Future nursing students may face two roadblocks: the expense of school and the length of time it takes to graduate. By taking advantage of cheap Accelerated Bachelor of Science for Nursing (ABSN) programs, students may graduate sooner and with less debt.
Florida State University
Florida State University takes the top spot on our list of the most affordable accelerated nursing programs due to its low tuition and the excellent education its programs offer students. It offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that students can complete in less than two years. Students will have the opportunity to work in FSU’s labs and simulated clinics.
School Overview
Florida International University
Florida International University is known for its low tuition and excellent health sciences programs. It offers several BSN options, including an accelerated degree program. This program allows students to complete their degrees in roughly a year and a half.
School Overview
San Diego State University
San Diego State University is one of the top public universities in Southern California, so it is no surprise that it takes third place on our list. It offers a four-year BSN program that students can enter straight out of high school. Students can complete this program at an accelerated rate by taking a heavy course load in the first two years of the program.
School Overview
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida makes it three Florida-based schools in the top four of our list. UNF offers a BSN with an accelerated track. Standard and RN-to-BSN tracks are also available.
School Overview
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is considered one of the top public universities in the South, and its nursing program is top-notch. It offers accelerated and traditional BSN tracks. Students will have the opportunity to gain plenty of clinical experience during their educations.
School Overview
East Carolina University
East Carolina University may not be as well-known as in-state rival UNC, but it does have an excellent nursing program. As with many programs on this list, ECU’s BSN program offers traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN tracks. The accelerated track allows students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field to get their BSN in only a year.
School Overview
Binghamton University
Binghamton University is a member of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Its BSN program offers a four-year track for first-time college students and an accelerated track for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Nursing students can live in the Nursing Learning Community on-campus.
School Overview
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The University of Wisconsin – Madison boasts one of the highest-rated accelerated nursing programs in the Midwest. It offers a four-year BSN program and a five-year accelerated dual BSN/Master’s in Public Health.
School Overview
Purdue University
Purdue University is another Midwest institution with an affordable accelerated BSN program. Its BSN program has a four-year track for students who are fresh out of high school and an accelerated track for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in another field.
School Overview
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland has one of the top nursing programs in the country. Its four-year BSN allows students who choose to do so to complete their prerequisite courses at an accelerated rate. Students must complete a total of 120 credits of coursework.
School Overview
University of Texas – Medical Branch
The University of Texas – Medical Branch has several health science programs, including a BSN. The standard BSN track allows students to complete their degrees in four semesters, while the accelerated RN-to-BSN program allows students to complete their degrees in just two semesters.
School Overview
West Virginia University
West Virginia University offers the leading accelerated nursing program in the state. The accelerated track is for students who already have a degree in another area. In addition to the accelerated track, WVU also offers a standard track and an RN-to-BSN track.
School Overview
Ohio State University
Ohio State University is one of the biggest public universities in the country, and it has a large nursing program. Its BSN program requires 121 credits of coursework. Students can complete the program at an accelerated rate by taking 15 credits per semester instead of 12.
School Overview
University of Houston
The University of Houston is one of several Texas-based universities with leading nursing programs. Students must complete two years of prerequisites to enter the BSN program. These two years could be completed in a year and a half if students choose to take classes at an accelerated rate.
School Overview
Texas Tech University – Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University – Health Sciences center offers one of the leading BSN programs in the state. Students must complete 60 credit hours of general education coursework to be admitted to the BSN program. They can complete this requirement in an accelerated time of a year and a half if they take 15 credits per semester.
School Overview
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University is another member of the SUNY system. Its accelerated BSN program is open to students who have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. These students can complete their BSN degrees in only one year.
School Overview
University of Washington
The University of Washington offers the top accelerated nursing program in the Pacific Northwest. This program is very rigorous, requiring 151 credits of coursework and over 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Students can graduate at an accelerated rate by taking a heavier class load.
