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Author: Malia Wofford
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Malia Wofford is a copywriter and content strategist with experience in healthcare, marketing, and digital media. She holds a business degree from California State Polytechnic University. Malia has developed search-optimized content for global brands, including healthcare organizations such as Grifols and MyEyeDr. Her expertise includes content strategy, SEO, and audience engagement, focusing on creating engaging, data-driven content that improves visibility, educates audiences, and drives conversions. She specializes in making complex health topics accessible across multiple platforms.
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Editor: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
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Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
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Guide to the Most Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

With many affordable online nurse practitioner programs available today, you can earn an NP degree without taking on overwhelming debt. This guide covers key details like accreditation, specializations, clinical requirements, and financial aid to help you find an online NP program that fits your goals.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

An orange stylized graduation cap with the letter "E" forms part of the design, set against a white circular background.
Author: Malia Wofford
An orange stylized graduation cap with the letter "E" forms part of the design, set against a white circular background.
Malia Wofford Arrow up right
Malia Wofford is a copywriter and content strategist with experience in healthcare, marketing, and digital media. She holds a business degree from California State Polytechnic University. Malia has developed search-optimized content for global brands, including healthcare organizations such as Grifols and MyEyeDr. Her expertise includes content strategy, SEO, and audience engagement, focusing on creating engaging, data-driven content that improves visibility, educates audiences, and drives conversions. She specializes in making complex health topics accessible across multiple platforms.
Areas of Expertise
Check Healthcare Education Nursing Pre-Nursing
Healthcare EducationNursingPre-Nursing
Editor: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
Areas of Expertise
Check Healthcare Education Nursing Advanced Nursing
Healthcare EducationNursingAdvanced Nursing

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A Look at Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

While every student weighs different factors when selecting a nursing degree program, cost tops the factors list for almost everyone. Finding a top-quality online nurse practitioner program at an affordable price can lay the foundation for both academic and career success.

“Affordability” in an NP program involves a number of important elements, the most common including:

  • Low tuition rates and program fees.
  • The availability of tuition waivers, discounts, and payment plans.
  • Taking advantage of scholarships, grants, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and other “free money” opportunities.
  • Access to low-interest student loans.

The three spotlighted online nurse practitioner programs below are examples of quality, accredited programs that feature affordability. These spotlights will give you a good idea of what to look for during your program search.

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Nursing offers a CCNE-accredited Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program that prepares nurses for advanced practice in primary care. Designed for working professionals, the program’s content is delivered through a combination of online coursework, on-campus immersions, and in-person precepted clinical practice experiences.

Course topics include:

  • Health assessment
  • Care of well women and children
  • Clinical management
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Research and evaluation

Classes are taught by clinically-active nurses who provide real world experience to their students. Support services include access to enrollment services advisors, and clinical and student success coordinators.

Graduates are eligible to take the both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification exams.

Tuition and Fees: $893/credit (residents) and $908/credit (non-residents). Total per-semester tuition costs for full-time students is $8,922 (residents) and $9,072 (non-residents).

Tuition covers fees for instruction, general expenses, IT, distance learning, and program-specific costs. Students must additionally pay a $32 bloodborne pathogen insurance fee.

Financial Aid: Financial aid packages, scholarships, and grants are available to all qualifying online students. Packages may include funding for tuition, books, personal expenses, health insurance, and more. Visit this Tuition and Financial Aid Budget and Limits page for more information.

Maryville University

Maryville University of Saint Louis offers Online Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs designed for working nurses, helping them update their clinical skills and prepare for national certification exams. There are five concentrations available:

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (35 credits)
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (35 credits)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (35 credits)
  • Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (35 credits)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (38 credits)

All five certificates are CCNE-accredited and combine 100% online coursework with clinical placements in the student’s local area. Completion times vary depending on the specific program and student’s chosen study pace.

There are no GMAT/GRE requirements for admission.

Tuition and Fees: $863/credit. Additional costs include a $725/semester technology fee, background check ($75-$120), course materials, and graduation fees.

Total program costs can be mitigated by transferring in previously-earned credits, resulting in a range of total program costs of $17,709 to $37,144.

Financial Aid: A wide variety of financial aid opportunities are available to Maryville online students, including scholarships and grants, federal and private loans, employer tuition assistance programs, and more. Maryville provides a number of financial aid resources designed to help you explore your funding options, including this Online Students’ Guide to Understanding Financial Aid.

Purdue University Global

Purdue Global’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Postgraduate Certificate Program is designed for advanced practice nurses aiming to expand their expertise in primary care. The program features fully-online coursework and local clinical placements, and is completed, on average, in approximately 1.5 years.

