How to Find Accredited Nursing Programs Near You
Search engines show hundreds of RN programs within a 50-mile radius of most major U.S. metros. The National League for Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing publish searchable directories of accredited programs. Students can filter by degree type, campus versus hybrid formats, and state board approval status. Many state boards of nursing maintain online portals where applicants verify program accreditation before applying.
Distance learning and hybrid options expanded after 2020, but clinical placement requirements remain in person. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 70 percent of BSN programs now offer at least some online didactic coursework. Students should confirm that a program's clinical hours meet their state's board of nursing requirements before enrolling.
RN Program Types, Costs, and Enrollment Numbers
Associate Degree in Nursing programs typically take two years and cost between $6,000 and $40,000 at public community colleges. Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs run four years and carry median tuition around $10,000 per year at public universities. Accelerated BSN tracks for students with prior bachelor's degrees often finish in 12 to 18 months and cost $40,000 to $80,000 depending on the institution.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing reported 179,329 candidates sat for the NCLEX-RN exam in 2023. First-time pass rates for U.S.-educational graduates averaged 79.9 percent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects registered nurse employment to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, adding roughly 177,400 jobs over that decade.
Licensing Pathways and Career Outcomes After Graduation
Graduates from state-approved programs apply to their state board of nursing for eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the exam and publishes pass rate data by program and jurisdiction. Candidates who do not pass on the first attempt receive a Candidate Performance Report that identifies specific knowledge areas to review before retesting.
Registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $81,220 in May 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest employment levels for RNs were in general medical and surgical hospitals, physician offices, and home health care services. The AACN notes that BSN-prepared nurses are increasingly preferred by Magnet-designated hospitals, which represent 10 percent of U.S. hospitals as of latest data.