Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Rhode Island
If you’re already working as a nurse in Rhode Island, earning your BSN degree can take your career to new heights. An online RN to BSN program opens the door to better-paying jobs, leadership opportunities, and graduate-level nursing study — making it one of the best investments you can pursue for your career. In this EduMed guide, we’ll explore some of Rhode Island’s top programs, giving you a look at their curriculum structure, tuition costs, and admission requirements.
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Profiles of Popular RN to BSN Programs in Rhode Island
Choosing the right RN to BSN program starts with sitting down to think about your career goals. Some programs can be completed in under a year, while others take closer to two years, especially if you’re attending part-time. Course delivery and start date flexibility also matter if you plan on working full-time as a nurse while earning your degree.
Note that even online programs must include some form of hands-on component to meet accreditation standards. Rhode Island’s small geographic size gives its RN to BSN programs an advantage most states don’t have, since even when hands-on requirements exist, they’re rarely far from home.
Comparing these three options will give you a good starting point as you search for the right program to take your RN career to the next level.
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College’s RN to BSN program can be completed fully online and skips traditional clinical rotations altogether. Incoming students receive credit for previous nursing coursework as well as professional work experience.
Up to 90 credits can be transferred, leaving most ADN graduates with around 30 credits to earn. The program has enrollment windows in the fall and spring, and most students complete all requirements in as little as one year.
As of 2025, Rhode Island College’s partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island gives ADN graduates a direct path to earning their BSN. This can eliminate some of the administrative headache that comes with applying to a new program and transferring credits.
Duration: As little as one year
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $5,230 per semester tuition (RI resident); $13,800 per semester tuition (non-RI resident)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited program
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Active, unencumbered RN license in Rhode Island
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Pass a criminal background check
University of Rhode Island
The online RN to BSN program at the University of Rhode Island is built around 24 core nursing credits that can be completed in as little as 15 months. Its curriculum is taught by experienced faculty from across New England and is both science-focused and research intensive, preparing nurses for the reality of modern healthcare.
Students can transfer up to 90 total credits from past coursework, including 75 from associate’s level courses and 15 from bachelor’s level courses. Notably, URI doesn’t allow students to mix online and on-campus attendance, so you’ll need to choose one path upon admission and stick with it.
Duration: As little as 15 months
Mode: Fully online (in-person option also available)
Cost: $433 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited program
- Minimum 2.6 GPA
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Salve Regina University
Salve Regina’s RN to BSN program is the most affordable and flexible of these options. With six start dates a year and completion possible in as little as 12 months, it’s built to work around the schedules of working nurses.
Of the 125 credits required, 58 are automatically awarded for existing RN licensure, and additional nursing education can count toward up to 37 more. The program’s Mercy mission shapes its curriculum around holistic, patient-centered healthcare, preparing nurses to be empathetic leaders in their communities.
Nurses at select partner institutions, as well as their family members and members of the military, can benefit from a “preferred” tuition rate that discounts Salve Regina’s already affordable cost.
Duration: As little as 12 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $373 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- ADN or nursing diploma from an accredited program
- Minimum 2.7 GPA
- Active, unencumbered RN license in Rhode Island
- Resume showing relevant nursing work experience
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
FAQs for Rhode Island RN to BSN Students
Are RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island available in a 100% online format?
Yes. Rhode Island’s colleges and universities offer RN to BSN programs with fully online coursework. While some form of hands-on component is required, some programs make this easier to fulfill by counting prior work experience.
Additionally, since Rhode Island is so small, programs that do require an in-person clinical or capstone rarely ask students to travel far to complete it.
How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island?
Compared to national averages, online RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island are on the affordable side. However, per-credit rates vary significantly between private and public institutions.
If you’re already working as a nurse, it’s a good idea to see if your employer is partnered with any schools in your area. Many RN to BSN programs offer discounted tuition rates or scholarships for nurses working at partner healthcare institutions.
How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in Rhode Island?
For most students in Rhode Island, completing an online RN to BSN program takes about 12 to 15 months. Of course, this assumes that you’ve already completed all prerequisite coursework and are enrolling full-time.
