Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
8 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 10 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 12 State Restriction Note: This program is only available in fewer than 15 states.14 Program is no longer accepting new students.
What Are The Admission Requirements For An Msn Program
While graduate admission requirements vary from one school to another, the requirements for online and on-campus programs at the same institution are usually the same. For traditional MSN programs, you must have a BSN in order to be accepted. However, RN-to-MSN programs and direct-entry MSN programs have different requirements.
For RN-to-MSN programs, you must be a registered nurse and have an ADN. For direct-entry MSN programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, but it doesn’t need to be in nursing.
How Much More Can I Make With An Online Msn Degree
Nursing professionals with a Master of Science in Nursing train in many specialty areas. These graduate nursing positions pay an MSN salary that exceeds the salaries offered to nurse professionals who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Registered Nurse nursing diploma . According to government data, most MSN jobs pay $50 an hour or more. Most of the highest-paying jobs for nurses required an MSN.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the median salary for a Registered Nurse and a Master of Science in Nursing salaries are as follows:
- MS Nurse Salary $113,930 per year this translates to an MSN Salary per hour of $54.78.
- RN Nurse Salary $71,730 per year that translates to $34.48/year.
A Master of Science in Nursing salary will exceed that of a nursing professional without an MS nursing degree. In addition to the larger MS nurse salary, the job outlook through 2030 for nursing professionals with a graduate degree, far exceeds the expected growth in the nursing industry for those who only hold a baccalaureate degree or a nursing diploma.
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What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Nurse Practitioner In Canada
Nurse Practitioners need to earn at least Masters degree from an accredited program. Some choose to pursue a PhD or program, instead. NPs must also have a registered nursing license.
NPs provide advanced nursing services, as well as primary and specialty care. Depending on the state, they may also be able to prescribe medications and order laboratory tests. So, they need clinical experience and knowledge of advanced topics, like pharmacology.
Plus, NPs must achieve certification. Along with the above requirements, this calls for passing a national certification exam. Check with your states nursing board for more information on pursuing an NP career path.
The majority of Nurse Practitioners work in physicians offices or hospitals. Some work in other kinds of healthcare facilities and educational institutions. And, some NPs even treat patients in their homes.
Scholarships For Nurse Practitioner Students
Nurse practitioner students may qualify for many scholarship opportunities. Professional associations, private foundations, and government agencies all support nurses moving into advanced practice roles. The following list outlines several scholarship opportunities for nurse practitioner students. Nurses can also research scholarships based on their school, state, or specialty.
Who Can Apply: Nurse practitioner students with a minimum 3.2 GPA can apply for the scholarship. Applicants must attend an AACN member institution for their graduate degree. The scholarship application includes a short essay on career goals and future plans.Amount: $5,000
AfterCollege/AACN Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship, offered four times per year, supports nursing students. Degree-seekers in an accelerated graduate program or an RN-to-MSN program receive preference. Applicants must show current enrollment in an AACN member institution. Finalists for the scholarship must provide recommendation letters, academic awards, and their published articles to the committee.Amount: $2,500
NHSC Scholarship
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Fort Hays State University
Our cheapest online MSN goes to Fort Hays State University, at an absolutely astounding $251.38 per credit hour. Located in Hays, Kansas, the Fort Hays State Department of Nursing has a plan to spread high-quality nursing education across Kansas and beyond with their online nursing degrees. The online MSN degree features credentialed faculty and small class sizes, so students can develop relationships with one another and their faculty mentors similar to the experience in a residential program. Online students can concentrate in Nursing Administration or Nursing Education, non-clinical roles that remove the need for clinical practice. How does Fort Hays State do all that for such a low cost? Smarts just like an investment in a low-cost MSN.
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Funding An Online Nursing Degree
Most students pay less than a colleges sticker price because of financial aid. Regardless of whether students enroll in an accredited online or an on-campus degree program, they apply for aid in the same way.
Students should submit a FAFSA form to see if they qualify for government aid. There are several types of federal student aid available, including grants or loans. Grants do not need to be repaid, so they have the potential to significantly reduce tuition costs. However, students must follow specific requirements in order to maintain eligibility.
