Learn About Top Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in KS

Online RN to BSN programs in Kansas provide flexible, low-cost routes to higher education and advanced career opportunities. EduMed’s guide can help you take the leap and decide on a program that can help you grow your nursing potential. Get started by checking out what factors to look for in an ideal school, tuition rates, admission requirements, and curriculum below.

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Inside Kansas’ Online RN to BSN Programs

It may feel overwhelming to think about going back to school while juggling mounting work responsibilities and your personal life, but online RN to BSN programs in Kansas have your back. Designed for working professionals, these courses provide a flexible study schedule and relatively lower tuition. Earning your BSN in any format gives you access to better-paying jobs and a wider breadth of medical knowledge and advancement opportunities. Earning your BSN online can give you access to these benefits and so many more, particularly compared to other degree paths. Take a look below at some of Kansas’ RN to BSN schools that fit the bill.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program — University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), alongside two other undergraduate nursing programs (Pre-Licensure BSN and a Community College Nursing Partnership). The goal of this course is to prepare students for work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community health agencies, industrial or long-term care facilities, flights, and more. With this course, students have the option to advance their education further with a master’s or doctoral program. The course can be completed in as a little as one year, putting you on the fast track to career advancement.

Duration: 1 year

Mode: Online

Cost:$371.90 per credit hour (in-state), $968.50 per credit hour (out of state)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current United States RN licensure
  • Associate degree in nursing from an ACEN-accredited college
  • Completion of 60 prerequisite credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50

Curriculum:

  • Emphasizes key nursing skills and knowledge through specific RN-focused courses.
  • Offers options for credit transfer and flexible study pace.

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

RN to BSN — Wichita State University

Wichita State University offers an RN to BSN programis a course designed with flexibility in mind. Students can accelerate their progress, completing the course in as little as one year. The university will accept credits from other institutions that are regionally-accredited by the proper agencies (an official transcript will be required for each college or university you have attended if you have studied at more than one). This course may offer asynchronous classes, though students will be asked to complete them within a specific timeframe. Wichita State also partners with local community colleges to help associate degree nursing graduates complete the BSN degree.

Duration: 1 year

Mode: Online

Cost: $250.97 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

  • Must have an active Registered Nurse license at the time of admission or obtain licensure within the first semester of courses.
  • Must complete prerequisite course requirements
  • Associates degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA

Curriculum:

  • Develop leadership skills and expand nursing expertise.
  • Incorporate 30 credit hours for relevant life and professional experiences.
  • Explore evidence-based practices and leadership principles.

RN to BSN Program — Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University’s RN to BSN program is best for those who currently possess an ADN or diploma in nursing. With a low attrition rate of 6.52% over a three-year period, the program is designed to suit the needs of students. Students can choose to accelerate their studies with full-time studies, or go at a slower pace with a part-time schedule. The program is led by experienced professors dedicated to creating an engaging online learning environment that will empower you to succeed.

Duration: As little as three semesters of full-time study

Mode: Online

Cost: $309 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

  • Already hold an ADN or a diploma in nursing
  • Complete the online application

Curriculum:

  • Complete the program in three semesters full-time or choose a part-time option for flexible scheduling.
  • Focused curriculum designed to equip RNs with advanced skills and knowledge for leadership roles.
  • Online format caters to working nurses with family commitments, allowing them to balance studies with work and life.

Student Resources: Answers to Common Questions

Many Kansas-based online RN to BSN programs provide the same features, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to gather all the information you need to choose the right one for you. Here are some answers to the mostly commonly asked questions students like you have about RN to BSN online programs.

How will an RN-to-BSN program in Kansas prepare me for more opportunities?

First and foremost, BSN-prepared nurses are eligible for a greater number of positions, including advanced positions like nursing professor or researcher. With a BSN you will also be eligible to work at hospitals with a Magnet Recognition designation, which require nurse leaders to have a BSN at minimum. For higher positions in leadership or educational roles at hospitals and medical practices, many hiring teams strongly prefer or require a BSN. In fact, the Veterans Administration (VA)—the largest employer of nurses nationally—now requires BSN degrees for promotion from entry-level positions; they also provide scholarships to their employees to earn this certification.

How long is an RN to BSN program in Kansas?

Kansas RN to BSN programs are designed to be completed on flexible timelines, many of which are dictated entirely by the students taking them. Working nurses enrolled in the RN to BSN program at Kansas University can graduate in as little as one year of full-time study, or as many as five years of part-time study. You can expect to complete most programs within two years.

How much do RN to BSN programs in Kansas cost?

Online RN to BSN programs in Kansas are among the most affordable allied healthcare degrees. Online RN to BSN programs in Kansas are often affordable for a number of reasons. First, they can typically be completed in one year of full-time study, at a lower tuition rate than traditional in-person programs. Secondly, these online bridge programs often allow students to transfer credits over from their ADN programs, meaning students take—and pay for—fewer classes.

Washburn University has one of the lowest tuition costs in the country at just $261 per credit for both in and out-of-state students. Other schools like Fort Hays State University still offer affordable tuition rates but charge online students tuition rates associated with their state of residence. In-state students pay $187.80 while out-of-state students pay roughly three times as much. Most universities offer financial aid via the FAFSA, while many also offer need and merit-based scholarships. Wichita State University, for example, offers four different scholarships specifically geared towards nursing students including the Shirley E Hazen RN-BSN Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Kansas?

