How to Pay for Nursing School
You know you want to go to nursing school, there’s just one question plaguing your mind: how to pay for nursing school?
That’s a reasonable and popular question. Before you commit to the hard, dedicated years of studying and sacrificing your social life, you’ll want to know what financial situation you are getting yourself into.
There are plenty of ways to pay for nursing school, but don’t worry — we will break it down for you.
How Much Does Nursing School Cost?
Just like any other degree, there is a great deal of variability in the cost of nursing school. The cost will depend on the route you go, the degree you pursue, if you attend part-time or full-time, and other expenses accrued along the way.
School Type
When thinking about the route to take, consider:
- Community college
- Private university
- Public university
As you may imagine, attending a community college will be a great deal cheaper. The average cost of attending community college is $3,400 per year.
If you choose to attend a university, total tuition for four years at a public university will cost you around $21,000 compared to around $46,000 at a private university. University tuition also varies depending on whether you attend in-state or out-of-state, with in-state being less expensive.
Online vs. In Person
Regardless of the school type you choose, you can also attend classes online or in person. Generally, online classes will cost less. You may have to attend in-person classes for labs and clinical rotations, depending on your degree.
Degree Type
Your degree choice will also affect your nursing school cost. Advanced degrees cost more, as they require more time. A master’s-level degree (MSN) will take an average of six years to complete, whereas a bachelor’s degree (BSN) may be completed in four years and an associate degree in nursing (ADN) may be completed in two years.
From least to most expensive, your options are:
- Associate Degree in Nursing: $6,000 – $20,000
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: $40,000 – $200,000
- Master of Science in Nursing: $35,000 – $70,000
Keep in mind that the cost of a MSN degree may be on top of the cost of a BSN or ADN, depending on the program you select.
Accelerated Programs
You also have the option of attending accelerated programs, such as RN-BSN. RN-BSNs can be earned in as little as one year. This is a great option if you started your nursing education with an ADN, or if you have a bachelor’s degree in something other than nursing.
Note that RN-BSN programs can cost $18,000 – $40,000 for the entire program, depending on whether they are offered online, in-state or out-of-state, and if you attend part-time or full-time.
Part Time vs. Full Time
When thinking about how to pay for nursing school, consider if you will attend on a part-time or full-time basis. Many schools charge tuition based on the credit hour. Depending on whether you attend part time or full time, your credit hour cost may be different.
Do keep in mind that many scholarships or grants, as well as some nursing programs, require a full-time commitment.
Other Expenses
Along with tuition, you may also need to pay for:
- Room and board
- Books
- Uniform
- Equipment (such as a stethoscope)
- Transportation
- Loss of income from job (it would be difficult to work full time during any of these programs)
What Options Do I Have to Pay for Nursing School?
College is expensive and the idea of paying tuition can be headache-inducing. Believe it or not, you have many different options. And no, they aren’t just different kinds of loans.
Scholarships
If you’re not sure how to pay for nursing school, a scholarship is a great starting point. A scholarship is financial support that is awarded based on merit or need. Once this money is awarded, you are not obligated to pay it back.
Many nursing school applications allow you to apply for a scholarship, all in the same application. Others have a separate application process for this. You can also find scholarships online, through private and nonprofit organizations, or locally.
Grants
Grants are similar to scholarships in that it’s money freely given, without the need to be repaid. However, grants are a need-based type of financial assistance — they are awarded based on your income level and financial need. Grants for nursing school can be used to pay for tuition, books, transportation, equipment and uniforms, and child care.
Grant types include:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Private or nonprofit organization grants
- Other types through school
Financial Aid
You can apply for federal student aid to help cover the cost of tuition, housing, supplies, and transportation by completing a FAFSA application. This is completely free money awarded to you based on need.
Tuition Reimbursement
If you are considering a RN-BSN or RN-MSN program and wondering how to pay for nursing school, this could be a great option for you. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit of the job. Basically, you work for them and they agree to pay a portion of your tuition.
Be sure to consider:
- You may have to work for a certain number of years when receiving this benefit.
- You may have to agree to continue working for them for a set amount of time after your final semester.
- If you leave the job in a certain timeframe, you may have to repay them for the money they contributed to your degree.
Student Loans
A loan is different from a grant in that it must be repaid. Depending on the loan type, the timing of this repayment may vary. All loans will have an interest rate, meaning that you will end up paying back more than the amount of money you borrowed.
Private Loans
You can apply for a private loan through a bank, credit union, or even some schools. These have variable interest rates and may not have as many options for repayment like federal loans.
Federal Loans
A major advantage of federal loans is that you don’t have to pay them back while you’re in school. They have lower interest rates compared to private loans. No credit history is needed to obtain a federal student loan. This could be a great option for you if your credit score is preventing you from starting or continuing your nursing education.
Nursing Loan Forgiveness
If you’re trying to avoid debt at all costs, and you’re still wondering how to pay for nursing school, a nursing loan forgiveness program might be for you. As the title implies, these are programs that will “forgive,” or pay, a portion of your student loan.
Check out the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program or the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Military Service
This may be one of the most underrated ways to pay for nursing school. You can enroll in the military, and in return for your service, you can get your nursing education fully paid for.
If this option appeals to you, consider joining the Army or National Guard. You will be eligible for the Army Health Care Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP) that could pay for your entire BSN.
Should I Start With My ADN?
Knowing how to get nursing school paid for is one thing. Knowing where to begin is another. You don’t have to jump straight into a BSN program. In fact, starting with an associate degree may save you thousands of dollars.
Even though employers typically want a nurse with a BSN background, you can begin your nursing career with an ADN and work towards your BSN.
Want an Added Bonus?
Now that you’ve learned how to pay for nursing school, start working as a RN for a facility that offers tuition reimbursement, or find a job that offers the flexibility to attend classes. IntelyCare puts you in control of your schedule. Learn about your options and apply today.