Most Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Explore low-cost, high-quality online NP programs and learn other ways to save on your nursing grad degree.

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Blake Huggins

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Blake Huggins is a writer, researcher, and educator based in New England. He writes widely on a range of topics with specific expertise in the higher education, healthcare, and technology spaces. An Oklahoma native, Blake holds a PhD from Boston University and has taught college courses in writing and composition, religion, and philosophy. 

last updated

01/21/2022

Finding a top-quality, accredited nurse practitioner program at an affordable price is one of the most important things you can do as a prospective student. Reducing costs helps you limit student debt once you graduate, allowing you to focus on what matters most: providing the best treatment and care to patients.

This guide identifies top online MSN and DNP nurse practitioner programs, using affordability as a key benchmark. It looks at what these programs offer, including how they can help you lower expenses, and details how each program works in terms of flexibility and online learning. You’ll also find helpful tips and resources for lowering costs even more and determining school affordability.

Most Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in 2023

While every student weighs different factors when selecting a nursing school, overall cost tops the list for many. We created the ranking below with those concerns in mind, using a combination of quality and affordability metrics from the latest Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. See “About the Ranking” for more information on method and metrics.

Find out which online nurse practitioner programs rise to the top in 2023 and learn how they can help you advance your career without breaking the bank.

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About the ranking

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Base Methodology for EduMed’s 2023 Online College Rankings

1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs

To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

  • Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • At least one program in subject area offered partially or fully online.

2. Assign Weightings

After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.

Online Program Availability

  • Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education.

Affordability

  • Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
  • Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.

Support Services

  • Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
  • Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.

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 2022

# School Name Type Cost Online Programs More Details School Information Online Students Academic Counseling Career Placement Students w/Institutional Aid Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry Accreditation
1 The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL Public $ 1

The University of West Florida seeks to accelerate and streamline prospective family nurse practitioners’ career trajectories through their online Master of Science in nursing (MSN) program. UWF graduates had a 100% pass rate (95% on first attempt) on the FNP AANP certification exam, earning scores 10% higher than the national average. Students of the MSN FNP program at University of West Florida can look forward to advancing their knowledge base in theoretical and clinical principles, diagnostic skills, mechanisms of disease symptomatology, use of evidence-based theories and practices to improve outcomes, and how social determinants of health influence patient access and outcomes. In addition to nursing courses, students are also required to complete 600 hours of direct patient care hours.

Program Highlights:

Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN

  • Credits: 45 credits plus 600 clinical hours
  • Cost: $500/credit hour
  • Length: 27-30 months
  • Mode: Online
Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
20/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
2 Texas A & M International UniversityLaredo, TX Public $ 1

The Master of Science in nursing – family nurse practitioner degree program at Texas A&M University is designed to educate advanced practice nurses to become leaders in the nursing field. Through pursuits in research, policy, and practice, graduates can expect to promote health and wellbeing in their communities on a local, national, and international level. The MSN degree prepares graduates for positions in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, rehabilitation summers, schools and summer camps, health departments, colleges and universities, and insurance companies, to name a few. Students in the program are required to possess a valid RN license without restrictions in the state of Texas, though this can be waived for new bachelor’s in nursing graduates.

Program Highlights:

Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Credits: 48 credits
  • Cost: $614/credit hour in-state, $1,595/credit hour out-of-state
  • Length: 3 years
  • Mode: online
Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
24/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
3 University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA Public $ 1

Consisting of primarily asynchronous coursework with the option of synchronous sessions in some courses if desired, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at University of North Georgia addresses the needs of different types of learners, both those who thrive in the independence of coursework at their own pace as well as those who feel most engaged in the company of their peers. Recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine, the DNP is the preferred degree for advanced practice nurses. The DNP program at UNG also has an executive leader or education track for nurses who envision their futures as nursing administrators or educators.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Credits: 38 credits
  • Cost: $412.50/credit hour
  • Length: 5 semesters full time, 8 semesters part time
  • Mode: online
Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
4 Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA Public $ 1

The Columbus State University Master of Science in nursing – family nurse practitioner program views family-focused care as the priority in educating advanced practice nurses. Nurses can continue their careers while completing their master’s in nursing online at Columbus State University. The program is designed for graduates to gain deep understanding of the individuals and families they treat and the healthcare system as a whole. The program consists of 44 semester hours over five semesters, meaning that students can complete the program in as little as two years. While the course component of the program is administered online, students are required to complete 765 clinical hours in their local areas.

Program Highlights:

Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN)

  • Credits: 44 credit hours plus 765 clinical hours
  • Cost: $210/credit hour in-state, $817/credit hour out-of-state
  • Length: 2 years
  • Mode: online
Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
5 Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TX Public $ 2

With full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing, the family nurse practitioner master’s degree program at Angelo State University empowers nurses to prepare to work as an FNP in a myriad of settings, including their own practice. For those who are seeking an academic path in their nursing career, the MSN nurse educator degree prepares students to offer the most up-to-date standards of care while training the next generation of nurses. While the courses are taught online, students are still afforded the opportunity to network with healthcare professionals and fellow nursing students in ASU’s student organizations. The clinical hours requirement can be completed in the student’s local area within Texas.