School Overview
Indiana University
Indiana University is known as one of the top public universities in the world, and its nursing program certainly contributes to its excellent reputation. Its nursing programs include a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN for students who already have a non-nursing degree, and an RN-to-BSN program. The accelerated program can be completed in four semesters.
School Overview
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati may have been edged out by Ohio State, but it still offers one of the best accelerated nursing programs in the state. Its BSN requires 120 credits of coursework. Students who want to complete their degrees at an accelerated rate can take a heavier course load and summer classes, potentially enabling them to graduate in three years.
School Overview
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma‘s Health Sciences Center offers three different BSN tracks. Students can choose from the usual traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN options. The BSN degree requires students to complete 127 credits of coursework.
School Overview
George Mason University
George Mason University in Virginia is known for its excellent nursing program. GMU offers several different BSN options, including an accelerated track. Completing the degree requires 120 hours of coursework and 600 hours of clinical experience.
School Overview
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware has a top-notch accelerated nursing program at an affordable price. Its BSN program offers the usual three tracks: traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN. The online RN-to-BSN can be completed in only 17 months.
School Overview
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities offers a top nursing program. Its BSN can be completed in four years. Students interested in completing the program at an accelerated rate must take more than 12 credits per semester in the first year of the program, which is dedicated to prerequisites.
School Overview
Rutgers University – Newark
Rutgers University – Newark offers the top nursing program in New Jersey. Its BSN program requires students to complete 126 credits of coursework to graduate. Students can complete the program at an accelerated rate by taking more than 12 credits per semester and taking summer classes.
School Overview
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia has a top-notch accelerated nursing program. Its BSN program can be completed in three years if students take a heavy class load. Students will have the opportunity to begin taking nursing classes in their first year in the program.
School Overview
University of Illinois – Chicago
The University of Illinois – Chicago offers the top accelerated nursing program in the state. Students who already have an RN license can complete their BSN in less than two years. There is also a four-year track for students fresh out of high school.
School Overview
Rutgers University – Camden
Rutgers University – Camden may finish below the Newark campus, but it still offers an affordable nursing program. Its BSN offers an accelerated track for students who already have degree in another field. These students can complete their BSN in only 15 months.
School Overview
Emory University
Emory University is the first private institution on our list. Its nursing program has two BSN tracks: a traditional option and an accelerated track for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Students complete more than 800 hours of clinical experience during their time in the program.
School Overview
University of Miami
The University of Miami is well-known for its elite nursing program. It offers an accelerated BSN for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another field. This program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
School Overview
Drexel University
Drexel’s 11-month Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) BSN program is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree and are looking to receive their BSN in a faster time frame. ACE is an innovative program that is geared towards students who will benefit from an accelerated education in nursing science rather than a traditional three- or four-year program.
ACE provides intensive immersion in nursing science as well as facilitated entrance into nursing practice. The rigorous program prepares you to take a position as a registered nurse in several types of settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics and offices, and insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
School Overview
Our Ranking Methodology
We ranked the schools on this list based on our formula, which takes into account the yearly tuition rate and graduation rate. For schools that charge different rates to resident and non-resident students, we only considered the in-state tuition rate. Our formula works by taking the yearly tuition rate and adding a multiplier equivalent to the percentage of students who enrolled but did not graduate. For example, if University 1 has a yearly tuition rate of $20,000 and a graduation rate of 70%, its rating would be 26,000 (20,000 x 130%). The schools on this list are ranked from the lowest rating to the highest, with low ratings being desirable.
If you are looking for the cheapest accelerated nursing programs, you can find the program you need on our site.
Representatives of the schools listed in this article can contact us if they need to make any corrections or have any questions.
What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?
An accelerated nursing program provides a faster route to achieving registered nurse status. It is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are ready to become fully registered nurses. ABSN programs prioritize fundamental nursing competencies, immersive clinical training, and rigorous preparation for the nursing licensing examination. This often results in less time in the classroom and more time learning practically through clinical sessions. This streamlined approach offers prospective nurses the opportunity to quickly enter the healthcare profession regardless of financial and time constraints.