Colleges or universities also offer new or currently enrolled students need- or merit-based scholarships. Students should check with their schools financial aid office or website to view a list of available scholarships, application requirements, and deadlines. If you are currently working as an RN, reach out to your healthcare employer to determine if they offer tuition reimbursement programs to employees pursuing their BSN degrees. There are also outside organizations that provide scholarships and financial aid to nursing students:
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West Virginia Wesleyan College
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuition and Fees: $38,160
The FNP specialty concentration at West Virginia Wesleyan is delivered online and through hybrid teaching methods, allowing nurses a greater degree of independence and autonomy in managing their educational experiences. The program makes every effort to set up clinical practicum experience options near the residence of the individual student. After graduation, nurses should be well-prepared for the necessary certification examinations to become a primary care practitioner.
How Long Is Np School
How long it takes to become a nurse practitioner depends on what education youve already earned and your chosen degree pathway.
I am not a nurse
3-5 yearsi
I am an RN with an ADN
2-3 yearsii
I am an RN with a BSN
As few as 20 monthsiii
i. The fastest path is first completing an Accelerated BSN program , then an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program .
ii. The fastest path is an Accelerated RN to MSN program . You may also choose to first earn a BSN in an online RN to BSN program , then pursue an MSN in our MSN program .
iii. The estimated length for our MSN Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Our other NP concentrations can take as few as 24 months to complete.
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University Of Southern California
In a Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education survey, the University of Southern California received an overall ranking of 18 out of 801 U.S. colleges and universities. The same survey ranked USC fourth in student engagement. This trait could be why U.S. News and World Report ranked USC’s online MSN program number 17 in the nation for nursing programs for veterans.
The online MSN program at USC is an evidence-based degree with a minimum completion time of 21 months for full-time students. Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a 3.0 GPA, a U.S.-issued RN license, and one year of clinical experience.
- Campus: Los Angeles, CA
- Program Length:49 credit hours
- Estimated Tuition Cost:$1,995 per unit
- Program Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Curriculum Snapshot:Research/Analytical Methods, Clinical Management of Adult Patients, Professional Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Transforming Research Evidence into Practice.
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Top 10 Cheapest Online Msn Programs
With the American Nurses Association advocating for the BSN to become the standard for nursing jobs, many RNs are realizing they need to raise their status, and current BSN-holders find they need an MSN to continue to compete on the job market. So whats the lowest cost you can pay to get an MSN degree online?
What do you call a value? Sometimes, as in the Value Colleges Best Value MSN list, its a complicated formula that takes a lot of factors into account. Sometimes, value just means cheap. Thats why, for those of you with small pockets and big plans, we have the Cheap List.
These arent the absolute rock-bottom these are the best of the cheap. Sure, you could find a cheaper school, but theyll probably be worth what you pay. The schools on this list are worth more than the sticker price. Nearly all are accredited by the CCNE or ACEN, a basic minimum standard for quality.
The Cheapest Online MSN list is based on cost per credit gathered from each institution. Fees and higher prices for out-of-state residents may apply.
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University Of Southern Mississippi
Online MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,218
University of Southern Mississippi offers accredited online NP programs that are some of the most affordable on our list. The online program provides a scientific and research-based curriculum with courses taught by qualified faculty members. The program is designed to prepare registered nurses at the graduate level to provide primary health care in rural and urban community health settings. To be admitted, students must hold an accredited bachelors degree with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in all undergrad nursing courses. Additional requirements include proof of a current unrestricted RN license in Mississippi, GRE scores, and three letters of reference. The school is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university. Also, the online graduate nursing programs rank #58 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
Your Clinical Placement Is Our Pledge
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an NP program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, well encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment agreement.
Classes Start January 9th
You may be eligible for the Herzing University Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.
Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA earned in your undergraduate nursing program, and maintaining a minimum GPA throughout the MSN program.
You can potentially earn 10% tuition reduction!
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Cost Of An Online Np Master’s Degree
An online MSN program from an accredited institution will average about $17,000 annually. Online courses often come with technology fees that their on-campus equivalents lack, but are still generally more affordable. The schools on this page have lower tuition rates than the average cost of an MSN program. In addition, four of the schools also earned spots on the rankings list of online nurse practitioner master’s degrees with the best return on investment . ROI is a more comprehensive look at cost, factoring in future earnings versus debt.
