Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
Explore affordable online MSN programs from top schools that can help you take the next leap in your nursing career for less.
Written By
Kenya McCullum
- Bio
last updated
If you’re a nurse who wants to advance your career—whether you want to take a supervisory role at a healthcare facility, become an educator, or provide advanced care as a nurse practitioner—you can get the training you need while continuing to work through one of many quality online MSN programs. Finding ways to keep costs low is important, so before you choose a program, you’ll want to review this roundup of the 50 most affordable MSN programs, as well as tips on other ways to save money on your nursing grad education.
50 Most Affordable Online MSN Programs in 2023
Although you’ll want to consider many factors when choosing an MSN program—such as accreditation, specializations, and the experience of faculty members—there’s no denying that affordability is one of the most important. To help you choose a school that has been vetted for its quality and affordability, we compiled the following list of online nursing master’s degree programs using the latest data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System). For more information about how these rankings were calculated, click on the “About the ranking” button.
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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 | Denver College of NursingDenver, CO | Private for-profit | $ | 1 | With a total tuition cost of just over $15,000, the online Master of Science in Nursing program at the Denver College of Nursing is proof that not all private nursing school degrees come with prices that break the bank. The program is designed to prepare graduates for positions in both nursing education and leadership. The curriculum consists of a combination of advanced nursing practice-related courses (pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment) with coursework in research and education subjects. Study culminates with a capstone project in which students apply all of the knowledge and skills gained throughout their course of study. The project includes a clinical practicum component mentored by clinical preceptors experienced in a variety of educational roles and settings. All didactic coursework is delivered online in an asynchronous format with no campus visits necessary. Program Highlights: Master of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 2 | Texas A & M International UniversityLaredo, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Texas A&M International University, the online division of the Texas A&M University System, offers a Master of Nursing in Nursing Administration program online that prepares current RNs with a previously-earned BSN degree to advance into administration and management roles in a variety of healthcare settings. All didactic coursework in this 10-course (31-credit hour) program is delivered online in an asynchronous format. Students finish their programs with a 180-hour in-person nurse executive integrative leadership practicum that includes completion of an administrative collaborative health project. The practicum requires in-person attendance at a program-approved site of the student’s choosing. Program costs are among the most affordable for state residents (just over $11,000) compared to other online MSN programs offered by Texas colleges and universities. Six starting dates are available throughout the year. Program Highlights: MSN – Nursing Administration Online
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 3 | Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, NC | Public | $ | 1 | The Online MSN in Patient Safety and Quality offered by Fayetteville State University in North Carolina focuses on concepts of understanding, evaluating, and applying patient safety principles to eliminate healthcare errors and cultivate a culture of safety in all healthcare environments. The bulk of program requirements in the 36-credit program are completed online and delivered asynchronously. However, students are required to complete an in-person practicum at a program-approved practice facility. Students are additionally required to come to the Fayetteville campus one to three times during the final semester of the program while completing their capstone project practicum hours. Both full-time and part-time options are available. Admission requires a previously-earned BSN degree and registration as an RN. There are no clinical experience requirements, so students can start their MSN studies immediately after earning their BSN. Program Highlights: Online MSN: Patient Safety and Quality
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 4 | Albany State UniversityAlbany, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Albany State University, a public university located in Albany, Georgia, offers two specialization options in its Master of Science in Nursing program. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) option prepares current RNs to take on advanced practice roles providing family-centered care that emphasizes disease prevention and health promotion. The program offers both two-year, full-time and three-year, part-time (summer, fall, and spring semester sequence) study options. The nurse educator (NE) option is designed for RNs interested in becoming instructors in academic settings or staff development specialists in healthcare settings. The NE course of study is full-time only and is completed over five semesters (summer, fall, spring, fall, and spring sequence). Program Highlights: Master of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 5 | Georgia Southwestern State UniversityAmericus, GA | Public | $ | 1 | The Online Master of Science in Nursing at Georgia Southwestern State University offers the same affordable tuition rate to all online students regardless of their state residence. The curriculum consists of core foundational nursing and research coursework along with courses in one of four concentration tracks: nursing education, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or family nurse practitioner. All didactic coursework is delivered and completed entirely online in an asynchronous format. Clinical components (preceptorship, practicum internship) are attended in-person at program-approved practice facilities in the student’s local area whenever feasible. Both full-time and part-time study options are available. Full-time students can complete all program requirements in four semesters (fall, spring, and summer semesters for the FNP track, fall and spring semesters only for all other tracks). Program Highlights: Online Master of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementImplied no |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 6 | Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 7 | Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 8 | University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 9 | Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 10 | University of Arkansas GranthamLittle Rock, AR | Private for-profit | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationDEAC | ||||
