in Nursing Practice
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Design and Coordination of Care
  • Research in Nursing Practice
  • Enhancing Clinical Judgment

RN to BSN Program — Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University’s RN to BSN program helps students boost their marketability through a curriculum that focuses on:

  • Evidence-based nursing practice
  • Health assessments
  • Emergency care
  • Community health strategies
  • Current trends and issues in nursing

A minimum of 32 credits of nursing core curriculum courses must be completed in the RN to BSN program. All other credits required to earn the degree come from transferred-in credits from the student’s diploma or ADN program, credits awarded for RN licensure, and additional non-nursing prerequisites.

Coursework is delivered entirely online. However, students are required to participate in hands-on clinical experiences.

Support services include Student Nursing Association where nursing students come together to network, mentor each other, and participate in the community.

Duration: 2 1/2 semesters full-time; 5 semesters part-time

Mode: Online coursework plus in-person community-based clinical hours

Cost: $41.67/credit (NC residents); $104.17/credit (out-of-state residents)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Nursing diploma or ADN
  • Active, unencumbered RN license
  • Minimum 2.75 grade point average overall and a minimum 2.8 grade point average in math and science coursework
  • Completion of all prerequisites with at least a C grade

Curriculum:

  • Transition to Professional Nursing
  • Transcultural Nursing
  • Health Assessment Across the Life Span
  • Pathophysiology
  • Nursing Research and Theory (RN to BSN)
  • Nursing Leadership Perspectives and Trends in Contemporary Nursing Practice
  • Contemporary Supportive Community Nursing
  • Professional Nursing Issues in Practice
  • Senior Practicum
  • Gerontological Nursing
  • Nursing and Women’s Health

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RN to BSN Degree Program — Appalachian State University

Students in Appalachian State University’s Online RN to BSN program are taught:

  • Effective leadership and management practice
  • How to serve diverse communities
  • How to research and apply a range of nursing concepts in professional nursing settings
  • Analytical and decision-making skills

The program distinguishes itself from other RN to BSN programs in the state by offering three program length options:

  • One year (three semesters): Requires completion of an average of 12 to 20 hours of coursework per week
  • Two years (six semesters): Requires completion of an average of 8 to 10 hours of coursework per week
  • Three years (nine semesters): Requires completion of an average of 5 to 8 hours of coursework per week

Approximately 60 Appalachian State RN to BSN students from select North Carolina western counties are eligible to have half of their annual tuition costs paid for through the Dogwood Health Trust.

Duration: 30 credits. One, two, and three year program options.

Mode: Online coursework with in-person clinical hours

Cost: $204.79/credit (NC residents); $966.87/credit (out-of-state residents)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Nursing diploma or ADN
  • An unencumbered RN
  • 2.50 cumulative grade point average
  • 60 credits of lower-division transferable coursework and 30 hours of major nursing courses

Curriculum:

  • Nursing Informatics
  • Concepts of Professional Nursing
  • Health Assessment
  • Nursing Care of Older Adults
  • Nursing Care of Communities
  • Nursing Leadership and Management
  • Professional Nursing Synthesis
  • Nursing Research

FAQs for North Carolina RN to BSN Students

As you explore your RN to BSN program options, it’s entirely natural to have several questions come up. To help in that regard, below are the answers to five questions frequently asked by prospective North Carolina online RN to BSN students.

What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to BSN program in North Carolina?

Course content in RN to BSN programs in North Carolina will help prepare you for a variety of career advancement opportunities, particularly in the areas of:

In addition, by earning your BSN, you’ll have laid the foundation to continue your academic pursuit to:

  • Earn a master’s degree in nursing leading to advanced specialized practice as a nurse practitioner.
  • Earn a nursing doctorate in preparation for a top-level career in advanced research or postsecondary education.

In North Carolina, how long does completing an RN to BSN program take?

RN to BSN program completion times vary from program to program due to a combination of factors, including:

  • Total number of credits needed to be earned in the program
  • Number of previously-earned credits that can be transferred in from the student’s nursing diploma or associate degree program
  • Number of credits awarded by the program for the student’s active RN license
  • Student’s chosen study pace (full-time, part-time, self-paced)

Given these factors, a student enrolled in an online RN to BSN program in North Carolina should expect to devote one to four years of study to earning their degree.

