Online RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina: Comparing Schools
Get to know the best online RN to BSN programs in South Carolina and the benefits they offer nurses. Let EduMed walk you through how they work, key FAQs, salary and career info, and which schools stand out across the state.
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How These Programs Work
South Carolina’s online RN to BSN programs offer a convenient and affordable way to uplevel your education, credentials, and resume with a four-year degree. With asynchronous coursework, you can study on your own schedule while still benefitting from regular deadlines, instructor check-ins, and local clinical requirements completed where you live. Below, we’ve highlighted three standout schools to help you start your search.
RN-to-BSN Online – Newberry College
Newberry College’s fully online RN-to-BSN program is ideal for working registered nurses who already have their associate degree. In this Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program, students earn 33 semester hours of credit over accelerated, seven-and-a-half-week terms, making it possible to to graduate with a BSN in as few as 12 months. Newberry continuously enrolls students in the RN-to-BSN program, so RNs can enroll and start working toward their degree during any semester they choose.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $405/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Active RN licensure
- Currently employed in a nursing role (part or full time)
- Graduate of an accredited ADN program
- Grade of “C” or above in all prerequisite courses
Curriculum:
- Bridging to Generalist Nursing Practice for RNs
- Nursing Leadership & Change for RNs
- Pathophysiological Bases of Nursing Practice for RNs
- Nursing Leadership & Change – RN Practicum
- Health Assessment Across the Lifespan for RNs
- Community Health Nursing for RNs
- Community Health Nursing – RN Practicum
- Nursing Research & EBP for RNs
- Human Heredity
- Professional Development for RNs
Programs that might interest you:
RN to BSN – Aiken University of South Carolina
With Aiken University’s RN to BSN program, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as one year. This 31-credit program is accredited by CCNE, and students benefit from the same faculty who teach on-campus classes. With multiple start dates offered throughout the year, students can jump into getting their BSN whenever it’s the right time for them.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $306/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) degree or Diploma in Nursing
- 2.5 minimum GPA on prior undergraduate coursework
- Current RN license valid in the state where students will do preceptor work
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Ethical-Legal Issues in Nursing
- Nursing Care of the Client with Complex Health Needs
- Nursing Research
- Gerontological Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Leadership & Management
RN to BSN – Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina’s RN to BSN program is offered 100% online in an asynchronous format and can be completed full- or part-time. The program is built on a cohort model, so students progress through the entire program with a group of peers. Unique clinical experiences are offered each semester, covering gerontology, community & public health, and leadership.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $5,480-$6,104/semester (full time) | $481-$526/semester (part time)
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate degree in nursing from an accredited program
- RN licensure
- 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework with a GPA of 2.5
Curriculum:
- Dynamics of Professional Practice & Interprofessional Nursing Care
- Information Management
- Healthy Aging & Health Promotion
- Research & Evidence-Based Practice
- Health Assessment for RN
- Pathophysiology
- Community & Population Focused Nursing
- Leadership and Management
- Health Systems & Policy
- Practicum-Clinical Management & Decision-Making
South Carolina RN to BSN Student FAQs
Enrolling in an online program, especially one in a hands-on field like healthcare, can be intimidating. You likely have questions about admissions, graduation, and everything in between, so we’ve compiled and answered some of the most common FAQs about earning an RN to BSN online in South Carolina below.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in South Carolina?
When searching for an RN to BSN program, accreditation is one of the most important things to look for. Otherwise, you may struggle to receive financial aid and find work after graduation. You should also research schools’ NCLEX pass rates, which are considered a reflection of its ability to adequately prepare graduates for nursing jobs.
Other important considerations are tuition, the program’s delivery format (fully remote, traditional, or hybrid), and the number of clinical hours required, as well as any specific factors that matter to or interest you.
Expert Insight
When I made the decision to enroll in grad school as a working RN, I knew that I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with schooling, so I chose a part-time program with summers off. It didn’t matter to me how long it would take to finish. For you though, a short timeline may be a top priority. Once you decide what’s most important to you, choose a program that best aligns.
How long is an RN to BSN program in South Carolina?
Generally speaking, it takes between 12 to 24 months to complete a South Carolina RN to BSN program online. But how long it takes to complete an RN to BSN program online in SC will vary based on how many required courses you’ve already taken and whether you’re attending school full or part-time. For example, if you’ve already earned an associate degree and completed prerequisite general education courses, then you could graduate in as little as a year.
How much do RN to BSN programs in South Carolina cost?
On average, RN to BSN programs cost anywhere from $4,500 to $6,500 per semester (Upstate University of South Carolina, for instance, charges $5,604 per semester for full-time RN to BSN students). However, the exact cost will depend on your choices. An online RN to BSN degree in South Carolina may be more expensive if you are attending a private institution versus a public institution, or if you are enrolled in a traditional program versus an online or hybrid program.
Is there financial aid available to South Carolina RN to BSN students?
Yes. If you are attending an online RN to BSN program in South Carolina, you have several financial aid options. The type and amount of aid available to you depends on several qualifying factors, including your academic history, need, financial and family status, military service, and previous awards.
The first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Then you can research and apply for grants, scholarships, student loans, and even work-study programs to help offset the cost of your education.
What requirements must I meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in South Carolina?
Most RN to BSN programs in South Carolina require applicants to have an associate degree or diploma in nursing an RN license, but each program comes with a unique set of requirements. For example, some programs require prerequisite coursework in basic subjects like math and English.
Your school will also request previous education records via transcript. Typically, RN to BSN programs in South Carolina want to see a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 GPA in all collegiate courses.
South Carolina RN to BSN Career Info
The Lowcountry and Grand Strand keep growing as retirees and remote workers relocate to South Carolina's coast, and that population boom has outpaced the local nursing supply. MUSC Health and Prisma Health, the state's largest systems, are responding by writing bachelor's degrees into more of their specialty and coordination postings, which pulls their pay closer to the top of this range. Inland, in the rural Lowcountry and upstate mill towns, hospitals are less selective, and associate-degree RNs find steady work there, generally lower on the scale.
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $69,760 | $87,760 | $116,640 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $71,120 | $92,800 | $117,900 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $69,680 | $90,620 | $110,020 |
| Columbia, SC | $68,460 | $81,920 | $108,210 |
| Florence, SC | $65,710 | $81,170 | $174,900 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $68,530 | $81,400 | $100,630 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,180 | $81,400 | $97,590 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $66,250 | $80,640 | $100,380 |
| South Carolina | $66,860 | $82,360 | $106,520 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $70,180 | $82,360 | $101,420 |
| Sumter, SC | $66,830 | $86,260 | $104,660 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
