Online NP Programs in North Carolina: Reviewing Top Schools
If you’re planning to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in North Carolina, you’ll find several academic options, including online doctorate, master’s, and certificate programs. This guide highlights top online NP programs in North Carolina and provides clear info on licensure, certification, salary potential, and career outlook.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcarePre-NursingAdv Nursing HealthcareOnline Learning
HealthcareAdv. NursingNursingJenna Tidd is a Certified Nurse Aide with 12 years of healthcare experience, bringing practical knowledge and insight to her role as a health content writer and editor. Over approximately four years, she has authored more than 100 articles covering topics such as mental health, wellness products, and sleep quality. Jenna has contributed to companies including Thrive Global, mindbodygreen, HealthDay News, Sleep Foundation, and Poosh. She focuses on identifying quality healthcare resources and sharing them with individuals beginning or advancing their medical careers.
Jenna Tidd, CNA
Jenna Tidd is a Certified Nurse Aide with 12 years of healthcare experience, bringing practical knowledge and insight to her role as a health content writer and editor. Over approximately four years, she has authored more than 100 articles covering topics such as mental health, wellness products, and sleep quality. Jenna has contributed to companies including Thrive Global, mindbodygreen, HealthDay News, Sleep Foundation, and Poosh. She focuses on identifying quality healthcare resources and sharing them with individuals beginning or advancing their medical careers.
Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Comparing Online NP Programs in North Carolina
A projected job growth rate of 56% through 2032 gives a promising outlook for potential nurse practitioners in North Carolina. If you are a registered nurse (RN) or have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), continuing your education can open up more career opportunities with an increased role in direct patient care and the ability to specialize in your preferred area of medicine.
When looking for the right program, start with a careful analysis of the following criteria:
- Cost: tuition, financial aid, and school-based incentives.
- Delivery mode: mostly online, partially online, on-campus.
- Program length: standard or accelerated timelines.
- Specialties: neonatal, family, or psychiatric mental health.
- Student support: academic counseling or career placement.
Use this information to move forward with your school search and career path.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN is a popular pathway for obtaining certification as an NP. Most online MSN programs offer the following concentrations:
- Women’s health
- Family care
- Neonatal care
- Psychiatric mental health
- Pediatrics
- Nurse anesthesia
- Adult gerontology
This type of program takes two to three years to complete and consists of both nursing and professional core courses, as well as clinical hours under a licensed, experienced professional in your chosen concentration.
Duke University
- Duration: Two and a half to three years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $2,250 per credit hour
Post-Master’s Certificate
Post-master’s certificates offer an in-depth education in a specific area of nursing for professionals who have already obtained their master’s degrees.
Online nursing certificate options in North Carolina include the following:
- Nurse education
- Nurse administration
- Applied nursing informatics
- Healthcare emergency and disaster management
- Clinical research operations
Each certificate can be taken separately or in tandem with a graduate degree. Most can be completed between one and two years, depending on the complexity and structure of the curriculum and clinicals.
East Carolina University
- Duration: Two years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $289.55 per credit hour (residency dependent) plus additional fees for clinicals
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
DNP programs typically come after the completion of an MSN and build upon the expertise obtained in a master’s program. However, there are both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP online bridge programs available at select universities.
Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, which last anywhere from two to six years, prepare advanced practice RNs to lead nursing units and larger healthcare organizations. Students complete clinical hours to facilitate learning and skill mastery, culminating in a final doctoral project.
Winston-Salem State University
- Duration: Two to three years
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $387.16 per credit hour (residency dependent)
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FAQs for North Carolina Online NP Students
What is the difference between hybrid NP programs and online NP programs?
Hybrid programs blend on-campus classes with online tools, whereas online programs are completed entirely online. For nursing courses, the balance usually skews to online course delivery, reserving in-person communication for physical requirements like orientation sessions, practicums, labs, and externships.
Classes may be delivered synchronously (at set days and times) or asynchronously (at days and times that you choose). Some may require an in-person campus visit near the middle of the program.
What accreditation should an online NP program have?
Online nurse practitioner programs in North Carolina should have accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These are the two main national organizations that accredit NP programs.
Accreditation shows that the programs have been periodically evaluated to ensure they meet rigorous standards to provide high-quality education to their students. Degrees from accredited programs are also more likely to impress future employers.
Will there be financial aid available for my online NP program?
Most university graduate programs that lead to an NP certification accept financial aid for NP students. Here are the three most common forms of financial assistance for NP students:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
Scholarships and grants, which don’t need to be paid back, are available from private organizations, professional associations, community groups, and the college or university itself. Loans may still be a good option for NP students who need further assistance covering their expenses.
What should I expect to be studying as part of an online NP program?
