Most Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs (2023-2024)

The tables below rank the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs in the NPSchools.com database. More specifically, each table lists all nursing schools with affordable online nurse practitioner (NP) programs at the specified degree level: master of science in nursing (MSN), doctor of nursing practice (DNP), or post-master’s certificate.

In total, the NPSchools.com database contains 1,035 online programs, and we believe it to be a comprehensive list of online NP programs accepting new students at the outset of the 2023-2024 academic year.

Each online program in our database requires less than ten campus visits total, with other coursework to be completed online and, in most but not all cases, clinical preceptorships to be completed at an approved facility near where the student lives and works.

Each table below lists only programs we have deemed affordable, meaning that the program’s cost, ranked by non-resident/out-of-state tuition, placed it in the upper third of similar online NP programs in terms of affordability.

In the 2023-24 academic year, the cutoff for affordability is $31,375 for an MSN-NP degree program, $16,611 for a post-master’s NP certificate program, and $53,510 for a DNP-NP degree program, meaning the total cost for an affordable program has to fall below whichever number is most relevant.

The program tables below contain only affordable nurse practitioner programs. The least affordable two-thirds of programs at each degree level are not listed on this page, as they did not make the cut.

Even though the mean annual wage for NPs is $124,680 per year (BLS May 2022), RNs must consider the cost of earning an advanced NP degree or post-master’s certificate, and weigh the return on the investment in real terms:

  1. Can one work and continue to make a living as one studies to become an NP?
  2. How long will that take?
  3. How quickly can one realistically move into an NP role following graduation?
  4. How long will it take to pay the degree off?
  5. How will lifetime earnings increase?

While the nurse practitioner role is one of the most well-compensated, in-demand roles in healthcare, the student loan debt crisis is real, and educational investment and return should be considered and understood.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable online NP programs in our nursing schools database at the MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate levels. All nurse practitioner specializations – AGNP, FNP, NNP, PMHNP, PNP, and WHNP – are included.

Affordable Online MSN-NP Programs

The following online MSN programs all offer one or more nurse practitioner tracks. Most accept BSN-prepared nurses, but some are designed for registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. We’ve tried to indicate which applies in the program name, but if it is not specified, then it is safest to assume that the program is designed for BSN-prepared RNs.

Rank School Most Affordable Program Tuition
(Resident)
Tuition
(Non-Resident)
1 Rockhurst University
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate $15,920.00 $15,920.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
2 Columbus State University
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $16,940.00 $16,940.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
3 University of Southern Indiana
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $21,800.52 $21,800.52
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $21,800.52 $21,800.52
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
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 Affordable Programs (-)
4 Troy University
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $22,325.00 $22,325.00
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5 University of West Florida
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $22,500.00 $22,500.00
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6 University of Nevada Reno
MSN – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $14,553.00 $22,660.00
MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $14,553.00 $22,660.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $15,214.50 $23,690.00
MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $15,876.00 $24,720.00
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $15,876.00 $24,720.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
7 McNeese State University
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $23,306.64 $23,306.64
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
8 Kent State University
MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $23,095.80 $23,515.80
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
9 Purdue University Northwest
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $16,022.30 $23,551.70
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
10 Northern Kentucky University
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $25,300.00 $25,300.00
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,300.00 $25,300.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $25,850.00 $25,850.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
11 Texas Woman's University
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $25,758.00 $25,758.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
12 University of Missouri
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,800.00 $25,800.00
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $28,200.00 $28,200.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $28,200.00 $28,200.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
13 Ohio University
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,320.00 $26,080.00
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $26,720.00 $27,480.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $26,720.00 $27,480.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
14 Old Dominion University
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $25,158.00 $26,166.00
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree) $25,158.00 $26,166.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $29,351.00 $30,527.00
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree) $29,351.00 $30,527.00
MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $29,351.00 $30,527.00
MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing BA/BS degree) $29,351.00 $30,527.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
15 William Paterson University
RN to MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $26,205.00 $26,205.00
MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $29,523.00 $29,523.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
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16 University of South Alabama
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
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 – Psychiatric 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
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
17 University of Texas – Arlington
MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $26,814.00 $26,814.00
MSN – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $26,814.00 $26,814.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
MSN – Pediatric Primary 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 $30,084.00 $30,084.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
18 Campbellsville University
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $27,135.00 $27,135.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
19 King University
MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) $27,225.00 $27,225.00
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20 Indiana State University
Family Nurse Practitioner – MSN $21,150.00 $27,495.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
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Affordable Online DNP-NP Programs

The online DNP-NP programs below are designed for either BSN-prepared or MSN-prepared registered nurses. The degree path will be specified in the program name. If no degree path is specified in the program name, it is safe to assume that the program is designed for MSN-prepared RNs.

Relatively few DNP-NP programs may seem “affordable”. There are several potential reasons for this, but the primary reason is program length; said programs simply require the completion of more advanced nursing courses and a higher number of practice hours than a corresponding BSN-to-MSN program, or Post-Master’s Certificate for MSN-prepared nurses, would.

But a DNP is the terminal nursing degree, one that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in nursing practice and leadership that goes beyond the current educational standard (in fact, some nursing and healthcare organizations are pushing for it to become the future standard). Below are the most affordable online DNP-NP programs offered for the 2023-2024 academic year, ranked by out-of-state / non-resident tuition.

