ADN vs BSN: which nursing path fits you?
By the Steady Ground team ·
Want to be a registered nurse? You have two main school paths. One is an associate degree, called an ADN. The other is a bachelor's degree, called a BSN. So it's ADN vs BSN. Which one is right for you? It depends on your time, your money and the jobs near you. Let's break it down.
The big thing they have in common
Both paths can make you a registered nurse. After either one, you take the same license exam, the NCLEX-RN. And both can lead to a job as a staff nurse.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics gives one median pay for all registered nurses: $97,550 a year. That's about $46.90 an hour. It doesn't split it by degree.
ADN vs BSN: time
- ADN: prerequisite classes, then about 2 years of full-time school.
- BSN: about 4 years.
Prerequisites are the classes you must finish before a nursing program will let you in, like science and math. Most programs want them on your record before you apply.
ADN vs BSN: cost
- ADN: about $8,300 in tuition at an average community college.
- BSN: about $47,800 in tuition at an average in-state public university.
Those numbers are our math from College Board averages for 2025-26. They're before any aid. They don't count books, uniforms or living costs.
Community college prices change a lot by state, too. Tuition alone runs from about $1,440 a year in California to $8,900 in Vermont.
ADN vs BSN: jobs
Here's where the BSN can help. Some hospitals prefer nurses with a bachelor's degree. So ask hospitals near you what they look for.
But you can also start with an ADN and go back for a BSN later. Some employers help pay for it. Ask about tuition help when you're job hunting.
Getting in is the hard part
Nursing programs have limited seats. Some colleges use a lottery or a points system to choose students. In 2025, nursing schools turned away about 93,000 qualified applications for bachelor's and graduate programs. That was mostly because there aren't enough teachers and training sites.
So apply to more than one program. A "no" is common, and it doesn't mean you can't do this.
Check before you enroll
- Approval: Your state board of nursing has to approve the program. If not, you can't take the license exam in that state.
- Accreditation: Look for ACEN or CNEA. For bachelor's programs, look for CCNE too. Some employers require it, and it can affect your federal aid.
Need a paycheck sooner?
You don't have to wait years to work in healthcare. Many people work while they study.
- Nursing assistant (CNA): a state-approved program, then a state exam. Median pay is $41,870.
- Licensed practical nurse (LPN): about 1 year of school. Median pay is $64,400. Many LPNs later bridge to an RN.
One date to know
The NCLEX-RN fee goes from $200 to $350 for registrations completed on or after February 1, 2027. If you're close to graduating, check when you can register.
So, ADN or BSN?
- Pick an ADN if you want to become a nurse sooner and spend less.
- Pick a BSN if you have the time and money, or if hospitals near you prefer it.
- Or do both, one after the other. Start with an ADN, then finish a BSN while you work.
Our registered nurse guide covers every step, from financial aid to the NCLEX. Want a faster healthcare job first? Read about pharmacy technicians. Or take the career quiz.
Quick answers
Can you be an RN with just an associate degree?
Yes. An ADN qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN and work as a staff nurse. Some hospitals prefer a BSN, though.
Do BSN nurses make more than ADN nurses?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics gives one median for all registered nurses, $97,550 a year. It doesn't split pay by degree.
How long does an ADN take?
About 2 years of full-time school, after you finish your prerequisite classes.
Where these facts come from
We checked these sources when we wrote this post. Rules and fees change, so check them before you pay for anything.