10 Cheapest RN to BSN Programs Online in Pennsylvania 2026

<p>Having a BSN allows you to further your career and prepares you to pursue a graduate degree, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). However, it can be hard for working nurses to find the time or funds to pursue their bachelor's degree. </p> <p>Many schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_degrees_rn_to_bsn.html">affordable RN to BSN programs online</a> for busy learners. Keep reading to discover the cheapest RN to BSN programs online in Pennsylvania. </p> <h2 id="section---MostAffordableOnlineRNToBSNProgramsInPennsylvania">Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania</h2> <p>There are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_rn_to_bsn_pennsylvania.html">accredited RN to BSN online programs</a> in Pennsylvania, but some are much more affordable than others. We've highlighted the most affordable RN to BSN online programs below. </p> <h3 id="section---1.CommonwealthUniversityOfPennsylvania">1. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania</h3> <p>The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public institution with campuses throughout Pennsylvania in Bloomsburg, Lockhaven, and Mansfield. It offers an online RN to BSN program that provides vital knowledge and skills for those who want to further their nursing careers. </p> <p>The program includes nursing courses on professional nursing, nursing informatics, public health, and nursing leadership. Full-time students can finish within two semesters, making this one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/shortest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">quickest RN to BSN programs online</a> on this list. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $322 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Commonwealth UPenn accepts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.MillersvilleUniversityOfPennsylvania">2. Millersville University of Pennsylvania</h3> <p>At Millersville University of Pennsylvania, RNs can finish their bachelor's degree online through the Wehrheim School of Nursing. This program is designed for working nurses and can be finished in as few as three semesters. </p> <p>Millersville University, a public institution, is located in Millersville, PA. Students in the nursing program here take coursework on nursing research, professional nursing practice, health assessment, and more. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $322 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Millersville University offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.PennsylvaniaWesternUniversity">3. Pennsylvania Western University</h3> <p>Pennsylvania Western University offers an online degree program for registered nurses seeking to earn their bachelor's degree and advance their careers. PennWest is a public university with campuses in California, as well as Clarion, PA, and Edinboro, PA. </p> <p>During the first two semesters, nursing students will take courses on topics like community health, health policy, nursing leadership, and health promotion. During the third and final semester, students will complete final capstone projects on evidence-based practice. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $322 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> PennWest offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE, CCNE, and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.WestChesterUniversityOfPennsylvania">4. West Chester University of Pennsylvania</h3> <p>The RN to BSN program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is designed for working nurses with a valid RN license. Courses are offered through online learning and focus on public health, health assessment, patient care, and more. </p> <p>WCUPA, located in West Chester, PA, is a public research university. The nursing program here has transfer agreements with multiple local community colleges, allowing full-time students to complete their studies in just three semesters. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $322 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> WCUPA accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.AlverniaUniversity">5. Alvernia University</h3> <p>Alvernia University is a private Catholic institution in Reading, PA. It offers an online RN to BSN program for working professionals. </p> <p>BSN students take courses on health assessment, healthcare informatics, community health, and nursing leadership. Courses are offered primarily in seven-week terms, and full-time students can finish in as little as one year. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $400 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Alvernia accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---6.WaynesburgUniversity">6. Waynesburg University</h3> <p>Registered nurses at Waynesburg University can earn their bachelor's degree online in just 12 months. The program is designed for working nurses looking to further their education and careers. </p> <p>Waynesburg University is a private Christian school located in Waynesburg, PA. It has multiple partnerships with local community colleges, making it easier for BSN students to transfer credits. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $400 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Waynesburg University offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---7.YorkCollegeOfPennsylvania">7. York College of Pennsylvania</h3> <p>York College of Pennsylvania offers a flexible online RN to BSN degree program. YCP is a private school located in York, PA. </p> <p>The program covers topics like forensic nursing, bioethics, nursing research, and patient care. Six start dates are available each year, and full-time students can finish in as few as 12 months. