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Key takeaway: Online nursing degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels by accredited schools nationwide, from LPN/LVN-to-RN bridge programs to advanced practice MSN and DNP tracks. Registered nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year and nurse practitioners $132,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while nearly 9 in 10 reporting associate nursing programs offer a distance-education option, per College Scorecard (2026). Compare accredited online programs below.
Nursing is one of the largest and most resilient professions in the United States, and it is built on a clear, stackable education ladder. You can enter the field with an associate degree and a registered nurse (RN) license, advance to a bachelor’s (BSN) for broader hospital and leadership roles, and complete a master’s (MSN) or doctorate (DNP) to practice as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, educator, or administrator. At every step, an accredited online or hybrid program can deliver the academic coursework, while supervised clinical hours are completed locally at approved healthcare facilities near you.
Accredited online nursing programs award the same degree and prepare you for the same licensure exams as their on-campus counterparts. Programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) meet national standards for nursing education quality. This guide walks through what you will study, the degree levels available, common concentrations, careers and earnings, cost and financial aid, accreditation, and how to choose the program that fits your goals.
These accredited schools offer online programs, report nursing completions, and are ordered by our independent BOC Score. Request information to compare programs, costs, and formats side by side.
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education SchoolsIPEDSCollege Scorecard
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Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online? explains how accredited online nursing programs work, including clinical requirements, specializations, cost, and salary outcomes. You can also browse nursing programs by state to find options near you.
Yes, with one important caveat: the academic coursework can be completed online, but the supervised clinical hours cannot. Accredited online and hybrid programs deliver lectures, labs, and assessments through a learning platform, then place you in approved local healthcare facilities for hands-on rotations. RN-to-BSN and MSN tracks are the most fully online because those students are often already licensed and working, while pre-licensure programs are hybrid by necessity. See Can you get a nursing degree online? and the online vs on-campus comparison for details.
Nursing is a true education ladder offered at four levels: an associate degree (ADN/ASN), typically 60-72 credits; a bachelor’s degree (BSN), typically 120-128 credits; a master’s degree (MSN), typically 36-50 credits; and a doctorate (DNP or PhD). Short post-licensure and graduate certificates let working nurses add a specialty without completing a full degree. Bridge programs such as LPN-to-RN and RN-to-BSN let you move between levels efficiently.
Earnings rise sharply with credential level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year, while advanced practice roles pay far more: nurse practitioners earn a median of $132,300, nurse midwives $134,040, and nurse anesthetists $236,590. College Scorecard data (2026) shows MSN-prepared graduates report median earnings of about $107,358 one year after completion. See the full breakdown on the nursing salary guide.
Yes. Almost every nursing program requires supervised clinical rotations, simulation labs, or a practicum completed in approved healthcare settings, regardless of how the coursework is delivered. Pre-licensure students must complete a minimum number of clinical hours set by their state board of nursing. Most online programs help you arrange placements at facilities near your home, so you do not have to relocate.
Look for two layers. First, confirm the college holds institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor, which is required for federal financial aid and credit transfer; verify it through the U.S. Department of Education database. Second, confirm the nursing program holds programmatic accreditation from CCNE or ACEN. Programmatic accreditation is often required to sit for licensure and certification exams. Learn more on the nursing accreditation guide.
Licensure is regulated at the state level, so verify that any program meets your state board of nursing’s requirements before enrolling. RN candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and advanced practice nurses must pass a national certification exam for their specialty. Many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which grants multi-state practice privileges. Always confirm your state’s current rules, since some restrict out-of-state online enrollment or clinical placements.
Online nursing programs balance scientific knowledge with applied clinical practice. The curriculum progresses from foundational sciences to specialized practice, and it deepens at each degree level. At the undergraduate level you build the clinical judgment needed for safe, direct patient care; at the graduate level you develop advanced assessment, diagnosis, and leadership skills.
A typical undergraduate nursing core spans these areas:
Graduate (MSN and DNP) curricula add advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment – often called the “three P’s” required for advanced practice – along with specialty courses and a substantial clinical practicum. Most programs let you focus through a specialization offered as a concentration, a post-master’s certificate, or a DNP focus area.
For a course-by-course breakdown, see the nursing curriculum guide. To understand how courses are delivered online, review the online course formats page, and check entry requirements on the admissions requirements page.
Nursing is a hands-on profession, so “online” almost always means hybrid: the didactic coursework is delivered through a digital platform while skills and clinical hours happen in person. Understanding how the pieces fit together helps you set realistic expectations and avoid programs that do not match your situation.
The fully online experience is most common in post-licensure tracks. RN-to-BSN and many MSN programs are designed for nurses who are already practicing, so a large share of the clinical foundation is already met and the remaining requirements are lighter. According to College Scorecard data (2026), about 87% of reporting associate nursing programs offer a distance-education option, which shows how widely available flexible delivery has become even at the entry level.
Because delivery formats vary so much, compare them deliberately. The online vs on-campus nursing page weighs the trade-offs, while the accelerated, part-time, and self-paced pages cover pacing options for different life situations.