| 11 | Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 12 | University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 13 | Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 14 | Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 15 | West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 16 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 17 | Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio14/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 18 | Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 19 | University of Central ArkansasConway, AR | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 20 | Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 21 | Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio12/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 22 | Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 23 | University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, OK | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio8/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 24 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 25 | Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 26 | Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA | Public | $$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 27 | Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 28 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 29 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 30 | Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 31 | University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 32 | Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 33 | Colorado State University PuebloPueblo, CO | Public | $$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 34 | University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationNWCCU | ||||
| 35 | The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 36 | Nicholls State UniversityThibodaux, LA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 37 | McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 38 | Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 39 | Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 40 | Eagle Gate College-MurrayMurray, UT | Private for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationABHES | ||||
| 41 | The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 42 | Purdue University NorthwestHammond, IN | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 43 | Midway UniversityMidway, KY | Private not-for-profit | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 44 | Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 45 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbock, TX | Public | $$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio7/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 46 | Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TX | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 47 | The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio21/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 48 | University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 49 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalveston, TX | Public | $$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio10/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 50 | University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC |
What Makes an Online MSN Program Affordable?
An MSN program’s affordability is based on multiple factors. This section explores some of the variables that may affect the bottom-line cost of your MSN degree.
How much financial aid you can secure for your online MSN program
The amount of financial aid you get depends on several factors, such as if your school provides scholarships to nursing students and if your income level makes you eligible for certain grants. You may be able to receive financial aid from the federal and state government, as well as from your school and professional nursing organizations that want to help nurture people in the field.
If the MSN program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working
Many online MSN programs offer courses on an asynchronous basis, meaning you can access the classwork at your convenience. In addition schools may also have short semesters, allowing you to finish classes in weeks instead of months. These programs are made with busy nurses in mind, so you can continue making a living as you earn your degree.
Whether you live in-state or out-of-state
Attending a nursing school in-state or out-of-state can have a huge impact on your tuition bill. In fact, in-state tuition can range from $100 to $200 per credit hour depending on the school you attend, while out-of-state tuition can cost around $400 per credit.
How much of the MSN program coursework is offered online
The amount of MSN program coursework offered online depends on the school you attend. In many cases, you can take your entire curriculum online, except for any required practicum to get hands-on training. Some schools may expect you to travel to campus occasionally for laboratory work or special classes, but you’ll save money by not going to campus regularly.
How much it costs to apply
The cost of application fees may not be something you consider as you’re applying to MSN programs, but if you’re interested in several schools those fees can definitely add up. The fee to apply varies depending on the school, but generally you can expect to pay $25 to $100 per application.
If the nursing grad school is private or public
Choosing a private or public nursing school for your graduate studies can also make a huge difference in your tuition rates. Although it varies from one school to the next, in-state tuition costs at public institutions can be half the amount you’d pay at a private college or university.
How to Lower the Cost of Your Online MSN Degree
Public or private, in state or out of state—no matter which online nursing master’s degree program you choose, you’ll still have opportunities to save money on your tuition. Consider these three options for lowering the cost of your online MSN degree.
- Search for scholarships and grants designed specifically for MSN students.
Be sure to look for scholarships and grants that are specifically designed for nursing students, including funding from federal and state programs, school scholarships, and organizations that cater to the nursing industry. To find out what your options are, review our scholarships for nurse practitioner students and scholarships for nursing students pages for information on the different types of scholarships that are available.
- Find out if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program.
You may work at a facility that invests in its employees by offering tuition reimbursement. Employers like Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, and Texas Health Resources all have tuition reimbursement programs, so it’s worthwhile to find out if your employer offers this benefit.
- Explore student discounts.
From education costs to supplies, students can find various ways to save through discounts. For example, local medical supply stores may offer student discounts for scrubs and equipment. To find out more information about sources to help you save money, visit our nursing student discounts page.