How Affordable Are the Typical Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Programs?
While nursing is one of the most fulfilling courses and career paths out there, finding the budget to afford it is a big pain point for many students. Finding an affordable accelerated nursing program is the key to financial comfort throughout your studies.
The tuition for a less-expensive accelerated nursing degree program varies from school to school. Potential students also have to consider in-state and out-of-state tuition. In-state tuition is usually less expensive than out-of-state tuition, sometimes by a few thousand dollars. So, it might be a good idea for these students to find universities or colleges in their own home states.
Students should also remember that the tuition listed on university websites may be for one semester/quarter at a time rather than for the entire academic year.
How Fast Can I Earn an Accelerated Nursing Degree?
By choosing cheap ABSN programs, students won’t spend four years in classrooms. Instead, they could spend about half of that time in school, including lab classes and clinicals.
Some universities even offer accelerated programs where students can complete their general education courses in the first year and a half or two years of school. By taking heavier credit loads in their first two years, they will have more time for their nursing core classes, including clinicals.
Benefits of Choosing One of the Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Programs
When choosing a nursing degree, there is often a misconception that higher tuition and longer programs mean a better education. In reality, the individuals with the highest paying nursing careers are those who were able to fully commit to their course. To do so, you need to be in a financially stable position.
Looking at tuition costs, students who enroll in the cheapest accelerated nursing programs commit themselves to lower tuition and fees compared to private or Ivy League colleges and universities.
In addition, accelerated nursing programs offer shorter timeframes for completion. Students in these programs may spend 18 to 24 months in classrooms and clinical sessions.
Typical Accelerated Nursing Program Salary
With typical nursing school costs being fairly high, it’s important to know the earning potential as a nurse. This information can help you determine if a nursing program is financially viable for you.
Registered nurses earn a median annual salary exceeding $80,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This equates to slightly more than $39.00 per hour.
Registered nurse job openings are expected to grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for all professions, according to the BLS.
4 Tips for Living Frugally While Attending an Accelerated Nursing Program
Nursing students may not be employed, especially if they have just recently graduated from high school. They will need money to live on and pay their school bills. It is essential for them to budget carefully.
Search for Different Scholarships
Consider applying for scholarships that cover the costs of schooling, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board. Some universities and colleges deduct tuition from the full scholarship amount and then provide a check to the student.
Learn How to Budget
Budgeting is essential, especially for nursing students. It is important to allocate funds from parents or other sources to cover fixed expenses, such as car, insurance, and rent. Other costs, such as food and gas, should be budgeted monthly.
Any leftover money after paying for school and miscellaneous expenses should be placed in a savings account. This money may need to last for up to 24 months, depending on the duration of the ABSN program.
Look into Loans and Grants
Consider taking out student loans as a supplement to scholarships and grants. After paying for school costs, such as room and board, any remaining funds can be used for living expenses.
Keep in mind that student loans can be costly, with growing interest rates resulting in higher overall repayment amounts. Some states offer student loan forgiveness programs for nurses, so check eligibility to potentially reduce costs and limit the financial burden of taking the ABSN program.
Choose the Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Program
Opt for the most cost-effective accelerated nursing program to alleviate financial strain. Look for institutions offering competitive tuition rates, such as community colleges or state universities, which typically provide budget-friendly options. Finding financial peace of mind when it comes to tuition costs allows for a stronger focus on academic pursuits.
Find the Perfect Accelerated Nursing Program For You
Choosing the most affordable accelerated nursing program is a strategic decision that can greatly reduce financial stress during your educational journey. These programs offer a faster route to becoming a registered nurse, making it possible to enter the healthcare profession sooner with lower debt and without compromising the quality of education.
By carefully considering factors such as in-state tuition rates, scholarships, and financial aid, students can ensure they embark on their nursing career with financial peace of mind. This allows them to channel their energy and focus into their studies, setting a solid foundation for a successful and rewarding nursing career ahead.
