You can become a registered nurse (RN) with both an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN).

Naturally, with stark differences in program completion times and costs, up-and-coming nurses often wonder whether or not it’s worth it to tackle the more extended (and potentially more expensive) BSN program.

We’re going to help you determine which degree program is right for you. In this post, we’re going to discuss the key differences between an ADN and BSN, including comparing program time and cost, potential job responsibilities, salaries, and growth opportunities tied to the two degree types.

Differences in degree programs

There are critical differences between ADN and BSN programs in terms of timing, cost, and types of training and education involved. Let’s look at how they compare.

Time to degree completion

If you’re starting your educational path with no prior college experience and no current associate degree, it will take less time to complete an ADN program compared to a BSN program.

Most ADN programs can be completed within two years if you’re attending school full-time, though some accelerated programs can be completed in 18 months. They typically involve around 70 credit hours, though this depends on the exact program you choose.

BSN programs, meanwhile, take four years on average to complete if you’re starting from scratch. If you already have an ADN degree, however, it will take about two years to complete an ADN to BSN bridge program.

Cost of degree program  

The costs of individual programs can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including:

• Whether you choose an in-state or out-of-state school.
• If your program is through a small community college or a large university.
• Your location and general cost of living.
• Available scholarships or employee education assistance programs.

That said, benchmark costs can be helpful.

NurseJournal reports that the average cost of an ADN degree may range from $23,000-$66,320, with an average yearly cost of $12,300. These estimates include tuition, housing, books, and other fees.

They also found that the total cost of four-year BSN programs range from $89,556-$211,392, with a yearly cost of $30,884. Again, these estimates include tuition, housing, books, and other fees. Accelerated programs that require fewer credit hours are likely to have lower tuition costs than standard four-year programs.

Training   

Both ADN and BSN programs will have clinical components, allowing nurses-in-training to develop crucial skills with hands-on learning.

ADN degrees focus heavily on these technical skills, which include taking vital signs, administering medications, and drawing blood. It’s for this reason that ADN RNs are sometimes referred to as “technical nurses.”

BSN degrees will provide training on these same technical skills but will also include coursework that goes over in-depth health theories, public health concepts, research practices, and potentially leadership training. As a result, BSN students have a more well-rounded education.

It’s worth noting that while both degree programs prepare you for the NCLEX-RN test that’s needed to become a licensed registered nurse, BSN programs have a higher pass rate on their first attempt than ADN students.

Differences in career advancement, job tasks, and salary

While it will likely take less time and cost less to become an RN through an ADN degree, BSN degrees can offer significant benefits in terms of job flexibility, salaries, and growth opportunities.

Employer preferences

Many healthcare organizations prefer hiring RNs with BSN degrees, and some may even require a BSN to be considered for their RN positions.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2023 report found that 25% of hospitals and healthcare organizations required new hires to have a BSN, and 69.8% of employers had a strong preference for BSN graduates when making their hiring decisions.

As a result, obtaining a BSN will help you stand out amongst other applicants and may help you snag your top choice of employer.

Growth opportunities

Not only are you potentially more likely to be hired for more diverse roles as a BSN, you also have more career opportunities and job flexibility down the line. Many hospitals may require that nurse managers and other leaders have their BSN, even if they hire RNs with ADNs.

If you choose to pursue additional education down the line to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), having a BSN will offer a shorter path compared to an ADN degree.

That said, keep in mind that there’s currently a healthcare shortage in the United States, which is only projected to grow. Licensed RNs with their licensed ADNs are unlikely to struggle to find employment during the current shortage, even if there aren’t as many career advancement opportunities down the line.

Salary

ADNs and BSNs may both be RNs, but nurses with their BSNs typically make more than those with their ADN degrees.

According to Payscale, nurses with ADN degrees make an average of $79,000 per year, while nurses with their BSN make an average of $96,000 per year.

Keep in mind that additional career advancement opportunities— such as becoming a nurse manager, which is possible with a BSN degree— can increase the pay discrepancy further.

Is the BSN worth it?

Ultimately, yes, a BSN degree is “worth it” if you’re considering overall ROI, even if it takes a few years to “earn” the increased tuition cost back.

There’s a $17,000-a-year average salary increase for BSN nurses compared to ADN nurses, which adds up to $680,000 over a 40-year time frame. This is without accounting for annual raises, additional promotions that can result in more earnings, and cost of living adjustments.

An ADN degree only costs $23,000 at the low end, and a BSN degree may cost around $90,000. That’s a $67,000 difference. Compared to a $680,000 increase over a 40-year period, the ROI is clear.

And, if you’re able to get scholarships or receive employee education assistance through an employer, your costs will likely be significantly less. Employers are now increasingly offering education assistance as a key benefit, for example, paying a certain amount of tuition costs each year for eligible full-time employees.

Is the BSN right for me?

From a pure ROI perspective, a BSN can certainly be “worth it.”

Reality, however, can be more complex, and a BSN may not be the right choice for everyone.

Some workers need to enter the workforce as quickly as possible and may have limited time due to other family and life obligations. Others may not want to pursue four years of schooling due to the costs or time constraints— and that’s okay!

Many workers benefit most from obtaining their ADN so they can start working as quickly as possible. If that’s your goal, an ADN degree may be the best choice for you. You can always pursue a BSN degree later if you choose, especially if you begin working for a healthcare organization that offers education assistance programs that would cover the costs and provide support for you to return to school.

Any nursing degree will open doors to new opportunities, so you just have to choose which degree is best for you right now.

ADN vs. BSN: How to choose which is right for you

Both ADN and BSN degrees can open the door for meaningful, enriching careers in the healthcare sector. Whether you choose to pursue an ADN or a BSN from the outset, you can always continue your education down the line.

When making your choice now, however, it’s important to consider your career goals. EdAssist’s coaching services can help you assess different healthcare career pathways, determining which degree will help you reach your specific goals most efficiently. Our coaches can also help you determine which degree programs could benefit you most, and how to pay for your continued education.

Ready to get started? Learn more about EdAssist’s coaching services here.