Program type
Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
Bachelor's degree, then the NCLEX-RN
Typical length
Typically 4 years“Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs... typically take 4 years to complete” BLS OOH: Registered Nurses
Who approves it
Approved by your state's board of nursing (required for NCLEX eligibility).
Accreditation
CCNE accredits baccalaureate and higher nursing programs; ACEN and NLN CNEA also accredit BSN programs.
CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for baccalaureate and higher nursing programs.
Find accredited programsACEN: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA (per ACEN).
Find accredited programsNLN CNEA: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
Listed in the U.S. Department of Education's database of recognized accreditors.
Find accredited programsWhat to check before you enroll
- Board of nursing approval
- Accreditation
- NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Clinical placements
- Total cost and aid
Where it leads
Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Program finder
Searching approved programs by state and city is coming soon. Until then, use the accreditor directories above, your state board's approved list and the Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Sources
- BLS OOH: Registered Nurses
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: find an accredited program
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing: find an accredited program
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation: find an accredited program
- NCSBN: Why boards of nursing approve nursing programs
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.