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Key takeaway: Yes, you can earn an accredited nursing degree online, and the diploma is identical to an on-campus one. When the program is accredited, the curriculum and degree are the same regardless of delivery format, and the diploma never says "online." Always confirm accreditation before you enroll.
The most important thing to verify is accreditation, not delivery format. For the full picture, see our guide to nursing accreditation.
Yes, and accreditation works the same online as on campus. Look for a program accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). Nursing accreditation is essential for licensure eligibility and for advancing to graduate nursing programs. To confirm a program is legitimately accredited, check the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and CHEA, and verify the program appears as currently accredited rather than a candidate.
Pre-licensure nursing programs require in-person clinical rotations and skills labs, so they are hybrid rather than fully online. RN-to-BSN and many MSN programs, designed for already-licensed nurses, can be completed almost entirely online with practicum hours arranged locally. For more on how courses are delivered, see online nursing course formats and compare online vs on-campus nursing.
Accredited online nursing programs offer the same specializations as their on-campus counterparts, including nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nursing leadership. Explore the full set on our nursing concentrations page, or start with the online bachelor’s in nursing.
Compare accredited schools offering online nursing programs below. Evaluate each on the factors that predict outcomes: accreditation, cost, graduation rate, and salary outcome.
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
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education SchoolsIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Online nursing degrees often cost less in total than on-campus equivalents because you avoid housing, commuting, and relocation, and many public universities charge flat online rates. Compare programs using net price rather than sticker tuition. For lower-cost options, see affordable nursing programs.
For most students, yes, when the program is accredited. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year, and nurse practitioners earn $132,300 with 40.1% projected job growth through 2034 (BLS, 2024). The return depends on the accredited credential, not the delivery format. For a full ROI breakdown, see is a nursing degree worth it?.
Yes. Graduates of an accredited program qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Pre-licensure students complete required in-person clinicals; already-licensed nurses advancing through online RN-to-BSN or MSN programs build on their existing license.
Bottom line: You can earn an accredited nursing degree online with the same recognition as an on-campus degree. Confirm accreditation first, compare programs on cost and outcomes, and choose the specialization that fits your goals.
Pre-licensure nursing programs require in-person clinical rotations and skills labs, so they are hybrid rather than fully online. RN-to-BSN and many MSN programs, designed for already-licensed nurses, can be completed almost entirely online with practicum hours arranged locally.
Yes. Look for a program accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). Nursing accreditation is essential for licensure eligibility and for advancing to graduate nursing programs. Verify accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA before enrolling.
Yes. Graduates of an accredited program qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Pre-licensure students complete required in-person clinicals; already-licensed nurses advancing through online RN-to-BSN or MSN programs build on their existing license.
No. An accredited online nursing degree results in the same diploma and transcript as the on-campus version, and the delivery format is not noted.
For most students, yes, when the program is accredited. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year, and nurse practitioners earn $132,300 with 40.1% projected job growth through 2034 (BLS, 2024). The return depends on the accredited credential, not the delivery format.
Data verified: June 16, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
