Best Online Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs of 2025
Are you ready to discover your college program?
The definition of an associate degree in prenursing varies by school, which can make it challenging to understand each institution’s offerings. The easiest way to understand these degrees is to think of prenursing associate programs as degrees that meet the academic requirements for state licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
You can become an RN with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Only a few schools offer online ADN programs, so we developed the list below to help you find them.
Learn what you can expect from an ADN degree and discover how this program can help launch your nursing career.
Popular Online Nursing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online ADN Programs
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,300
- Out-of-state$6,600
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled8,208
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Reality Check: Is nursing a good career path?
Nursing is an in-demand, hands-on, and high-paying career with plenty of room for advancement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earned a median annual salary of $86,070 in 2023.
What Is an ADN?
An ADN is a two-year associate degree in nursing that provides foundational nursing knowledge and skills. It qualifies you to apply for state licensure and take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once you pass the NCLEX and receive your state license, you can practice as a nurse.
This degree also includes prerequisite classes for students planning to pursue a BSN. Though most ADN programs maintain accessible admissions requirements, prelicensure BSN and master of science in nursing (MSN) programs often demand more extensive preparation. Your ADN can help meet these stipulations.
Choosing an Online ADN Program
When researching online nursing programs, consider tuition, nursing degree options, admission requirements, and accreditation. Other factors worth taking into account include in-state tuition options, residency requirements, and synchronous or asynchronous delivery models. The links below can help learners pick the right online program.
Accreditation for Online ADN Programs
Accreditation is especially important for nursing education. The school where you earn your degree should hold institutional accreditation from an accrediting agency with U.S. Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Administration approval.
Your nursing department should also hold programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Earning an ADN from an unaccredited institution may result in ineligibility for licensure or employers not recognizing your degree. Furthermore, if you plan to pursue a BSN, your credits are less likely to transfer if they do not come from an accredited school.
What to Expect From an ADN Program
Online ADN programs teach essential skills for nursing practice. Most ADN programs take two years of full-time study. You usually complete at least 60 credits to earn the ADN, including extensive clinical hours — field experience in a hospital or other healthcare setting.
ADN Curriculum
Though each school offers its own coursework, many programs include classes such as:
- Principles of Nutrition: This class covers the basics of nutrition, including macro- and micronutrients, dietary guidelines, digestion, metabolism, and the role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing disease.
- English Composition: English composition is a reading and writing intensive course that can improve your communication and critical thinking skills.
- Anatomy and Physiology: This class explores the structures and functions of the human body, including organ systems, tissues, cells, and homeostasis.
- Microbiology: Students in this course learn about microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Learners study microbial structure, function, growth, genetics, and pathogenesis.
- Statistics: This class teaches enrollees to analyze data sets. Topics include the normal curve, regression, probability, and data sources and sampling.
- Biology: In this introductory course, students explore the basic building blocks of life, including cells’ physiology, structure, and reproduction.
- Core Nursing Courses: Core nursing courses include fundamentals of nursing; patient assessment; pharmacology; and nursing in specific subfields, including maternal health and gerontology.
Admission Requirements for an Online ADN Program
Nurses are in high demand, and gaining admission to nursing school can be challenging. Many ADN programs require you to complete prerequisite coursework at your school before you can apply for admission to the nursing program. Competitive programs may have higher GPA requirements.
Common prerequisites for ADN programs include:
High school diploma or equivalent- Minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA
- Qualifying ACT, SAT, or placement test scores
- Program-specific requirements like a nursing entrance exam
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Clean criminal background
Obtaining Your Nursing Licensure to Become an RN
ADN graduates must complete several steps before they can practice as an RN. You can obtain an RN license after graduating with an ADN, BSN, or direct-entry MSN degree and meeting the following requirements:
- Graduate from an accredited nursing program.
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
- Apply for licensure with the state board of nursing where you intend to practice.
- Submit required documentation, including transcripts, background checks, and application fees.
- Maintain licensure by meeting continuing education requirements and renewing your license according to state regulations.
Top-Paying Careers for Registered Nurses
$78,000
Average Salary for ADN Graduates
Source: Payscale
6%
Projected Job Growth for RNs (2023-2033)
Source: BLS
After earning your ADN, passing the NCLEX-RN, and getting licensed, you can work as an RN in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, community settings, home care, physician’s offices, schools, correctional facilities, and outpatient clinics.
According to Payscale data from October 2024, the average annual wage for ADN graduates is $78,000. Salaries vary based on factors like location, experience, and industry.
| RN Settings | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Government | $99,840 |
| Hospitals (state, local, and private) | $88,430 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $81,230 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $79,280 |
| Educational services (state, local, and private) | $71,550 |
ADN vs. BSN: Which One Is Right for You?
The path to begin your nursing career depends on your circumstances and preferences. If you obtain an ADN first, your initial education will be less expensive and shorter. Consequently, you can start working quicker. You can even advance your education as you gain experience by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program.
However, an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) survey from 2023 reports that 25% of healthcare employers who responded to the survey required BSN-prepared nurses, while 69.8% preferred hiring BSN nurses. BSN-prepared nurses can also pursue various leadership roles and have a higher earning potential than ADN graduates.
Benefits of Starting with an ADN
- Lower cost and less time to complete than a BSN
- Can start working quickly
- May have easier admission requirements for the nursing program
- Credits can be transferred toward BSN programs
Benefits of Starting with a BSN
- Higher employment rate
- Better salary potential and career opportunities
- Preparation for an advanced practice degree
- Additional training in leadership and management
Frequently Asked Questions About Online ADN Programs
Yes, some schools offer ADN programs online. However, even if you take classes online, you still must typically perform your clinical hours in person. Usually, you can complete these requirements at the school where you’re enrolled or at a nearby facility. Online ADN programs are most common at community colleges, but some four-year colleges and universities offer these degrees as an entry point to their BSN.