The most important admission requirement to most RN to BSN programs online in Kansas is an active and unencumbered Kansas RN license. Some programs, like Wichita State University, may have slightly more flexible criteria which allow prospective students who do not yet possess an RN license to begin the program and obtain their licensure within the first semester of study. Other common requirements across programs in Kansas include a minimum GPA and an ADN. Additionally, many programs have prerequisites, but these are easily met by transferring credits over from your associate degree program.

What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Kansas?

What you should look for in an RN to BSN program will inevitably be different than what someone else should, so be sure to consider what your priorities are, whether that be a flexible schedule, a low-cost or fast-track option, or an asynchronous course deliver format. In addition to your unique priorities, you should guarantee that the schools you are applying to are accredited, so that you can be confident in the quality of education you receive. RN to BSN programs online across Kansas offer all these options.

RN vs. BSN Career Outlook in Kansas

The medical industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques for patient care, so to stay competitive and improve your skills, it’s important that you evolve alongside it – and continuing your education is one of the best ways to do so. Turning your RN into a BSN will help you hone your clinical skills and improve your job outlook.

Nurses with BSNs typically earn higher salaries than those with only ADNs. The difference often more than makes up for the cost of getting a BSN. On average, RNs in Kansas take home an annual salary of roughly $85,000, while BSNs earn an average salary of $92,000. Of course, your exact salary depends on your specific location, level of experience, and place of work, among other factors. An RN to BSN online program in Kansas will teach you how to practice medicine in a more competent and effective way. BSNs expand your skill set, allowing you to have a more positive experience with your patients and within the medical system you work in. BSN programs also offer specialty courses that allow you to concentrate on a specific sector of nursing. All in all, pursuing your BSN can bring you to advanced opportunities in your journey as a nurse.

Top Online RN to BSN Programs in Kansas

The schools below were chosen using a streamlined methodology to determine the best online RN to BSN programs in Kansas. This list is based on a combined overview of accreditation, academics, financial aid, tuition, faculty, career services, and academic counseling, with a full description of our methodology available below. Read on to explore the top education options for potential students like you.

1

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through its RN to BSN program, providing registered nurses with the opportunity to complete their BSN degree online. The program can be finished in one year of full-time study or up to five years part-time. Admission requires a current RN license, an associate degree in nursing from an ACEN-accredited program, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50. The curriculum includes courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice, totaling 120 credit hours.

Why We Selected University of Kansas:

  • The University of Kansas offers state-of-the-art simulation spaces for enhanced clinical training.
  • High employment rates are achieved, with 94% of BSN graduates employed before graduation.
  • The program is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing.

Program Details

  • AccreditationHLC
  • Average In-State Tuition$10,092
  • Average Institutional Aid$9,784
  • % of Students in ≥1 Online Course57%
  • % of Students Receiving an Award66%
  • Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
2
Wichita State University offers a fully online RN to BSN program designed for working nurses, with no on-campus requirements. The program can be completed at your own pace, with options to finish in one year. It requires 30 credit hours, with credits for life experience available. The curriculum focuses on leadership skills and advanced nursing practice. Prerequisites include courses in English, psychology, sociology, microbiology, anatomy, and statistics. The program is accredited by the CCNE, and scholarships are available to support continuing education.

Why We Selected Wichita State University:

  • The program offers 30 hours of credit for life experience, enhancing career advancement opportunities.
  • The program can be completed in as little as three semesters, providing an accelerated path to a BSN degree.
  • Affordable in-state tuition rates make the program financially accessible to a wider range of students.

Program Details

  • AccreditationHLC
  • Average In-State Tuition$6,843
  • Average Institutional Aid$4,877
  • % of Students in ≥1 Online Course60%
  • % of Students Receiving an Award49%
  • Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
3
Pittsburg State University offers an online RN to BSN program designed for registered nurses with an ADN or diploma in nursing. The program, ranked #1 in Kansas and #3 nationally by RegisteredNursing.org, can be completed in as little as 12 months. It features a retention rate of 93.4% and includes courses focused on leadership and critical thinking. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and CCNE, it offers flexible scheduling and a jumpstart option for ADN students.

Why We Selected Pittsburg State University:

  • The program offers an accelerated completion option, allowing RNs to earn a BSN in as little as 12 months.
  • The RN to BSN program at Pittsburg State University boasts a high retention rate of 93.4%, ensuring student success.
  • The program is ranked #1 in Kansas and #3 nationally, providing a prestigious educational experience for nursing professionals.

Program Details

  • AccreditationHLC
  • Average In-State Tuition$5,836
  • Average Institutional Aid$2,927
  • % of Students in ≥1 Online Course62%
  • % of Students Receiving an Award50%
  • Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
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Shelby Green, BA AUTHOR

Shelby Green is an accomplished content writer with a lifelong passion for crafting the perfect narrative. Throughout her career, she has developed creative content for several prominent companies in the technology, education, fashion, and manufacturing industries. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Pepper, and playing sports.  

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