Rank School Most Affordable Program Tuition
(Resident)
Tuition
(Non-Resident)
1 Tennessee Tech University/ETSU Joint
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP $22,600.00 $29,040.00
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care NP $22,600.00 $29,040.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
2 Georgia Southern University
Post-BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $29,953.00 $29,953.00
Post-BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $29,953.00 $29,953.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner $29,953.00 $29,953.00
Post-BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $29,953.00 $29,953.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
3 New Mexico State University
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $30,663.60 $30,663.60
BSN to DNP – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $30,663.60 $30,663.60
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
4 University of Nevada Reno
BSN to DNP – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $22,491.00 $35,020.00
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $22,491.00 $35,020.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $23,152.50 $36,050.00
BSN to DNP – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $23,814.00 $37,080.00
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $23,814.00 $37,080.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
5 Samford University
DNP – Post-Master's Advanced Practice ENP $35,557.00 $35,557.00
DNP – Post-Master's Advanced Practice PMHNP $39,401.00 $39,401.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
6 University of South Alabama
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
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
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 – Psychiatric 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
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
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
7 Troy University
DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-MSN track $35,750.00 $35,750.00
DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $38,500.00 $38,500.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
8 Montana State University – Bozeman
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $28,435.14 $37,343.62
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $28,435.14 $37,343.62
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9 University of Southern Mississippi
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $37,993.52 $37,993.52
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health NP $39,063.76 $39,063.76
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
10 Rush University
DNP – Acute Care Pediatric NP – MSN route for APRN $38,976.00 $38,976.00
DNP – Primary Care Pediatric NP – MSN route for APRN $51,072.00 $51,072.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
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Affordable Online Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs

All post-master’s certificates are designed for registered nurses who are either MSN-prepared or DNP-prepared. In rare cases, such certificates will require that the nurse be DNP-prepared, but that is more the exception than the rule, and in such cases that will be specified in the program name.

While many post-master’s NP certificates will accept any qualified RN with a graduate nursing degree, some do require that the nurse already be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) of some sort (meaning a clinical nurse specialist, a nurse-midwife, a nurse anesthetist, or an NP). To confuse things further, still other programs require that the nurse be an NP, or even a specific type of NP such as a family NP or pediatric primary care NP. In such cases, we have attempted to specify in the program name, but in all cases it is worth clicking through to the detailed school profile to learn the full program requirements.

Notably, many post-master’s certificates register as affordable since the programs tend to be shorter and require fewer credits to complete. How many credits depends on a gap analysis performed at the outset of the program, but for the sake of this table, and our database in general, we always assume that the maximum number of listed credits must be completed. Below are the most affordable (top third) of these generally affordable programs.

Rank School Most Affordable Program Tuition
(Resident)
Tuition
(Non-Resident)
1 Eastern Kentucky University
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate) $16,536.00 $16,536.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
2 Georgia Southern University
Post-MSN Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $6,802.00 $6,802.00
Post-MSN Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $6,802.00 $6,802.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-MSN Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $6,802.00 $6,802.00
Post-MSN Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $6,802.00 $6,802.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
3 University of Massachusetts – Boston
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
4 University of Nevada Reno
Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs) $4,961.25 $7,725.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs) $5,622.75 $8,755.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs) $5,622.75 $8,755.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs) $7,607.25 $11,845.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (For Non-APRNs) $7,938.00 $12,360.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for Non-APRNs) $9,591.75 $14,935.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
5 New Mexico State University
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $7,999.20 $7,999.20
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health NP $9,332.40 $9,332.40
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
6 University of Southern Indiana
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $10,057.44 $10,057.44
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP $10,895.56 $10,895.56
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
7 Ball State University
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate (for ANPs or AGNPs) $7,140.00 $10,515.00
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate (for non-APRNs) $10,948.00 $16,123.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
8 University of Kansas Medical Center
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – Post-Master's Certificate $10,980.80 $10,980.80
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate $10,980.80 $10,980.80
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – Post-Master's Certificate $16,471.20 $16,471.20
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
9 McNeese State University
Post-Master's Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certificate $11,098.40 $11,098.40
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
10 University of Missouri
Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $11,100.00 $11,100.00
Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $11,700.00 $11,700.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
11 Samford University
Post-Master's Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate $11,532.00 $11,532.00
Post-Master's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate $16,337.00 $16,337.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
12 Kent State University
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
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
13 Husson University
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $12,276.00 $12,276.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Family and Community NP $12,276.00 $12,276.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (Across the Lifespan) $14,322.00 $14,322.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
14 Ohio University
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $12,660.00 $13,040.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $13,480.00 $13,860.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $15,500.00 $15,880.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
15 Wheeling University
Post Master's Nursing Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $13,200.00 $13,200.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
16 Spring Arbor University
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $13,806.00 $13,806.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Primary Care NP $16,107.00 $16,107.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $16,107.00 $16,107.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
17 Washburn University
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for FNPs) $13,840.00 $13,840.00
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for ANPs) $15,916.00 $15,916.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
18 University of Southern Mississippi
Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $13,913.12 $13,913.12
Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP $14,983.36 $14,983.36
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
19 Briar Cliff University
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner $14,828.00 $14,828.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $15,502.00 $15,502.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
20 Norwich University
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $14,850.00 $14,850.00
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $14,850.00 $14,850.00
Show More Affordable Programs (+)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $14,850.00 $14,850.00
Show Fewer Affordable Programs (-)
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