RN programs by state
1,252 RN (registered nurse) programs in 46 states and 1 territory, with costs, results and funding that can make them free
Which schools offer WIOA-approved RN programs?
953 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.
What does an RN do, and how do you become one?
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and teach patients and their families about health conditions. To work as one, you graduate from an approved nursing program (a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing, or a hospital diploma) and pass a licensing exam for your state nursing license.1 The exam is the NCLEX-RN from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which the nursing boards of every state, DC and four US territories use in deciding who gets a license.2
LPN or RN? Compare the two: cost, length, pay and the bridge from one to the other
How much do RN programs cost?
Most RN programs approved for WIOA funding cost $8,000 to $28,240 if you pay yourself. Two-year degrees mostly cost $7,476 to $18,411, bachelor's degrees $20,274 to $71,360 and other RN programs $2,000 to $13,624. Prices also differ by state: most cost $1,842 to $4,900 in California and $9,461 to $52,790 in Indiana.
That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.
Compare RN programs by state: cost, pay and results
| State | Programs | Most cost | Earned a year, estimated | Working 6 months later | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 23 | $10,692 to $13,644 | about $49,800 | Left out | 68% |
| Alaska | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Arizona | 15 | $10,192 to $60,720 | about $57,700 | 88% | 65% |
| Arkansas | 38 | $10,687 to $21,816 | about $56,000 | 71% | 49% |
| California | 31 | $1,842 to $4,900 | Not enough data | 90% | 85% |
| Colorado | 17 | $11,050 to $33,930 | about $83,700 | 67% | 75% |
| Delaware | 5 | $1,195 to $15,350 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 100% |
| Florida | 89 | $8,020 to $43,292 | about $57,600 | 84% | 59% |
| Georgia | 34 | $6,700 to $11,139 | about $51,400 | 78% | 50% |
| Hawaii | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Idaho | 1 | Not enough data | Not reported | Left out | Not enough data |
| Illinois | 72 | Left out | about $60,100 | 82% | Left out |
| Indiana | 23 | $9,461 to $52,790 | about $52,900 | 64% | 64% |
| Iowa | 22 | $15,555 to $49,350 | about $57,000 | 91% | 71% |
| Kansas | 10 | $10,827 to $42,169 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Kentucky | 35 | Not reported | about $27,000 | 66% | 50% |
| Louisiana | 35 | $14,690 to $35,968 | about $61,800 | Left out | Left out |
| Maine | 9 | $12,003 to $34,320 | about $58,000 | 83% | 79% |
| Maryland | 5 | $4,944 to $12,630 | about $62,800 | 83% | 78% |
| Michigan | 35 | $16,140 to $45,236 | about $68,200 | 82% | 77% |
| Minnesota | 63 | $10,825 to $30,796 | about $55,300 | 84% | 77% |
| Mississippi | 40 | $7,449 to $11,670 | about $58,700 | 86% | Left out |
| Missouri | 62 | $12,764 to $29,858 | Not enough data | Not enough data | 85% |
| Montana | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Nebraska | 11 | $7,647 to $74,341 | about $65,600 | 86% | 78% |
| Nevada | 5 | $16,500 to $38,580 | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| New Hampshire | 4 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| New Jersey | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| New Mexico | 16 | $6,064 to $16,726 | about $70,700 | 73% | Left out |
| New York | 12 | $8,205 to $19,590 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| North Carolina | 71 | $5,149 to $6,814 | about $58,500 | 87% | 48% |
| North Dakota | 11 | $12,577 to $55,693 | about $60,400 | 93% | 68% |
| Ohio | 118 | $11,420 to $34,054 | about $57,500 | 88% | 67% |
| Oklahoma | 17 | $5,362 to $17,070 | about $60,200 | Left out | 100% |
| Oregon | 6 | $12,021 to $20,822 | about $44,000 | 100% | 89% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | $15,780 to $40,780 | about $66,400 | Left out | 88% |
| Puerto Rico | 12 | $14,880 to $23,567 | about $14,000 | Left out | Left out |
| South Carolina | 5 | $13,000 to $14,548 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| South Dakota | 5 | $11,065 to $11,726 | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| Tennessee | 36 | $11,067 to $47,792 | about $53,900 | 91% | 79% |
| Texas | 109 | $5,600 to $13,606 | about $64,100 | 86% | 77% |
| Utah | 8 | $17,835 to $35,830 | about $47,600 | Left out | 68% |
| Virginia | 20 | $10,442 to $34,271 | about $65,900 | 83% | 91% |
| Washington | 44 | $6,680 to $16,504 | about $66,900 | 90% | 96% |
| West Virginia | 14 | $13,043 to $37,550 | about $58,800 | Left out | 96% |
| Wisconsin | 20 | $10,435 to $13,198 | about $44,200 | 79% | 49% |
| Wyoming | 12 | $4,750 to $11,852 | Not enough data | Left out | 71% |
Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer RN programs too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made
Nursing school, ADN (associate degree) or BSN (bachelor's degree)? What the 1,252 programs are
By kind, the 1,252 programs approved for WIOA funding are RN associate degree (ADN, 738 programs), RN bachelor's degree (BSN, 228 programs), LPN to RN bridge (associate degree, 170 programs), RN program (level not stated, 45 programs), and 71 more of 3 other kinds.