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my RN to BSN program in North Carolina?

It’s very likely, since a wide range of financial aid resources is commonly available to qualifying students in RN to BSN programs in North Carolina, online or otherwise. These resources typically include:

  • Scholarships and grants (both school-sponsored and external)
  • Employer tuition reimbursement
  • Tuition discounts
  • Student loans (federal, state, and private)
  • Tuition installment and deferment plans

To be eligible for federal funding sources, including scholarships, grants, student loans and loan forgiveness opportunities, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is additionally used quite often by state and private financial aid programs to evaluate applicants.

Private and non-profit groups, like The Great 100 Nurses, are also excellent sources for scholarship opportunities for nursing students in North Carolina.

Be sure to contact the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering to get the latest information and advice on funding your RN to BSN education.

What jobs can I qualify for with a BSN?

In general terms, earning your BSN opens the door to a wide variety of career opportunities in the areas of nursing leadership and specialized practice not available to RNs with only a nursing diploma or ADN. Job title examples include:

  • Critical Care/ICU Nurse
  • Emergency Room Nurse
  • Labor and Delivery Nurse
  • Medical-Surgical Nurse
  • Oncology Nurse
  • Operating Room Nurse
  • Pediatric Nurse

In addition, BSN holders are eligible for any of a number of non-clinical roles, such as:

  • Health researcher
  • Lobbyist
  • Nurse educator
  • Nursing Consultant
  • Nutritionist
  • Pharmaceutical sales representative

What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in North Carolina?

Two things to look for when evaluating online RN to BSN programs in North Carolina:

Proper accreditation is your way of confirming that a program has been vetted for academic quality by a reputable independent professional association. It’s also important because it’s often a requirement for receiving funding from any number of financial aid sources.

Beyond proper accreditation and BON approval, look for an RN to BSN program whose curriculum content and delivery format best suits your academic needs, career goals, and personal study style.

North Carolina RN vs. BSN Salary & Career Outlook

Going back to school is a huge investment of time and money, so you likely want to ensure that you'll make a good return on your investment. The good news is that for most students, getting your nursing bachelor's through an online RN to BSN program is well worth the time and cost.

In terms of salaries, your earning potential will increase substantially.

As evidence, according to recent (January 2026) figures from ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for registered nurses in North Carolina with a BSN degree is $92,937. By comparison, registered nurses with an associate degree in the state earned an average annual salary of $79,854.

As for employment prospects, the market for registered nurses in North Carolina is exceptionally strong.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Projections Central website, for example, the job market for RNs in the state is projected to grow by a whopping 16.4% between 2022 and 2032. That's almost three times the 5.6% projected growth for RN jobs in the nation overall.

Best Online RN to BSN Programs in North Carolina

We’ve reviewed the current landscape of online RN to BSN programs offered in North Carolina today and compiled the following rankings list of those we believe to be the best. Our selections were made in consideration of data taken from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and based on factors that include:

  • Accreditation
  • Availability of online program options
  • Program costs and grant amounts awarded to students
  • Availability of academic counseling and career placement services
  • Student/faculty ratio

To learn more on our selection methodologies, click the “About the ranking” button below.

# School Name Online Enrollment Tuition Students w/ Aid
1
57% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
83% Students w/ Aid
2
55% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
100% Students w/ Aid
3
54% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
81% Students w/ Aid
4
56% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
78% Students w/ Aid
5
70% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
55% Students w/ Aid
6
6
62% Online Enrollment
$$$$ Tuition
100% Students w/ Aid
7
51% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
50% Students w/ Aid
8
26% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
69% Students w/ Aid
9
9

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC
36% Online Enrollment
$$$$ Tuition
99% Students w/ Aid
10
51% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
47% Students w/ Aid

Kenya McCullum AUTHOR

Kenya McCullum is a professional writer and researcher with over twenty years of experience. She has authored hundreds of feature-length articles, guidebooks, and in-depth content, specializing in healthcare topics including women's health, fitness, mental health, addiction, and nutrition, as well as challenges faced by healthcare providers. McCullum also has extensive expertise in higher education, online learning, continuing education, and professional development. Throughout her career, she has interviewed numerous leaders in the healthcare and education sectors. She holds a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in English.

Read More About Kenya McCullum

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD EDITOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman
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