Rhode Island has two accelerated nursing programs — one public, one private — separated by roughly $32,000 in total cost and four months in program length.
- Rhode Island College offers the most affordable second degree nursing pathway in the state at approximately $29,000 in-state, with an unusual option to petition for concurrent coursework that can shrink the timeline.
- Johnson & Wales delivers a cohort-based 16-month program at two campuses — Providence and Charlotte, NC — with a 100% inaugural NCLEX pass rate and rolling admissions.
The choice between them is largely a cost-versus-speed question, with a few structural differences that matter for some applicants.
Rhode Island ABSN Programs at a Glance
| School | Location | Est. Cost (In-State) | Duration | Min. GPA | NCLEX Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Providence | $30K | 20 months | 3.0 (2.67 cognate GPA) | Not published | |
Providence | $62K | 16 months | 3.0 (B min. per prereq) | 100% (inaugural cohort) |
Best Rhode Island ABSN Program by Goal
- Two-campus access (RI or NC): Johnson & Wales University — the same CCNE-accredited program is offered at both Providence, RI and Charlotte, NC, with full approval from both state nursing boards.
- Lowest cost: Rhode Island College — ~$29,273 in-state across five semesters, the only public accelerated nursing pathway in Rhode Island.
- Fastest finish: Johnson & Wales University — 16 months across four semesters versus Rhode Island College’s 20-month, five-semester sequence.
- Most scheduling flexibility: Johnson & Wales University — rolling admissions with multiple start dates (Providence has Summer and Fall starts; Charlotte has a Fall start).
- Best published NCLEX outcomes: Johnson & Wales University — 100% first-time pass rate for the inaugural ABSN cohort (note: based on one cohort; ongoing rates not yet published).
- Option to accelerate timeline: Rhode Island College — students may petition to take five foundational nursing courses concurrently in one semester, potentially compressing the program, subject to space availability.
Program Summaries
Johnson & Wales University ABSN Program
Providence | $61,000 | 16 Months
Johnson & Wales University offers a 16-month accelerated second-degree BSN at its Providence campus, built for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Its inaugural cohort posted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate, taught through a small, tight-knit cohort model with interprofessional, simulation-rich education.
Why Johnson & Wales University Stands Out
- Inaugural Providence cohort achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- Small cohort model — students progress together through all four sequential semesters.
- Two start dates a year in Providence (summer and fall) with rolling review.
- Interprofessional, simulation-rich education with a dedicated campus simulation center.
- CCNE-accredited and approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing (NECHE institution).
Rhode Island College ABSN Program
Providence | $30,000 | 20 Months
Rhode Island College offers a second-degree BSN in Providence, completed over five semesters (about 20 months) at a public college. It pairs notably affordable in-state tuition with the option to petition for an accelerated pace and an accessible admission standard.
Why Rhode Island College Stands Out
- Affordable public value — about $29,273 in-state tuition for the full second-degree BSN.
- Flexible pacing: candidates may petition to take five foundational nursing courses concurrently to accelerate progress.
- Accessible admission (3.0 cumulative / 2.67 cognate GPA), with up to three application attempts allowed.
- Writing- and research-integrated curriculum across the program, starting with NURS 225.
- CCNE-accredited and approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing (NECHE institution).
Which Program Should You Choose?
TL;DR: Quick-Match Guide
Choose Johnson & Wales University if finishing in 16 months with a cohort model matters more than cost.
JWU’s rolling admissions, two-campus option, interprofessional simulation-rich curriculum, and 100% inaugural NCLEX pass rate make it the stronger choice for applicants who can absorb the $61,000 price tag and want a defined group to progress through the program with. Articulation partners — including Providence College, Roger Williams, and Bridgewater State — can ease the path to admission for students coming from those institutions.
Choose Rhode Island College if in-state affordability and the option to accelerate through concurrent coursework are the priorities.
At roughly $29,273 in-state across five semesters, RIC is the only public accelerated nursing option in Rhode Island. The unusual petition process that lets students take five foundational courses simultaneously is a structural flexibility not available at JWU, and the program can be applied to up to three times if a first application is unsuccessful — a second-chance policy that lowers the stakes of an initial rejection.
Program Length and Format
JWU’s 16-month program runs four sequential semesters as a full cohort, with courses delivered in a mix of in-person and asynchronous online formats.
The cohort structure means every student in the group progresses through the same courses at the same time — building peer relationships and consistent faculty oversight, but also removing flexibility to pause or adjust pace. Clinical rotations span pediatrics, obstetrics, acute care, mental health, and community health under preceptor supervision at partner healthcare facilities.
Rhode Island College’s five-semester sequence covers approximately 20 months under standard enrollment, but the concurrent-enrollment petition option can compress this for qualified students.
Clinical assignments are coordinated by the School of Nursing and vary by semester; students are responsible for their own transportation. The curriculum integrates writing and research throughout, beginning in the foundational NURS 225 course — a scholarly emphasis that distinguishes RIC’s pedagogical approach from a more skills-focused model.
Most Affordable Program
Rhode Island College — ~$29,273 in-state: At approximately $5,854.50 per semester across five semesters, RIC’s public tuition is the only accelerated nursing option in Rhode Island under $30,000 for state residents.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Both programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and a human development or developmental psychology course.
JWU additionally requires Human Nutrition and Statistics, and sets a minimum grade of B (80%) in each prerequisite — the strictest per-course grade floor of the two programs. Science prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years at JWU; RIC does not publish a specific recency window.
Neither program requires a TEAS or HESI entrance exam.
RIC calculates a separate “cognate GPA” of at least 2.67 from prerequisite coursework alongside the 3.0 cumulative GPA minimum, creating a two-GPA admission structure.
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
| School | Start Date(s) | Application Window | Admissions Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
Summer (May) and Fall (August) | Rolling | Rolling admissions; multiple annual starts | |
Contact program | Contact program; competitive review | One annual cycle; up to 3 applications permitted |
JWU’s rolling admissions with multiple annual starts give it meaningful scheduling flexibility for Rhode Island’s two-program market. Providence applicants can target either a May or August start; Charlotte is August-only. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier submission typically leads to earlier decisions.
Rhode Island College uses competitive review on a single annual cycle; specific deadlines should be confirmed directly with the School of Nursing. Students who don’t receive an offer on the first attempt may reapply — up to three total applications are permitted, which reduces the pressure of a single-shot admissions process.
Clinical Training Structure
Neither program publishes a specific total clinical hour count in available materials. Both integrate clinical practice throughout the curriculum alongside simulation-based training.
JWU pairs every clinical specialty course with a dedicated practicum companion — each of Adult Care I, Mental Health Nursing, Care of Children, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Community/Public Health Nursing, and Adult Care II carries its own paired practicum credit. This pairing structure is visible in the curriculum and ensures clinical application runs concurrent with theory in every major specialty area rather than concentrated at the end.
Both JWU campuses include simulation centers that replicate real care scenarios across the lifespan, with ATI-style preparation resources supporting NCLEX readiness throughout. JWU’s emphasis on interprofessional education is integrated into clinical preparation, not limited to a single course.
Rhode Island College’s clinical assignments are coordinated by the School of Nursing across a range of healthcare settings, varying by semester. The program’s writing- and research-integrated curriculum — beginning in NURS 225 and continuing through the leadership and community health courses — creates a scholarly scaffolding alongside clinical skill development that isn’t present at JWU in the same form.