Best LPN to BSN Programs in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Many nurses start their careers as an LPN/LVN (Licensed Practical Nurse/ Licensed Vocational Nurse). In several states the LPN nursing program is only 12 to 18 months long including the clinical portion and many hospitals offer this program for free in exchange for X amount of years of service at the hospital (each hospital is different, so it is impossible to say how many years, research shows that the average time is two to three years.

As the need for nurses with a BSN increases many LPN’s have decided to continue on with their education. Many programs take a little as 12 months to complete and open up a wide range of career opportunities of where a nurse can work and a large increase in salary. It’s important to note that there is a difference between LPN and RN nursing degrees. In fact, you may choose an LPN to RN program if you’re not

Requirements Need for an LPN/LVN to a BSN Bridge Program

Each university or college will have different requirements for their specific program. However, there are a few general “rules” to guide you when deciding if a BSN program is the right choice. Some of these requirements include the following:

• Up to date clean LPN/LVN license
• Minimum of the equivalate of one year work of full-time work experience
• A (minimum, every school is different) GPA of 2.0 (C average) from LPN/LVN school (School transcripts)
• No pending or previous complaints with your state’s or any state you worked in’s nursing board

List of the best LPN to BSN Programs in 2024

1. Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

This nursing school is located in Oklahoma City, OK. It was founded in 1911. OU is one of the forerunners in nursing education. The LPN to BSN is one of the best and their students are well prepared for their new career as a BSN.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean LPN license
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5 (LPN/LVN school)
  • A science GPA of 2.5 (LPN/LVN school)
  • Competition of all prerequisite courses
  • A grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses (LPN/LVN school)
• Tuition – 159.60 credit hour
• Credits or length of program – 18 months
• Graduation Rate – 98%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 100%

2. Kent State University

Kent State University is located in Kent, Ohio. Founded in 1967 is now one of the country’s largest nursing schools. The Simulation Lab allows nursing students to experience very realistic nursing situations before they begin their clinical portion of their education, this allows them to be better prepared and more successful.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean LPN license
  • Overall 2.75 GPA LPN program
  • Completion of all core courses (LPN/LVN school)
  • Completion of all prerequisite nursing courses
• Tuition – $21,156 + Fees, books etc.
• Credits or length of program – 15 to 18 months
• Graduation Rate – 94%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 100%

3. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota. Founded in 1883. The university is ranked one of the best colleges with affordable tuition in the county. Voted one of the best online LPN to BSN programs.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean LPN license
  • Overall GPA average of 2.75 (LPN/LVN school)
  • Science GPA of 3.0 (LPN/LVN school)
  • Completion of all core courses
  • Completion of all prerequisite nursing courses
• Tuition – $4,607.00/semester
• Credits or length of program – 18 to 22 months
• Graduation Rate – 95%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 99%

4. the Berkeley College of School of Health Studies

The Berkeley College School of Health Studies is located in New Jersey and it is the only LPN to BSN program in the state. This program is more difficult to get into than others, however, that is not without its benefits of graduating from a well-known and respected school. These benefits lead to quicker job offers with higher salaries.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean Current LPN license
  • Take and pass the HESI Admissions Exam (may be taken twice)
  • Have worked as an LPN for a minimum of 2,080 hours in the past two years
  • Letters of recommendation
• Tuition – $12,100/year
• Credits or length of program – 12-18 months
• Graduation Rate – 94%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 100%

5. West Coast University

West Coast University is located in Miami, Florida. Classes have a rolling start, so you can start at numerous times of the year. They offer evening and weekend classes. The Simulation Center provides state of the art equipment and provides students with the advantage to gain valuable knowledge before they are ever presented with a situation in real life. There are several Simulation rooms so students can “work” with adult patient situations as well as pediatrics, psychiatric, and obstetrics. This really gives the students the upper hand and the confidence to be successful.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean LPN license
  • Letter of recommendation
  • GPA of 2.8 science courses (LPN program)
  • GPA of 2.5 overall (LPN program)
• Tuition – $17,030 (Scholarships available based on merit and as needed)
• Credits or length of program – 120 credits
• Graduation Rate – 94%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 98%

