Most Affordable BSN Programs

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Can anyone direct me to where there are affordable traditional BSN programs... I mean like schools where tuition for the WHOLE program will be under 50k. It seems like every school charges at least 10k per Semester (plus other fees like books, uniforms, etc.) I really do not have the option to take out private student loans (because I do not have strong cosigners) so I really need a program that will be able to be covered by my FAFSA and scholarships. I live in Arizona and even state programs with instate tuition are very expensive with all said and done (plus they're very difficult to get into). All replies will be much appreciated, thank you .

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do you have your as in nursing? many community colleges have as programs and if you can get started in the field and then get a job in a hospital there is so many tuition reimbursement programs and programs where hospitals will pay you full time while you work part time and attend school. idk it's hard to say and all states are different but if it's something you’re really determined for you'll find a way to make it happen :)

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do you have your as in nursing? many community colleges have as programs and if you can get started in the field and then get a job in a hospital there is so many tuition reimbursement programs and programs where hospitals will pay you full time while you work part time and attend school. idk it's hard to say and all states are different but if it's something you're really determined for you'll find a way to make it happen :)

no i currently do not, i'm taking my pre-reqs right now. i was weighing out the benefits of getting my asn and just going straight for my bachelors and it seems like if i did decide to get my asn i wouldn't have to pay a dime for it (except books) and then i could do a bridge rn-bsn program at one of my state universities. i really don't want to back track when i can go straight for my bachelors, but if it means i won't have to take out loans then i think that's my only option. also the problem with getting my associates is i probably won't find a job :/ so it'd be pointless to get it (do you get what i mean? )

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Specializes in ICU.

In-state tuition at my school (Utah Valley University) for a full time student is about $1,800 per semester. $1800 x 8 semesters puts it at $14,400 for a BSN degree. This is assuming one finishes the degree in 8 semesters. Of course, being from Arizona you would have to establish residency first. The program is pretty competitive to get into, but definately worth the extra effort.

Good luck in finding a school that will work for you!

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I don't think you would have trouble finding a job with an ASN, I know a couple and they work for a government VA hospital and they made about 10k more with their BSN but then I've heard that the other hospitals in the area don't have any difference in pay between the two degrees. I go to a great school but once I get my ASN I plan on working as an RN and continuing my education to go for my BSN but whose knows after that :) Good Luck!! And I too hope I get into some of the programs the hospital offers with reimbursement!!

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No I currently do not, I'm taking my pre-reqs right now. I was weighing out the benefits of getting my ASN and just going straight for my bachelors and it seems like if I did decide to get my ASN I wouldn't have to pay a dime for it (except books) and then I could do a bridge RN-BSN program at one of my state universities. I really don't want to back track when I can go straight for my bachelors, but if it means I won't have to take out loans then I think that's my only option. Also the problem with getting my associates is I probably won't find a job :/ so it'd be pointless to get it (do you get what I mean? )

To answer your original question, there are lots of universities where you can get a BSN for under $50k. One of the keys is in-state and looking at public institutions. At one time, I had read that THE least expensive program in the nation was Fort Hays State University in Kansas. Don't know if that is still the case?

I don't know who you have been speaking with, but new grads of both ADN/ASN and BSN programs in my area are equal in pay and neither the Assoc. nor the Bach. grads seem to be having a problem finding jobs. But, location is everything. Not all parts of the country are so fortunate.

I would encourage you to post on the Regional boards here on allnurses to ask some people these questions in your area. Good luck to you!!

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To answer your original question, there are lots of universities where you can get a BSN for under $50k. One of the keys is in-state and looking at public institutions. At one time, I had read that THE least expensive program in the nation was Fort Hays State University in Kansas. Don't know if that is still the case?

I don't know who you have been speaking with, but new grads of both ADN/ASN and BSN programs in my area are equal in pay and neither the Assoc. nor the Bach. grads seem to be having a problem finding jobs. But, location is everything. Not all parts of the country are so fortunate.

