Associate vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing Degrees: What Is the Difference?

Nursing

Associate vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing Degrees: What Is the Difference?

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 13, 2026

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In 2024, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reported that about 73% of registered nurses (RNs) had a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher. However, becoming an RN only requires an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). So, why do so many employers prefer a BSN?

This guide will explore associate vs bachelor’s in nursing degrees, their similarities, their major differences, and why earning a BSN might be a sound decision for nursing students of all kinds.

What Is an ADN, and What Is a BSN?

An ADN is a two-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for entry-level nursing jobs. In general, associate degrees are a step above high school diplomas but not quite as advanced as bachelor’s degrees.

A BSN is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for entry-level jobs in nursing. However, bachelor’s degrees are regarded as a step above associate degrees, with programs that include more classes and provide a more comprehensive education.

Curriculum

Both programs have similar curricula. Both types of programs prepare students to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and become registered nurses. However, there are some important differences between the types of classes offered in these programs.

ADN and BSN programs both typically include classes on:

Patient rights and safety
State and federal health care laws
Disease prevention and control
Steps in the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, measuring outcomes, etc.).
Basic recordkeeping
Collaborating with various members of a health care team
Different nursing specialties, such as surgical, end-of-life, and pediatric nursing

While ADN programs often focus on these foundational subjects, BSN programs include classes on more advanced topics, as well.

BSN programs often include classes on:

Analyzing health care research and applying it to their duties
Pharmacology
Nursing administration, leadership, and management
Health care informatics
How public health care policy affects patients, providers, and society as a whole

These classes can help nurses develop important leadership, management, and clinical skills beyond the basic RN job requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Earn Each Degree?

ADN programs take two years to complete, and BSN programs take four years. However, this is typically only true for students with no prior nursing experience and no prior college experience. For other types of students, the time it takes to earn a BSN is often shorter.

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject can also earn their BSN in a shorter amount of time through an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program. In an ABSN, students take fundamental and advanced nursing classes but don’t typically have to take general education courses. An ABSN program can often be completed in as few as 21 months.

Career Options

One of the most important factors to consider when assessing associate and bachelor’s in nursing programs is how each type of degree might impact one’s career options. In the short term, both degrees offer similar opportunities. However, as nurses seek more advanced positions, a BSN can open more doors.

Early Career Options

Right after graduation, associate and bachelor’s in nursing students generally have similar career options. They typically become RNs and fill any of several roles in hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and other facilities.

Common entry-level jobs for nurses include:

Oncology nurse. These nurses specialize in providing day-to-day care for people undergoing cancer treatment. According to Payscale, oncology nurses earned a median annual salary of around $85,670 as of March 2026.
Home health nurse. Also referred to as home care nurses, these professionals serve patients who don’t often leave their own homes. Home health nurses earned a median annual salary of around $75,570 as of March 2026, according to Payscale.
Emergency room nurse. Emergency room (ER) nurses do everything from triage to stabilizing incoming patients with serious wounds. Payscale reports that ER nurses earned a median annual salary of around $78,630 as of April 2026.
Obstetrics nurse. While there are many levels of obstetrics (OB) nurses, new professionals often work on maternity wards where they perform prenatal health screenings, support new parents, and assist with deliveries. According to Payscale, obstetrics nurses earned a median annual salary of around $92,000 as of February 2026.

There are opportunities for new RNs in many other specialties as well. But, no matter what their specific duties are, they typically oversee patients’ care while learning about more complex tasks from more experienced nurses on their team.

Midcareer Options May Require a BSN

After gaining experience in entry-level positions, many RNs take on more complex duties, move into more specialized areas such as surgical nursing, or even take on non-bedside roles. While nurses with either an ADN may be eligible for these roles, many employers seek nurses with a BSN to fill them because of their more in-depth education in management, research, and leadership.

Positions for experienced nurses with BSN degrees include:

Case manager. These nurses are often in charge of coordinating and planning patients’ care. Payscale reports that nurse case managers earned a median annual salary of around $83,990 as of May 2026.
Nurse manager. Nurse managers oversee staff in a particular department (emergency care, cardiac care, etc.). According to Payscale, nurse managers earned a median annual salary of around $101,760 as of May 2026.
Health policy nurse. Health policy nurses (HPNs) use their knowledge of patient care to help administrators craft safe, patient-focused policies. According to Payscale, public health nurses, including those who specialize in health policy, earned a median annual salary of around $74,000 as of January 2026.

While hiring and promotion policies differ by employer, nurses with an ADN may need more experience to qualify for these roles. And, no matter what type of degree a nurse has, many seek certification in emergency nursing, pain management, or another area to broaden their career opportunities.

Salaries

Whatever their degree, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that RNs in the United States earned a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. However, because nurses with a BSN have more in-depth training and frequently hold more advanced positions, their salaries are often higher when compared to nurses with an ADN.

For example, Payscale reports that nurses with an ADN earned a median annual salary of about $82,000 as of March 2026, while nurses with a BSN earned a median annual salary of about $100,000 as of March 2026.

By the Numbers: The Advantages of Earning a BSN in Health Care Today

Recent workforce data show a clear shift in how RNs enter the profession. According to the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), more than 45% of nurses entered the nursing workforce with a bachelor’s degree, up from 39% in 2018.

This trend is also reflected across the workforce overall. In 2024, 73% of RNs held a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to NCSBN, indicating continued growth in BSN-prepared nurses.

Do Employers Prefer a BSN? What the Data Shows

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in 2023, 69.8% of employers preferred to hire BSN-prepared nurses, and roughly 25% of employers required a BSN for new hires. These numbers highlight a strong and growing preference across hospitals and health care systems.

Data also suggest that around 70% to 77% of employers strongly prefer BSN graduates, with many organizations either requiring the degree or encouraging nurses to earn it after hire. This is especially true in hospitals pursuing Magnet status, where higher education levels among nurses are linked to improved patient outcomes.

Overall, the data make one thing clear — while a BSN may not always be required, it’s increasingly preferred, and in many cases expected, by today’s health care employers.

Make Earning a BSN a Part of Your Journey

If you’re considering an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, you have many factors to account for. One of those is which option is more accessible. The online ABSN program at The University of Tulsa makes nursing education more accessible than ever before.

Designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields who are interested in beginning nursing careers, TU’s ABSN program provides the flexibility of online learning while allowing students to receive one-on-one support from our experienced faculty. The curriculum covers pharmacology, metrology, and advanced theoretical concepts nurses can use to pivot into more complex roles.

To find out how TU can help you start a career in nursing in as few as 21 months, read more about our admission and transfer policies and request more information today.

Recommended Readings

What Are the 3 P’s in Nursing?

Nurse Advancement Opportunities for RNs

RN vs. BSN: Why Earn Your BSN?

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Setting a New Standard for Nursing Education: 2024 Annual Report”

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet

American Nurses Association, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Health Resources and Services Administration, National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN)

National Center for Education Statistics, Fact Facts: Tuition Costs of Colleges and Universities

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “NCSBN Research Highlights Small Steps Toward Nursing Workforce Recovery; Burnout and Staffing Challenges Persist”