Across the US, 209 of the 1,252 programs take students without a high school diploma, 608 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 398 ask for earlier courses first, 22 ask for an associate degree and 15 ask for a bachelor's degree.
Other training by state
- CDL training2,423 programs
- CNA classes1,749 programs
- Medical assistant training1,865 programs
- Phlebotomy training1,153 programs
- Welding classes2,307 programs
- HVAC training1,340 programs
- Medical billing and coding training1,297 programs
- LPN programs1,024 programs
- EMT classes1,210 programs
- Electrician training1,004 programs
- Dental assistant programs966 programs
- Auto mechanic classes1,108 programs
- Pharmacy technician training847 programs
- Plumbing school384 programs
- CNC machinist training918 programs
- Carpentry classes361 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training215 programs
- Diesel mechanic training446 programs
- Cybersecurity training1,449 programs
- IT training3,817 programs
- Cosmetology school355 programs
- Barber school233 programs
- Esthetician school264 programs
- Nail tech school191 programs
- EKG technician programs337 programs
- Massage therapy school305 programs
- Paralegal programs449 programs
- Fire academy337 programs
- Police academy338 programs
- Surgical tech programs363 programs
- Radiology tech programs345 programs
- Culinary school606 programs
- Home health aide training186 programs
- PTA programs217 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training907 programs
- Human resources training460 programs
- Medication aide training293 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training1,298 programs
- Early childhood education programs1,008 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school264 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training472 programs
- Hospitality management programs294 programs
- Addiction counselor training233 programs
- Community health worker training58 programs
- Coding and software development courses1,104 programs
- Lineman school282 programs
- Sterile processing technician training180 programs
- Sonography school183 programs
- Data analytics courses644 programs
- Administrative assistant training1,530 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs213 programs
- Medical lab technician programs255 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses579 programs
- Digital marketing courses392 programs
- Web and graphic design courses840 programs
- Health information technology programs385 programs
- Vet tech programs218 programs
- Real estate school123 programs
- Security guard training119 programs
- Patient care technician training278 programs
- OTA programs101 programs
- Crane operator training105 programs
- Interpreter and translator training82 programs
- Home inspector training67 programs
- Forklift certification113 programs
- Personal trainer certification123 programs
- Healthcare administration programs121 programs
- Customer service training168 programs
- Flight school144 programs
- MRI tech school29 programs
- Cardiovascular technology programs26 programs
- RBT certification training52 programs
- Mental health technician training120 programs
- Human services programs269 programs
- Manufacturing technician training668 programs
- Electronics technician training465 programs
- Business administration programs1,613 programs
- Criminal justice programs557 programs
- Teacher assistant certification212 programs
- Auto body repair classes301 programs
- Merchant mariner training142 programs
- Sleep technician training18 programs
- Solar and wind technician training150 programs
- Sheet metal training59 programs
- Water treatment operator training66 programs
- OSHA safety training128 programs
- Dialysis technician training60 programs
- Optician training54 programs
- Masonry training72 programs
- Insurance license courses41 programs
- Construction training programs833 programs
- Dental hygiene programs171 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes1,461 programs
- Project management certification951 programs
Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.
Where the RN program numbers by state come from
Which RN programs are counted?
Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).7 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.
What the figures for each state mean
Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).
Sources for the facts about RN programs
Show the 7 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing: U.S. Members
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List