Best Affordable Online MSN Programs of 2024

Is it your dream to work in leadership or management as a nurse? Are you already a registered nurse (RN) but want to see where else your career can take you? Earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) can help you expand your skills, job prospects, and salary potential.

If you’re a student on a budget, the good news is that tuition at many affordable online MSN programs can be as low as $13,500. By doing your homework, you can find an inexpensive graduate nursing program that offers a rigorous and meaningful education.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Being cost-efficient and online in format doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. Many cheap MSN programs offer the the same rigor and curricula as more expensive, in-person programs. They’re also often better options for busy working adults as they have flexible course schedules.

A traditional MSN degree typically takes two years to complete; however, many affordable online MSN programs offer accelerated courses, allowing you to graduate in as little as one year.

As an MSN student, you can expect to take required courses in clinical skills and leadership. You’ll also likely choose a specialization, such as geriatric nursing, nursing administration, clinical nursing, or advanced practical nursing.

In addition to coursework, students typically complete clinical practicum and lab hours, which they do on site or on campus. If your MSN program is online but based in another state, you will be required to find a clinical site in your home state. Some programs assist with this, and some do not.

Here are some of the most common graduate classes:

Regardless of how cheap or expensive a nursing program is, an MSN requires a significant financial investment.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate students pay an average of $20,513 in tuition each year. Students attending private schools can expect to pay even more.

The cost of an MSN program can vary significantly depending on your residency status, the course delivery format, and whether the school is public or private. Access to financial aid or stipends can also impact the cost of a graduate nursing degree.

Georgetown University offers one of the most expensive online MSNs at $2,440 per credit. In contrast, the University of Alabama charges just $400 per credit for its online MSN program.

There are many advantages of a cheap online MSN. Some online programs charge in-state tuition rates regardless of residency. Also, attending classes remotely often means you can avoid paying on-campus fees and save money on transportation costs.

Some of the cheapest online MSN programs have stellar reputations in the nursing field. Follow these steps to find a quality graduate nursing program within your budget.

Creating and following a budget is essential to financing a master’s degree in nursing. While enrolling in a graduate program can be financially difficult for many people, sticking to a budget can prevent you from living beyond your means.

It pays to anticipate all the costs associated with pursuing an MSN. To ensure that even the cheapest MSN programs are feasible for you, be sure to plan for these expenses and income sources:

College or university accreditation means a school meets academic standards of excellence. Accreditation also indicates that the school is academically rigorous and can prepare you with the skills and experience you’ll need to succeed. You must attend an accredited school to qualify for state licensure and to sit for certification boards.

When researching cheap MSN programs, understand the distinction between institutional and programmatic accreditation. High-quality MSN programs will typically hold programmatic accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

How likely is it that will you find a job after earning your MSN? Will you be able to earn more after graduation? Do most of the students from your chosen program report being satisfied with their education?

These and other figures are essential to consider when selecting a cheap MSN program.

When researching prospective programs, look at outcomes, such as retention and graduation rates, graduate salaries, and job placement. Metrics like acceptance and graduate rates can provide insight into the quality of a school’s MSN. For example, a program with a relatively high acceptance rate but low job placement can raise concerns about its ability to meet specific academic standards or adequately prepare you for success.

Some MSN programs provide student outcomes or rankings on their websites. For example, Johns Hopkins University’s MSN program lists its ranking among other graduate nursing programs in the country.

Even attendees of the cheapest MSN programs often need aid to pay tuition and fees and support themselves financially.

If you’re considering student loans, weigh the debt you may incur against your earning potential after graduation. If you can greatly increase your salary potential with an MSN, you may be able to handle those loan payments.

On the contrary, if your prospective pay is relatively low, you might want to look into other types of financial aid.

Does earning an MSN require you to go into student debt? Not necessarily — as long as you know what resources to search for. You can apply for graduate nursing scholarships to help defray tuition costs and provide a modest stipend to live on.

Here are some popular scholarships to consider:

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 16, 2024.