Program Highlights:

MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Credits: 39
  • Cost: $507/credit hour in-state, $916/credit hour out-of-state
  • Length: 3 semesters
  • Mode: online

MSN – Nurse Educator

  • Credits: 39
  • Cost: $507/credit hour in-state, $916/credit hour out-of-state
  • Length: 3 semesters
  • Mode: online
Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
21/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
6 East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC Public $ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
7 Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX Public $ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
20/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
8 Weber State UniversityOgden, UT Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
21/1
AccreditationNWCCU
9 University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
10 Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
11 Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
20/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
12 New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationHLC
13 Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbock, TX Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
7/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
14 The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
15 Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
16 Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuse, NY Public $$ 3 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
6/1
AccreditationMSCHE
17 SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationMSCHE
18 The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalveston, TX Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
10/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
19 Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
20 Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
22/1
AccreditationHLC
21 Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA Public $$ 3 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
22 South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationHLC
23 Winona State UniversityWinona, MN Public $$ 4 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationHLC
24 The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
18/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
25 Radford UniversityRadford, VA Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
14/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
26 Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
11/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
27 University of Southern MainePortland, ME Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
12/1
AccreditationNECHE
28 University of IowaIowa City, IA Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationHLC
29 University of MemphisMemphis, TN Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
30 Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station, TX Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
31 The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
24/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
32 Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
18/1
AccreditationHLC
33 Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
15/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
34 University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO Public $$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationHLC
35 Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY Public $$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
15/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
36 University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH Public $$ 3 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
19/1
AccreditationHLC
37 Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, IN Public $$$ 3 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
28/1
AccreditationHLC
38 Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ Public $$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
22/1
AccreditationHLC
39 The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN Public $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
40 Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI Public $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
20/1
AccreditationHLC
41 Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH Public $$$ 4 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationHLC
42 Herzing University-MadisonMadison, WI Private not-for-profit $$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
17/1
AccreditationHLC
43 Herzing University-BrookfieldBrookfield, WI Private not-for-profit $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
12/1
AccreditationHLC
44 Herzing University-KenoshaKenosha, WI Private not-for-profit $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
15/1
AccreditationHLC
45 Herzing University-AtlantaAtlanta, GA Private not-for-profit $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
14/1
AccreditationHLC
46 Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham, AL Private not-for-profit $$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
14/1
AccreditationHLC
47 Clarkson CollegeOmaha, NE Private not-for-profit $$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
18/1
AccreditationHLC
48 South CollegeKnoxville, TN Private for-profit $$$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
18/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
49 ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA Private for-profit $$$$ 1 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
16/1
AccreditationSACSCOC
50 University of MaryBismarck, ND Private not-for-profit $$$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
11/1
AccreditationHLC
51 Husson UniversityBangor, ME Private not-for-profit $$$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
12/1
AccreditationNECHE
52 Chamberlain University-IllinoisAddison, IL Private for-profit $$$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
20/1
AccreditationHLC
53 Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit $$$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
13/1
AccreditationHLC
54 Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit $$$$ 2 Academic
Counseling
Yes
Career
Placement
Yes
Student/
Faculty Ratio
15/1
AccreditationSACSCOC

What Makes an Online Nurse Practitioner Program Affordable?

Several factors impact tuition rates and the overall cost of your online nursing program. Here are a few things to look out for as you weigh the bottom line, consider the potential expenses, and prepare to finance your degree.

How much financial aid you can secure for your online nurse practitioner program

Securing reliable financial aid is the easiest and most effective way to cut costs. Most programs offer at least a few opportunities, with some schools offering more aid than others–including awards specifically for nurse practitioner students. You can also determine your eligibility for federal aid by completing the FAFSA.

If the NP program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working

This won’t reduce your tuition rate, but it puts you in a good position to cover the expenses. Some programs discourage outside work during school, while others allow it or even integrate it into the clinical fieldwork component. Either way, the ability to continue working while you study not only helps you advance your career, but it also provides additional financial support.

If your NP program is offered by a private or public college

The general rule of thumb here is that private institutions cost more than state schools. This is true for virtually all disciplines, including nursing. Private schools do not receive state subsidies the way public colleges and universities do. Instead, they rely on tuition and donations to support their operations.

Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state

Attending a public college or university may not automatically guarantee cheaper tuition. Each institution follows a different approach, but keep in mind that many public schools charge higher rates if you live out of state–even if you plan to complete an online program. If you live in state, however, you could benefit from lower tuition.

How much of the NP program coursework is offered online

If you attend a program that requires significant in-person learning components you’ll need to consider the costs associated with travel. For example, commuting to and from campus for class, meetups, and other mandatory functions creates an additional expense that may not be reflected in the tuition figures alone.

How expensive application fees are

Some schools waive application fees, but this is not a universal feature of most online nurse practitioner programs. Application and processing fees aren’t too expensive – usually around $50 each – but they can add up, especially if you plan to apply to more than one program at a time.

How to Lower the Cost of Your Online Nurse Practitioner Degree

What else can you do to help make your nurse practitioner degree more affordable? Consider the following tips as you work to defray the costs and take full advantage of incentives, discounts, and other opportunities.

  1. Search for scholarships and grants designed specifically for NP students

There are quite a few scholarship and grant opportunities that go beyond the scope of federal or school-based aid. Outside scholarships for nurse practitioner students are a great way to help reduce expenses. Some scholarships only apply to tuition, but others can help you pay for things like books, travel, and other study materials. Organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners offer scholarships to new and returning students.

  1. Take advantage of student discounts

Small discounts may not seem like much, but they add up. Companies like Apple and The North Face offer regular student discounts on their products, as do Verizon, AT&T, and other internet providers (a key consideration for online students). See our handy guide to discounts and incentives for nursing students for more tips and ideas.

  1. Ask about tuition reimbursement

If you’re pursuing a nurse practitioner degree, odds are you’ve already launched a healthcare career and built a few key relationships. Those built-in networks can also help you lower costs. Many hospitals and other facilities have tuition reimbursement opportunities. It’s worth checking with your employer to see what they offer or even switching employers if you can get substantial help with tuition. Read the fine print to make sure you know how long you must be employed to take advantage of these benefits. At the federal level, you can also participate in the nursing education loan repayment program.