12 Month ABSN Programs - Accelerated Nursing (fastest)

A 12-month ABSN is one of the fastest ways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or meet a program’s prior college-credit requirements. These accelerated programs compress the nursing curriculum and clinical training into about one year of full-time study.

The table below compares 12-month ABSN programs by location, estimated tuition, minimum GPA, and application deadlines. Costs vary widely, so compare program requirements as well as tuition before choosing a school.

Last reviewed: August 2026. Program length, tuition, admission requirements, and application deadlines can change. Confirm current information with each nursing school before applying.

School	State	City	Length	Tuition	GPA	Application Deadlines
University of Alabama in Huntsville	AL	Huntsville	12 Months	$19,816	3.0	Aug 1
University of South Alabama	AL	Mobile	12 Months	$26,970	3.0	Jul 15, Mar 15
UAMS College of Nursing	AR	Little Rock / Fayetteville	12 Months	$370/credit (NWA resident)	2.5	Jan 15 priority; Mar 1
Northern Arizona University	AZ	Phoenix	12 Months	$12,000/academic year	3.0	Jul 8, Nov 18, Mar 24
Arizona State University	AZ	Phoenix	12 Months	$6,089/semester (AZ)	3.0	Sep 1 (Phoenix), Feb 1 (West Valley)
Creighton University	AZ, NE	Phoenix; Omaha	12 Months	$55,425	3.0	May 1, Oct 1
Mount Saint Mary’s University	CA	Los Angeles	12 Months	$90,429	3.0	Nov 1; Mar 1
CU Anschutz	CO	Lone Tree	12 Months	$33,198	3.0	Jan 15, Jun 15
Regis University	CO	Denver	12 Months	$38,336	2.75	Jun 15, Dec 1
Western Colorado University	CO	Gunnison	12 Months	$25,074	2.0	Confirm cohort dates
Southern Connecticut State	CT	New Haven	12 Months	$11,373	3.0	Dec 15, Jul 15
UConn	CT	Storrs, Avery Point, Waterbury	12 Months	$39,015	3.0	Sep 1
ECPI University	FL	Orlando (Lake Mary)	12 Months	$43,650	2.5	Rolling
Jacksonville University	FL	Jacksonville	12 Months	$70,000	2.5	Rolling
University of Miami	FL	Coral Gables	12 Months	$43,260	3.0	October 1, 2026; March 1, 2027
Mercer University	GA	Atlanta	12 Months	$63,935.76	3.0	Mar 15, Jul 15, Nov 1
Georgia Southern University	GA	Savannah	12 Months	$8,505	3.2	Feb 1
Drake University	IA	Des Moines	12 Months	$40,800		Rolling
St. Luke’s College	IA	Sioux City	12 Months	$34,720	2.8	Rolling (spring start)
Mercy College	IA	Des Moines	12 Months	$44,430	3.0	Aug 1, Jan 1, Apr 1
Allen College	IA	Waterloo	12 Months	$39,366	2.8	Rolling
Idaho State	ID	Pocatello	12 Months	$9,777.36	3.0	Feb 15
University of Saint Mary	KS	Leavenworth	12 Months	$45,000	3.0	June 1
MidAmerica Nazarene University	KS	Olathe	12 Months	$36,225	3.0	Rolling
Bellarmine University	KY	Louisville	12 Months	$52,490	3.0	Rolling
UMass Boston	MA	Boston	12 Months	$39,150	3.0	Feb 1 / May 1 / Sep 1
MGH Institute	MA	Boston	12 Months	$87,200	3.0 (preferred)	Jan 15 / Mar 3
University of New England	ME	Portland	12 Months	$68,940	3.0	April 1
College of St. Scholastica	MN	Duluth	12 Months	$46,000	3.0	Jul 5, Oct 25, Mar 7
St Louis University	MO	St. Louis	12 Months	$84,340	3.2
William Jewell	MO	Liberty	12 Months	$40,500	2.8	Mar 1, Nov 1
Research College of Nursing	MO	Kansas City	12 Months	$40,500	3.0	Nov 1
UMSL	MO	St Louis	12 Months	$33,000	3.0	not provided
Barnes Jewish College	MO	St Louis	12 Months	$46,000	3.0	Apr 21
Missouri Baptist University	MO	St Louis	12 Months	$36,480	3.2	Feb 1
University of Mississippi	MS	Jackson, Oxford	12 Months	$19,845	3.0	Mar 1, Sep 1
University of Southern Mississippi	MS	Hattiesburg	12 Months	$15,591	2.5	Feb 1, Sep 1
University of Providence	MT	Great Falls	12 Months	$60,804	2.75	Rolling
East Carolina University	NC	Greenville	12 Months	$7,438	3.0	Jun 15
NC A&T	NC	Greensboro	12 Months	$6,813	3.0	Oct 1
Queens University Charlotte	NC	Charlotte	12 Months	$75,255	3.0	Nov 21
University of Nebraska Medical Center	NE	Omaha	12 Months	$27,590	3.0	July 1
Nebraska Methodist College	NE	Omaha	12 Months	$41,000	2.75	Jul 10
Bryan College	NE	Lincoln	12 Months	$41,832	3.0	Aug 1
New Jersey City University	NJ	Jersey City	12 Months	$44,121	3.0	Feb 15
Stony Brook	NY	Stony Brook	12 months	$7,070	2.8	Oct 8
University of Rochester	NY	Rochester	12 Months	$89,349	2.8	July 1, Sept 15, Nov 1
University at Buffalo	NY	Buffalo	12 Months	$24,000	2.0	Oct 1, Nov 1
Niagra University	NY	Niagra Falls	12 Months	$52,725	2.5	Rolling
Oklahoma City University	OK	Oklahoma City	12 Months	$32,000
Linfield University	OR	McMinnville	12 Months	$73,332	3.0	Feb 1
Bushnell University	OR	Eugene	12 Months	$57,510	2.75	Apr 1, Sept 1
Thomas Jefferson University	PA	Philadelphia	12 Months	$62,269	3.0	Feb 15
University of Pittsburgh	PA	Pittsburgh	12 Months	$39,594	3.0	Apr 1, Aug 1
Kings College	PA	Wilkes Barre	12 Months	$46,250	3.0	Mar 1
Duquesne University	PA	Pittsburgh	12 Months	$69,730	3.0	Jun 1
South Dakota State	SD	Rapid City, Sioux Falls	12 Months	$27,962	2.7	Rapid City: Oct 25; Sioux Falls: May 25
University of Tennessee Knoxville	TN	Knoxville	12 Months	$32,295	3.52	Jan 15
University of Tennessee Chattanooga	TN	Chattanooga	12 months	$16,143	2.75	Mar 15, Sep 15, Jan 15
UTHSC	TN	Memphis	12 Months	$13,535	3.0	Mar 1, Sept 1
Lincoln Memorial University	TN	Cedar Bluff, Knoxville TN	12 Months	$56,490	2.75	Rolling
Texas Tech University	TX	Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Lubbock, Odessa, San Antonio.	12 Months	$23,045	2.5	July 15
Baylor University	TX	Waco, Dallas	12 Months	$63,620	3.0	not provided
University of St. Thomas Houston	TX	Houston	12 Months	$67,000	3.0	Rolling
University of Houston	TX	Houston	12 Months	$35,001		Aug 31
George Mason University	VA	Fairfax	12 Months	$24,000	2.85	Jan 15
Shenandoah University	VA	Winchester	12 Months	$75,880	3.0	Feb 15, Oct 1
University of Washington	WA	Seattle	12 Months	$53,720	2.8	Oct 15
University of Wisconsin–Madison	WI	Madison	12 Months	$45,000	2.75	Sept 15
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh	WI	Oshkosh	12 Months	$50,338	3.0	Rolling until filled
Edgewood College	WI	Madison	12 Months	$45,000	2.75	Feb 1, Jun 1
University of Wisconsin-Platteville	WI	Platteville	12 Months	$49,000	3.25	Rolling

