Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2024
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2024Transitioning from registered nurse (RN) to nurse practitioner (NP) can enhance your career, finances, and professional expertise.
Fortunately, you don’t have to put your life on pause to pursue a nurse practitioner degree. Learn more about the benefits of online master’s degrees, what to expect, and our top-ranked nurse practitioner programs.
Nurse Practitioner Programs You Should Consider
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$34,700
- Out-of-state$34,700
- In-State$22,950
- Out-of-state$22,950
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled7,304
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,174
- Out-of-state$33,174
- In-State$9,864
- Out-of-state$9,864
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled4,643
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$41,872
- Out-of-state$41,872
- In-State$21,384
- Out-of-state$21,384
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,984
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Samuel Merritt University
- Oakland, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$48,270
- Out-of-state$48,270
- In-State$53,946
- Out-of-state$53,946
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,048
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,134
- Out-of-state$22,134
- In-State$19,168
- Out-of-state$19,168
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled790
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
D'Youville College
- Buffalo, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,968
- Out-of-state$28,968
- In-State$19,170
- Out-of-state$19,170
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled2,619
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Rockhurst University
- Kansas City, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$39,500
- Out-of-state$39,500
- In-State$16,524
- Out-of-state$16,524
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled3,626
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,894
- Out-of-state$57,894
- In-State$32,850
- Out-of-state$32,850
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled26,457
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Saint John Fisher College
- Rochester, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,352
- Out-of-state$35,352
- In-State$18,054
- Out-of-state$18,054
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled3,539
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Is a Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree Worth It?
NP master’s programs can unlock your career potential as a nurse. NPs are some of the most specialized and highly paid nursing professionals in healthcare. They have more autonomy and authority than registered nurses and can work as primary care providers in some states.
NPs typically specialize in a patient population, such as children, older adults, and those who need psychiatric mental health services. So, if there is a patient population you’re passionate about, becoming an NP can help you take even better care of them.
On top of that, patients tend to love NPs. A 2020 study in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners indicates that NPs perform as well or better than physicians when it comes to patient outcomes and clinical safety.
“I chose to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner so I would have the tools, knowledge, and scope of practice to help patients in so many more ways than I could as a nurse. I feel like I make so much more of a difference as a nurse practitioner, and I have more control over how much I can help patients.”
— Kayla Potter, DNP
Benefits of Getting a Nurse Practitioner Degree
- Increase your expertise and salary potential: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $126,260 in 2023.
- Choose from high-paying career options: Nurse practitioners in home health services earned an average annual wage of $146,850, according to the BLS. Those in outpatient care centers earned an average annual wage of $139,860.
- Benefit from a growing demand for the role: The BLS projects the nurse practitioner field will grow by 40% from 2023-2033 — more than four times faster than other healthcare practitioners.
3 Reasons for Getting Your Nurse Practitioner Degree Online
- Save time: The flexibility of online nurse practitioner programs — many of which offer asynchronous classes and accelerated courses — allows you to complete coursework as quickly or as slowly as you want.
- Save money: Going to school online means you won’t have to move, commute, or pay on-campus fees. Tuition for online students may also be more affordable, depending on the school.
- Keep working: No need to put your nursing career on hold. Pursuing a master’s degree online makes it possible to hold down a job (and keep building up invaluable experience) while studying.
How Much Does an Online Nurse Practitioner Master’s Cost?
Some nursing schools charge less for online NP programs. Online program costs can vary depending on whether you attend a public or private school, travel to attend on-campus events, or pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. Despite the expense, becoming an NP helps you access advanced job opportunities and higher salaries.
Average Annual Cost of a Master’s Degree, 2021-2022
Public Institution
$12,596
Private Institution
$28,017
How Long Does an Online NP Program Take?
NP candidates entering an online master of science in nursing (MSN) program with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) can expect to graduate in 1-2 years. The typical timeline depends on your previous education and whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
The graduation timeline for part-time NP students or those enrolled in a direct-entry MSN program with an unrelated bachelor’s degree can be longer. However, these accelerated programs require students to attend full-time, allowing them to graduate in as little as five semesters.
An online NP program can require 35-50 credits, depending on the program. The required clinical hours vary depending on the specialty and the school, ranging from 200-600 hours with a preceptor.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Nurse Practitioner Degree?
The median annual salary for a nurse practitioner was $126,260, according to the BLS, offering a strong return on your investment. NP salaries vary depending on your workplace, geographical location, and specialty.
Nurse practitioners working in home healthcare services have the highest annual average wage of $146,850, reports the BLS. NPs working in offices of other health practitioners make the lowest average annual wage of $121,250.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree?
The job outlook for NPs is, frankly, amazing. The BLS projects nurse practitioners will be one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. from 2023-2033.
With rapid growth driven by an increasing demand for preventative and aging healthcare services, NPs should have no problem finding a good job anywhere in the country.
| Job | Average Salary (Oct. 2024) |
|---|---|
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $112,890 |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $121,230 |
| Gerontological Nurse Practitioner | $109,000 |
| Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner | $101,480 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $104,724 |
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs
RN-to-MSN/ADN-to-MSN Programs
RN-to-MSN and ADN-to-MSN programs allow RNs with associate degrees in nursing to earn their MSN degrees without first earning their BSNs.
Some RN-to-MSN programs award you a BSN degree en route to the MSN. Programs for nurse practitioners typically include approximately 60 credits of coursework and clinical practice hours. You can often earn your MSN degree in 2-3 years.
BSN-to-MSN Programs
BSN-to-MSN programs prepare students with BSN degrees for both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Programs for aspiring nurse practitioners typically include 30-60 credits of coursework and 600-700 hours of clinical practice. Full-time students can earn their MSN degrees in two years.
Direct-Entry MSN/Accelerated MSN Programs
Direct-entry and accelerated MSN programs cater to college graduates who studied subjects other than nursing. Some programs allow you to earn a BSN while you work toward your MSN, while others do not.
If you enroll in a direct-entry MSN program, you can earn your RN license, MSN degree, and NP certification within three years.
Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program
Nurse practitioner certificate programs allow you to prepare for certification in a specialty other than the one you pursued while earning your degree.
NP certificate programs typically include 18-35 credits of coursework and 500-700 hours of supervised clinical practice. Many NP certificate programs take approximately 1-2 years to complete.
Licenses and Certifications
To become an NP, you must hold an active RN license, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, pass the national certification boards for your specialty, and meet your state’s requirements.
You can apply for licensure as an APRN once you have earned your MSN and completed other state-specific requirements.
In most states, NPs must take national certification exams to be eligible for licensure. Prospective NPs take exams to gain certification in their areas of expertise.
Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Healthcare Degree Programs.
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Nurse Practitioner Degree
NPs assess and diagnose health conditions, order and interpret medical tests, prescribe medication, and collaborate in patient care across diverse settings. They provide high-quality, cost-effective, individualized care to patients and families, comparable to the quality physicians and physician assistants offer.
With Contributions By:
Kayla Potter is a doctorally-prepared psychiatric nurse practitioner. She started her private telehealth practice — Lioness Healing and Wellness — to be able to bring much-needed mental health services to her small hometown of Culpeper, VA, and the surrounding areas. Dr. Potter loves to learn and has been a student for most of her life — she has two bachelor’s degrees (psychology and nursing) from Longwood University and James Madison University, and a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) from George Mason University. Her primary area of interest is in perinatal and maternal mental health. In her free time, Dr. Potter loves to spend time with her husband and three kids, paint, and CrossFit.
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