With an aging population and sweeping healthcare changes throughout the nation, the need for nurses hasn’t lessened over the past decade – in fact, it has increased. There is also a high need for nurses with advanced-level qualifications to reach beyond bedside care into the roles of nursing policy, teaching, and leadership. Additionally, there are specialty avenues of patient care like oncology, pediatrics, and gerontology. Many associate’s degree-prepared nurses are choosing to pursue one of the state’s many RN to BSN programs in order to continue working on their career while managing a full-time job.
2024 - Best Online RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina
RN to BSN programs continue to climb in popularity, due in part to the increase in demand for BSN-educated registered nurses. Online RN to BSN options make it easy for busy working RNs to complete their education while juggling other responsibilities, but finding the right one can be a hassle. That's why we have ranked the top online RN to BSN programs in South Carolina. Check out our rankings below and take the first step toward a more rewarding nursing career.
For more information on our top nursing school rankings, visit our Methodology Page (https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/).
University of South Carolina Upstate
Nurses can become well-rounded health care practitioners when they complete the RN to BSN program online at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Students gain confidence in their clinical decision-making as well as in managing the care of patients with acute and chronic health conditions.
- RN to BSN Online Campus
Quick Facts:
- All students pay in-state tuition
- No campus visits required
- 5 start dates a calendar year
Anderson University
For nurses whose career is also their calling, Anderson University offers an accelerated RN to BSN online. The designed-for-working-RNs program enables dedicated nurses to do more for their patients sooner. Leadership and management as well as health assessments are core degree components.
- RN to BSN Online/Hybrid
Quick Facts:
- A private Christian college in South Carolina
- Consistently ranked high for quality
- Can be completed in 15 months
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University, located in Florence, South Carolina, hosts a cutting-edge online RN-to-BSN program. Tailored for working nurses, the program emphasizes career advancement and leadership skills. With dedicated faculty and an innovative online platform, Francis Marion University equips nurses to thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape.
- RN to BSN Online/Hybrid
Quick Facts:
- Offered online
- 30 required semester hours
- Can be completed in as little as 11 months (full-time)
Fast & Affordable Program Options
One of the best ways you can increase your professional value and unlock higher paid nursing positions is to get your BSN. If you’ve already spent some time in the nursing field, getting your BSN has never been easier through a fast-tracked option called an RN to BSN program. These bridge programs are faster, cheaper, and more flexible than most traditional BSN programs.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
You won’t be able to graduate from a traditional BSN degree program any sooner than 4 years unless you do so through an RN to BSN program. Most RN to BSN programs work with you by considering your nursing experience and transfer credits to create a much shorter timeline to graduation with most students finishing in only two years or less. That being said, here are a few of the shortest RN to BSN degree programs in the state:
School | Degree Name | Length |
University of South Carolina Aiken | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
Newbury College | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
Learn more about the Shortest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
While most RN to BSN programs range between one and two years in length, there are some that can be completed in as little as six months — though these programs are rare, and aren’t found in South Carolina. Additionally, to be considered for an RN to BSN program this short, you must have at least an associate’s degree and a bulk of transferable credits.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
An RN to BSN program is one of the cheapest options in the world of nursing education but in South Carolina, this option is especially affordable. You may be able to further cut your costs if you establish yourself as a South Carolina resident and attend a school that provides lower-cost tuition for in-state residents. Below are a few modest options for RN to BSN programs in terms of cost. Keep in mind that you may encounter additional fees. Consider this, and additional costs such as textbooks and cost of living as you begin your search.
School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
University of South Carolina Beaufort | Online RN to BSN | $10,730 per year (Resident) $21,776 per year (Non-Resident) |
Francis Marion University | Online RN to BSN | $11,160 per year (Resident) $21,544 per year (Non-Resident) |
Learn more about Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.
Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Offering a bridge to a fully accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree via online or on-campus studies, accredited RN to BSN admissions criteria sounds like a shoo-in for every applicant, but the reality is that the programs are highly rigorous. Criteria vary from school to school but there are definitely similarities between different universities’ admissions programs. Some of the more common elements include:
- Attach all paperwork to a completed (online or paper) application form
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- Submit an ADN degree in good standing from a college or university that falls within the regional accreditation ‘district’ of South Carolina
- Provide evidence of ‘clear’ background check
- Submit a current record of immunizations
- Provide a copy of RN license
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Clemson University was a pioneer in 1889 and continues to be so today, with its online RN to BSN program track for nurses. Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, nursing students can make use of the school’s on-campus courses, or choose to pursue their degree fully online. Expect to find courses like the following in order to round out the baccalaureate experience.
- Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals
- Healthcare Genetics
- Health Assessment for RNs, and
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
2024 List of RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina
Learn about the best RN to BSN programs in the State of South Carolina by reading our listing below.
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Aiken, SC
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 641-2823
Anderson, SC
Anderson University
Anderson, SC 29621
Charleston, SC
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC 29425
(843) 792-8515
Clemson, SC
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634
(864) 656-7622
Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7210
Conway, SC
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC 29528
Florence, SC
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 661-1362
Greenwood, SC
Lander University
Greenwood, SC 29649
(864) 388-8000
Newberry, SC
Newberry College
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 321-5104
Orangeburg, SC
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC 92115
(800) 922-1276
Spartanburg, SC
University of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 503-5444
Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.