The demand for individuals who hold general nursing degrees is expected to grow exponentially in the future. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that more than 580,000 positions for registered nurses (RNs) will be created over the next eight years.

As a result, many campus-based and online colleges are making their nursing programs more accessible. Many of them are offering a greater number of flexible web-based classes, and some are lowering the cost of their advanced courses of study.

For instance, an online school recently announced that the price of its master's of science in nursing (MSN) program will be available at a lower price beginning this fall. Enrollees will now be able to complete this track for less than $5,000 each.

In addition to saving money on tuition, nursing students who choose to complete a college program online may be able to eliminate other expenses, such as transportation costs and book fees. Furthermore, professionals who hold a master's degree in this field may be eligible for advanced practice positions, which typically pay higher than standard RN jobs.