Typical Cost for RN-BSN programs?

elkpark · Apr 4, 2008

I don't recall what I paid, total, for the program I completed, but I guarantee you it was nowhere near $20,000; probably more like $2-3,000 dollars all told.

There is no "typical" cost -- there are too many variables involved; state school vs. private school; on-line programs (it seems, in general, that you tend to pay more for the convenience of doing classes at home on your own schedule); how many additional courses (besides just the nursing content) a particular individual needs to complete the general baccalaureate degree requirements, etc.

Just "fer instance," the program I completed was through a state university (in-state tuition); I had two years of college already (from my "previous life") so I didn't need many additional (non-nursing) courses; the three that I did need I was able to take at a local community college (for even less $$ than they would have cost me at the uni) and transfer in; and I sat in a classroom on the uni campus two evenings a week for two semesters. (Oops, I should probably also mention that this was 15 years ago ... But, still ...)

IMHO, any RN-to-BSN program that charges $20-30,000 is robbing you blind! :uhoh21: I guarantee you there are less costly options out there, if you shop around.

NursKris82 · Apr 4, 2008

I don't know what's typical, but I live in MI and MSU credits are like $350.00 a piece. I'm not sure about $20,000.00, but probably around $10,000.00. I need that number to any school that I can get my BSN for 3 grand.

tanthalas · Apr 4, 2008

Over here in Canada it's ~$2,500 for a semester. So.... bout $20,000. This doesn't consider books, parking passes, and all that other jazz.

elkpark · Apr 4, 2008

Over here in Canada it's ~$2,500 for a semester. So.... bout $20,000. This doesn't consider books, parking passes, and all that other jazz.

Sounds like you're talking about ~four years of school -- the OP is asking about programs for people who are already RNs (ADN or diploma grads) to complete a BSN degree -- lots of programs like that here in the states, and they don't take four years (unless you're intentionally going "very part-time").

clhRN2b2010 · Apr 4, 2008

I don't think 20k is totally out of the park but I certainly would keep hunting. W/all my pre req's complete(all 59), the most cost effective option here is a state university 2 semester RN -BSN that will cost me close to 8k.

If I did not have many of the pre req's from my previous degree, it would double, easily.

ArwenEvenstar · Apr 4, 2008

I agree with the poster that said $20,000 to $30,000 is robbing you blind. That seems too much for someone who already has an RN, and just needs a BSN. I am working on a master's degree right now (not in nursing but in another field) and all said and done it will cost me about $30,000. BUT this is for master's level course work... and graduate school is usually significantly more expensive than undergraduate work.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

Cost is directly proportional to time involved. If you are continuing at a state school and taking regular classes it will take several years, therefore it is substantially cheaper.

The type of programs many full-time workers are enrolling, are one day per week with 7 week semesters. These programs are very expensive and graduate you in 12-18 months. Many like mine include master level classes to encourage you to continue at their institution. Currently, I am paying $438.00 per credit. The pace is quick, the classes aimed at adults with life experience. I don't need statistics to be a math major, nurses need it for real numbers, outlining real problems faced, in the real world. To me, it's worth the extra cost.

I had a different life before nursing, and have extensive, "real" managerial experience. Unfortunately, those that hire upper management, have letters behind their names-that's what they are looking for...It has been truly difficult listening to academics attempt to teach about "what they know not....". Someday, I'll be able to offer a difference as an educator or a manager. Someone who has real business experience and a working perspective on the "real" world.

Until that time....in school suffering.

Maisy

ann945n, RN · Apr 4, 2008

My Rn to BSN program is around 7,000 dollars not including books. Its online so I have no other expense then tuition and books. Its not too bad. it takes 4 semester so the cost is spread out nicely. Id say anything over 10,000 would be silly (for a public school)

Boston-RN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

I looked at 3 RN-BSN programs in Mass and each of them is approx $9k-$12k on state, one private and one online :) They each had little quirks. The state program you needed clinical time 80hrs, the private you had to do at least 30 credits there so even if you transferred things in you'd still need to take the same # of credits. The online seemed the most logical for me but it wasn't based solely on price. Oh yeah and none included books but I did add in fees.

nathano · Mar 9, 2010

i start my course in Aug 2010 in keokuk iowa to get my ADN-RN and the it is going to cost $5,000 a year for tuition and books. Hope this helps.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2010

My RN-BSN program is with a state university, and it's the least expensive RN-BSN program in my state. It is running $2500-$3000 per semester for in-state tuition. It is a 4 semester program. That said, tuition is going up quite a bit each semester as our state is rapidly cutting back its financial support for state universities. I've come to expect surcharges in the hundreds of dollars each semester (they call it an "economic recovery fee") and tuition increases each semester. So this would mean the least expensive RN-BSN program in my state is running about $12,000 without books or other expenses.