Aspen University School of Nursing overview

Aspen University is a for-profit online institution that offers nursing degrees and certificates through distance learning. The school operates as a regionally accredited university and delivers its nursing programs entirely online, meaning you attend classes and complete coursework from home rather than on a physical campus.

The nursing programs at Aspen are designed for working adults and career changers who need flexibility. Unlike traditional nursing schools that require you to be on campus for labs and clinical rotations, Aspen's model uses online instruction combined with clinical experiences arranged through partner healthcare facilities in your area. This structure appeals to students who cannot relocate or attend classes at set times each week.

Before enrolling in any nursing program, you should understand what credentials the school holds, what degrees it offers, what the actual time and cost commitments are, and whether the degree will be recognized by employers and licensing boards in your state. This guide covers those specifics so you can make an informed decision about whether Aspen's program fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Aspen University holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, which means its credits may transfer to other regionally accredited schools and its degrees are recognized by most employers.
  • The school offers an RN-to-BSN program (for nurses who already hold an associate degree), a Master of Science in Nursing, and graduate certificates, but does not offer an initial RN or LPN program for people without nursing credentials.
  • Nursing programs at Aspen require clinical hours completed at healthcare facilities near your home, so you must have access to hospitals or clinics willing to host Aspen students in your geographic area.
  • Tuition and fees vary by program and change annually; you should contact the school directly or review their current catalog for exact costs before committing.
  • Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam (depending on the program) to become licensed, just as graduates of traditional nursing schools do.

Accreditation and what it means for your degree

Aspen University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a recognized accrediting body. This means the university meets standards for institutional quality, financial stability, and educational rigor set by an independent third party. Regional accreditation is the standard that employers, other universities, and licensing boards recognize as legitimate.

The nursing programs themselves also hold programmatic accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which is the accrediting body specific to nursing degrees. This dual accreditation — institutional plus program-specific — tells you that the nursing curriculum has been reviewed and approved by nursing educators and professionals.

What this means in practice: your degree will be recognized by state nursing boards when you sit for licensing exams, employers will accept it as a legitimate nursing credential, and if you later want to pursue a higher degree at another school, most universities will accept your credits. However, you should verify with your specific state's nursing board and with any employer you are considering that they recognize Aspen's credentials, since requirements can vary.

Nursing programs Aspen offers

Aspen does not offer a traditional entry-level RN program. Instead, the school focuses on RN-to-BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degrees for people who already hold an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing and are licensed as RNs. This program is designed to advance your career if you already work as a nurse.

The school also offers a Master of Science in Nursing with specialization options, which requires you to already hold a bachelor's degree in nursing and an active RN license. Graduate certificates in nursing specialties are available as well for nurses seeking focused training in areas like nurse education or nursing leadership.

If you do not yet have nursing credentials and want to become an RN or LPN, Aspen is not the right choice. You would need to complete an entry-level nursing program at a community college, university, or vocational school first. Once you are licensed and working as a nurse, you could then pursue Aspen's RN-to-BSN or master's programs to advance your education and career.

Clinical requirements and how they work

All nursing programs require clinical hours — time spent working directly with patients under supervision in a healthcare setting. Aspen arranges these clinical experiences through partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. However, the clinical sites must be located near where you live, since you cannot complete clinical hours online.

Before enrolling, you should confirm that clinical sites are available in your area. Aspen maintains a list of partner facilities, but availability varies by region. If you live in a rural area or a region with few healthcare facilities, you may face challenges finding a clinical placement. Contact Aspen's admissions office and ask specifically whether clinical sites are available in your zip code or county.

Clinical hours also require you to pass a background check and meet healthcare facility requirements, which typically include vaccinations, a negative tuberculosis test, and sometimes CPR certification. These requirements exist at all nursing schools and are set by the healthcare facilities themselves, not by Aspen, but they are a real cost and time commitment you need to plan for before starting.

Cost and how to pay

Tuition and fees at Aspen vary depending on which program you choose and change from year to year. The RN-to-BSN program costs differently than a master's program, and per-credit costs may differ based on when you enroll. Rather than stating a specific dollar amount that may be outdated, you should contact Aspen's admissions office directly or review their current course catalog for exact tuition.

Beyond tuition, budget for textbooks, clinical fees, background check costs, and any certifications or vaccinations required for clinical placements. These add to the total cost of attendance. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement for nursing education, so if you work in healthcare, check whether your employer has a program that could offset costs.