Nursing is a stackable credential, meaning you can enter at one level and climb as your goals and finances allow. Each level opens different roles, carries a different time and cost commitment, and corresponds to higher earning potential. The table below summarizes the ladder; explore each dedicated page for full detail.
| Degree level | Typical credits | Typical length | Common roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN/ASN) | 60-72 | About 2 years | Registered nurse, LPN/LVN |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 120-128 | About 4 years (or 1-2 via RN-to-BSN) | Registered nurse, charge nurse, public health nurse |
| Master’s (MSN) | 36-50 | 2-3 years | Nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse administrator |
| Doctorate (DNP/PhD) | Varies | 3-4 years | Advanced practice leader, researcher, faculty |
The online associate degree in nursing is the fastest route to becoming a registered nurse. Over roughly two years it combines nursing science with extensive clinical rotations and prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. According to College Scorecard data (2026), associate nursing graduates report a median of about $74,418 five years after entry, with a relatively modest median debt of $15,439 across reporting programs. It is also a strong transfer pathway into a bachelor’s. For a deeper look at coursework, accreditation, and how to enroll, see our guide to the online ADN: associate degree in nursing.
The online bachelor’s in nursing is increasingly the standard for hospital nursing and a prerequisite for graduate study. Many hospitals, especially Magnet-designated facilities, prefer or require a BSN. If you are already a licensed RN, an online RN to BSN program lets you earn the degree online in as little as one to two years while you keep working, since the clinical foundation is already in place. To control cost and timeline, compare the most affordable online RN to BSN programs and the fastest and accelerated online RN to BSN programs.
The online master’s in nursing is the gateway to advanced practice and leadership. It is where you choose a focused role such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse administrator, and it requires a graduate-level clinical practicum. College Scorecard data (2026) shows MSN-prepared graduates report some of the highest earnings of any field, with a median of about $107,358 one year after completion and $119,619 by year five.
Online nursing certificates are short, focused credentials for nurses who already hold a license or degree. Post-master’s certificates let an MSN-prepared nurse add a new specialty (for example, moving from family practice to psychiatric-mental health) without repeating the full degree. They are a flexible way to expand your scope of practice or pivot specialties.
To go faster or fit study around clinical work, compare accelerated, part-time, and self-paced program options.
Because nursing credentials stack, most students follow one of a few well-worn pathways rather than a single degree. These dedicated guides walk each route end to end, from entry to advanced practice.
A concentration focuses your graduate study on a specific patient population or professional role. At the MSN and DNP level, the concentration you choose largely determines your advanced practice license, certification exam, and day-to-day work. The nursing concentrations hub covers every track in depth; the most common online options include:
Concentrations are primarily a graduate-level decision; undergraduate programs introduce these areas through general specialty courses rather than a formal track. Choosing a concentration aligned with your target role and certification exam keeps your degree efficient and focused.
Nursing graduates work across hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, schools, long-term care, and private practice. The credential you hold determines which roles you can fill: an associate or bachelor’s degree leads to RN and LPN roles providing direct patient care, while advanced practice positions such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife require a master’s degree (or DNP) and national certification.
Common occupations tied to a nursing education include:
The table below pulls median wage figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the occupations most associated with this program:
The pattern is consistent: pay climbs steeply with credential level and scope of practice. According to BLS, nursing assistants earn a median of $42,260 and licensed practical nurses $64,400, registered nurses earn $97,550, and advanced practice roles reach $132,300 for nurse practitioners, $134,040 for nurse midwives, and $236,590 for nurse anesthetists. College Scorecard data (2026) tells the same story from the education side, with doctoral nursing graduates reporting a median of about $134,953 five years after completion.
Beyond the headline pay, nursing is valued for its stability and mobility. Skills transfer across employers and states, demand exists in every region rather than clustering in a few cities, and the stackable credential means you can keep increasing your earning potential by adding a degree or certification over time. Geography, employer type, shift differentials, and specialty all shape actual pay, so treat the BLS national medians above as a baseline rather than a ceiling.
For a complete, role-by-role breakdown of pay by degree, specialty, and experience, see the nursing salary guide. For job descriptions, day-to-day responsibilities, certification requirements, and advancement paths, visit the nursing careers page. If your goal is advanced practice, our step-by-step guide on how to become a nurse practitioner maps the education, licensure, and certification path from RN to NP.
The cost of a nursing degree varies widely by level, school type, and how much aid you receive. The most useful number to compare is net price – what you actually pay after grants and scholarships – not published sticker tuition. Encouragingly, College Scorecard data (2026) shows associate nursing graduates carry a relatively modest median debt of $15,439, and nursing’s strong earnings make the return on investment favorable at most levels.
Ways to manage and reduce cost include:
For school-specific strategies and aid options, see the nursing financial aid guide. To find lower-cost accredited programs, compare options on the affordable nursing programs page, and weigh the overall return on the is a nursing degree worth it page.
Accreditation is the single most important quality check when choosing a nursing program, and it carries extra weight in nursing because it is often tied directly to licensure eligibility. There are two kinds that matter:
Both layers matter: institutional accreditation is essential for aid and transfer, while programmatic accreditation is frequently required to sit for the NCLEX or advanced practice certification exams. When comparing programs, also review published NCLEX-RN pass rates as a signal of teaching quality. The nursing accreditation guide explains how to verify each type and why it matters for your license.
With thousands of accredited online and hybrid nursing programs available, a structured comparison helps you find the right fit. Work through these factors in order:
Nursing or a related health field? Choose nursing for direct patient care and the clearest, highest-paying advanced practice ladder in healthcare. If you are drawn to the broader health sector but not bedside care, compare the healthcare program guide. You can also browse accredited schools across all fields at the online colleges hub and find study and career guidance in the resources hub.
