How Much Does Nursing School Cost?

Key Takeaways

• Cost varies widely by degree level, program type, location, and public versus private.
• One of the cheapest routes is an ADN at a public university, averaging about $11,950 per year.
• Scholarships, grants, loans, part-time work, and employer reimbursement cut the bill substantially.

The number you actually pay swings on location, program length and format, degree type, and public versus private. Here is what each path tends to cost and what drives the differences.

What Drives Nursing School Cost

Two students can earn the same degree and pay very different amounts. A longer program costs more; a fully online one often costs less; public schools usually run cheaper than private ones. Your total shifts based on:

• Degree type and program length
• Full-time or part-time enrollment
• Public vs. private and nonprofit vs. for-profit
• Location and in-state vs. out-of-state status
• Online vs. on-campus format
• On-campus vs. off-campus housing
• Financial aid eligibility (scholarships, grants, loans, loan forgiveness, employer reimbursement)
• Repeated courses
• Textbooks and supplies (stethoscopes, pen lights, scrubs, shoes)
• Living expenses (meals, transportation, childcare, housing)

ADN Program Cost

The ADN is the most affordable path and the fastest route to the NCLEX-RN and an RN license. Full-time, it runs about two years. Per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average ADN cost $12,300 per year as of 2022, including tuition, housing, and fees. The full two-year program runs $23,900 to $66,320. Public universities average $11,950 per year; private schools run $24,950 to $33,160.

BSN Program Cost

A traditional BSN takes four years full-time, though working nurses and people with a non-nursing degree finish faster through bridge programs. Including tuition, housing, and fees, the BSN averaged $30,880 per year as of 2022, per the NCES. The full four-year program runs $89,560 to $211,390. Public schools average $22,390 per year; private schools run $27,770 to $52,850.

MSN Program Cost

Nurses with a BSN can finish a traditional MSN in one to two years full-time. RN-to-MSN bridge programs let ADN-holding RNs earn one in two to four years. Per the NCES, MSN programs cost $15,030 to $42,880 as of 2020, averaging $12,480 per year for tuition and fees without room and board. Public institutions average about $9,340 per year; private schools run $9,510 to $21,440.

DNP Program Cost

Nurses with an MSN can finish a DNP in two to four years full-time. RNs with an undergraduate degree can earn one in three to six years through a bridge program. The NCES reports DNP costs of $63,570 to $172,280 as of 2020, averaging $61,080 per year for tuition and fees without room and board. Public institutions average $23,390 per year; private schools run $28,280 to $43,070.

Paying for Nursing School

The sticker price is rarely the final price. Scholarships, grants, and student loans cover tuition, fees, textbooks, and more. Working part-time helps you keep up with tuition or get ahead on loan payments. After graduation, some employers offer tuition payback, though many require a minimum work commitment first.