Federal student loans, private loans, and payment plans may be available to help cover costs. Aspen's financial aid office can explain what options exist for your specific program and situation. Because Aspen is a for-profit institution, some employers and some states have restrictions on tuition reimbursement for for-profit schools, so verify this with your employer before enrolling if you plan to use reimbursement.

Licensing exams and state requirements

Graduating from Aspen's nursing program does not automatically make you a licensed nurse. You must pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) or the NCLEX-PN (for Licensed Practical Nurses), depending on which program you complete. This is true for graduates of any nursing school, whether online or traditional.

Each state's nursing board sets its own rules about which schools' graduates can sit for the NCLEX in that state. Most states recognize Aspen graduates, but some have restrictions on for-profit nursing programs. Before enrolling, contact your state's nursing board directly and ask whether Aspen University graduates are permitted to sit for the licensing exam in your state. This is a critical step — if your state does not recognize the program, your degree will not lead to licensure.

The NCLEX exam is administered by Pearson VUE and costs money to register for. You pay the exam fee separately from tuition. Aspen provides test preparation resources, but passing the exam is your responsibility, and you may need to take it more than once if you do not pass on your first attempt.

How Aspen compares to traditional nursing schools

The main difference between Aspen and a traditional brick-and-mortar nursing school is delivery method. Aspen classes happen online on a schedule you control, while traditional schools have set class times and require you to be on campus. For working adults and people with caregiving responsibilities, online study can be more manageable.

However, traditional nursing schools often have more established relationships with local clinical sites, larger libraries of physical resources, and more face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates. Some students find the structure and in-person support of traditional schools helpful, while others thrive with the independence of online learning. Neither approach is inherently better — it depends on how you learn best and what your schedule allows.

Cost also differs. For-profit online schools like Aspen sometimes charge higher tuition than public community colleges or state universities, though not always. You should compare the total cost of attendance across multiple schools before deciding. Remember that the cheapest option is not always the best value if the program does not fit your schedule or if employers in your area prefer graduates from certain schools.

Questions to ask before enrolling

Before committing to Aspen or any nursing program, write down answers to these questions: Are clinical sites available in my area? Does my state's nursing board recognize Aspen graduates for licensing? What is the total cost including tuition, fees, books, and clinical expenses? What is the expected time to completion if I study part-time or full-time? What support does the school offer if I struggle with coursework? Can I transfer credits if I change schools?

Contact Aspen's admissions office and ask these questions directly. Request to speak with current students or recent graduates if possible — they can tell you what the actual experience is like, not just what the marketing materials say. If the school is reluctant to answer your questions or connect you with current students, that is a red flag worth taking seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my RN degree from Aspen if I have no nursing background?

No. Aspen offers only RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing programs, which require you to already be a licensed RN. To become an RN, you must first complete an entry-level nursing program at a community college, university, or vocational school, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and obtain your license. After that, you could pursue Aspen's RN-to-BSN program to earn a bachelor's degree.

Will my Aspen nursing degree be recognized by employers?

Most employers recognize Aspen's regionally accredited nursing degrees. However, some large hospital systems or government agencies have preferences for graduates from specific schools or may have restrictions on hiring from for-profit institutions. Before enrolling, contact the human resources department of hospitals or healthcare employers in your area and ask whether they hire Aspen graduates.

What if clinical sites are not available near me?

You cannot complete a nursing program without clinical hours, and those hours must be done in person at a healthcare facility near your home. If Aspen has no partner sites in your area, you would need to either relocate temporarily during clinical rotations, find a different nursing program with sites in your region, or explore whether Aspen can help you arrange a clinical placement independently.

How long does it take to finish an RN-to-BSN program at Aspen?

Time to completion depends on how many credits you already have, how many courses you take per term, and whether you study full-time or part-time. Most RN-to-BSN programs can be completed in one to two years of full-time study, but part-time students may take longer. Contact Aspen for a specific timeline based on your situation.

Can I use federal student loans to pay for Aspen?

Aspen participates in federal student loan programs, so you may be able to borrow through the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, some employers and some states restrict tuition reimbursement for for-profit schools. Check with your employer and your state's nursing board about any restrictions before relying on loans or reimbursement to pay for the program.