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Top 25 Online Nurse Practitioner Schools

NPSchools.com collected data from 928 online nurse practitioner programs at the MSN, DNP, and graduate certificate levels. In 2022, the following schools were scored using AdvanceU—a measure weighing cost, flexibility, and program variety. Only schools with programs that had nine (or fewer) campus visits throughout their duration were considered in these rankings. The 25 schools listed below ranked best overall. Check out the full methodology below the table.

The NPSchools.com AdvanceU score measures a school’s Commitment to helping RNs become APRNs online.

Score 		School Program Tuition
(Resident)		 Tuition
(Non-Resident)
72 University of South Alabama(#1)
Post Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology CNS $15,444.00 $15,444.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
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Post-Graduate Certificate - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Pediatric Acute Care NP $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychatric Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $22,572.00 $22,572.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Psychatric Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (post-BSN pathway) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology CNS (RN with non-nursing Bachelor's to MSN) $31,482.00 $31,482.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (MSN to DNP) $31,482.00 $31,482.00
MSN - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) - post-BSN pathway $33,858.00 $33,858.00
MSN - Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) - post-BSN pathway $33,858.00 $33,858.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner - MSN to DNP $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) $35,640.00 $35,640.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (BSN to DNP) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (RN-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Neonatal NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Psychatric NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Women's Health NP (RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree) $36,828.00 $36,828.00
MSN - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) - RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree $40,392.00 $40,392.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Psychatric Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) $40,986.00 $40,986.00
DNP - Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) - MSN to DNP $42,768.00 $42,768.00
DNP - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) - MSN to DNP $42,768.00 $42,768.00
MSN - Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) - RN-to-MSN for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree $43,956.00 $43,956.00
DNP - Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) - BSN to DNP $48,114.00 $48,114.00
DNP - Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) - BSN to DNP $48,114.00 $48,114.00
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67 Northern Kentucky University(#2)
Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate $18,700.00 $18,700.00
Post-Master's Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate $18,700.00 $18,700.00
Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate $19,250.00 $19,250.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $25,300.00 $25,300.00
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MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,850.00 $25,300.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $30,315.00 $25,850.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
66 Frontier Nursing University(#3)
Post-Graduate Certificate - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $21,945.00 $21,945.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $22,784.00 $22,784.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $23,940.00 $23,940.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Nurse-Midwifery $25,935.00 $25,935.00
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MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $38,570.00 $38,570.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $40,565.00 $40,565.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $40,584.00 $40,584.00
MSN - Nurse-Midwifery $42,560.00 $42,560.00
MSN with DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $52,535.00 $52,535.00
MSN with DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $54,530.00 $54,530.00
MSN with DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $55,536.00 $55,536.00
MSN with DNP - Nurse-Midwifery $56,525.00 $56,525.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
65 Maryville University(#4)
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $24,302.00 $24,302.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $26,816.00 $26,816.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $29,330.00 $29,330.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $29,330.00 $29,330.00
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Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $31,844.00 $31,844.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNP) $34,358.00 $34,358.00
MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNP) $36,872.00 $36,872.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGACNP) $39,386.00 $39,386.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) $39,386.00 $39,386.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMHNP) $41,900.00 $41,900.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP AGPCNP) $62,696.00 $62,696.00
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP PNP) $65,462.00 $65,462.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP AGACNP) $68,228.00 $68,228.00
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) $68,228.00 $68,228.00
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP PMHNP) $70,994.00 $70,994.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
63 University of Missouri(#5)
Graduate Certificate- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $11,100.00 $11,100.00
Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $11,700.00 $11,700.00
Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $13,500.00 $13,500.00
Graduate Certificate- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist $13,500.00 $13,500.00
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MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,800.00 $25,800.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $27,600.00 $27,600.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $28,200.00 $28,200.00
MSN - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist $28,200.00 $28,200.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $28,200.00 $28,200.00
DNP - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $43,200.00 $43,200.00
DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $43,200.00 $43,200.00
DNP - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist $43,200.00 $43,200.00
DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $43,200.00 $43,200.00
DNP - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $43,200.00 $43,200.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
62 University of Missouri - Kansas City(#6)
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $17,285.40 $17,285.40
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $17,285.40 $17,285.40
Post-Master's Certificate - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $17,285.40 $17,285.40
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $17,285.40 $17,285.40
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Post-Master's Certificate - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $17,285.40 $17,285.40
Post-Master's Certificate - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $20,166.30 $20,166.30
Post-Master's Certificate - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $22,592.64 $22,592.64
MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $40,213.80 $40,213.80
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $41,325.48 $41,325.48
BSN-DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $66,184.12 $66,184.12
BSN-DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $66,729.50 $66,729.50
BSN-DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $66,729.50 $66,729.50