How Do 12-Month ABSN Programs Work?

A 12-month ABSN covers the nursing education required for a prelicensure bachelor’s degree on an accelerated schedule. Students typically complete nursing courses, skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations throughout the year.

The short timeline does not usually include the time needed to complete missing prerequisite courses. Applicants may need courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, or nutrition before starting the nursing sequence.

Because the curriculum is compressed, 12-month ABSN programs are generally designed for full-time study. Students should expect a demanding schedule that can include classes, labs, clinical shifts, studying, and assignments during the same week.

How Much Does a 12-Month ABSN Cost?

Tuition varies significantly. The programs in our comparison range from less than $10,000 in estimated tuition at some public universities to more than $80,000 at some private institutions.

The lowest advertised tuition may also depend on residency. Compare in-state and out-of-state rates and check for mandatory fees, books, nursing supplies, uniforms, testing costs, transportation, and other expenses.

If cost is your main concern, see our Cheapest ABSN Programs comparison for programs with some of the lowest estimated tuition in our database.

Is a One-Year ABSN Right for You?

The fastest program is not necessarily the best program for every student. A 12-month ABSN may be a good fit if you have completed the required prerequisites, can commit to full-time nursing education, and want to enter the nursing workforce as quickly as possible.

Before applying, compare:

Prerequisite requirements
Minimum and competitive GPA expectations
Estimated tuition and fees
Clinical and campus locations
Program start dates
Application deadlines
Entrance exam requirements
Nursing program approval and accreditation
Eligibility for RN licensure after graduation

A program that takes 15 or 16 months may be a better choice if it offers a lower cost, more convenient location, or schedule that fits your circumstances.