The best online associate’s degree in nursing

Did you know that you can become a registered nurse (RN) with just a 2-year associate degree in nursing (ADN)? The relatively high salaries of nurses make ADN nursing programs some of the most valuable 2-year degrees out there. An associate’s in nursing (sometimes called an associate of science in nursing) will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam – for much less money than a bachelor of science in nursing. Moreover, ADN online programs make getting an ADN degree more convenient and affordable than ever before.

The average graduate of a nursing ADN nursing program earns $60,391 just 3 years after graduation; meanwhile nursing associate degrees cost an average of just $10,685. This makes an associate’s degree in nursing online a tremendous educational investment.

Below we have compiled a detailed ranking of the best ADN programs online in the country – based on their value for money.

For more information visit our guide to registered nursing. Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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#1 in Nursing

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Economic score 0.09

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $2,310

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $83,079

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 47%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Nursing
Economic score 0.13

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $3,803

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $89,270

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 31%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Nursing
Economic score 0.18

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,857

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $93,338

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 33%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Nursing
Economic score 0.24

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,646

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $81,311

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 34%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Nursing

CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, New York

Economic score 0.29

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,444

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $83,509

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 39%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Nursing

Hinds Community College

Raymond, Mississippi

Economic score 0.55

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,035

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $57,574

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 29%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Nursing

John A Logan College

Carterville, Illinois

Economic score 0.58

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,763

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,213

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 39%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Nursing

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas

Economic score 0.68

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,098

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $55,994

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 36%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Nursing
Economic score 0.71

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,268

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $48,746

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Nursing

Holmes Community College

Goodman, Mississippi

Economic score 0.75

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,978

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $53,644

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 38%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Nursing

Seminole State College

Seminole, Oklahoma

Economic score 0.94

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,159

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $61,810

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in Nursing
Economic score 0.95

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,187

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $55,148

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 40%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in Nursing
Economic score 0.96

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,836

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $68,231

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 29%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in Nursing

Davidson, Davie Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina

Economic score 1.07

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,115

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $57,893

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 42%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in Nursing

National Park College

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Economic score 1.08

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,198

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,788

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 33%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#16 in Nursing

Allegany College of Maryland

Cumberland, Maryland

Economic score 1.14

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,673

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $56,808

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 37%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#17 in Nursing

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska

Economic score 1.19

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,069

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,710

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 58%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#18 in Nursing

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, Wisconsin

Economic score 1.29

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,545

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,262

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 64%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#19 in Nursing
Economic score 1.35

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,871

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $53,810

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 53%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#20 in Nursing
Economic score 1.37

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,439

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $58,781

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 49%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

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How long does it take me to repay an associate's degree in registered nursing?

Years

Under a year

The cost of the average associate's degree in registered nursing is covered by the new earnings of graduates in under a year.

How much do graduates with an associate's degree in registered nursing earn?

Salary

$60,391

The median associate's degree in registered nursing graduate earns $60,391 3 years after graduating.

How much does an associate's degree in registered nursing cost?

Net cost

$10,685

The average annual cost of an associate's degree in registered nursing is $10,685. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.