Making the decision to go back to school and increase your knowledge and degree level is a huge choice. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you have been in the nursing field for some time and you’re ready for more responsibility on the job. In order to do this, you’ll need to go back to school for more education. But how much does an RN to BSN cost?

Earning a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is a great way to achieve this goal—and also preparing to earn a higher salary. Moving from an RN (Registered Nurse) to a BSN is easier and requires less time and money than you might think.

Since most hands-on, class-based courses are completed while earning your RN, many BSN programs offer flexible options to fit your busy life without interfering with your job. This allows you to stay working while you advance your career and salary.

Like all other majors, students are faced with a variety of different choices to make while completing their degree. The first (and often the most important) is where do go to school. Many different schools offer BSN programs. Before deciding where to go, it’s important for you to pick the school that will best suit your lifestyle and fits with your work and family obligations.

Cost is also a driving factor when it comes to picking a school. Many schools charge different amounts per credit hour for the courses needed in order to graduate with a BSN. Tuition fees for a Bachelor of Science in nursing can range anywhere from as little as $10,000 to over $80,000, depending on where you go to school and how your take your classes.

Working in the health science field can be both a fulfilling and popular career choice. With an aging population, more and more nursing positions will need to be filled to help take care of our seniors—and those who hold a BSN are more qualified for these positions.

Taking the time to complete your BSN degree could be worth it to you and your family. Just like those students deciding a major for the first time, there are numerous factors you should consider before enrolling in nursing school.

The following three factors will have an impact on what you pay for your RN-to-BSN education.

Online or Brick and Mortar School

Online RN-to-BSN programs have different costs accompanying them compared to traditional brick-and-mortar colleges. Traditional schools have tuition, fees, textbooks, living expenses, and commuting costs associated with them. When enrolled in an online school, students don’t need to worry about living and traveling expenses while getting their degree, but they may see higher technology and access fees to accommodate their online programs.

In-State vs. Out-of-State

The location of your school of interest (and where you live) can also determine how much you will pay to move from an RN to a BSN. Students attending a school outside the state they live in will most likely pay more for tuition than those students who attend a school in the same state that they live in. This is also the case for online schools. If students don’t live in the same state that the online school is based out of, they could pay more per credit hour for the classes they take online.

Employer Assistance

Oftentimes in order to fill high-need positions at their workplace, employers will support their employees going back to school. They do this through tuition reimbursement, by paying for some or all of their tuition, fees, and books. Tuition reimbursement means that your employer will reimburse you for the cost of the class once certain terms are met, often including grade or GPA requirements. Not sure if your employer has a tuition reimbursement program? Ask your supervisor or your company’s human resources department. if something like this exists at your workplace.

Going back to school and considering each of these factors can be daunting, especially when it comes to spending or borrowing more money in order to make it happen. The good thing is that there are many resources available to you as a student. All students enrolled in college are eligible to apply for federal student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can help fund your nursing education. Student loans are also available to those who qualify.

Additionally, the Imagine America Foundation wants to help you better understand your options as a student. IAF has a variety of resources to help you make sense of the decisions you’re about to make so you can get the most out of your education and future career.