How much did it cost for your ADN?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 10, 2005

Hello and welcome to the family of allnurses. Mine (private college) is 450.00 a credit (need 77 to graduate) = over 34,000 (without books and fees of course). Going the community college route was a third of that, but there is an insane waiting list and lottery system. I took the risk I guess. Good luck to you.

elainebenes · Aug 10, 2005

WOW!!! I am going to a community college in Texas near the military base my dh is stationed at, and it is $32 per credit. I am taking 10 credits in fall for $320. Books however are going to be about $400.

ByTheLake · Aug 10, 2005

I've just finished my 2nd of 5 semesters in my ADN program. I just figured out the other day that it will have cost me about $7-8 thousand in the end, not counting books. I'm attending a local community college, but I'm out-of-district, so pay higher tuition than in-district students (my cost is 40% higher than theirs). Pre-req books cost me $260 (I didn't even buy a Micro book, bought used when I could, and only bought one lab book - I'm cheap). First 2 semesters of books ran $800 (we never have used Nursing books in the bookstore), the rest all together will be about another $1,200 give or take. That's not counting NCLEX study guides, all those extras, careplan books, drug books and drug cards, xerox copies of endless papers for care plans (LOL), and all those "Straight A's in fill-in-the-blank" type books and handly clinical ref's like quick-ref cards etc. I only bought one drug book and one careplan book so far, no other extras at all, but apparently I'm the exception ;-)

We don't qualify for grants or need-based scholarships (we're in that uncomfortable middle ground where we just don't qualify for that, but really can't honestly afford this without help) so must rely on student loans only. Here in Texas, loans come in a month after school starts, so when we do get a loan check, we immediately pay what is due, then figure out how much next semester's books, tuition and fees, etc. will cost, and put that much cash in a sealed envelope and give it to a trusted family member who will return it to us untouched later. Otherwise, we'd not have it when we *really* need it! I'm being honest here - we're just not that disciplined!! But, getting started took a lot, and by the time we got our first loan check, it was a matter of "Thank God - maybe we won't lose the house after all!" kind of relief. But, we decided this would be worth it, and so far it really has been, even though I"m not done yet.

Dh really hoped I would work while in school, but 3 weeks into first clinical rotation made it *very* clear to him that it just wasn't realistic, and now that we've got loans worked out well, it's less crazy. It's not easy, and funding is the least of the stress (and money's a huge stress). But, is it worth it? Well, yes, if you really want to be a nurse!!!

ByTheLake · Aug 10, 2005

WOW!!! I am going to a community college in Texas near the military base my dh is stationed at, and it is $32 per credit. I am taking 10 credits in fall for $320. Books however are going to be about $400.

Hey, where in Texas? We're not far from Ellington. Texas comm colleges are quite reasonable, especially in-district, though even what we're paying is a stretch. Fortunately, we can get student loans for more than tuition costs, which helps with books, school supplies, gas to and from clinicals, uniforms, lab supplies (ooh forgot to list the $600 we spent on physical exam, drug tests, background checks, steth, uniforms, lab coat, and lab supplies), etc. Sometimes I think it's the "other" stuff that kills us, not really the tuition! LOL!

elainebenes · Aug 10, 2005

Hey, where in Texas? We're not far from Ellington. Texas comm colleges are quite reasonable, especially in-district, though even what we're paying is a stretch. Fortunately, we can get student loans for more than tuition costs, which helps with books, school supplies, gas to and from clinicals, uniforms, lab supplies (ooh forgot to list the $600 we spent on physical exam, drug tests, background checks, steth, uniforms, lab coat, and lab supplies), etc. Sometimes I think it's the "other" stuff that kills us, not really the tuition! LOL!

Hey! I am going to Central Texas College in Killeen near Fort Hood. I'm not sure where Ellington is, I'm still pretty new here. I agree that Texas Comm Colleges are surprisingly reasonable, I reallly hope to finish the entire program while we are stationed here. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to apply for Financial Aid for this year, but will definitely be doing it for next year. Since my husband's in the military we qualify for the resident in-district rate of $32 per credit. The out-of-district rate is $39 per credit here and the nonresident/international fee is $130 per credit with a minimum of $200 which all still sounds pretty reasonable compared to some other parts of the country. Take care!

capgirl · Aug 10, 2005

I went to a small private college for my ADN. I think it was about 3500 per semester, x 5 semesters = $17,500 plus books and fees. It was about double the cost of the community college here, but no waiting list, and luckily I qualified for some financial aid. Still paying off the student loans though!!!

gerry79 · Aug 10, 2005

$3,500 per semester (4 semesters) not including books.

Nat_gagui · Aug 11, 2005

I'm taking my pre-requisites at our local community colleges here , the cost per unit here in northern california, san mateo to be precised is $26/ unit not including the books. so far the cheapest i ever bought is humanities but most of them cost more. CC is cheap but the waiting list is long , some of classmates are going to private school $ 23000 not including book on which i haven't close that option yet.

Nat : :thankya:

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2005

Hello and welcome to the family of allnurses. Mine (private college) is 450.00 a credit (need 77 to graduate) = over 34,000 (without books and fees of course). Going the community college route was a third of that, but there is an insane waiting list and lottery system. I took the risk I guess. Good luck to you.

Yep, this is about the same for the college that I am enrolled in.

One of the local colleges here does not even have a waiting list but goes by a points system. I just didn't have the time to have all of the prereq's finished(not to mention SAT's) and then start the nursing classes.

tx2007, RN · Aug 11, 2005

Hey! I am going to Central Texas College in Killeen near Fort Hood. I'm not sure where Ellington is, I'm still pretty new here. I agree that Texas Comm Colleges are surprisingly reasonable, I reallly hope to finish the entire program while we are stationed here. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to apply for Financial Aid for this year, but will definitely be doing it for next year. Since my husband's in the military we qualify for the resident in-district rate of $32 per credit. The out-of-district rate is $39 per credit here and the nonresident/international fee is $130 per credit with a minimum of $200 which all still sounds pretty reasonable compared to some other parts of the country. Take care!

OMG you are killing me here $32!!!! I am in Texas at a Community College and tution is $700 for 13 hours PLUS $600 in books and another $500 for my drug test, scrubs and all that!!! And this is only for my FIRST semester of NS!!! I did all my prereq'a and that cost me about $4,000 for Fall, Spring and 2 Summer classes and another $400 to get my CNA. I am moving to where ever you are!

tx2007, RN · Aug 11, 2005

Yep, this is about the same for the college that I am enrolled in.
One of the local colleges here does not even have a waiting list but goes by a points system. I just didn't have the time to have all of the prereq's finished(not to mention SAT's) and then start the nursing classes.

At my Community College thats what we did to get in, a points system. There are 13 possible points and the ones who have their CNA, NET tests and the most points are the 30 who get in Thank God I got in on my first try with 12 points!!!!