10 Cheapest RN to BSN Programs Online in California 2025

<p>Many registered nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) later return to school to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While this isn't a requirement to work as an RN, it can help with career advancement and is often necessary for those who want to continue their education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). </p> <p>While some schools offer RN to BSN programs on campus, most offer these as online degrees with in-person clinicals. They often take less than 18 months to complete. However, despite these programs being online and relatively short, they can still be pretty expensive. </p> <p>The good news is that plenty of schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/affordable_online_degrees_rn_to_bsn.html">affordable RN to BSN programs online</a>. Students in California can take advantage of affordable schools and financial aid programs, such as the Pell Grant, to help lower their tuition costs. Keep reading to discover the cheapest RN to BSN programs online in California. </p> <h2 id="section---MostAffordableOnlineRNToBSNPrograms">Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs</h2> <p>There are many low-cost <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_rn_to_bsn_california.html">accredited RN to BSN online programs</a> in California. We've highlighted some of the most affordable RN to BSN online programs below. </p> <h3 id="section---1.CaliforniaStateUniversityEastBay">1. California State University, East Bay</h3> <p>California State University, East Bay is a public institution in Hayward, CA. It's part of the California State University system and offers an online RN to BSN program that takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. </p> <p>Courses cover topics like community health, evidence-based practice, and health promotion. One off-campus, in-person community experience course is required. Upon graduation, students can apply for a California Public Health Nursing Certificate. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $3,996.50 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Students at CSU East Bay may qualify for the Cal Grant, the State University Grant, or one of several nursing scholarships offered through the nursing school. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC), and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.CaliforniaStateUniversitySacramento">2. California State University, Sacramento</h3> <p>At California State University, Sacramento, registered nurses can earn their bachelor's degree online. Courses go over evidence-based nursing practice, community health, patient care, and nursing leadership. </p> <p>Sacramento State, a public university, is located in Sacramento, CA. Its RN to BSN program is primarily asynchronous, with a few synchronous courses a few times a semester. The full-time track takes one year to complete, while the part-time track allows working nurses to go at their own pace. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $3,225 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Sacramento State accepts the Cal Grant and State University Grant. It also accepts other aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.SanJoseStateUniversity">3. San Jose State University</h3> <p>San Jose State University offers an RN to BSN program for those with an Associate Degree in Nursing and an RN license. SJSU is a public university in San Jose, CA, and is part of the CSU system. </p> <p>Offered through the Valley Foundation School of Nursing, the RN to BSN program is online and designed for working nurses. It takes three semesters to complete and includes courses on evidence-based practice and community health. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $3,225 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> SJSU offers institutional aid, accepts FAFSA and aid like the Cal Grant and State University Grant, and accepts private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.CaliforniaStateUniversityChico">4. California State University, Chico</h3> <p>An online RN to BSN program is available through California State University, Chico. This program provides coursework that prepares nursing students to be nursing leaders. </p> <p>CSU Chico, located in Chico, CA, is a public university. Courses are offered through online learning, and students can complete clinical rotations at sites near them. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $4,448 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> The School of Nursing at CSU Chico offers numerous scholarships. The school also accepts FAFSA, the Cal Grant, the State University Grant, and private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.CaliforniaStateUniversityNorthridge">5. California State University, Northridge</h3> <p>California State University, Northridge is a public institution in Northridge, CA. It offers a three-semester, online degree completion program for registered nurses with an ADN. </p> <p>In this degree program, nursing students take courses on pathophysiology, health assessment, healthcare systems, and population health. It requires a total of 34 credit hours. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $3,925 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Qualifying nursing students at CSUN can use FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and the State University Grant, as well as institutional and private aid, to help pay for their programs. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---6.CaliforniaStateUniversitySanMarcos">6. California State University, San Marcos</h3> <p>Registered nurses at California State University, San Marcos can complete the online RN to BSN program in just 14 months. This program is even available to those who haven't earned their RN license yet, although licensure is required before the final semester. </p> <p>CSUSM, a public university, is located in San Marcos, CA. Its RN to BSN program includes nursing courses on bioethics, patient education, public health, and more. Tuition is $340 per credit hour. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $4,080 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> CSUM accepts the Cal Grant and State University Grant. It also accepts aid from FAFSA and private sources and offers institutional aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---7.CaliforniaStateUniversityBakersfield">7. California State University, Bakersfield</h3> <p>California State University, Bakersfield offers an online RN to BSN program that can help registered nurses further their nursing careers. CSUB is a public university in Bakersfield, CA. </p> <p>BSN students in this degree program take courses on topics such as nursing leadership, nursing research, professional nursing, and pathophysiology. Students must also complete 90 clinical hours on-site in a community health setting. