ABSN vs. BSN: Which One Should You Choose?
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Mar 4, 2024
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers nursing professionals many career advantages. There are, however, two pathways to earning this degree: through an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and a traditional BSN program. Depending on your educational and professional background, you may choose to pursue an ABSN or traditional BSN degree to advance your career in nursing. Consider the comparison between ABSN vs BSN degrees to find the right degree for your goals.
How Are ABSN and BSN Degree Programs Similar?
While these two programs differ in terms of timeline to completion, they are both BSN programs that teach the same content and offer you the same outcomes. Below are the similarities in both ABSN and BSN programs from accredited universities.
The Degree
Both ABSN and BSN programs offer the same high-quality instruction and clinical training — the ABSN is simply on an accelerated timeline.
Upon completing either program, you earn a BSN degree. This degree is popular for professionals who are already registered nurses (RNs) or for students preparing to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as RNs.
The University Options
Many universities offer both ABSN and traditional BSN programs. You can apply to your chosen university and generally find both programs offering similar faculty and student support.
The Potential for Career Advancement
While prospective nurses can obtain an RN license without a BSN degree, taking the next step and earning a bachelor’s degree is a crucial step for career advancement. According to the most recent new graduate employment data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 25% of hospitals and health care facilities required nurses to possess a bachelor’s degree or higher, while nearly 70% of employers expressed a strong preference to hire BSN graduates over those with less clinical education.
Salary Expectations
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for RNs in 2024 was approximately $93,600. Nurses in the upper tenth percentile earned more than $135,000. Holding a BSN can increase salary potential. According to the compensation website Payscale, those with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) earned a median base salary of $80,000 per year as of 2025. Those with a BSN degree, on the other hand, earned a median salary of $99,000 per year as of 2025.
Of course, it’s important to remember that education, experience, region, facility, and other factors can all influence salaries.
How Are ABSN vs. BSN Programs Different?
Though you are awarded the same degree upon completion, ABSN and traditional BSN programs differ in terms of length and application requirements.
Program Length
The exact length of a nursing program depends on the number of credits you take per semester and the university. For most BSN students, earning a degree takes about four years and covers general education requirements along with nursing courses. ABSN programs are designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field and have already taken the required gen ed courses.
These students can complete an accelerated program in as few as 18 months, helping them enter the workforce or seek a raise with their newly earned qualifications.
Application Requirements
Another key difference between the programs is their application requirements. The reason an ABSN can offer an accelerated program with approximately 60 credit hours of courses is that it requires applicants to have already earned a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree holders have minimal general education requirements to complete as compared to students without a conferred bachelor’s degree.
A BSN program, on the other hand, accepts applications from students who hold a high school diploma or an associate degree.
ABSN vs. BSN: Which One Is Better?
When deciding whether an ABSN or a BSN fits your nursing career path, it’s important to consider the strengths and limitations of each.
Benefits of an ABSN Degree
If you already have a general bachelor’s degree, an ABSN program is a streamlined way to earn a BSN degree quickly. You can make an effective career change to nursing with an ABSN program in a timely fashion.
An ABSN offers the following benefits:
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Accelerated timeline. If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can complete an ABSN program in under two years.
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Reduced credit hours. You can generally complete an ABSN with 60 credits, rather than 120 credits for a BSN.
Benefits of a BSN Degree
If you haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree program or wish to pursue your degree part time, you may be a good candidate for a traditional BSN program. This is a competitive option if you are already working and want to start or advance your career as a nurse.
Below are the benefits for prospective students choosing this degree program.
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Earn a bachelor’s degree. If you haven’t already earned a bachelor’s degree, you may not qualify for an ABSN program, so a BSN program can offer the most direct route to earning a degree.
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Work while studying. Because a BSN program doesn’t use an accelerated approach, you can likely continue to hold a part-time job while studying. BSN programs also offer part-time schedules, giving you additional time to work while you study.
How a BSN Benefits Nurses
Whichever path you choose, a bachelor’s degree in nursing holds many benefits, especially for those who possess an ADN or nursing diploma.
Broader clinical preparation: Coursework in public health, leadership, and community nursing builds skills beyond those taught in associate programs.
- Stronger critical thinking: Research, evidence‑based practice, and complex care planning improve clinical judgment.
- Greater career mobility: A BSN opens doors to leadership, education, case management, and specialty roles.
- Better competitiveness for advanced study: Graduate programs and nurse specialties often prefer or require a BSN.
- Enhanced professional credibility: The degree signals a commitment to the profession and lifelong learning.
- Expanded employment options: Public health, research, and global health roles typically favor BSN graduates.
Explore Your Degree Options at The University of Tulsa
Whether you’re considering a bachelor’s degree for the first time or are looking for opportunities to launch a career as a nurse, The University of Tulsa has an online program for you. Explore your route to the nursing field through an ABSN program today.
TU can help you meet your goals. Take the next step in your nursing career today.
Recommended Readings:
Everything You Need to Know About the Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Why Dr. Tamara Hryshchuk Chose Nursing, and How She Inspires Her Students
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Standards, Procedures & Guidelines
American Nurses Association, “The Levels of Nursing Practice”
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Board of Nursing Licensure Requirements
Payscale, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Degree
