Nurses are the sinews of our healthcare tactic. Although we constantly need a larger nursing population, school can be pretty pricey, and a nursing degree can be challenging to obtain based on financial stress. Luckily, we’re here to inform you whether a nursing school is expensive.
Nursing school is a popular choice amongst students passionate about a health career with a less expensive and shorter educational path. Therefore, if this is you, you should know that you can take several different types of nursing programs at varied costs.
Therefore, is nursing school extravagant? Explore as we break down the average cost of nursing school by program. In addition, we’ll also explore ways of lessening the cost of attending a nursing school.
Why is Nursing School Expensive?
The high cost of nursing school is driven by factors affecting higher education in general and additional expenses specific to nursing programs. Over the past decades, colleges have expanded amenities, increased administrations, and faced higher demand and cost of living, driving up tuition across degree programs.
In addition, nursing students also bear costs for uniforms, supplies, high-tech simulation labs, standardized testing fees, transportation to clinical sites, and other necessities, adding to the price tag. With advanced technology, robust facilities, and extensive clinical training requirements, nursing schools now have a hefty price tag that students must weigh against the potential career benefits.
What is the Cost of Nursing School by Degree?
The fetch of a nursing school relates to the degree you are pursuing. Below is a breakdown of how much nursing school fetches, and we discuss why the costs of each nursing degree vary.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Cost
LPN programs are at the lower end of the pay and time commitment scales. Therefore, to become an LPN, you do not need to patronize a traditional school but a 12-18 month LPN program. However, it can fetch anywhere from $4,000 to $ 28,000 from end to end.
Moreover, most LPNs can envisage to pay around $8,000 to 12,000 for their program. It must be considered that your career options will not be the same as an RN if you select to stop at an LPN certificate.
Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) Cost
It takes only around two years to cap an associate degree in a nursing scheme, so those programs are often the most affordable. In addition, Tuition can vary appreciably depending on whether the institution is exclusive or communal and if the student will also need to pay for room and board.
Moreover, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average andragogy for all two-year programs for the 2020-21 school year was nigh $3,780. Including room and board, the total fetch among all institutions averaged around $11,890.
Additionally, public institutions had an average cost of $3,500, whereas pedagogy, room, and board averaged $11,560. The fetch of tuition at private institutions averaged $15,470, with room and board adding $10,000 for the year, resulting in an approximate total of $25,670.
In addition, tuition for some of the top public schools with ADN programs ranges from $110-210 per credit hour, while credits at private schools can fetch $400 each.
Therefore, you can expect to pay $8,000-$22,000 for a two-year program at a public school or $30,000-$50,000 at a private one. These numbers could more than double for out-of-state students.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Fetch
A BSN degree is widely becoming the standard for RNs. Therefore, earning your bachelor’s will allow you much ductility in your career and the ability to advance further in nursing if you choose to increase your earning potential.
Much like with an AND, the cost of a BSN degree can vary. For example, some people enroll directly in a BSN program, while others may choose an RN-BSN route.
However, according to the NCES, from the 2020-21 academic year, the average cost of a Bachelor’s ranges from $37,600 for a public university to over $150,400 for a private institution, with room and board and fees included.
Master’s of Science in Nursing Fetch
Earning your Master’s in Nursing will run a wide variety of costs. In addition, an MSN in Nursing Education may differ from an Advanced Practice Registered Nursing degree like a CRNA or a CNM.
On average, the most recently available statistics from the NCESs show that the average cost for a graduate degree is around $49k for a public institution and over $113k at a private, non-profit school.
How Do You Reduce the Cost of Attending Nursing School?
Fortunately, there are ways to lessen nursing school Fetches, including being eligible for loan forgiveness programs. In addition, many organizations, such as foundations, nursing associations, or corporations, equip financial aid for nursing students. However, you can also find ways to get a high-quality education at a lower price, including:
- Apply for financial aid
- Attend a public school with in-state tuition
- Enroll in an accredited program
- Consider getting an AND first
- Find a loan forgiveness program
Apply for Financial Aid
There are many pedigrees for financial aid for nursing students, including grants and scholarships from your school, organizations, and the U.S. and state governments. The rudimentary step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which determines the federal grants, loans, or other financial aid you may receive.
In addition, schools also use the FAFSA form to determine whether you are eligible for scholarships and grants, helping minimize the number of forms you need to true blue.
Attend a Public School with In-State Tuition
Attending a public school where you qualify for in-state tuition rates assists you in significantly cutting down on nursing school costs. In addition, in-state andragogy rates at public schools are much lower than at private schools.
According to the NCESs, the average cost of attending a public four-year university was $9,400 for the 2020-21 school year compared to $36,700 for private institutions.
Additionally, check the NCLEX pass rates at your state board for nursing to find high-quality public nursing schools, as “a high pass rate is an indicator of quality.” Furthermore, be aware that one or two students can skew the records in a tiny program, so check the last several years for smaller schools.
Enroll in an Accredited Program
Accreditation indicates that the program receives regular rigorous review by significant nursing organizations. Therefore, you must attend a sanctioned program to be equipped for most financial aid forms. You must also graduate from an accredited program to get a nursing license, and most accredited programs do not accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
Consider Getting an ADN First
You can save on the fetch of nursing school if you start with a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) rather than a BSN. In addition, you can get a nursing license with an ADN and earn a BSN later when your employer might provide tuition assistance. Moreover, having a BSN assists you in pursuing a higher salary and education and career development.
Sign-on bonuses can also help cover some tuition costs. Therefore, if you’re an RN with an ADN, you may also consider an RN-to-MSN straddle program to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
In addition, you can even consider becoming a certified nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse, as these programs are generally more affordable. However, investigate whether hospitals in your area help to support nursing school costs for those first employed as nursing aids or techs who then pursue a nursing degree.
Find a Loan Forgiveness Program
Once you graduate, you can find or qualify for a student loan forgiveness program. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment program remunerates 85% of your nursing school tab, both public and private loans, in exchange for a two-year service pact in a given the nod critical paucity facility or nursing school.
Moreover, you can qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if you work in a government or nonprofit position, are on an income-driven reparation plan, and have made 120 payments on your federal student loans.
Conclusion
Nursing school can be expensive, varying widely based on the epitome of the program and school. However, there are ways to taper expenses through financial aid, attending public in-state schools, earning an ADN first, and finding loan forgiveness programs after graduation. While the upfront costs may seem daunting, a nursing career offers excellent job prospects, competitive salaries, and opportunities to advance, making nursing school a wise investment if you are passionate about pursuing this fulfilling profession. With proper planning and research into cutting costs, a nursing degree is achievable despite the higher price tag. However, if you are looking for the highest quality nursing essays and nursing dissertations, you can place your order here