BSN-DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $66,729.50 $66,729.50
Show Fewer Programs (-)
62 Texas Tech University(#7)
Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health NP Certificate $7,685.00 $19,517.00
Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate $9,540.00 $24,228.00
Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate $9,540.00 $24,228.00
Post-Master's Primary Care Pediatric NP Certificate $9,805.00 $24,901.00
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Post-Master's Acute Care Pediatric NP Certificate $10,335.00 $26,247.00
Post-Master's Nurse-Midwifery Certificate $10,335.00 $26,247.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track $12,720.00 $32,304.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Track $12,720.00 $32,304.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track $12,985.00 $32,977.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track $12,985.00 $32,977.00
MSN - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Track $13,515.00 $34,323.00
MSN - Nurse-Midwifery Track $13,515.00 $34,323.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
62 University of Texas - Arlington(#8)
Post-Master's Certificate - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $20,928.00 $20,928.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $20,928.00 $20,928.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $20,928.00 $20,928.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $23,544.00 $23,544.00
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Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $24,198.00 $24,198.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $26,814.00 $26,814.00
MSN - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $26,814.00 $26,814.00
MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $26,814.00 $26,814.00
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $29,430.00 $29,430.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $35,154.75 $35,154.75
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $38,308.14 $38,308.14
Show Fewer Programs (-)
62 Regis College(#9)
Post-Master's PNP Certificate - for NPs (second specialty) $18,905.00 $18,905.00
Post-Master's AGACNP Certificate - for NPs (second specialty) $18,905.00 $18,905.00
Post-Master's AGPCNP Certificate - for NPs (second specialty) $18,905.00 $18,905.00
Post-Master's WHNP Certificate - for NPs (second specialty) $18,905.00 $18,905.00
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Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate - for NPs (second specialty) $21,890.00 $21,890.00
Post-Master's AGPCNP Certificate - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,815.00 $36,815.00
Post-Master's FNP Certificate - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,815.00 $36,815.00
Post-Master's PNP Certificate - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,815.00 $36,815.00
Post-Master's WHNP Certificate - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,815.00 $36,815.00
Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $39,800.00 $39,800.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $45,770.00 $45,770.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $45,770.00 $45,770.00
MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $45,770.00 $45,770.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $45,770.00 $45,770.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $48,755.00 $48,755.00
MSN to DNP - PNP - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - PNP - for NPs (second specialty) $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - WHNP - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - WHNP - for NPs (second specialty) $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - AGPCNP - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - AGPCNP - for NPs (second specialty) $55,390.00 $55,390.00
MSN to DNP - FNP - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $57,710.00 $57,710.00
MSN to DNP - FNP - for NPs (second specialty) $57,710.00 $57,710.00
MSN to DNP - PMHNP - for MSN-prepared non-NPs $58,255.00 $58,255.00
MSN to DNP - PMHNP - for NPs (second specialty) $58,255.00 $58,255.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP - BA route $60,695.00 $60,695.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner - BA route $60,695.00 $60,695.00
MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - BA route $60,695.00 $60,695.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - BA route $60,695.00 $60,695.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - BA route $63,680.00 $63,680.00
MS to DNP - FNP - for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $66,850.00 $66,850.00
MS to DNP - PNP - for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $66,850.00 $66,850.00
MS to DNP - WHNP - for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $66,850.00 $66,850.00
MS to DNP - AGPCNP - for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $66,850.00 $66,850.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $69,715.00 $69,715.00
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $69,715.00 $69,715.00
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $69,715.00 $69,715.00
BSN to DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $69,715.00 $69,715.00
MS to DNP - PMHNP - for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $69,715.00 $69,715.00
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $72,580.00 $72,580.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP - ADN route $137,310.00 $137,310.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner - ADN route $137,310.00 $137,310.00
MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - ADN route $137,310.00 $137,310.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - ADN route $137,310.00 $137,310.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - ADN route $140,295.00 $140,295.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
61 University of Southern Indiana(#10)
Post Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $10,057.44 $10,057.44
Post Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $10,057.44 $10,057.44
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology CNS $10,057.44 $10,057.44
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $10,057.44 $10,057.44
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Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health NP $10,895.56 $10,895.56
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $17,600.52 $17,600.52
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $17,600.52 $17,600.52
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $21,800.52 $21,800.52
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $21,800.52 $21,800.52
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $22,838.64 $22,838.64
Show Fewer Programs (-)
61 Eastern Kentucky University(#11)
Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Adult NP/CNS) $5,512.00 $5,512.00
Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Child/Adolescent NP/CNS) $6,890.00 $6,890.00
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate) $16,536.00 $16,536.00
Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-MSN certificate) $22,048.00 $22,048.00
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MSN - Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner $32,383.00 $32,383.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $33,761.00 $33,761.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
60 Briar Cliff University(#12)
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $12,870.00 $12,870.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $13,455.00 $13,455.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $14,625.00 $14,625.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $29,835.00 $29,835.00
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MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $30,420.00 $30,420.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $31,590.00 $31,590.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
59 Saint Joseph\'s College of Maine(#13)
Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Certificate $20,490.00 $20,490.00
Post-Master's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate $20,490.00 $20,490.00
Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate $20,490.00 $20,490.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $28,686.00 $28,686.00