6. College of Education, Health & Human Services

 College of Education, Health & Human Services – San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California. The university has 23 campuses across the state of California. The LPN to BSN program is highly recommended by several nursing authorities.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • GPA of 2.0 (LPN/LVN school)
  • Science courses GPA of 2.75 (LPN/LVN school)
  • Proof of IV certification
  • Must pass the LPN/ LVN Nursing Skills Assessment Exam
• Tuition – $29,459/program for CA residents (Financial aid, grants, scholarships, military and veteran programs available)
• Credits or length of program – 33 months
• Graduation Rate – 93%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 97%

7. Armstrong State University

Armstrong State University is located in Savannah, GA on the Armstrong campus. MSN ranked this program one of the best for 2018.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • Pass the HESI admission Assessment with at least a 75%
  • Complete 24 credit hours with at least a “C+”
  • GPA of 2.7 in all prerequisites
• Tuition – $177.67 per credit
• Credits or length of program – 28+ months
• Graduation Rate – 93%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 98%

8. Nazareth College

Nazareth College is located in Rochester, NY. It was founded in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 2015 the nursing programs were moved to the Nazareth College York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute to allow healthcare students to have hands-on training in a state of the art facility.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA from LPN/LVN program
  • All students and circumstances are unique, therefore, Nazareth College creates a special admission requirement list for each student after an interview
• Tuition – $782/credit hour (Numerous grants and scholarships available as well as financial aid)
• Credits or length of program – 120 credits
• Graduation Rate – 98%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 99%

9. Walla Walla University/College

Walla Walla University this nursing school is located in College Place, WA and is associated with the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Education. Voted one of the best Regional Universities of 2018 by U.S. News.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • All grades must be at least a C from LPN/LVN program
  • All science classes cannot be more than five years old or they cannot be transferred.
  • Overall GPA of at least 2.9
  • All non-nursing related prerequisites completed with a grade of at least a C
  • Pass a standardized nursing examination
  • Students must have work experience as an LPN/LVN within the last year
• Tuition – $9,040/year
• Credits or length of program – 120 credits
• Graduation Rate – 89%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 93%

10. Pacific Luther University

Pacific Lutheran University this nursing school is located in Tacoma, WA. It was founded in 1890 by the Norwegian pioneers. PLU is a small university with about 3,000 students. The university accepts all religious faiths and encourages its students to spend time each day practicing their faith to help the students through the stresses that university life can cause. PLU was ranked among the top 20 schools in the West by News and Reports and was ranked fourth for best schools for Veterans.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • All grades must be at least a C from LPN/LVN program
  • Pass a standardized nursing examination
  • LPN/LVN classes can’t be more than three years old
  • Students must have at least 700 hours of work experience
• Tuition – $41,696 (Scholarships, grants and financial aid including military, veterans’ and women’s programs are available)
• Credits or length of program – 6 semesters
• Graduation Rate – 88%
• Accreditation – CCNE
• NCLEX-RN pass rate – 93%

11. VCU School of Nursing

VCU School of Nursing is located in Richmond, VA. VCU has a rich history, it was founded in 1893 and the nurses followed the Florence Nightingale method of nursing. There is even a small museum on campus with original uniforms, books, instruments, and yearbooks. The average student population is 900. VCU has one of the most advanced clinical stimulation centers on the East Coast, where students learn numerous skills before and during their clinical hours.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • Minimum ‘B’ average in all nursing courses
  • Overall GPA of 3.0
  • Work experience of a minimum of two years
• Tuition – $21,765
• Program length – 19 months
• Graduation Rate – 86%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 100%
• Accreditations – CCNE