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $3,042 per semester </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> CSUB offers institutional aid, like scholarships. It also accepts federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, and State University Grant, in addition to private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---8.NationalUniversity">8. National University</h3> <p>The CCNE-accredited RN to BSN program at National University is available completely online. The program includes courses on topics like evidence-based practice, community health, and nursing leadership; it also allows students to choose from numerous upper-division electives. </p> <p>National University, based in San Diego, is a private, nonprofit institution. Its nursing program is offered through four and eight-week classes and can be completed in as few as 11 months. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $370 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> National University accepts aid through FAFSA and the Cal Grant. It also offers several institutional scholarships and accepts private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---9.ColumbiaCollege">9. Columbia College</h3> <p>Columbia College is a private, nonprofit institution based in Columbia, MO, but with several campuses throughout the U.S., including San Diego and Imperial, CA. It offers an online RN to BSN program with hands-on practicum experiences. </p> <p>Nursing courses in this program cover topics like pharmacology, pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, and community health. This degree is not available to residents in the District of Columbia, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $375 per credit </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Columbia College accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---10.CaliforniaStateUniversityChannelIslands">10. California State University Channel Islands</h3> <p>Through California State University, Channel Islands, registered nurses can earn their BSN online in just two semesters. Baccalaureate coursework covers professional nursing, health promotion, community health, and nursing leadership. </p> <p>CSUCI, a public university, is located in Camarillo, CA. Its nursing program is designed for working nurses and is fully online, except one practicum course. It's one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/shortest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">quickest RN to BSN programs online</a>. </p> <ul><li><b>Average tuition cost:</b> $450 per credit hour </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> CSUCI accepts FAFSA, the Cal Grant, and the State University Grant. It also offers institutional aid and accepts private aid. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> WASCUC and CCNE </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2> <p>To choose the online RN to BSN programs above, we focused on: </p> <ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> All institutions are regionally accredited, and all nursing programs hold programmatic accreditation. </li><li><b>Affordability:</b> Every program has a tuition rate under $500 per credit, and all offer comprehensive financial aid options. </li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> In addition to being fully accredited, all schools on this list are four-year public or nonprofit private schools to ensure high-quality programs. </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowToPayForYourNursingDegree">How To Pay for Your Nursing Degree</h2> <p>The best way to pay for your nursing degree is to look at <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_california.html">online schools that accept FAFSA</a>. FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid, like the Pell Grant, as well as state aid, like the Cal Grant. </p> <p>Many institutions offer scholarships and grants as well, either through the school itself or its specific college of nursing. You can also look for private financial aid through tools like the scholarship finder on CareerOneStop. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutCheapOnlineRNToBSNPrograms">FAQs About Cheap Online RN to BSN Programs</h2> <p>Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online RN to BSN programs. </p> <h3 id="section---CanYouGoFromRNToBSNOnline">Can You Go From RN to BSN Online?</h3> <p>If you've earned an associate degree in nursing, passed the NCLEX-RN, and have your nursing license, you can go from RN to BSN online. Note that most programs require at least some amount of hands-on clinical hours. </p> <p>There may be other admission requirements that you need to meet as well. For example, a minimum GPA from your ADN program or the completion of all general education and prerequisite courses. </p> <p>Many California universities have transfer agreements with local community colleges. This means that if you earned your ADN from one of those community colleges, you can seamlessly transfer credits into your BSN program. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAnOnlineRNToBSNProgramCost">How Much Does an Online RN to BSN Program Cost?</h3> <p>The cost of an online RN to BSN program will depend on several factors, including which school you choose and what aid you qualify for. Through programs like the Cal Grant, some students may not pay anything at all. </p> <p>Most programs take two to three semesters to complete. Without aid, you can expect to pay at least $9,000 in tuition. Keep in mind that this isn't the total cost, as it doesn't include expenses such as textbooks, equipment, and additional course fees. </p> <h3 id="section---HowFastCanIGoFromRNToBSN">How Fast Can I Go From RN to BSN?</h3> <p>All of the programs above allow registered nurses to earn their BSN in under 18 months. Many take just a year of full-time study. </p> <p>Keep in mind that a full-time pace can be hard to maintain, especially for working nurses. The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">easiest RN to BSN programs online</a> are usually part-time. </p> <h2 id="section---ExploreOnlineNursingPrograms">Explore Online Nursing Programs</h2> <p>Find your perfect online RN to BSN program by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about enrollment, start dates, and financial aid.</p>