Online ADN Programs: Top Schools, Cost Info & More

How They Work: Online ADN Degree Profiles

Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) opens the door to a well-paying career with a purpose. Before you can start helping others, however, you’ll have to choose the right nursing program. While a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) sets you up as a top candidate for hospitals, earning an online or hybrid Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) qualifies you for the same exam required to start working as an RN— the NCLEX-RN.

While it’s impossible to earn your ADN entirely online due to clinical requirements, many programs provide online coursework and flexible clinicals that can be completed in various locations. Some even offer bridge programs for currently working licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and paramedics, allowing them to continue their education while working.

ADN programs, also known as Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN), come in many shapes and sizes. Below, we compare three top programs before diving into everything you need to know to choose the best online ADN program and start your career as an RN.

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Common Questions from Online ADN Students

With so many different programs, licenses, and career paths, it’s natural to have a lot of questions about becoming a nurse and pursuing an online ADN degree. Is an ADN the best degree for your goals? What is the career outlook like compared to other degrees or licenses? Below, we cover some of our experts’ most common questions.

Can I become a travel nurse with an ADN?

Yes, it’s possible to become a travel nurse with an ADN or ASN degree. You’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN, get your nursing license, and gain clinical experience (usually around two years) to be eligible. Once you’re qualified, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows registered nurses to practice in participating states with a single license.

Career-wise, travel nursing is an excellent way to see the country, command higher salaries, and experience working in various clinical settings. Many graduates choose this route to pay down debt after graduating. It is also a great way to build experience working within different teams, locations, and dynamics.

How do clinicals work in online nursing school?

Due to clinical requirements, no legitimate nursing program is 100% online. Instead, most programs offer online lectures paired with in-person clinicals. Some online programs have location-based admissions requirements, meaning students can only apply if they’re residents of the states where they can oversee clinicals. Meanwhile, other programs will partner with different facilities nationwide, allowing students to enroll in their program regardless of which state they live in.

Is ADN better than LPN?

Like an ADN, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is an entry-level credential. However, they have different educational requirements and outcomes:

• An ADN takes 2-3 years, while an LPN program takes 1-2 years
• ADN grads must pass the NCELX-RN, while LPN grads must pass the NCLEX-PN
• ADN programs offer more extensive clinical training than LPN programs
• ADNs have a broader scope of practice and can work in more clinical settings
• ADNs have a higher average salary than LPNs

In other words, an LPN is the most entry-level nursing credential you can achieve, while an ADN is a step above that. As a result, ADNs have more career opportunities, higher pay, and greater responsibilities.

Is an ADN the same as an RN?

Understanding the nuances between an ADN, RN, and BSN can be tricky. In short, yes, an ADN and an RN are the same — the goal of an ADN program is to pass the NCLEX-RN, which awards you the title of “Registered Nurse.” While there are RN degree programs that prepare you for the same exam, they are often shorter and more affordable, at the cost of sacrificing more extensive training. Holding an RN diploma or certificate may not qualify you for as many jobs as an ADN would, as many facilities prefer knowing they’re hiring someone with a set amount of clinical experience. In fact, many schools are phasing out RN or LPN programs in favor of ADN programs.

Do hospitals prefer ADN or BSN?

According to recent data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 25% of hospitals and other healthcare institutions require a BSN. In comparison, 69.8% strongly prefer — but do not require — a BSN. With that said, the Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of 63,720 full-time equivalent (FTE) RNs by 2030. If this comes to pass, many healthcare organizations and hospitals will likely lower their requirements to accept ADNs. So, even if you have your heart set on working in a hospital, many accept ADNs, and more are projected to do so in the coming years.

ADN Program Cost Comparison: Tuition & Fees

Although graduating nursing school debt-free is not feasible for everyone, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and other financial aid are available to help make it more affordable. IBudgeting before and during nursing school is also helpful in reducing extraneous costs. Attending an online program is another excellent way to cut back on things like commuting and housing costs.

As for the cost of your education, tuition for ADN programs can vary between schools, states, timelines, and clinical requirements. While some online programs charge a flat, per-credit fee, others may charge in-state tuition; in these cases, attending an online ADN program in your state may be more affordable. Some programs allow you to work while attending school, which can help offset costs, while others may require you to accrue unpaid clinical hours on top of your tuition. You should consider all of these factors when comparing programs. To help you better understand the difference between basic tuition rates, we’ve broken down a few ADN programs below.

Ranking Today’s Best Online ADN Programs

Between location, timelines, costs, and clinical requirements, choosing an online or hybrid ADN program can be overwhelming. To help you find the most affordable, high-quality options, our data analysis team did the heavy lifting for you. Using a combination of publicly reported data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and data from the schools themselves, our experts have identified which online ADN programs offer the best combinations of quality, affordability, student services, career preparation, and online learning. See which schools stand out this year.

From ADN to Passing the NCLEX-RN

Once you graduate from your ADN program, your next step is taking the NCLEX-RN. You cannot become a registered nurse without passing this exam, and all that time and effort into schooling will have been wasted.

Any worthwhile, accredited ADN program tailors its curriculum to cover subjects on the NCLEX-RN exam. Additionally, some schools require students to take periodic assessments to identify knowledge gaps and encourage 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 the rate at which its graduates pass the NCLEX-RN.

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