Healthcare
Registered Nurse (RN)
Provide direct patient care across hospitals, clinics, and home health. The largest healthcare profession with strong job security.
high-demandhelping-people
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$65k
$86k
$125k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+6%
+6% (Faster than avg)
Open positions
195,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Degree In Person
ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
Time
2 years
Cost
$6,000 – $25,000
Fastest path to RN license. NCLEX-RN required.
Degree Hybrid
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Time
4 years
Cost
$40,000 – $110,000
Preferred by Magnet hospitals; needed for advanced roles.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown
What are the odds
you actually get there?
Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.
86
Composite
Attainability Score
Data-backed
- Educational difficultyHow hard the required schooling is to complete7520%
- Licensing & examsPass rates and difficulty of required exams8715%
- Entry-job competitionHow many applicants per open entry-level role9520%
- Career stay-rateInverse of early-career attrition / industry exit7515%
- Market demandOpenings vs available workforce9515%
- Alternative pathsHow many viable ways exist to enter the field9015%
Recommended schools
Schools known for this path
Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Registered Nurse (RN). Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →
WGU
Online, competency-based
Tuition
~$4,005 / 6-month term
Flat-rate. Finish faster, pay less.
Programs for Registered Nurse (RN)
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Avg B.S. completion 2.5 yrs
Total cost
$20,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
8 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$916,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
UF Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$111.92 / credit (in-state)
Same UF diploma, online delivery. $129.18/cr with required fees.
Programs for Registered Nurse (RN)
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $129/cr (in-state) ≈ $15.5K
Total cost
$18,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
7 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$918,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Purdue Global
Online, public university
Tuition
$371 / quarter credit
Built for working adults with prior college credit or experience.
Programs for Registered Nurse (RN)
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Heavily reduced with transfer credit / military / prior learning
Total cost
$35,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
14 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$901,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
CC → State U
Hybrid: 2 years CC + 2 years 4-year transfer
Tuition
~$4,000/yr at CC + state tuition
The lowest-debt path for most 18-year-olds.
Programs for Registered Nurse (RN)
- ADN (Associate of Nursing) → RN → employer-paid BSN
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
2 yrs CC (~$8K) + 2 yrs in-state univ (~$17K)
Total cost
$25,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
10 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$911,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
2 years
You'd spend (avg)
$15,500
Starting salary
$65,000
Mid-career
$86,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · ANA