How RN to BSN programs work
An RN to BSN program gives licensed nurses with an associate degree credit for their nursing education and license, so they only take the remaining upper-level courses, usually online and part-time.[uta_rnbsn][utahtech_rnbsn] There is no new licensing exam: you already hold the RN license, and the BSN is an academic degree.
| Program | Length | Published price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Arlington (TX) | 35 credits, as few as 9 months | $8,995 | Online; total tuition $257 per credit |
| Utah Tech University (UT) | 25 required credits, 2–3 semesters | $6,775 | Online; $271 per credit regardless of residency, general fees waived (25 × $271) |
Admission usually requires an active RN license (or eligibility for the NCLEX-RN) and a minimum GPA; Utah Tech, for example, asks for a nursing coursework GPA of 2.7 or higher.[utahtech_rnbsn] If your employer offers tuition assistance, ask before you enroll: it can cover much of these prices.
How long is RN to BSN?
RN to BSN takes about 9 to 12 months full-time at the two public programs above, and longer if you take one course at a time: UT Arlington lists as few as 9 months for 35 credits, and Utah Tech an average of 2 to 3 semesters for 25 credits.[uta_rnbsn][utahtech_rnbsn] General-education courses you have not yet taken can add terms before or alongside the nursing courses.
ADN vs BSN
An ADN and a BSN lead to the same RN license and the same NCLEX-RN; the difference is length, cost and the doors the degree opens later.[ooh_rn] BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for registered nurses, and graduate programs for nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists usually start from a bachelor's degree.[ooh_rn][ooh_aprn][coa]
| Associate degree (ADN) | Bachelor’s degree (BSN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4 semesters of nursing courses (El Paso Community College) | 4 years (BLS) |
| Published cost | $10,698 (nursing courses, El Paso Community College, 2026–27) | $49,160 tuition and fees (4 × public in-state average, 2026–27) |
| License exam | NCLEX-RN | NCLEX-RN |
| Path to NP or CRNA school | Needs a BSN first (RN to BSN or RN to MSN) | Direct |
| Later upgrade | RN to BSN, about 9–12 months online | — |
The cheapest path to a BSN is often ADN first, then an employer-supported RN to BSN: $10,698 plus about $6,775 to $8,995 is well below four years of university tuition, and you earn RN pay during the second step.[s_epcc_adn][cb2026][uta_rnbsn][utahtech_rnbsn] The ADN and BSN routes are compared in full on how to become a registered nurse.
Is a BSN worth it?
A BSN is worth it mainly for what comes next: graduate school, management and employers that require a bachelor's degree, because BLS does not publish separate pay for BSN and ADN nurses.[onet_rn] RN pay ranges from $68,940 at the 10th percentile to $137,470 at the 90th (May 2025); moving up that range usually comes with experience, specialty and roles that a BSN can unlock.[onet_rn] At these program prices the payback is short even for a modest raise: try your employer's figures in the calculator above.
The BSN is also the starting point for nurse practitioner school, which leads to a median of $132,300, and CRNA school. Federal undergraduate loans for 2026–27 carry 6.52% interest.[fr_rates]
Frequently asked questions
How long does RN to BSN take?
About 9 to 12 months full-time at the public online programs we checked (UT Arlington: as few as 9 months; Utah Tech: 2–3 semesters), longer part-time.
How much does RN to BSN cost?
UT Arlington lists $8,995 in total tuition and Utah Tech $271 per credit for 25 credits (about $6,775). Employer tuition help, where offered, can cover part of it.
What is the difference between ADN and BSN?
Both qualify you for the NCLEX-RN. An ADN takes about four semesters of nursing courses at a community college; a BSN takes four years and is required for graduate nursing programs.
Do BSN nurses make more than ADN nurses?
BLS does not publish pay by nursing degree. Any premium depends on the employer; the BSN mainly opens graduate school and roles that require a bachelor’s degree.
Sources
- Online RN to BSN: 35 credits, as few as 9 months, total tuition $8,995
- Online RN to BSN: $271 per credit, 25 required credits, 2–3 semesters
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
- Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate (effective Jan 1, 2026)
- ADN Nursing Program approximate costs, AY 2026-2027 ($10,698)
- Trends in College Pricing 2026, Table CP-1 (average published tuition and fees, 2026-27)
- Local Wages: 29-1141.00 Registered Nurses (state and metro percentiles)
- Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Fixed-Rate Federal Student Loans (loans first disbursed July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)