RN to BSN Cost: How to Find The Best RN to BSN Tuition Rate

If you are a registered nurse who is ready to take the next step in advancing your education, you may be considering going back to school to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in an RN to BSN program. As an investment in your future, there are a lot of important factors involved with making this decision, the RN to BSN tuition cost being one of them.

As you are researching the average cost of RN to BSN programs offered by various education institutions, keep in mind that the initial tuition rates you see should not be taken at face value. They are often just base figures that do not account for all of the other elements involved with calculating the true RN to BSN cost. So, when you're looking for an inexpensive RN to BSN program, it's essential to do your research.

So what’s the best way to estimate the online RN to BSN cost you may be eligible for with Chamberlain’s RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Option?

Read on for some tips - or call our admissions team, who will walk you through each option. 

Calculating Online RN to BSN Cost 

1. Start with the Net Price Calculator.

When assessing the RN to BSN program option cost, the Net Price Calculator can assist you with calculating your estimated educational costs and potential financial assistance—both federal and institutional—with a series of questions about your plans to attend Chamberlain and your family’s income.

2. Don’t forget about your credits.

Upon acceptance into the RN to BSN program option, you will be awarded 77 proficiency credits for your nursing experience before you even begin the program and still have the option of transferring in additional coursework, which can translate into RN to BSN tuition cost savings for you. In fact, the median RN-BSN student entering in the 2019/20 school year entered with 89 credit hours between CCAP, proficiency, and transfer credit. As a result, students end up completing between 30-45 credits while in the RN to BSN program option.

3. Inquire into employer tuition reimbursement.

See if your employer provides a reimbursement benefit for the Chamberlain RN to BSN Program Option tuition cost. If so, you may be eligible to sign up for a special payment plan that will sync up with the timing of when your employer or agency sends in payments.

4. Check if you qualify for a group-specific tuition rate.

Chamberlain partners with healthcare institutions, community colleges and associations to provide accessible educational opportunities for registered nurses. Group-specific tuition rates plus waived application fees are intended to make Chamberlain RN to BSN Program Option tuition reimbursement dollars go further. Click here to see if Chamberlain has a partnership with your employer/institution.

5. If you are a member of our nation’s military community, you may be eligible for active duty/veterans assistance.

Chamberlain is committed to providing quality and accessible nursing education to members of our nation's military community, including:

• Active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members

• Veterans

• Retired military

• Spouses of active duty/veteran/retired military

• Department of Defense employees

• Veterans Affairs employees

Students may be eligible for GI Bill® Education Benefits and/or tuition assistance based on prior or current military service. Active-duty military students may be eligible for tuition assistance on their online RN to BSN Program Option cost through their branch of service or stationed base.

6. Explore scholarship and grant opportunities.

In general, grants and scholarships are forms of financial aid provided by the institution, federal or state governments or other outside sources to offset the RN to BSN program option cost, and are typically not repaid. Chamberlain offers a variety of scholarship and grant opportunities to students who meet specified criteria. Many external scholarships are also available from various sources and can help reduce the RN to BSN program option cost.

7. Look into other financial aid options.

There are a variety of other financial aid options that may be available to you, from student loans —a form of financial aid that must be repaid—to Federal Work-Study that enables students who demonstrate financial need to earn a portion of their RN to BSN cost. 

8. Don’t leave money on the table.

Do your research on all the opportunities to support the online RN to BSN program option cost. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you can use to your financial advantage. In fact, more than 90% of Chamberlain students receive some form of financial assistance. 

If you are interested in finding the cheapest RN to BSN online program, keep in mind that tuition isn't the only factor to consider. There are many sources of funding to help reduce the RN to BSN program option cost. Our admission team is ready to discuss options to help you on the next step in your education.

Cost should not be your only concern when choosing an RN to BSN program. Other important factors, like accreditation, course curriculum, and the length of the nursing program, may outweigh how much money you need to spend. 

By Agnes Hicks