This varies widely by school and degree program. Students should expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 dollars per credit, with average tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities generally falling in the $110 to 170 range.

The cost can be lesser or greater depending on which educational path is chosen. The tuition fee for a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), which takes four years to finish, costs anywhere from $40,000 to well over $100,000 each year in private institutions and large universities.

LPNs vs RNs. RN and LPN: two different sets of initials on different name badges - and often two very different roles. Registered nurses (RN) have, at the minimum, a two-year degree or three-year diploma. Licensed practical nurses (LPN) have about a year of nursing education, often culminating in a certificate.