Quality NP programs have a comprehensive curriculum that covers the following subjects:
- Healthcare policy
- Patient safety
- Clinical Judgment
- Specialty care
- Leadership skills
The specialty care topics will be strongly tied to whatever you chose for individual certificates or study tracks. These can include elderly care, mental health best practices, and nursing research.
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant (PA)?
There are several key differences between an NP and a PA, although it’s important to note that RNs can qualify for either discipline through an accredited school program.
NPs have more autonomy, concentrating on all-around patient care and diverse care needs. PAs focus on specific disciplines, such as surgery or dermatology, and usually work under the direct supervision of a physician.
Earning an NP License in North Carolina
Once you graduate from your master’s degree or doctoral program, the state nursing board in North Carolina requires that you take an exam from a national group, such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The AANP exam is for clinical care roles, while the ANCC also includes education, research, and leadership specialties.
The ANCC test costs between $295 and $395, depending on your membership status. For the AANP exam, the cost is between $240 and $315, also depending on group membership.
After you pass the exam of your choice, you can apply to be a nurse practitioner through the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Besides passing your degree program, you must also complete the following:
- Background check
- Fingerprinting
- Signing a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician.
Total costs are $125, with an $80 discount if you sign up for community volunteer work with the NC board.
You’ll need to renew your North Carolina NP license every two years during your birth month. In addition to renewal, you’ll need to complete 70 continuing education hours.
Salary & Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners in North Carolina
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| North Carolina | $100,120 | $125,020 | $158,440 |
| Asheville, NC | $99,490 | $119,700 | $134,070 |
| Burlington, NC | $98,700 | $130,890 | $140,000 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,520 | $130,650 | $163,160 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $104,190 | $127,540 | $161,050 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $83,220 | $117,900 | $149,460 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $96,890 | $106,160 | $130,260 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $100,480 | $123,610 | $153,120 |
| Greenville, NC | $99,380 | $125,860 | $135,710 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $87,780 | $120,520 | $151,880 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $95,610 | $117,580 | $154,550 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $93,920 | $119,460 | $170,860 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $100,010 | $131,320 | $166,600 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $98,170 | $113,680 | $148,040 |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,610 | $125,220 | $157,780 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $104,000 | $132,790 | $164,300 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| North Carolina | 8,200 | 12,750 | 4,550 | 55.50% | 920 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
North Carolina’s Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 49% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Gardner-Webb University
- Gardner-Webb’s Nurse Practitioner program offers a hybrid format combining mostly online coursework with on-campus intensives once per semester, providing flexibility for students to balance personal and professional commitments while fostering a strong community network with faculty and peers.
- The program includes multiple specialized options such as Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks, along with a post-doctoral certificate for those with a DNP who want NP certification, allowing tailored career advancement.
- Gardner-Webb’s active partnerships with community healthcare facilities ensure high clinical placement opportunities, enabling students to gain valuable hands-on experience in diverse real-world healthcare settings.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 49% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 72% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University of North Carolina Wilmington
- UNCW’s Nurse Practitioner program offers an affordable DNP option with scholarships and paid research assistant positions for dedicated support.
- The program can be completed fully online with flexible full-time and part-time options, finishing in as few as five semesters for master’s entry students.
- Students benefit from experienced faculty who actively practice as nurse practitioners and provide personalized mentoring throughout their educational journey.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 72% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 66% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected East Carolina University
- East Carolina University’s Nurse Practitioner program offers flexible full-time or part-time study options, allowing students to customize their pace while balancing personal and professional commitments.
- The program arranges clinical practice experiences in the student’s geographic area, facilitating high clinical placement rates without requiring relocation for hands-on training.
- Students benefit from expert faculty specializing in advanced nursing roles, including Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification eligibility through the National Certification Corporation examination.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 66% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Winston-Salem State University
- WSSU’s Nurse Practitioner program offers a fully online format with no GRE or MAT requirements, making application and enrollment more accessible for busy professionals.
- Students may qualify for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, providing financial assistance specifically for nurse educators or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) preceptors, complementing already low tuition rates.
- The program features removal of time limits for prerequisite courses (health assessment, statistics, research), allowing flexibility for applicants with older coursework to qualify without retaking classes.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 96% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 6/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Duke University
- Duke’s Nurse Practitioner program offers students access to a global clinical network with over 2,000 partners, facilitating ideal clinical placements aligned with professional interests.
- Students benefit from strong, lasting relationships with expert faculty and peers nationwide, enhancing professional development and networking opportunities.
- The program emphasizes advancing health equity by training NPs to deliver targeted care in rural and underserved communities, addressing critical healthcare disparities.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 96% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 6/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online Graduate Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for graduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of graduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-3 and #4-5 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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