The 4 Most Affordable 2024 ADN/ASN Programs in the US
The demand for skilled nurses grows in healthcare, making nursing education an attractive pathway for many. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) programs offer an accessible entry point into nursing. However, the cost of education can be a significant concern for aspiring nurses. Fortunately, several affordable options are available, and in 2024, the following schools will stand out for their cost-effective ADN/ASN programs.
1. Cayuga Community College
Total In-State Tuition: $10,272
Total Out of State Tuition: $20,544
Cayuga Community College is a cost-effective option for pursuing an ADN/ASN program. The nursing curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and clinical proficiency. CCC’s program site states its learning outcomes as:
- Practice professional standards of registered professional nursing incorporating personal responsibility and accountability for continued self-development.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, families, groups, and members of the healthcare team.
- Implement safe clinical judgments through the use of the nursing process and evidence-based practice.
- Implement caring behaviors that incorporate patient-centered care, patient and family advocacy, and respect for individual diversity.
- Collaborate within interdisciplinary healthcare teams to improve patient health and organizational outcomes.
- Manage care for a group of patients and their families across the lifespan using basic leadership skills and quality improvement processes.
- Use patient care technologies, information systems, and communication devices that support safe, quality, and cost-efficient care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Cayuga’s commitment to affordability aligns with its mission to empower students to enter the nursing workforce and equip them with the tools they need to succeed. As the demand for skilled nurses intensifies, Cayuga’s program provides an affordable gateway to a fulfilling nursing career.
2. Georgia Southwestern University
Total In-State Tuition: $12,064
Total Out of State Tuition: $38,868
Georgia Southwestern University’s ASN program embodies a harmonious blend of academic rigor and affordability. With a curriculum encompassing diverse nursing concepts and hands-on practice, graduates are well-prepared to meet the dynamic challenges of healthcare. In this two-year program, GSW prepares their students with all of the necessary training they need to take the NCLEX exam and get their foot into the door of an exciting nursing career. Their program also focuses on serving diverse populations and settings to provide a full scope of education. Regardless of where graduates will end up, they can rely on the experience gained at GSW.
3. Southwestern Florida State College
Total Online Tuition: $13,907
Southwestern Florida University is the perfect program for students looking for a flexible, affordable, and comprehensive AS program, offering both weekend and evening options for those with busy schedules and commitments that go beyond education. Here are a few highlighted learning outcomes listed on their site:
- Interprofessional collaboration: Build effective nursing and interprofessional collaborative relationships through open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality care outcomes.
- Information Literacy and healthcare technology: Demonstrate effective use of information and healthcare technology to deliver high-quality nursing care.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Provide compassionate, respectful nursing care that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion to meet the needs of healthcare recipients.
- Professional identity: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professional nurse while upholding the legal, ethical, and regulatory standards of nursing practice.
- Contemporary evidence-based practice: Integrate contemporary evidence-based practice to provide safe quality nursing care.
Apart from being a comprehensive and accessible program, FSW’s AS program has a great track record for both graduation rates and licensure rates.
4. Dalton State College
Total In-State Tuition Cost: $15,696
Dalton State College understands the significance of accessible nursing education, and its ASN program exemplifies this commitment. With a focus on hands-on experience and evidence-based practice, students are prepared to excel in various healthcare settings whether the goal is to work in hospitals, private practice, or clinics. The curriculum, though basic, prepares students with all of the necessary training they’ll need to enter confidentially into the workforce, while the college’s dedication to affordability ensures that a nursing education remains within reach for individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
