A nurse practitioner earns a graduate-level degree, known as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), plus the attainment of board certification in a particular form of nursing or medical specialty, which is selected prior to entering into one of the many nurse practitioner programs now offered online.
A nurse practitioner degree is a type of APRN – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – a nursing professional with the authority and certification to diagnose, treat, and manage patient conditions, including the provision of prescription medicine. Certain states allow NP’s to practice without the direct supervision of a medical doctor; however, each state sets forth the regulations regarding an NP’s professional reach.
Nurse practitioners can choose from nursing specialties that include, among others –
- Mental Health.
- Women’s Health.
- Geriatrics.
- Pediatrics.
- Family Medicine.
- Adult Medicine, to name a few.
The list of distance learning nursing programs shown below represents some of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs available throughout the country. Note, however, that most schools only offer a subset of nurse practitioner specialties, so be certain to choose a program that meets your career objectives. Online nurse practitioner programs typically combine online coursework plus a clinical practicum at a location convenient to the student.
Top 16 Most Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
1. Texas A&M University (TAMU)
Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing offers a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that requires six semesters for completion. Among the specialties offered by one of the country’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs is Family Nurse Practitioner or Forensic Nursing. It is noted there is a Board of Nursing (BON) small residency requirement for degree candidates. Classes for this degree include diagnostics and procedures, primary care of families, and prevention and population health, to name a few.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 352.33 per credit hour (state resident)
- Credit Units Required – 48 credit hours: 646 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
2. Georgia Southwestern State (GSW)
Georgia Southwestern State College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a four-semester Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that is among the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs available in the marketplace. Students attending Georgia Southwestern State’s online NP program can complete the degree in 24 months if studying at nine credits per semester, but it is also available to part-time students as well.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $385 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 44 hours
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
2. Columbus State University (CSU)
Columbus State University’s College of Education and Health Professions offers a BSN to Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner degree program that can be completed in only 24 months of studying full time over five semesters. Core coursework for these most affordable online nurse practitioner programs offered by Columbus State University includes advanced pathophysiology, health promotion for adults and women, health care delivery models, to name a few. They are a 100% online program and do not charge a fee for out-of-state residents.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $385 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 44 hours: 765 Clinical/Practicum Hours in a local location.
- Accreditation – – SACSCOC & CCNE
3. Angelo State University (ASU)
Angelo State University’s Department of Nursing offers a Master’s in Nurse Practitioner degree program that is approved by the (TBON) Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Additionally, Angelo State University offers one of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs with its MSN that awards a Nurse Educator eligibility certification. Classes for Angelo State University’s nurse practitioner programs include health policy and ethics, pharmacotherapeutics, and population health epidemiology, to name a few.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 390.77 per credit hour (state resident)
- Credit Units Required Credit Units Required – 49 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
4. Nicholls State University (NSU)
Nicholls State University (Nicholls State) is a member school of the Intercollegiate Consortium and offers a CCNE-accredited Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree program that is available 100% online. Nicholls State University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs offer students three academic nurse practitioner tracks – family nurse practitioner, mental health practitioner, or nurse educator. Classes for this graduate degree in nursing include health policy for nurse practitioners, health assessment & diagnostic reasoning, and pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nursing, to name a few.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 412.13 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 42 to 45 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
5. Delta State University (DSU)
Delta State University offers a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that is available entirely online in about two years, with Clinical hours that must be completed in a facility in Mississippi or Arkansas. Delta State University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs prepare degree candidates to become professional nursing educators or family nurse practitioners.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 441.72 per credit hour (9 to 13 credits)
- Credit Units Required – 49 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
6. Stony Brook University (Stony Brook)
Stony Brook University’s (Stony Brook) School of Nursing offers a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that is among the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs in the Empire State. Stony Brook University’s nurse practitioner programs are available in these academic tracks – family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology, women’s health, neonatal, pediatric, and mental health, and only require limited site visits. Students graduate prepared to sit for the national certification exams.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 471 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 48 – 70 credit hours (depends on Nurse Practitioner specialty): 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours
- Accreditation – MSCHE & CCNE
7. The University of Texas (UT Arlington)