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $420 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> YCP offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---8.SetonHillUniversity">8. Seton Hill University</h3> <p>The online RN to BSN program at Seton Hill University is for RNs who want to increase their nursing knowledge and pursue career advancement. The program is designed for working professionals, with six start dates each year. </p> <p>Seton Hill, located in Greensburg, PA, is a private Catholic university. It allows students in this baccalaureate program to choose to end their program with either a health sciences project or clinical experiences. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $450 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Seton Hill accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---9.ImmaculataUniversity">9. Immaculata University</h3> <p>Immaculata University is a private Catholic school in Immaculata, PA. It offers an online RN to BSN program that prepares working nurses for positions of leadership and advancement. </p> <p>The degree takes five semesters to complete. Courses cover topics like health assessment, evidence-based practice, professional nursing practice, and nursing research. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $465 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Immaculata accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---10.WilsonCollege">10. Wilson College</h3> <p>Through Wilson College, RNs can complete their bachelor's degree in nursing online. Coursework covers pathophysiology, health assessment, healthcare research, and more. </p> <p>Wilson College, a private Christian school, is located in Chambersburg, PA. Most students finish the RN to BSN program here within 18 months. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $475 per credit </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Wilson College offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> MSCHE and NLN CNEA </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2> <p>To choose the schools on the list above, we focused on: </p> <ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> All institutions are regionally accredited, and all nursing programs have programmatic accreditation and are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. </li><li><b>Affordability:</b> We chose the programs with the lowest tuition rates &mdash; all offer programs at under $500 per credit hour. </li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> In addition to being fully accredited, all schools are either public or private nonprofit institutions to ensure they offer a high-quality education. </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowToPayForYourNursingDegree">How To Pay for Your Nursing Degree</h2> <p>Most nursing students can't pay for their programs out of pocket and need help from financial aid. All students should fill out the FAFSA, which determines eligibility for need-based aid such as the Pell Grant. There are many <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_pennsylvania.html">online schools that accept FAFSA</a> in Pennsylvania. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutCheapOnlineRNToBSNProgramsInPennsylvania">FAQs About Cheap Online RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania</h2> <p>Going from RN to BSN as a working professional can be tricky. We've answered some frequently asked questions about online RN to BSN programs to help you out. </p> <h3 id="section---HowFastCanIGoFromRNToBSN">How Fast Can I Go From RN to BSN?</h3> <p>The majority of online RN to BSN programs take between one to two years to complete. Several of the schools listed above offer one-year programs. </p> <p>The time it takes to complete a BSN program will depend on several factors, including whether or not you've already completed all general education, prerequisite, and elective courses, and whether you study full-time or part-time. </p> <p>Full-time programs are faster, but more intensive. Part-time programs take longer, but some even let you work at your own pace, making these some of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">easiest RN to BSN programs</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsTheAverageCostOfAnOnlineRNToBSNProgramInPennsylvania">What Is the Average Cost of an Online RN to BSN Program in Pennsylvania?</h3> <p>The cost of an online RN to BSN program in Pennsylvania ranges from $322 per credit to nearly $700 per credit hour. Most programs require around 30 credits, meaning there are some that you can finish for less than $10,000 total. </p> <p>Your costs will depend primarily on what school you choose. They'll also depend on how many credits you need and what financial aid you qualify for. </p> <h3 id="section---WhichOnlineRNToBSNProgramsInPennsylvaniaOfferTheLowestTuitionRates">Which Online RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania Offer the Lowest Tuition Rates?</h3> <p>The least expensive online RN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania come from Commonwealth University, Millersville University, and PennWest. All of these schools charge $322 per credit hour for their programs. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatTechnologyAndLearningPlatformsAreUsedInOnlineNursingProgramsInPennsylvania">What Technology and Learning Platforms Are Used in Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania?</h3> <p>All online RN to BSN programs require a functional computer and internet access. Most also require headphones, and some require a working webcam. </p> <p>Platforms for online learning vary between schools. Most public schools in Pennsylvania use D2L Brightspace for online learning. Private schools use other platforms (e.g., Canvas or Moodle). </p> <h2 id="section---PursueANursingEducationOnline">Pursue a Nursing Education Online</h2> <p>Advance your nursing career by exploring the online RN to BSN programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid options.</p>