Students may also wonder about the cost of a family nurse practitioner program. This is the most common NP certification, so many schools on our list offer affordable online FNP programs. This includes the top-ranked University of Southern Indiana and 22 others. Among these 23 programs, the average annual tuition is $8,160 for an MSN with FNP concentration. Each institution also charges fees on top of tuition. For example, the University of Central Missouri’s cost calculator adds $511.50 in general fees and $77.25 in technology fees to the cost of online tuition each semester.
University Of Central Missouri
U.S. News and World Report recently ranked the University of Central Missouri number 16 for Top Public Schools and number 64 for Best Value Schools. In 2020, Online U listed UCM’s master of science in nursing online degree program among the Most Affordable Online Colleges, MSN.
Together with teaching advanced practice nursing knowledge, the master of science in nursing online degree program at UCM features coursework needed for the nurse educator certification. Licensed RNs in good standing can qualify for this program with a BSN accredited by the NLN or the CCNE, an undergraduate 3.0 GPA, and a minimum of one year as a registered nurse.
- Campus: Warrensburg, MO
- Program Length:33-44 credit units
- Estimated Tuition Cost:$317 per credit hour
- Program Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Curriculum Snapshot:Family/Population Health, Graduate Statistics, Primary Care for Childbearing Family, Family Population Health, Advanced Health Appraisal
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What Are Msn Nursing Specializations
Schools offer many different types of MSN specialties. MSN specializations include advanced practice registered nurse specialties and non-advanced practice registered nurse specialties. Advanced practice registered nurses have a national or state certification in a specialty of practice and an RN license.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Informatics
West Texas A& m University
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuition and Fees: $19,717
Although students opting for the comprehensive masters of science in nursing degree program can typically take all of their courses online, the family nurse practitioner program requires attendance at the Canyon, Texas, campus location. Upon successful completion of the FNP degree, students are eligible to take the Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner examination and to earn certification as a qualified primary care provider in the state of Texas.
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Ancc Vs Aanp Certification: Which Is Least Expensive
In choosing which nurse practitioner certifying body you will use, one thing to consider is cost. While the difference in price between the ANCC and AANP certification exams is not substantial, you can save some money by selecting the least expensive organization. This savings is compounded over the course of your NP career when you factor in recertification costs as well. Which option will leave your pocket book in better condition?
If you are graduating from an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or a Family Nurse Practitioner program, you have options when it comes to your NP certification exam. You may certify through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center , or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners . While taking either exam will officially certify you as an NP, its worth doing some research to find the best exam for your needs.
The first thing you need to look at in considering the cost of nurse practitioner certification is the flat rates offered by both the ANCC and AANP. Each organization offers a discount for membership in various nursing organizations. The chart below shows the price for each certification exam including discounts for nursing organization memberships.
Cost of Initial NP Certification
Cost of NP Certification Renewal
The 64 Most Affordable Online Fnp Programs
Online FNP programs are designed to provide working RNs with the flexibility to move forward in their academic and professional careers. Aspiring family nurse practitioners have the option to pursue an RN to MSN bridge program, or for those with their BSN, go right into online nurse practitioner programs. Pursuing nurse practitioner programs can look like full- or part-time study, flexible clinical hours and location, and a significantly positive job outlook.
The career of an FNP can be highly satisfying, as family nurse practitioners will usually sustain a long term relationship with their patients through the general practice or hospital they work for. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 45% job outlook for nurse practitioners through the year 2029, a much higher than average rate of increase among all careers. Plus, the median annual salary of NPs reported by the BLS in 2019 hit $115,800, making this a very lucrative profession for those in it for the long haul.
Least Expensive: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ~$14,898Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$98,310
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Becoming An Rn Online
To become RNs, students must first complete an accredited, state-approved nursing education program and then pass their states National Council Licensure Examination, otherwise known as NCLEX-RN. The following are several educational pathways aspiring nurses can take to become eligible for the licensure exam:
- Associate degree in Nursing / Associate of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The RN programs above cover nursing theory and clinical practice that qualify students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. While BSN and ADN/ASN degree programs are offered online, students must complete the clinical experience requirement in-person at an approved healthcare facility.
RN diploma programs are the least common educational pathway for aspiring nurses and are offered by some hospitals and nursing schools. These diploma programs are not available online and do not culminate in a college degree. RN diplomas and associate degree programs can take two to three years to complete, while a bachelors degree requires three to four years of study.