Comparing Salary Outcomes: Two-Year vs. Four-Year Nursing Degrees

What Is a Two-Year Nursing Degree?

An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) lays the groundwork for understanding patient care, including health assessment, medication administration, and basic nursing procedures.

“The associate's degree really focuses on your care models,” says Deborah Roy, Director of Regis College’s RN-to-BS in Nursing program. “That's anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, along with your clinical hours, how to read medical language, and all of that introductory primary information you need to go in and take care of patients.”

Clinical practicums play a crucial role in an ADN as well, allowing students to employ theoretical knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision and evaluation of seasoned nurses.

“Your clinical experiences get you both the intellectual application of knowledge as well as the tactile,” Roy explains.

ADN programs are typically offered at community colleges and are known for their affordability and accessibility. An associate's degree can be a practical choice for those eager to start a nursing career sooner, as graduates can earn income, manage educational expenses, and gain experience before pursuing additional degrees.

What Is a Four-Year Nursing Degree?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is typically offered at universities and colleges that builds upon foundational courses with a comprehensive study of nursing theory, ethics, and leadership principles. BSN programs also devote more curriculum to advanced evidence-based practice, encouraging the development of critical thinking skills.

“You go much more into nursing research in terms of understanding what you're reading on the statistics,” Roy says. “How do I know that this is a well-done research article versus one that's not so well done? Is it ready for me to consider pulling into my practice?”

The goal of the BSN is to provide well-rounded nursing care and expertise based on science to the bedside and any other roles they may fill. It can also prepare graduates to contribute to nursing research and assume leadership roles in healthcare settings.

Even though the BSN is a generalist degree, certain specialties prefer nurses with a bachelor’s degree such as community health, pediatric nursing, or psychiatric nursing. However, this can vary based on the setting, geographic location, or even the hospital itself.

ADN vs. BSN: Career Outcomes

Defining your career priorities will help in weighing the pros and cons of each degree path. Think about how you want to focus your professional efforts as you explore entry-level roles available to RNs with different academic backgrounds.

ADN Positions

Graduates with an ADN are often employed as RNs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, and outpatient care settings. However, they have fewer opportunities for advancement into leadership or specialized roles compared to their BSN counterparts.

Depending on state regulations and employer preferences, they may be able to pursue further education and certifications to work in some specialty areas such as emergency nursing or critical care nursing.

BSN Positions

A BSN offers more opportunities for advancement, making it an efficient choice for professionals who can make a longer academic commitment at the beginning of their careers.

However, BSN-prepared RNs can also access specialized areas of nursing such as pediatric, oncology, or perioperative, where they provide care to patients with specific health needs. Since the program provides additional in-depth knowledge that allows nurses to make a real impact on patient outcomes, BSN-trained nurses are often more desirable to facilities compared to those with an associate's degree.

This isn’t always the case though. Make sure you research any organizations you’re interested in working for—whether that’s your current place of employment or not.

BSN-trained nurses can also expect more opportunities to pursue career paths in nursing leadership and research. While a bachelor’s degree incorporates concepts such as management and research analysis, RNs hoping to advance their career should consider additional education, like a Master of Nursing degree to qualify for high-level leadership roles.

ADN vs. BSN: Salary Potential

Entry-level nursing salaries vary by state, employer, and type of organization. Here’s an overview of average incomes to help you understand the potential return on investment for each type of degree.

According to Payscale, ADN-educated nurses earn an average of $76,000 per year, and BSN-educated nurses earn an average of $82,750 per year. However, factors like geographic location and specialty play a significant role in salary differences.

For example, states with high demand or high cost of living often have higher starting pay. Likewise, working for government agencies and private hospitals is usually more lucrative than residential care facilities and ambulatory services, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The healthcare setting and its organizational model also affect salary, with factors like unionization or the size of a hospital network influencing base pay rates.

The salary gap between RNs with different educational backgrounds may be relatively small at the start of a career, but it can widen over time. With years of experience, RNs can qualify for higher income ranges, but ADN-educated nurses are often subject to lower salary caps than their BSN-prepared peers.

“A lot of facilities have clinical ladder programs, and in order to go up the clinical ladder, education is going to play a part in that, along with years of experience and work within the facilities themselves,” says Sharon Higgins, Interim Dean of Regis College’s Young School of Nursing.

BSN nurses also have greater opportunities to move up to roles in management, education, and specialized clinical areas, which come with a higher salary potential. Even for nurses who plan to remain in bedside care, a BSN enables more flexibility in job and salary prospects.

“It may allow you to go to a facility that only hires bachelor's degrees where you know that you're going to get paid more,” Higgins notes.

Choose the Right Path for You

No matter which academic option you choose, it can launch you toward a rewarding career in nursing. The most important thing is to find a degree program that allows you to achieve your goals within a time and cost framework that aligns with your needs.

With an ADN, you can transition into the nursing field in as little as two years, which is an appealing option for many career changers. At the same time, the enhanced education of a BSN strengthens clinical skills and opens the door to specialized roles and leadership positions that command higher salaries.

For nurses who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree, the RN-to-BS program at Regis College offers a bridge to earning this higher qualification. The online format provides convenience and flexibility for RNs who need to balance college enrollment and full- or part-time employment.

To learn more about the program features, contact one of our admissions counselors to discover if this degree completion path is right for you.