Online RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Kentucky

1. University of Louisville

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 5 Semesters/20 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 87.60%

Interested in urban health? Put UofL on your Kentucky shortlist. The total price of its 100% Online RN to BSN comes with great metropolitan connections. Thanks to a strategic location in UofL’s Health Sciences Center (HSC), the School of Nursing has links to many healthcare partners, including University of Louisville Hospital and Norton Children’s. KCTCS students are eligible for easy transfers. And independent reviews are excellent. Nursing alumni praise the experienced instructors and challenging coursework.

2. University of Kentucky

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 6 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 95.20%

UK’s 100% Online RN-BSN fully deserves our #2 spot! The College of Nursing is an NLN Center of Excellence with strong national rankings, superb NCLEX pass rates, and a solid track record in job placements for graduates. As a big public school, it receives plenty of funding for healthcare research and nursing faculty are active in practice. It even runs its own Community Health Center. If you’re looking for a program with a great state reputation and plenty of clinical connections, you’ve found it.

3. Northern Kentucky University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); Part-Time Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.20%

Fast, affordable, and 100% online—these are just a few reasons to take a look at NKU’s Online RN to BSN. We also like the fact that this flexible program features straightforward pricing—online rates are the same for everyone, with all fees included—and 21st century coursework (e.g. Genetics). In addition to achieving strong NCLEX & certification pass rates, NKU’s School of Nursing runs a dedicated Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved (NACU) and works closely with St. Elizabeth Medical Center on research-based, community-driven interventions.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky is a pretty affordable state for the Online RN to BSN! For our Cheapest KY rankings, we kept the price threshold to $8,000 or under for total tuition, but there are also a number of programs in the $10,000-$11,000 range (e.g. NKU and UofL). Feel free to compare them with our rankings of the Most Affordable RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Union College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 33
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Compact State
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.00%

To enroll in Union’s Online RN to BSN, you must have a license to practice nursing in Kentucky or a Compact state. If you meet this requirement, costs will be very manageable. All online students pay the same tuition rate, with no out-of-state fees. Union also has agreements with a variety of healthcare facilities in Kentucky—you can complete any clinical work close to home.

2. University of the Cumberlands

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 38
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 34.50%

The total cost of UC’s 100% Online RN to BSN will depend on your credit number. In general, a minimum of 30 credits must be completed at UC. However, if you need to take 300-level courses like Statistics and Pathophysiology, you’ll be paying for 38 credits. View the coursework for more details. Even so, the price is still eminently affordable for in-state and out-of-state students!

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky

To appear in our Fastest KY rankings, programs had to be less than 3 semesters/1 year. Need something that’s even quicker? See the self-paced options in our rankings of Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Kentucky State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 33
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

On a full-time schedule, you’ll be able to finish this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN in 2 semesters. It’s a turbo-charged plan of a study—you’d take 6 courses in the first semester, including a Public Health Nursing Practicum, and 6 courses in the second semester, including a Nursing Leadership Practicum and Capstone.

2. Northern Kentucky University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.20%

NKU states that motivated, full-time students can finish its 100% Online RN to BSN in 10 months. Part-time study is also available. Courses are 7 weeks long and the program has 6 start times per year. See the Calendar tab for admissions deadlines and sample start dates.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Kentucky

RN to BSN Requirements in Kentucky

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Kentucky universities will expect you to hold—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you’re still working on passing the NCLEX exam, you may have a little bit of wiggle room. For instance:

• In University of Louisville’s Online RN to BSN, ADN grads can start in the program prior to obtaining the RN license.
• In University of Kentucky’s Online RN-BSN, students must obtain RN licensure before beginning courses with clinical practice experience.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing can help answer any questions on state licensure. The Board also posts recent NCLEX Pass Rates and Kentucky Program of Nursing Benchmarks. Although pass rates don’t apply to post-licensure programs, they’re a useful quality marker.

State Authorization: Do you live out-of-state? Before you fill out the application form, check the admissions section and fine print on state authorizations. A few schools have certain restrictions on whom they can accept.

Advice from Kentucky Nurse Educators

Kentucky Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs Available in Kentucky?

Yes. In fact, almost all programs in our Kentucky Online RN to BSN listings are 100% online, with no campus visits required. You can truly have your pick! Just keep in mind that you’ll still be expected to complete practicums in your home community.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Kentucky?

Because of CCNE and ACEN accreditation rules, RN to BSN programs invariably include clinical practicums. Having said that, practicums at the BSN level often include on-the-ground training in community health and leadership. For example:

• The University of Cumberlands’s Online RN to BSN uses clinical components in Community Healthcare and Principles of Healthcare Management.
• EKU’s Online RN to BSN contains two clinicals: Public Health Nursing Clinical & Complex Client Care Clinical.
• University of Louisville’s Online RN to BSN has an 84-hour Community Health Leadership Practicum.

You’ll usually be able to fulfill clinical requirements at healthcare sites within your community and your current workplace.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Kentucky Online RN to BSN Programs?

Maybe. Check the admissions requirements in our listings for details. If you don’t have statistics before you apply, some universities will allow you to take it as a co-requisite (e.g. Murray State, NKU, etc.). That means you’ll be taking—and paying for—a course in statistics while you work on Online RN to BSN coursework.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Kentucky?

We had trouble finding any in Kentucky. Unfortunately, FNU discontinued its Online ADN to MSN pathway in 2020.

If you’re interested in pursuing a graduate degree, but you need the BSN for employment purposes, check out our guide to RN to BSN to MSN Programs. There are some online options in there.