The University of Texas’s Nursing School is recognized as one of the number one public nursing schools by AACN. The University of Texas’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs are designed for those who hold valid RN licenses but not a Bachelor degree in nursing (BSN). Students enrolled in this RN to Family Nurse Practitioner. BSN students can accelerate their studies and reduce tuition expenses at application.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 510.77 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 75 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – – SACSCOC & CCNE
8. St. Thomas University (STU)
St.Thomas University, located in the Sunshine State, offers a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that is 100% available online and can be. St. Thomas University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs offer two academic tracks – family nurse practitioner and mental health nurse practitioner and six academic start dates each year.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 577.13 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 47 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
9. Morningside College (MC)
Morningside College Nylen Nursing School, located in Sioux City, offers one of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs available with its Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) program that awards a Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree. Morningside College’s nurse practitioner program requires three brief residencies during the coursework’s duration. MSN – NP includes academic tracks in Family Care, Gerontology, or Clinical Nurse Leader.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 590.00 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 47 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – HLC & CCNE
10. Cedarville University (CU)
Cedarville University’s Nursing Department offers a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that leads to certification as Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator or Nurse Leadership that is available entirely online. Cedarville University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs may be completed as full-time or part-time students.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 623 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 41 to 44 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – HLC & CCNE
11. Carson Newman University (CNU)
Established in 1851, Carson Newman University offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) program that awards a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in under three years studying full-time (32 months of 12 fifteen-week classes). Carson Newman University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs have also been recognized for their best value and distinction. Classes for this degree include a capstone project or master’s thesis, plus advanced pharmacology, health assessment, and accountability for advanced nursing practice.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 650 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 45 credit hours: 660 – 690 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
12. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC)
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, situated in Standish, Maine, offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) program that awards a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in about two years studying full-time. Students enrolled in Saint Joseph’s College’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs will complete classes in nursing informatics, conceptual bases for nursing, nursing ethics, and advanced pharmacology, among others. They also have an Adult Gerontological Acute Care NP (AGACNP) track that is fully online and at the same price.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 663.00 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required– 48 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – NECHE & CCNE
13. Spring Arbor University (SAU)
Established in 1873, Spring Arbor University offers an RN or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree program that can be completed entirely online. Spring Arbor University’s most affordable online nurse practitioner programs can be completed in 30 months, studying full-time.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 725.00 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 48 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – HLC & CCNE
14. Fairleigh Dickinson University – Metropolitan Campus (FDU)
Fairleigh Dickinson University offers one of the best and the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs in the northeastern United States. Advanced nursing practice classes include advanced health assessment, family systems, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced nursing philosophies and theories, to name a few.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 825.00 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 37 credit hours: 640 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – MSCHE & CCNE
15. Samford University (SU)
Samford University has been ranked second in the nation in student engagement and the best higher learning institution in Alabama by the Wall Street Journal. The Moffett and Sanders Nursing School at Samford University offers one of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs in the state and beyond. Students enrolled in this graduate MSN program can opt for a family nurse practitioner path or mental health practitioner.
- Graduate Tuition Fees Per Credit – $ 888 per credit hour
- Credit Units Required – 45 credit hours: 600 Clinical/Practicum Hours.
- Accreditation – SACSCOC & CCNE
Our Ranking Methodology
The MSN nursing degree programs listed above represent a comprehensive cross-section of the available most affordable online nurse practitioner programs. These online nurse practitioner degree programs are listed, with the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs ranked first.
Each program’s per credit fee references the cost to earn one graduate credit hour for the calendar year of 2020 to 2021 or 2019 to 2020, depending on the most current information provided by the school’s proprietary website or the federal government’s National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) website.
Each Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) degree program includes additional information to assist students in making their best-educated decision regarding the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs that best fit their needs and academic goals. This additional data includes –
- The required credit units to meet the nursing practitioner’s program requirements.
- The number of practicum or clinical hours required to meet the NP program requirements.
- Accreditation denotes which of the regional or specialized accrediting agencies have reviewed – and approved – the nursing practitioner programs being offered by each higher learning institution.
Do You Have Concerns About Your Ranking?
Have you noticed erroneous information denoted above? Please contact BestValueSchools.org should you wish to comment or edit the information detailed in the rankings above.