I would encourage you to post on the Regional boards here on allnurses to ask some people these questions in your area. Good luck to you!!

Hey thanks for your suggestion, Fort Hays is really expensive now :/ like 20 k a year. My state school (ASU) is really cheap but the chances of getting in are VERY slim unless you have a 3.8 and up ! :(

Honestly, there are just no hospitals hiring hear in AZ. I've tried to even volunteer- they just do not want the liability of a volunteer the Nursing Department Heads explained :/. I'm just jumping through so many hoops and it's so discouraging to not be able to even get experience. I'm really just at a dead end right now I guess - but I'm sure I'll sort things out eventually.

I guess I need to really reevaluate WHAT my goals are because at this rate I'm not going to achieve much.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am in the BSN program at Rhode Island College (www.ric.edu) and it is very, very affordable. Full time tuition and fees come to $3200 per semester, which includes ATI testing expenses. It is competitive to get into, but the high NCLEX pass rate and low cost were reason enough for me to apply. I am going into my junior year now and I've enjoyed the program so far. Feel free to ask if you have questions about RIC.

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I would suggest to get ADN first because alot of employers will pay for you to continue nursing school. That is a really great option ! :) ( at least most of larger employers around here with pay for it ) Dont forget to look into scholarships and grants :) Good luck !

Zelda

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I am in the BSN program at Rhode Island College (www.ric.edu) and it is very, very affordable. Full time tuition and fees come to $3200 per semester, which includes ATI testing expenses. It is competitive to get into, but the high NCLEX pass rate and low cost were reason enough for me to apply. I am going into my junior year now and I've enjoyed the program so far. Feel free to ask if you have questions about RIC.

hey funny you say that! I actually looked at that college a few weeks ago and I wanted to speak to someone from admissions but I was busy so I put it off!!! Now that you mention it, I will look more into the program :)

I would suggest to get ADN first because alot of employers will pay for you to continue nursing school. That is a really great option ! :) ( at least most of larger employers around here with pay for it ) Dont forget to look into scholarships and grants :) Good luck !

Zelda

Hi Zelda, at my current institution I've applied for all the scholarships I can and I currently managed to have my summer tuition all paid for (minus books!) I'm planning on getting scholarship assistance for fall too:)
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Here's a link to the college I'm at: http://www.spcollege.edu/Hec/ it's very affordable, for in-state residents (Florida). You have to have your ASN first (with specific classes transferring in) though to get into the BSN. Total cost for 2 years/5 semesters is about $4,700 (in-state) according to their worksheet (includes books, fees, etc.). The program also says that all the BSN courses may be done on-line. Though if you are still out-of-state, and assuming all your credites transferred, the major BSN courses total 40 credit hours. At the out-of-state rate on tuition, that would be $11,215.60 and figure about $1,600 for books, supplies, etc.; still pretty reasonable for 2 years!

Note: I just found out that some private college nursing programs (ie Galen) will not transfer, most state accredited colleges should be fine.

The associates degree is 72 credit hours at $77.54/cr hour (non-Florida residents is $280.39) for the tuition, and acceptance into the program is very selective. Most of your pre-reqs can be done on-line, but once accepted into the actual program, you need to physically be here, on campus in St. Petersburg, FL for them. Clinicals, and such. In my area, some of the hospitals are providing financial assistance to nursing students in exchange for a commitment to work for them for a specific period of time after graduation/passing NCLEX.

Hope that helps and good luck!

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Hey thanks for your suggestion, Fort Hays is really expensive now :/ like 20 k a year.

Just curious if you heard that or if you looked into it? Their website says $168/hr for undergrad in state and that wouldn't be $20k a year--maybe it's an option for you? I grew up 13 years of my life in that little city. It's not toooo bad. ;)

Oh, and about AZ, I do know what you are talking about. I lived in Phoenix for 2 years not too long ago and I do know that graduate nurses are having tougher times there.

Come on over to Texas!

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