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Program pathway

Online Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs for working RNs

What the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway involves, how long it typically takes, and the accredited online programs that fit a working RN.

Last reviewed May 22, 20263 sourcesHow we rank

Reviewed May 22, 2026 by the ScrubScope editorial team.

This page is for career-changers with a non-nursing bachelor's weighing an Accelerated BSN (ABSN). The list below is every accredited online program in our index that offers this credential — schools sorted alphabetically, not ranked, because accreditation is the binary gate and the variables that actually decide fit (cohort dynamics, clinical placement, your state's licensure rules) sit outside what a table can show. Skim three columns: accreditor, delivery format, and the school's own review. If you can only check one signal here, it is the accreditor.

New to the abbreviations? See the nursing terms glossary.

How we list schools. We list a program only when its accreditation is confirmed against primary sources — accreditation is a hard gate. We do not rank, score, or rate the schools, and we never estimate NCLEX, salary, or tuition figures we cannot source. See the full methodology.

Where to study

Accredited online Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs

Each links to a full school review with accreditation, format, and trade-offs.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs at a glance
SchoolAccreditationDelivery formatTuition
Western Governors UniversityCCNEFully onlineConfirm with school
Baylor University (Louise Herrington School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
University of Texas at Arlington (College of Nursing and Health Innovation)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
UTHealth Houston (Cizik School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
UT Health San Antonio (School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
California State University, Long Beach (School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
Samuel Merritt University (College of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
Florida State University (College of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
University of South Florida (College of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
University of North Florida (Brooks College of Health, School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
University of Miami (School of Nursing and Health Studies)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
Jacksonville University (Keigwin School of Nursing)CCNESynchronous onlineConfirm with school
Narrow it down

More on Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs

12-Month ABSN Programs: What the One-Year Timeline MeansABSN Prerequisites: The Courses You Need Before You ApplyGetting a Nursing Degree With a Non-Nursing MajorOnline and Hybrid ABSN Options: What's Actually OnlineWhat ABSN Means: The Accelerated BSNWhat an ABSN Costs: Tuition, Fees, and the Real Total
Common questions

What does a Accelerated BSN (ABSN) cost?

Tuition varies widely by school, residency status, and transfer credit, and published sticker price rarely matches what you pay — employer tuition assistance and graduate aid change the real number. ScrubScope does not publish an estimated figure; confirm current tuition directly with each accredited school before you inquire.

Common questions

How long does a Accelerated BSN (ABSN) take?

Most Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs take 12-20 months, depending on transfer credit and whether you study part or full time. Part-time pathways, which most working RNs choose, sit at the longer end of that range.

Common questions

What are the prerequisites?

  • Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
  • Completed science prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, microbiology)
  • Minimum prerequisite GPA (school-specific)
Common questions

What comes after this program?

Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN for initial RN licensure.

Who this path is wrong for

  • If a Accelerated BSN (ABSN) prerequisite above does not match where you are now, this is not yet the right move — close that gap first.
  • If the typical 12-20 months timeline does not fit your constraints, an accelerated or part-time alternative will serve you better.
  • If a shorter or lower-cost pathway reaches the same goal, weigh that honestly against the prerequisites before you inquire here.
FAQ

Questions about Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs

Yes, when the program is CCNE- or ACEN-accredited. Every school listed here is accredited; accreditation is a hard gate in our methodology.
Tuition varies by school, residency, and transfer credit. ScrubScope does not publish an estimated total — confirm the current cost directly with each school before inquiring.
Most programs take 12-20 months, depending on transfer credit and study pace.
No. We route your inquiry to the schools you select. The schools, not ScrubScope, make all admissions and financial-aid decisions.
Read the reviews

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) schools, reviewed

Western Governors University reviewCCNE · Fully onlineBaylor University (Louise Herrington School of Nursing) reviewCCNE · Synchronous onlineUniversity of Texas at Arlington (College of Nursing and Health Innovation) reviewCCNE · Synchronous online
References

Sources

  1. Texas BON 5-year RN report, BSN Programs section, Baylor University row. First-time test takers.. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, Texas Board of Nursing, 2022-2024, 2026-05-22. https://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/education_pdfs/education_programs/RN%205YR-24.pdf
  2. California BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate table, row "CSU Long Beach". First-time test takers. CA BRN annual periods run July 1 to June 30; the periods 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 are mapped to calendar years 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively to align with the NCSBN calendar-year national baseline (documented modeling choice).. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, California Board of Registered Nursing, 2022-2024, 2026-05-22. https://www.rn.ca.gov/education/passrates.shtml
  3. Florida Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN program pass-rate report (Report 4, Jurisdiction Program Summary of First-Time Candidates), row "FL - FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY - BS". First-time test takers. Florida reports by calendar year, so the 2022, 2023 and 2024 figures align directly with the NCSBN calendar-year national baseline; no period mapping is applied.. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, Florida Board of Nursing, 2022-2024, 2026-05-22. https://floridasnursing.gov/education-and-training-programs/