Discover the Best Online ADN Programs
Look inside some of the top online ADN programs today. Get online course info, browse tuition and fees, see NCLEX-RN pass rates, and review school and program accreditation.
For those attending nursing school on campus and close to home, it’s pretty easy to choose a school. But for online ADN programs where living close to the school isn’t a requirement, it can be much harder to decide where to apply. To help students narrow down their choice, we have created the best online ADN program ranking. Our data analysis team used a combination of publicly reported data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and data from the school’s themselves to identify which programs offer the best combinations of quality, affordability, student services, career preparation, and online learning. See which schools stand out this year.
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Canton, Ohio
Private
Northwood Technical College
Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Public
Lakeshore Technical College
Cleveland, Wisconsin
Public
Panola College
Carthage, Texas
Public
Tri-County Community College
Murphy, North Carolina
Public
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, New York
Public
Central Community College
Grand Island, Nebraska
Public
CUNY Bronx Community College
Bronx, New York
Public
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, New York
Public
State Fair Community College
Sedalia, Missouri
Public
CUNY Queensborough Community College
Bayside, New York
Public
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
Roswell, New Mexico
Public
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, Minnesota
Public
Davidson-Davie Community College
Thomasville, North Carolina
Public
Ridgewater College
Willmar, Minnesota
Public
National Park College
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Public
James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, North Carolina
Public
Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi
Public
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Wesson, Mississippi
Public
Missouri State University-West Plains
West Plains, Missouri
Public
Hinds Community College
Raymond, Mississippi
Public
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Texas
Public
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, Mississippi
Public
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia
Public
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, South Carolina
Public
Mitchell Community College
Statesville, North Carolina
Public
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, Maryland
Public
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Public
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Public
Mesa Community College
Mesa, Arizona
Public
Roane State Community College
Harriman, Tennessee
Public
Highland Community College
Highland, Kansas
Public
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Granite Falls, Minnesota
Public
Compton College
Compton, California
Public
Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, New Jersey
Public
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, Kansas
Public
Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, Louisiana
Public
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, Kentucky
Public
John A Logan College
Carterville, Illinois
Public
James A. Rhodes State College
Lima, Ohio
Public
Find Online ADN Programs Near You
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- New York City
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Texas
- Houston, TX
- Virginia
Unpacking Online Associate Nursing Programs
Not all online college programs are fully online. Majors and degrees with more of a practical or hands-on element, such as nursing, are usually a hybrid of both online and in-person instruction.
A hybrid or blended online program means students receive both in-person and online instruction. The ratio between remote and on-site learning will vary depending on the school and program, but at the very least, laboratory classes and clinicals must be completed at a healthcare provider or simulation facility. In most instances, the introductory nursing courses that don’t require any patient interaction, such as Introduction to Pharmacology, will be 100% online.
The specifics of online course delivery will depend on the school’s choice of online learning management system, but Blackboard or Canvas are common choices. Other examples of classes that are usually available fully online in an ADN nursing program include:
- Foundational Nursing
- Microbiology
- Health and Safety in Nursing
- Pathophysiology
- LPN to RN Transition
Laboratory portions of classes and clinicals cannot be replicated through current online course delivery systems. Because of this, most online associate degree programs have two main ways in which they allow students to complete their in-person course requirements.
First, the school that hosts the online program develops strong professional relationships with local hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers. Under agreements with these off-campus providers, students can complete their clinical work. The student’s only responsibility in this kind of arrangement is making sure to show up for clinical work on time and adhere to any requirements for completion.
Secondly, some schools might offer the student an opportunity to find their own clinical site. This is especially true if the online student is far away from the school at which they are earning the degree. In this case, students will work closely with a school liaison to ensure the clinic, hospital or other healthcare facility they choose is approved for teaching clinicals. This is almost always done on a case-by-case basis, and the student must be proactive about finalizing all the logistical details.
Laboratory courses are similar to clinical courses in that they cannot be completed online. Schools often have their own medical facility simulators on or near the campus that mimic a hospital-style environment. Here, students can expect to encounter mannequins that simulate patients in various conditions.
ADN Admissions Requirements
Each school and program will have its own set of admissions requirements. But most schools tend to require applicants to meet the following admissions requirements:
- Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Submission of an application for enrollment.
- A minimum score on a standardized test, such as the SAT or ACT. In place of a standardized test score, applicant may need to pass a school-specific entrance exam.
- Several professional letters of recommendation.
- Otherwise show that they will be able to meet the licensure requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse in the state in which they hope to practice. This includes being able to pass a criminal background check.
Some schools may also require:
- Personal interview.
- Proof of immunizations. If students aren’t required to submit this information during the application process, they will need to do so before enrollment or before clinicals begin, depending on the school.
- Completion of specific high school courses, such as algebra or advanced English, with a minimum GPA (often 2.0 or higher).
- Personal statement.
How Long Are Online ADN Programs?
When calculating the length of an online associate’s degree nursing program, there are several factors to keep in mind. For example, how a school accepts transfer credits from other schools can make it easier (or harder) to obtain advanced standing before enrollment. But one of the biggest variables is the academic path you choose. As you might imagine, a full-time path will take less time to complete than a part-time program. But exactly how different are these two options?
Full-time
A full-time course load will take two years to complete, with each semester comprised of about 15 credits (quarter systems will have about 20 quarter credits in each quarter). Before students dive into core nursing courses, they will need to complete the prerequisites. Some of these are general education classes that are often completed before enrollment into the nursing program; others are nursing-related prerequisites that are taken during the first academic period. By the second academic period, students may begin taking core nursing courses and might even be gaining in-person training from laboratory courses and clinicals. For the rest of their time in the nursing program, students will usually take a mixture of courses that can be completed online and in-person.