The curriculum consists of 12 courses covering topics such as advanced physiology, health assessment, and primary care across the lifespan. Graduates are prepared to take the exams for ANCC and AANP certifications.

Admission requires a nursing master’s degree with an upper-level major or DNP, along with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. The program is accredited by the CCNE.

Tuition and Fees: $25,200 ($420/credit for 60 credits). Additional program fees and costs (books, supplies, etc.) apply.

Financial Aid: Students can lower the costs of their certificate studies through any of several financial aid types, including scholarships, loans, military tuition discounts, and more. Submit your FAFSA to explore your options and get personalized guidance on maximizing your aid.

Comparing the Cost of Online and Campus NP Programs

When weighing the advantages and disadvantages of online vs. campus-based NP programs, you’ll discover that online programs combine both flexibility and cost-efficiency that can greatly mitigate the overall cost of your education.

In comparison, programs that are campus-based or include significant in-person components come with what can be substantial costs beyond tuition and fees. For example, campus-based students must bear costs associated with travel to and from campus (gas, parking fees, public transportation, etc.).

There are also potential indirect costs, such as lost earnings resulting from the inability to maintain normal employment hours in order to attend scheduled in-person classes.

So, while there may be some expenditures exclusive to online NP programs (like buying a reliable computer and paying internet access fees), it’s likely that they’ll be eclipsed by those associated with campus-based study.

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 costs and take full advantage of incentives, discounts, and other opportunities.

Apply for Scholarships, Fee Waivers, and More

  • Look to scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers to substantially lower expenses.
  • Investigate institutional and outside scholarships in addition to need-based assistance programs.
  • Numerous professional nursing organizations provide scholarships for nursing students alone, so take advantage of every avenue available.

Maintain Part-Time Employment

  • Working part-time while attending school pays for living and minimizes the use of loans.
  • Find part-time work with tuition remission or flexible scheduling to accommodate work and school.
  • Most healthcare organizations offer part-time jobs that will give you experience as you work to become an NP.

Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Reimbursement

  • Find out from your employer whether they offer tuition reimbursement for MSN programs.
  • Employers often provide tuition reimbursement benefits as an incentive to retain their most valued employees.

Utilize Free Certification Exam Prep Resources

  • Prepare for certification exams using free resources like online study guides, practice tests, and review courses. Check out our Essential Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies guides to learn more.
  • Many professional nursing organizations offer free or reduced-price materials to their members.

Ranking of the Most Affordable Online NP Programs

About the Ranking
1
1

Purdue University Global

Best for: PMHNP certification seekers
Avg. Tuition $9,266
Avg. Cost/Credit $386
2
2

Marian University

Best for: FNP seekers
Avg. Tuition $6,282
Avg. Cost/Credit $698
3
3

University of the Cumberlands

Best for: FNP certification seekers
Avg. Tuition $3,195
Avg. Cost/Credit $355
4
4

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Best for: PMHNP seekers
Avg. Tuition $9,738
Avg. Cost/Credit $541
5
5

East Texas A&M University

Best for: part-time professionals
Avg. Tuition $3,630
Avg. Cost/Credit $202
6
6

Winston-Salem State University

Best for: HBCU students
Avg. Tuition $3,872
Avg. Cost/Credit $215
7
7

University of Southern Indiana

Best for: online-only practitioners
Avg. Tuition $10,787
Avg. Cost/Credit $449
8
8

Angelo State University

Best for: independent practice seekers
Avg. Tuition $4,181
Avg. Cost/Credit $232
9
9

Morningside University

Best for: high clinical hour seekers
Avg. Tuition $11,516
Avg. Cost/Credit $448
10
10

University of Southern Maine

Best for: high board pass rate seekers
Avg. Tuition $8,262
Avg. Cost/Credit $459

Keep Learning

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Manage the cost of your education with an...

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Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

Unlock your career potential with an online nurse...

Malia Wofford AUTHOR

Malia Wofford is a copywriter and content strategist with experience in healthcare, marketing, and digital media. She holds a business degree from California State Polytechnic University. Malia has developed search-optimized content for global brands, including healthcare organizations such as Grifols and MyEyeDr. Her expertise includes content strategy, SEO, and audience engagement, focusing on creating engaging, data-driven content that improves visibility, educates audiences, and drives conversions. She specializes in making complex health topics accessible across multiple platforms.

Read More About Malia Wofford

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD EDITOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman
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