12. Davenport University

Davenport University at Davenport you can get both your LPN/LVN and your LPN to BSN at the same university. Many students choose to start as an LPN for a few reasons including they need to work while they attend school, nursing is a good fit for them, or a combination of both. Once the student has earned their LPN/LVN license whether at Davenport University or another college they can apply to earn their BSN.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • Must have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Personal essay
  • Two professional references (preferably from college professors)
  • Pass the TEAS exam
• Tuition – $18,360
• Program length – 16 to 24 months
• Graduation Rate – 82%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 100%
• Accreditations – CCNE

13. Madonna University

Madonna University is located in Livonia, MI. It is a Catholic university with about 4,500 students. Founded in 1937 by Mother Mary DeSales Tocka. Madonna University offers a competitive LPN to BSN program which allows students to challenge specific courses if the students pass the exam, they do not have to take the course and they receive full credit.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • One year work experience or passing grade on the TEAS exam
  • GPA of 2.8
  • All non-nursing courses completed and passed with at least a ‘C’
• Tuition $ 20,700
• Program length – 16 to 18 months
• Graduation Rate – 79%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 99%
• Accreditations – CCNE

14. St. Olaf College

St. Olaf was founded in 1874 by a group of pastors, farmers, and businessmen who saw the need even back then for higher education. Since it opened in 1874 the student body has continued to grow rapidly. The current student population on campus is 3,040. The campus is 750 acres with 300 acres being the college and the rest is made up of wetlands, tallgrass prairie, and woodlands. St. Olaf college is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • GPA of 2.7
  • Maintain GPA of 3.0
  • Pass the TEAS examination
• Tuition – $47,840
• Program length – 18 months
• Graduation Rate – 88%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 97%
• Accreditations – CCNE

15. Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, MI. It has a student population of 9,000. The university sits on 360 acres, offering plenty of land for students to hike, find a quiet place to study or even play golf on the campus’ private golf course.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean current LPN/LVN license
  • Transcripts GPA 2.6 or higher
  • Maintain GPA 3.0 or higher
  • TEAS exam may be necessary
  • Letters of recommendation
• Tuition – $31,974
• Program length – 6 semesters
• Graduation Rate – 86%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 95%
• Accreditations – CCNE

16. Langston University

Langston University is located in Langston, OK. The university is made up of three campuses and has a student body of over 7,000.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • At least 12 months of work experience as an LPN
  • References
  • Maintain 2.5 GPA
• Tuition – $30,700
• Program length – 6 semesters
• Graduation Rate – 87%
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 97%
• Accreditations – CCNE

17. Albany State University

Albany State University is located in Albany, Georgia founded in 1903. The university has five campuses that allow them to offer serval types of programs for students from all sorts of academic backgrounds. The students on campus come from numerous different cultural, ethnic and gender backgrounds. Albany State University was voted the Best Nursing Program in 2015.

• Admission Requirements
  • Clean current LPN/LVN license
  • GPA of 3.0
  • Standardized testing
  • Essay
  • References
• Tuition – $18,150
• Program length – 16 months
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 92%
• Accreditations – CCNE, ACEN

18. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ. The university is a four-year public university with roughly 8,000 students. The university is well known for its nursing program among being voted #1 for Innovation by U.S. News for 2019.

• Admission Requirements
  • Current clean LPN/LVN license
  • Overall GPA of 2.8
  • Entrance exam unless the student has two years of work experience as an LPN/LVN
• Tuition – $22,000
• Program length – 22 months
• Graduation Rate – 20 months
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate – 92%
• Accreditations – CCNE

LPN to BSN Nursing Programs Ranking Method

To determine the ranking of each college/university, we researched and assessed certain factors. These factors included the NCLEX-RN pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate and graduation rate. Ultimately, the NCLEX-RN pass rate was the highest determining factor, while the other factors played a part in the ranking of each institution the higher the NCLEX-RN rate determined the rank of each college/university. If you are interested in learning more about our ranking system, please feel free to visit our methodology page.

If your college/university did not make our list of best LPN to BSN nursing programs or you would like edits made to your school if it was reviewed please feel free to contact us.