If you need to supplement your nursing diploma coursework with additional general education classes, or if you plan on enrolling part-time while continuing to work, expect it to take longer. In these cases, completing your RN to BSN can take around two years.
What are the typical admissions requirements for Rhode Island online RN to BSN programs?
Across nearly all RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island, admissions requirements include an ADN or nursing diploma, as well as an active, unencumbered RN license. Regardless of which program you choose, expect that you’ll need to meet these criteria at a bare minimum.
Most schools also have a modest GPA requirement in the 2.5 to 2.7 range and will want to see copies of your official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework you’ve completed.
Is it worth pursuing a BSN in Rhode Island if I already have my ADN?
For most working RNs, yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for RNs in the U.S. is $93,600 per year. However, BSN-prepared nurses often make between $10,000 to $20,000 more than their ADN counterparts. In addition, a BSN is also increasingly favored by employers. If you have your eyes on charge nurse, case management, or leadership roles, you’ll likely need a BSN to open those doors.
Rhode Island has several major health systems competing for talent inside a small state, as well as the greater New England area. Having your BSN can be a key differentiator when applying for higher-paying jobs or those on a leadership track.
Salary Comparison: RN vs. BSN in Rhode Island
Registered Nurses
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $77,410 | $100,640 | $129,840 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,410 | $99,880 | $135,240 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Best RN to BSN Programs in RI: Online/Hybrid
University of Rhode Island
Program Details
- Location: Kingston, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 83%Students W/ Aid
- $12,845Avg. Aid Amount
- 17/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University of Rhode Island
- Fully online RN to BSN format lets working registered nurses complete their degree without campus visits.
- Science-focused, research-intensive curriculum can be completed in as few as 15 months, accelerating advancement.
- Generous transfer credit policies accept up to 90 credits, significantly reducing time and cost to graduation.
Program Details
- Location: Kingston, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 83%Students W/ Aid
- $12,845Avg. Aid Amount
- 17/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Rhode Island College
Program Details
- Location: Providence, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 74%Students W/ Aid
- $6,912Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Rhode Island College
- The program is fully online with seven-week courses, offering maximum flexibility for working registered nurses.
- RNs receive substantial credit for prior nursing education and work experience, allowing completion in as little as one year.
- An innovative partnership creates a direct, streamlined pathway for Community College of Rhode Island nursing graduates into the RN to BSN program.
Program Details
- Location: Providence, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 74%Students W/ Aid
- $6,912Avg. Aid Amount
- 15/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Salve Regina University
Program Details
- Location: Newport, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 97%Students W/ Aid
- $27,842Avg. Aid Amount
- 12/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Salve Regina University
- The program offers preferred tuition rates for nurses at partner institutions, their spouses, families, and military members, significantly lowering overall costs.
- Students can earn the BSN fully online in as few as 12 months, with six flexible start dates and asynchronous coursework tailored to working nurses’ schedules.
- Graduates gain a competitive edge for top nursing jobs through innovative, holistic learning that also positions them to seamlessly pursue Salve’s MSN or DNP programs.
Program Details
- Location: Newport, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 97%Students W/ Aid
- $27,842Avg. Aid Amount
- 12/1Student/Faculty Ratio
New England Institute of Technology
Program Details
- Location: East Greenwich, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 81%Students W/ Aid
- $14,407Avg. Aid Amount
- 11/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected New England Institute of Technology
- The program is 100% online, highly flexible for working RNs, and can be completed part‑time in as little as about 14–15 months.
- It offers small class sizes, personal advising, and the ability to complete the clinical capstone at your own workplace for added convenience and support.
- The program is ACEN‑accredited, ranked a Top 50 Best Value online nursing program, and reports a 100% job placement rate, strengthening graduates’ career prospects.
Program Details
- Location: East Greenwich, RI
- NECHEAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PrivateSchool Type
- 81%Students W/ Aid
- $14,407Avg. Aid Amount
- 11/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
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 2025
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