For-Profit Schools That Offer Online Nursing Programs

[TheCommuter]

For-profit schools, unlike their nonprofit counterparts, are owned and operated by corporate entities or private organizations. Even though for-profit colleges and universities have come under increased media scrutiny in recent years, enrollments have spiked in the six years since the economic meltdown of 2008 because adult learners want to acquire (or retain) marketability in today's ultra-competitive workforce.

For-profit schools are becoming increasingly popular choices of educational attainment with nurses and other healthcare workers for a myriad of reasons. First of all, these schools appeal to the unique needs of nontraditional adult learners by offering convenience through flexible class schedules that will not interfere with full time employment. Second of all, the majority of these entities have extraordinarily generous credit transfer policies that are very attractive to students who do not wish to repeat courses they took and passed several years ago. Third, the admissions process tends to be streamlined and uncomplicated. Fourth, coursework is presented in an accelerated format that enables swift completion of degree requirements. Finally, many students experience relief when they do not have to contend with the formidable bureaucracy of traditional nonprofit colleges.

Moreover, for-profit schools exert a remarkable presence in online education. In fact, a few of the prominent for-profit schools have no land-based campuses whatsoever, and only offer degree programs and certifications through distance-based formats. Here is a list of for-profit colleges and universities that offer online nursing degree completion programs.

Grantham University

University of Arkansas Grantham (College of Nursing), a for-profit institution with national accreditation through the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), offers multiple online nursing degree completion programs.

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University, a subsidiary of Career Education Corporation, is a for-profit school that offers several online nursing degree completion programs at the baccalaureate and undergraduate level.

Aspen University

Aspen University has institutional accreditation from the DETC. The school also offers online nursing degree completion programs that are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The RN-to-MSN program is especially popular.

American Sentinel University

Post University is another school that is institutionally accredited by the DETC. The university offers multiple CCNE-accredited online nursing degree completion programs. In addition, tuition is more affordable than most other for-profit entities.

West Coast University

West Coast University offers a hybrid RN-to-BSN degree completion program in a bookend format where students are expected to physically attend their first and last courses and complete the remainder online. West Coast University is regionally accredited, and its nursing programs have full accreditation through the CCNE.

South University

South University, a subsidiary of Education Management Corporation, offers several online nursing degree completion programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctorate level.

Walden University

Walden University, a subsidiary of Laureate Education Inc., is a regionally accredited school that offers multiple online nursing degree completion programs.

Kaplan University

Kaplan University, a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company, is a regionally-accredited for-profit entity that offers several online nursing degree completion programs. Kaplan University is named after Stanley Kaplan, original founder of Kaplan Test Prep.

Capella University

Capella University, owned and operated by the publicly-traded Capella Education Company, offers a range of online baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degree completion programs.

DeVry University

DeVry University, a subsidiary of the DeVry Education Group, owns and operates the Chamberlain College of Nursing. The Chamberlain College of Nursing offers several online nursing degree completion programs and is known for generous credit transfer policies.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University, owned and operated by Grand Canyon Education, offers several convenient online nursing degree completion programs for busy nurses who want to pursue higher education.

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix, a subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc., is probably the most recognizable name on this list. UOP is regionally accredited and offers several CCNE-accredited online nursing degree completion programs.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Another comment: regional and national accreditation are important, in my opinion, especially if you want to further your education later.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

RN-BSN programs are typically RN-to-BSN programs, i.e., degree completion. Plain ol' BSN programs (pre-licensure) would obviously require NCLEX.

You made a salient point, Pixie. All of the schools I've listed on the front page offer degree completion programs (i.e. RN-to-BSN, BSN-to-MSN) for nurses who have already passed NCLEX many moons ago. Once you pass NCLEX you never need to retake it.

[veggie530]

Don't the proprietary schools do enough advertising on their own, already? Are we shilling for them now? How come no mention of any of the negatives of proprietary schools?

Try a simple google search, it might help you. The author of this article already wrote at least one article covering as much.

[EyeheartNursing_RN]

Hmmm what if higher education was free... Wouldn't that be lovely.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Hmmm what if higher education was free... Wouldn't that be lovely.

Higher education is free in many other countries...but we must pay for it here in the US.

[imenid37]

All schools are "for profit." I attended St. Louis University. It is a terrific school, but very pricey. MY my kids have all attended college. I even have one Ivy Leaguer in there. All were supported by big time loans. It is all a game and all tied up in the business of college financing. Employers pay for school, banks loan big bucks for school, the federal government is deeply involved, and the costs for all schools keep rising. There is money to be made and those ready to make it. Some of these schools are not giving a quality education. Others are turning a hefty profit, BUT students are getting a sound education. I now go to a state school in CA via online learning. It is very reasonable and I like the program a lot. People have to do their homework and decide if they want to put the time in to finish school quickly or have $ in the bank. IMHO, it is not worth the cost for something like Chamberlain for an RN to BSN when an accredited state school does the same thing for you for a lot less $. Of course, it may take longer. You have to decide what it is all worth.

[Loo17]

See advertisements at bottom of page.

We need a new, not-for-profit nursing discussion board.

Websites need advertisements to stay in business. Even facebook has them. If you don't want the ads I am pretty sure you can upgrade your account. I personally do not even notice the ads.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Websites need advertisements to stay in business. Even facebook has them. If you don't want the ads I am pretty sure you can upgrade your account. I personally do not even notice the ads.

Yes, we have premium and platinum memberships available for members who do not want to see advertisements.

[RNdynamic]

This thread isn't an article. It's an infomercial. These schools have banners all over this website.