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MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $28,686.00 $28,686.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $28,686.00 $28,686.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $28,686.00 $28,686.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
59 University of Alabama at Birmingham(#14)
Post-Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $15,744.00 $15,744.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $16,368.00 $16,368.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $16,368.00 $16,368.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $16,368.00 $16,368.00
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Post-Graduate Certificate - Pediatric Primary Care NP $16,368.00 $16,368.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Pediatric Acute Care NP $16,368.00 $16,368.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care NP $16,368.00 $16,368.00
Post-Graduate Certificate - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $16,368.00 $16,368.00
MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care NP $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care NP $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care NP $30,690.00 $30,690.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Pediatric Primary Care NP (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Pediatric Acute Care NP (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care NP (RN to MSN Bridge) $38,192.00 $38,192.00
MSN (Dual Specialization) - Pediatric Primary/Acute Care NP $47,058.00 $47,058.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care NP $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care NP $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care NP $53,878.00 $53,878.00
BSN to DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $53,878.00 $53,878.00
MSN (Dual Specialization) - Dual Pediatric Acute and Primary Care NP (RN to MSN Bridge) $54,560.00 $54,560.00
Show Fewer Programs (-)
59 University of Massachusetts - Boston(#15)
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner (for PNPs, ANPs, GNPs) $6,900.00 $6,900.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $12,075.00 $12,075.00
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59 Clarkson College(#16)
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $35,182.00 $35,182.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $35,182.00 $35,182.00
MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $36,618.00 $36,618.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (ADN bridge) $57,315.65 $57,315.65
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MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $57,315.65 $57,315.65
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) $57,570.35 $57,570.35
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) $57,570.35 $57,570.35
MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (ADN bridge) $58,752.00 $58,752.00
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP) $59,005.90 $59,005.90
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59 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi(#17)
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $14,698.99 $31,959.86
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $19,466.23 $42,325.22
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (RN Bridge for RNs with non-nursing bachelor's) $25,516.40 $55,262.35
RN-MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (For RNs with ADN) $48,581.82 $104,586.30
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58 Austin Peay State University(#18)
Family Nurse Practitioner - Post Master's Certificate $9,140.00 $14,680.00
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - MSN $19,740.00 $31,374.00
Family Nurse Practitioner - MSN $19,651.00 $31,562.00
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58 Kent State University(#19)
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certificate $10,448.10 $10,638.10
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate $11,547.90 $11,757.90
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $13,747.50 $13,997.50
MSN - Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist $20,346.30 $20,716.30
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MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $23,095.80 $23,515.80
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (BSN to DNP AGCNS) $39,042.90 $39,752.90
BSN to DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP WHNP) $41,792.40 $42,552.40
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58 University of Cincinnati(#20)
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health NP $15,884.00 $16,169.00
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $36,784.00 $37,444.00
MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $40,128.00 $40,848.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $41,800.00 $42,550.00
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MSN - Nurse-Midwifery $47,652.00 $48,507.00
BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $64,372.00 $65,527.00
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $66,044.00 $67,229.00
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $68,552.00 $69,782.00
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $69,388.00 $70,633.00
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58 William Paterson University(#21)
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $15,603.30 $15,603.30
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $22,190.00 $22,190.00
RN to MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $26,205.00 $26,205.00
MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $27,311.70 $27,311.70
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RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $33,450.00 $33,450.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $35,550.80 $35,550.80
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57 Southeastern Louisiana University(#22)
MSN to DNP with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate $16,875.77 N/A
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $21,738.28 N/A
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner $20,022.10 N/A
MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner $12,013.26 N/A
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MS in Nursing - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP $13,729.44 N/A
Post Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $3,432.36 N/A
Post Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP $5,720.60 N/A
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57 West Coast University(#23)
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $21,980.00 $21,980.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $22,765.00 $22,765.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,120.00 $25,120.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $25,120.00 $25,120.00
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MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $35,765.10 $35,765.10
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $36,550.00 $36,550.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $37,554.74 $37,554.74
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $38,905.18 $38,905.18
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $44,629.76 $44,629.76
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $45,415.50 $45,415.50
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $47,260.00 $47,260.00
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (ADN bridge) $47,769.80 $47,769.80
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57 Purdue University Northwest(#24)
Post-Master's Certificate - Clinical Nurse Specialist $10,227.00 $15,033.00
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner $10,227.00 $15,033.00
MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Care $16,022.30 $23,551.70
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner $16,022.30 $23,551.70
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57 Middle Tennessee State University(#25)
Nursing MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration $25,956.00 N/A
Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $12,360.00 N/A
Nursing MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration $25,956.00 N/A
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Online NP School Rankings: What Is AdvanceU?

