Online Colleges

17 Best Online Nursing RN to BSN Degrees of 2026

Texas A&M is the balanced pick, with articulation agreements that help community college graduates transfer in, the University of Florida offers a low-cost public flagship and the University of Mary is a private nonprofit option. Decide which state board and clinical requirements apply to you, then compare total tuition and credit transfer.

Our top 3 picks

Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.

See all 17 ranked
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The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method

How the score works

We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.

  1. 01Collect the source rankings.
  2. 02Normalize every position.
  3. 03Weight the sources.
  4. 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.

Scoring factors

  • Ranking RaveReviews Algorithm40%
  • Affordability25%
  • Program depth15%
  • Flexibility10%
  • Accreditation and reputation10%
Read the full methodology
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape

Score curve

How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.

#1#5#10

Top scores

The first five, scored out of 10.

01
Texas A&M University
10.0
02
University of Florida Online
10.0
03
University of Mary
10.0
04
King University
9.3
05
Florida International University
8.9

What you need to know before you choose.

RN-to-BSN programs differ in clinical hours, transfer credit and state-board approval. Compare programmatic accreditation and total tuition before enrolling.

Confirm CCNE or ACEN programmatic accreditation, the number of clinical hours and whether your state board accepts the program. Ask how many credits transfer from your associate degree and what the total cost will be after fees.

What the research says.

This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.

17options reviewed
7.6average score
10.0top score
3authority sources

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson MandelaFormer President of South Africa

Key insights

17options reviewed

Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.

5weighted ranking factors

The same published model across every category.

0paid placements

Compensation never changes a score or a rank.

Education options ranked

17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.

01

Texas A&M University

RecommendedBest overall
★★★★★10.0A balanced fit
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 30 credits
  • Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
02

University of Florida Online

Best value public flagship
★★★★★10.0Students who want a public flagship
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • In-state tuition $3,876/year
03

University of Mary

Best private nonprofit option
★★★★★10.0Students who want a private nonprofit
  • RN to BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
04

King University

Best for working adults
★★★★★9.3Working adults
  • RN to BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
05

Florida International University

Best for Florida residents
★★★★★8.9Florida residents
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 33 credits
  • Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
06

Mount Mercy University

Best for adult learners
★★★★★8.6Adult learners
  • RN to BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
07

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Best public option
★★★★★7.9Students who want a public university
  • RN to BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
08

Penn State World Campus

Best alumni network
★★★★★7.8Students who value a large alumni network
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • In-state tuition $15,356/year
09

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Best graduation outcomes
★★★★★7.8Students focused on completion
  • B.S.N. online programs list, the University of Wisconsin
  • 30 credits
  • Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
10

Arizona State University

Best public research option
★★★★★7.1Students who want a public research university
  • RN to BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
11

Southern New Hampshire University

Best value
★★★★★6.7Budget-conscious students
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • In-state tuition $17,200/year
12

University of Rochester

Best for research opportunities
★★★★★6.7Students who want research opportunities
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 32 credits
  • Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
13

Dalton State College

Best regional public option
★★★★★6.4Students who want a regional public university
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
14

Clarkson College

Best for transfer credit
★★★★★5.7Students with prior college credit
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited
15

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Best state-university value
★★★★★5.6Students who want in-state value
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • In-state tuition $9,488/year
16

University of Central Florida

Best value for Florida residents
★★★★★5.6Florida residents seeking value
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 30 credits
  • Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
17

Gardner-Webb University

Best for online flexibility
★★★★★5.0Students who need flexible scheduling
  • RN-to-BSN
  • 100% online coursework
  • Institutionally accredited

Texas A&M's online RN-to-BSN has articulation agreements that help students move from a community college associate degree into the program.

David KrugHead of Content, RaveReviews
Read the Texas A&M University review
10.0RaveReviews Algorithm

Compare the top options

The details that matter most, in one view.

OfferTexas A&M UniversityUniversity of Florida OnlineUniversity of MaryKing University
RaveReviews Algorithm10.010.010.09.3
Best forA balanced fitStudents who want a public flagshipStudents who want a private nonprofitWorking adults
Price$5,775/semester$3,876$15,300$10,500
HighlightRN-to-BSNRN-to-BSNRN to BSNRN to BSN

Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.

The questions buyers actually ask

Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.

What is the best choice in online nursing rn to bsn degrees?

If you want the short answer, start with Texas A&M University. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for a balanced fit. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.

The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. University of Florida Online is the stronger fit for students who want a public flagship. University of Mary is worth a close look for students who want a private nonprofit. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.

Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.

How did we rank online nursing rn to bsn degrees?

We used the same five-factor model across this category. Ranking ravereviews algorithm at 40%, affordability at 25%, program depth at 15%, flexibility at 10%, accreditation and reputation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.

The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.

We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.

What should you look for in online nursing rn to bsn degrees?

Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Texas A&M University, the relevant details include rn-to-bsn, 30 credits, accredited by southern association of colleges and schools commission on colleges. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.

Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.

Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.

How much do online nursing rn to bsn degrees cost?

Texas A&M University starts at $5,775/semester published program tuition. University of Florida Online starts at $3,876 in-state tuition & fees/year. University of Mary starts at $15,300 annual tuition. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.

Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.

Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.

Which option is best for a balanced fit?

Texas A&M University is the pick here because texas a&m's online rn-to-bsn has articulation agreements that help students move from a community college associate degree into the program.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.

That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.

Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.

What should you verify before you buy?

Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.

Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.

Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.

What should you do next?

Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.

Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.

If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.

Who wrote and reviewed this ranking

Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.

David Krug

David Krug

Head of Content

David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.

LinkedIn
Annie Membreve

Annie Membreve

Head of Quality Control

Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.

TikTok

Frequently asked questions

What does the score mean?

The score is a RaveReviews Algorithm position on a 0-10 scale. A school ranked first on a short list can score higher than a school ranked mid-pack on several lists, so check the sourceCount field and the placements described in each offer.

How often are these rankings updated?

We review the page when the underlying publisher lists change or when a school changes its online program, tuition or accreditation. Check the updated date at the top of the page before relying on a specific price or placement.