Part-time
The length of the part-time track will vary based on the course load, but will usually add about another year to the associate degree pursuit. However, an extension of as many as 18 months is possible.
In a semester system, students can expect to spend an extra two semesters in school before completing their associate degree. The course progression of part-time students will be similar to that of full-time students, only slower. For instance, part-time students can expect to take an extra academic period or two to finish their general education and nursing prerequisites before beginning the core nursing classes.
Can it take less than two years to complete? Definitely. At some online programs, completion in just 16 months is possible for certain students. This is often the case with those who already have some college credit under their belt; specifically, those who have already completed general education courses. As a result, they can jump right into the core nursing curriculum. There are three common ways students can get that head start:
Transfer credits
This is probably the most popular way to obtain advanced standing in the nursing program. Many associate degree programs will provide academic credit for courses taken elsewhere, especially when fulfilling general education requirements. The student will need to show that these courses were earned at an accredited institution with a minimum grade, such as a C or B.
Credit for work experience
Another popular way to save time is to get credit for work experience. This is especially true for those who already have experience working as licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses. Many programs will allow these students to bypass several basic nursing courses. For students with non-nursing experience, work experience credit is possible, but mostly for general education or non-core nursing prerequisites.
Military training
Many schools will provide college credit for military training as long as the training is evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE). Alternatively, military training can be converted into academic credit if the student completes an equivalency exam, such as CLEP (College Level Examination Program) or DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests).
Learn more about accelerated ADN programs available online or on campus.
Accreditation, Approval, and What It Means
Within the context of education, accreditation is obtained when a neutral third party reviews a school or program and determines if its curriculum meets a certain threshold of quality. Accreditation is important because it ensures students will receive a level of instruction that makes their degree worth the pursuit.
There are two primary types of accreditation: regional and programmatic. Regional accrediting bodies typically accredit entire schools, while programmatic accrediting bodies will accredit only specific programs. In nursing education, the two main accrediting bodies are the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) and the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing).
Accreditation is especially important in programs where graduates take on serious responsibilities. Nursing is a prime example, as the work of a nurse can make the difference in the life or death of a patient. Accreditation ensures that when you graduate, you will be ready to move into such an important job.
There are other reasons it matters, too. If you ever want to transfer your credits to a bachelor’s degree program, it is usually only the credits earned from an accredited institution that transfer. In addition, not only does accreditation make it easier to obtain financial aid from public or private sources, but it conveys to the general public and future employers that you’ve been properly taught the skills and information you will need to safely practice as a nurse.
On a final note, prospective students may see that many nursing programs are “approved” by state nursing boards, but not accredited. In many states, graduating from an accredited nursing school is not required for licensure. However, the individual must graduate from a nursing program that has been approved by the applicable state licensing nursing board. To understand what the distinctions are and what your state requires, check with your state licensing board.
From ADN to Passing the NCLEX-RN
Any prospective nursing student interested in enrolling in a nursing program should make sure it will effectively prepare them to pass the NCLEX-RN. Without passing this exam, graduates cannot become registered nurses and all that time and effort into schooling will be wasted.
Besides tailoring the curriculum to cover subjects that will be on the NCLEX-RN exam, nursing schools will take additional steps to ensure their graduates have the best possible chance of passing. Some schools require students to take periodic assessments to not only identify deficiencies in the training, but also to encourage the students to further study what they’ve been taught. Other schools might provide a special NCLEX-RN review course for students near the end of the program or immediately upon completion.
A good way for future nursing students to find a reputable online associate degree nursing program is to look at the school’s NCLEX-RN passage rates. As a general rule, the better the program, the higher rate at which its graduate pass the NCLEX-RN.
LPN to ADN Online Programs
Recognizing the desire for many LPNs to become registered nurses, several schools have special “bridge” programs. These allow practicing nurses to earn an associate degree and become registered nurses. Because LPNs already have significant training and classroom instruction within the nursing field, these programs allow students to save time when earning an ADN.
LPN to ADN programs take roughly 15 to 18 months to complete. The exact length will depend on whether the student attends full-time or part-time, if prerequisite courses are included in the curriculum, and the student’s educational background. Most LPN to ADN bridge programs will give credit for LPN-related coursework. They often have generous transfer guidelines for giving credit for general education courses taken at other institutions.
Another advantage of LPN to ADN bridge programs is that students can begin their hands-on clinical training earlier in the program. As an added bonus, some schools will have a seamless transition for ADN graduates to go on and earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing if they wish.
Career Growth & Salaries for ADNs
The career outlook for graduates with an ADN is extremely bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median income for registered nurses is $86,070 and it projects a 6 percent growth rate from 2022 to 2032. Most graduates of an associate degree nursing program will go on to become registered nurses, but that doesn’t mean that’s all they can do.
One interesting job possibility is working as an expert witness for criminal or civil litigation. Many personal injury and criminal court cases need special witnesses with expertise in medicine to explain to jurors how a biological process works or how a health facility is supposed to operate. One thing to keep in mind is that the best expert witnesses will have at least a few years of experience working as a nurse in a medical setting. The more experience an expert witness has, the more powerful their testimony will be in court. Compensation for an expert witness can vary greatly based on the level of experience, popularity among lawyers, and whether they practice medicine on the side. However, PayScale calculates that legal specialists have a median salary of $75,555.
Another interesting career field is nurse informatics. An informatics nurse is a professional who combines knowledge of nursing along with information systems technology to help everyone take full advantage of technology in the medical field. For example, a software company might need feedback on a new monitoring system for vital signs. An informatics nurse would serve as an intermediary between the software company and hospital administrators and caregivers, such as nurses and doctors. According to PayScale, the median salary for an informatics nurse is $84,574.
