Is $40 Grand too much for an Associate Degree...

Rionoir, ADN, RN · May 7, 2018

ADN to BSN are much easier to get into than RN programs and they are usually offered online since everyone taking them is a nurse already. I definitely would try to get into that program at a state school before bending over for a private school.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 7, 2018

Yes, it is too much!

WCSU1987 · May 7, 2018

I hear you it's a tough choice.

There's no guarantee getting into the State 2 year program. The 2 yr colleges are going for a rehaul, possibly shutting a program down, tuition hike, and don't offer part time nursing program either.

The direct admit BSN program have to start from scratch with pre reqs. Even with my pr3vuoud

/username, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

yes...

RainbowSprinkles · May 7, 2018

Yes, its too much. However, if you qualify for the loans and don't mind paying them back then the choice is up to you. There are many factors to include in your decision as well..such as starting salary for rn's in your area, whether you decide you want to get a bsn (that could run your loan amount up higher), your personal bills, and your future goals. I know in my current state, age, salary isn't superb in comparison to cost of living. Throw a car note in there and a school loan payment and I'm fried lol. I'm 30 and I want to purchase a home one day, I wouldn't want to take on huge amounts of debt (just starting my program.

nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · May 7, 2018

Yes, it is too much, but if you don't want to wait to start at a community college or don't have the grades then just go for it. Make sure you will be able to pay it back within a reasonable amount of time though.

WCSU1987 · May 7, 2018

I hear you it's a tough choice.
Biggesr issue is there is no guarantee getting into the State 2 year program. My prerequisites are good up to 2020/2021.
The 2 yr colleges are going for a rehaul, possibly shutting a program down, tuition hike, and don't offer part time nursing program either. Also the 2 yr program isn't very flexible as the private ADN program when it comes to class schedule. The 2 year programs don't offer rolling admissions like the Private ADN program. On average takes about 4 to 6 more months to complete than the Private ADN program.
The 4 year State BSN program would have to start from scratch with pre reqs. Even with my previous degree still take about three year's to complete. It would be about $20,000 less than going RN-BSN route at this private institution. However, it's about $5,000 to $10,000 more than the ADN program. The RN-BSN is $10,000 more than going straight into a BSN program, but could look elsewhere for an RN-BSN program when I get to that bridge.
I could do an accelerated program. Again would have to start from scratch with pr erequsite's, cost would be similisr to the private ADN program, wouldn't have much flexibility to work, and I have taken accelerated classes in the past with little success.
My biggest concern is can I afford the private ADN program that makes me nervous.
Appreciate the feedback.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

yes.

I paid $3500 for my entire bachelors degree

headofcurls, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

Absolutely too much. Student loans are real! I recommend you go as cheap as possible.

WCSU1987 · May 8, 2018

Break down cost of schools here

LPN - $30-$35 Thousand

Associate RN Program State School- $25 Thousand

Private Associate RN Program $40-$45 Thousand

State BSN Program - $40 Thousand to $60 Thousand

Private BSN Programs- $60 -$120 Thousand

So it's about $1200 for 1 class and $5550-$6000 except one semester is close to $10K.

So I have to take 4 to 5 fluffy classes that be about $5K. So about $38-$40K.

The $5K can be covered by work so I have to figure how to finance the $35K. If I take private loans out can utilize tuition reimbursement. So that's $10K knocked off. So it be about $25K to $30K I need in private loans. If possible can knock that to $20K if I somehow can achieve $10K in scholarships.

I only used $5K of federal aid for my previous degree but only aid probably eligible for is a. Pell Grant. I doubt can achieve $40K in Pell Grants.

Sour Lemon · May 8, 2018

Hi for the last 3 yrs been trying to get myself into a nursing program with little success.
I am looking into a private school to achieve my degree. Cost is about $3500 a semester. Have 5 semesters of nursing classes and then have to take 4 classes at the college prior to acceptance.
My thoughy process is I can retake prerequisites at the local college for $600-$800 per class. There's no guarantee I could get in where the private school has no lottery. If you obtain the points your in. The private college encourages and supports students working full time, which is a plus. Classes are 1 day a week and 1 clinical a week.
The other bonus is you can save up to $20,000 grand on their BSN program if you choose to go further and it's all online the BSN.
Appreciate the feedback.

I took out 40K in loans while getting my ADN, but I lived off it as well as paying for school. In my case, it was the only way I could get ahead. Despite the loan payments, my standard of living went way up after graduation. It probably helped that I went to school in a low cost of living area and moved to a higher cost of living area a few years later. My loan payments were tiny compared to what I was making.

Had I not made it through the program for some reason, I would have been up a creek, though!