The NPSchools.com team created the AdvanceU score to measure how well a nursing school structures its online programs to meet the needs of registered nurses (RNs) looking to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

AdvanceU scores range from 1 to 100. For a nursing school to earn a 100, it would have to best every other school across every category. A school scoring 70 outperforms an average of 70% of its competitors across all measures.

In general, nursing schools that score the highest are the ones that:

  • Offer RNs a variety of programs and specializations
  • Limit extraneous admissions hurdles
  • Let students start as quickly as possible
  • Are among the most affordable

The AdvanceU score is not a measure of a nursing school’s academic quality, although all of the profiled online programs are approved by one of these reputable programmatic accreditors: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACNE), or the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

NPSchools.com collected data on each school’s online programs, grouped the data into three “buckets,” calculated a sub-score for each bucket, and finally combined and weighted them to generate a unique AdvanceU score for the school.

Primary Measures of AdvanceU: What is a Top Online Nursing Program?

The three “buckets” (or primary measures) that factor into the AdvanceU score are admissions flexibility, program variety, and cost.

For 2022, we weighted cost and admissions flexibility evenly (30% each) and gave a bit more weight to program variety (40%) as it is composed of more individual data points and, practically speaking, best demonstrates a school’s investment in and commitment to online advanced practice training and development for registered nurses at all levels of education.

Admissions
Flexibility (30%)		This measures how well an online nursing school accommodates RNs from different states, admits them without entrance exams, and has multiple start dates throughout the year.
Program Variety (40%)This considers the breadth of online nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, and clinical nurse specialist programs offered by an institution, factoring in the variety of program pathways (e.g., RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP) and specializations (e.g., adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health).
Cost (30%)This weighs total program tuition for both in-state and out-of-state residents.

What’s the Point of the AdvanceU Ranking?

Registered nurses (RNs) seeking greater autonomy, more population-specific experience, and higher pay might consider an advanced practice role. Nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) all require graduate-level training, including at least 500 to 1,000 clinical hours in their chosen specialization. Then, they can pursue state licensure and national certification.

Online NP, CNM, and CNS programs give working RNs the ability to earn a graduate degree while continuing to work. However, not every school offers the right program for every aspiring APRN. Some schools offer limited specializations and start dates. Others require that prospective students live and work in specific states, submit GRE scores, or have a BSN prior to enrollment.

Generally speaking, distance-based APRN programs have different requirements and characteristics. Restrictions may not always be obvious. Consequently, the NPSchools.com team did the research to show which online nursing schools are the most flexible, affordable, and varied in their program offerings.

In other words, we created the AdvanceU system to help you determine whether a nursing school can meet your specific needs. Check out our customized AdvanceU rankings to find your ideal online program.

Popular Lists of Online NP Programs, Ranked

Top No GRE Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

RNs may seek out an NP program that doesn’t require GRE test scores for many reasons, including: the extent of time that has passed since they attended college, the difficulty of the test, the cost of preparing for and taking the test, and the fact that the test may not be a true reflection of intelligence and ability. Fortunately for aspiring NPs, many online programs do not require GRE test scores. The following is a comprehensive list of the top no GRE online NP programs ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.

