Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree have a variety of career growth opportunities. Many employers are phasing out LPN-level positions, preferring the higher degree of expertise offered by BSN graduates. LPN’s who invest in higher education enter an RN field expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median annual salary of $73,300.
Are Online LPN-To-BSN Programs Entirely Online?
While many schools offer hybrid programs, few feature their coursework 100% online. Even those that do will still require students to amass a certain amount of in-person clinical hours. Online students within the same state of their school will have an easier time finding clinical positions in their local area. However, schools are often willing to work with their distance learning students to arrange those hours with a credible organization out of state.
Top 5 Online LPN TO BSN Programs
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida |
| 2 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, California |
| 3 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| 4 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, Colorado |
| 5 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky |
Why Should LPN’s Pursue A BSN?
Leading nursing groups, such as The Institute of Medicine Committee on the Future of Nursing and the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, recommend healthcare organizations increase the hiring of BSN-level nurses. These recommendations are supported by research showing patients have improved outcomes when nurses hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Because of these results, BSN-educated nurses often have better job opportunities, career advancement chances, and higher pay.
Discover more online pathways to your BSN with our simple degree finding tools!
We ranked a list of schools offering LPN-BSN Bridgeway programs with a significant amount of coursework fully online. Some programs offer 100% online courses, while others work with students who are already working on their associate’s level education to concurrently earn bachelor’s credit online. Check out the results below!
The Best 9 Online LPN to BSN Programs
University of Central Florida
Designed for students who have already begun an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, the University of Central Florida offers an online concurrent enrollment ASN-to-BSN. Students enrolled at a Florida College System institution with at least 1 semester of ASN coursework may attend UCF’s Online BSN classes to earn credit while working on their nursing associate’s degree. All students of the program will take the NCLEX-RN exam after completing the ASN.
School Overview
Azusa Pacific University
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) students can concurrently earn BSN credits by enrolling at Azusa Pacific University. Known as The Bridge to BSN, Californian Licensed Vocational Nurses can complete their path to a BSN in a shorter timeline than traditional methods. APU is a private evangelical Christian institution, especially suitable for students who prefer an education infused with Christian values and ethics.
School Overview
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas offers an LPN-to-BSN pathway that can be completed within 2 to 3 years. Students may attend full or part-time, with most classes lasting 8 weeks. Prospective applicants must be LPNs with at least 2,000 hours of work experience within the last 1 to 2 years. Out-of-state students must reside in a board-approved state in order to be placed in clinical experiences in their local area.
School Overview
University of Northern Colorado
The Dual Enrollment BSN program at the University of Northern Colorado is open to LPN’s and other students who are currently enrolled in an associate’s-level nursing program and intend to earn a BSN. This model allows students to earn a BSN online in less than 2 years. The program is an especially good fit for distance learners within the state of Colorado.
School Overview
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky offers an LPN-BSN track with all didactic coursework fully online. This program is designed with Kentucky residents in mind, as all in-person clinics and labs are conducted on the UK campus in Lexington. Admission requirements include a valid LPN license and a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75. Additional prerequisite courses may be needed.
School Overview
University of Mary
Most of the coursework for the LPN to BSN program at the University of Mary is online, but students will be required to come to campus for a minimum of 23 days of residency. The residency takes place at the main campus in Bismarck. The school accepts students from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
School Overview
Presentation College
Presentation College has an LPN-BSN program that is open to students in the states of South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Wisconsin. All coursework is 100% online and the school will place students in their face-to-face clinical experiences at a hospital in their local region. Students may attend full or part-time.
School Overview
North Dakota State University
The LPN to BSN Track at North Dakota State University is a primarily online program that covers six semesters including summer classes. Some on-campus attendance is required and clinical experiences will take place in the Moorhead/Fargo area, so this program is best for distance learners within that region. Prospective students must complete the advanced placement exam before applying to the program.
School Overview
Indiana State University
Indiana State University features an LPN/LVN to BSN program with online coursework and clinics arranged within the student’s community of residence. Students are not required to visit the campus. Potential applicants are encouraged to check with the school to make sure they are eligible for the program in their state. They do not accept students who reside outside of the country.
School Overview
Check out our degree finder tool to discover more online nursing degree opportunities.
Our Ranking Methodology
Schools offering online LPN to BSN degrees, or related programs, were ranked in three categories: estimated in-state tuition per semester (36.36%), student-faculty ratio representing average class size (27.27%), and first-time undergrad graduation rate (36.36%). Tuition estimates were gathered directly from each school’s website. Student-faculty ratio and graduation rate were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Reporting Errors
Employees of the schools on our list may reach out to us to make corrections to the data presented in this article. We will work quickly to make edits as soon as possible.
