Explore the Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs

How much financial aid you can secure for your online nursing program

Financial aid plays a crucial role for most college students. Types and amounts of financial aid available vary significantly among programs. Consult with the financial aid office for each school under consideration as early as possible in your program search process.

If the RN program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working

Most students work at least part-time while pursuing their degrees. If you’re one of them, pay careful attention to the specific curriculum requirements of any program you consider, especially if you’re required to attend classes synchronously. A program that conflicts with your work schedule significantly impacts its affordability.

If the college is private or public

In general, private colleges charge substantially higher tuition rates than public colleges. Don’t dismiss private colleges out of hand, though, since there are exceptions. You may even find a private school program or two with lower costs than their public school counterparts.

Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state

Another general rule is that public colleges and universities charge a higher – sometimes substantially – tuition rate to students residing outside state borders. All else being equal, consider online nursing programs from public schools in your state first. Note that some public schools charge the same in-state tuition rates to all online students regardless of residence.

How much of the nursing coursework is offered online

Online degree programs save you money in large part by eliminating many of the transportation costs associated with commuting. The more of your degree program that’s online, the more you’ll save. Fortunately, many online nursing programs feature all or most of their classes and other activities online. In fact, some programs don’t have any on-campus requirements.

How expensive application fees are

Tuition is usually the biggest cost, but it won’t be the only one. Expect additional fees for any number of things, the most common being application fees. While these likely won’t be the excluding factor for a school, in some cases they might. Remember to consider all the costs related to a program when determining its affordability.

1. Search for scholarships and grants designed specifically for nursing students.

The most popular of college funding resources is scholarships and grants because they’re essentially free money you don’t pay back. There are countless programs available, each with its own target population and award requirements. While many are merit-based, many are not. Start with your school’s financial aid office or nursing department, and check out EduMed’s list of scholarships for RN students.

2. Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement, sometimes called tuition assistance, refers to employment benefits programs where an employer reimburses an employee some or all the tuition costs for a degree or other education program that advances them in their current field. Employees typically commit to continuing their employment with their benefits provider for a stated length of time in exchange for reimbursement.

3. Nursing Student Discounts

Tuition and other program fees are not, of course, the only expenses you’ll incur in pursuit of your online nursing degree. Fortunately, lots of great organizations and merchants offer valuable discounts to nursing students. Visit our 50 Dynamite Discounts for Nursing Students guide to give you an idea of what’s available.