Most Affordable Online NP Programs

With the ever-increasing cost of earning an advanced degree, those seeking to become nurse practitioners need affordable, flexible, and convenient options for their schooling. Fortunately, there are a variety of affordable online master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctoral level programs available in most states. Following is a list of the most affordable online NP programs ranked by total tuition, not including fees. It is a comprehensive list of online programs that require no more than nine campus visits and offer clinicals local to the student.

Rankings by NP Specialization

Top Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) play an important role in the care of infants, especially those born prematurely or needing special care because they are sick or have acute health challenges. Here you can view a comprehensive, ranked list of online neonatal NP programs, and learn more about programs of interest by reading their detailed school profiles.

Top Online Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Programs

Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) play an important role in the care of patients and families in the United States serving populations across the lifespan with their mental health needs including in the areas of patient education and disease prevention. View a comprehensive, ranked list of online psychiatric NP programs, and learn more about programs of interest by reading their detailed school profiles.

Top Online Women’s Health and Gender-Related NP Programs

The women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) is specifically prepared to serve women from adolescence through adulthood. WHNPs address the unique needs of women during the childbearing years and beyond, working with menstruation, childbearing, menopause, and many other women’s health issues. View a complete list of online WHNP programs ranked according to our AdvanceU score.

Top Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) play an especially important role in the lives of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses as well as well-visit checkups and preventive care. View a complete list of all online pediatric NP programs, including specialized primary care and acute care PNP programs, ranked using our AdvanceU scoring system.

Top Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Fortunately for future FNPs, there are a variety of master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctoral level programs available in most states, with a growing number of online, distance learning programs available around the country. View here a comprehensive list of online family nurse practitioner programs (which we define as programs that require no more than nine campus visits over the duration of the program), ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.

Top Online Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) may study general gerontology, acute care, or primary care and serve populations ranging from adolescence through late adulthood. There are a variety of master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctoral level programs available in most states, with a growing number of online programs becoming available. View a comprehensive list of online AGNP programs, including specialized primary and acute care programs, ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.

Rankings by NP Degree Type

Top Online RN-to-MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

The top online RN-to-MSN nurse practitioner programs ranked here offer students several choices that take into account the cost-per-credit, admissions flexibility, and the variety of the program options. One advantage of moving directly from the associate’s degree or diploma to the MSN is that generally at least three bachelor’s and master’s level classes overlap, reducing the overall credit load. This helps nurses earn their degree in less time, with less cost, in a seamless manner.

Top Online Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs

View a comprehensive, ranked list of the top online post-master’s NP certificate programs. A post-master’s NP certificate allows MSN-prepared nurses to specialize in a nurse practitioner area of study and practice. Specializations include family nursing, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, women’s health, and adult-gerontology, as well as acute care and primary care options.

Top Online MSN-Nurse Practitioner Programs

Nurse practitioners fill an important role in the care of patients from infancy through late adulthood in primary, acute, and specialty care settings. Patients are turning more and more to nurse practitioners due to the shortage of family practice doctors, as well as the excellent service provided by NPs due to their comprehensive educational experience and clinical practice. We’ve ranked a comprehensive list of online MSN-NP programs here based on cost, admissions flexibility and the variety of the programs.

Top Online DNP-Nurse Practitioner Programs

The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree provides an opportunity to study leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, interpersonal communication, and health care systems in a practice-focused manner rather than a research-based doctoral education. Earning a DNP degree with an NP specialization requires completion of a preceptorship consisting of a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours in a supervised setting. The following is a comprehensive list of online DNP-NP programs ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.

Online APRN Program Rankings

Top Online Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

Clinical nurse specialists are able to diagnose, treat, and manage the health care of patients in their respective specialization, providing expertise and support to other nursing professionals, doctors, and specialists. CNSs are in high demand and have several specializations to choose from in the areas of adult-gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal, family, women’s health, and psychiatric mental health. View a complete list of online clinical nurse specialist programs ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.

Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs

Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) primarily care for women throughout pregnancy including prenatal and postpartum care. However, CNMs are also qualified to address the gynecologic and primary health care needs of women from adolescence through menopause, as well as caring for newborns and young babies. View a comprehensive list of online nurse-midwifery programs ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety.