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    • Top No GRE Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

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    There’s never been a better time to become a nurse practitioner. As the healthcare industry expands to meet the needs of a large aging population and provides care to increasingly more insured Americans, the demand for advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) careers is rising. 

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that 112,700 new nurse practitioner (NP) positions would be needed nationally between 2021 and 2031, adding to the 246,700 currently employed NPs. This 46 percent increase makes NPs the fourth-fastest growing occupation in the United States.

    Registered nurses (RNs) looking to advance to clinical roles with more autonomy are well-positioned to pursue NP degree programs, many of which do not require the GRE for admission. 

    Why do so many nurse practitioner programs not require the submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores? First, incoming RN applicants may have completed a degree several years prior to pursuing an advanced degree and may not have GRE test scores. In this case, the GRE may not be an accurate assessment of how much an RN has learned from work experience earned since completing a bachelor’s degree.

    Second, GRE test scores do not accurately reflect an RN’s ability to complete an NP program or succeed in an NP position after graduation. According to Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that authors and administers the GRE, the skills measured in the GRE include verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. 

    Although these can be indicators of potential intelligence and academic success in an NP applicant, placing a strong emphasis on standardized test scores is an outdated way to select a diverse cohort of students who must be prepared to meet the challenges faced by today’s nursing teams. 

    To this point, Robert J. Sternberg, a cognitive psychologist and professor of human development at Cornell University, suggests in The Atlantic that “the GRE is like taking a cancer test that was invented in the 1940s […] most of us wouldn’t have confidence in the results from a cancer test developed then. We have more knowledge and a far better understanding of intelligence and ability now.” 

    Claims like these call into question the predictive validity of standardized tests as a primary measurement of students’ abilities to succeed academically and professionally. 

    Finally, earning a top score on the GRE requires months of studying. To earn competitive scores, test-takers with the means to invest in expensive study programs and coaching to prepare for the exam properly. These expenses are not included in the actual exam fee, which in 2022 was $205 in the United States. 

    Considering the factors above, many reputable and accredited online nurse practitioner programs do not require the GRE for admission. RNs with work experience and a verifiable track record of being capable, intelligent, and analytical problem-solvers are encouraged to apply to these top no-GRE nurse practitioner programs to pursue APRN roles and lead teams of nurses and clinical staff with compassionate efficiency. 

    No GRE Online NP Program Rankings

    Enter the comprehensive NPSchools.com ranking of no GRE online nurse practitioner programs, which lists the top programs ranked by cost, admissions flexibility, and program variety. This comprehensive database comprises 1,008 online NP programs at the MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate levels in the 2022-2023 school year.

    Generally, for online nurse practitioner programs, students are required to complete most coursework online with a limited number of campus intensives. Some programs do not require any campus visits. In addition, students are required to complete clinical preceptorships at approved facilities local to the student. To qualify as “online” for the purposes of our database, each program must require less than ten campus visits in total.

    At NPSchools.com, we have done our utmost to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data on our website. But nursing is a dynamic field, and the trend is towards more nurse practitioner programs moving online each year. Please contact us if we have missed any programs or published erroneous information that needs to be corrected.

    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 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
    Post-Graduate Certificate – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $19,602.00 $19,602.00
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    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 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
    Post-Graduate Certificate – Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP) $26,730.00 $26,730.00
    MSN – Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP) – post-BSN pathway $33,858.00 $33,858.00
    MSN – Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency 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
    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
    Show Fewer Programs (-)
    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
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    66 Frontier Nursing University(#3)
    Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $20,672.00 $20,672.00
    Post-Graduate Certificate – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $21,318.00 $21,318.00
    Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $23,256.00 $23,256.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $36,822.00 $36,822.00
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    MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $37,468.00 $37,468.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $39,406.00 $39,406.00
    MSN with DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $50,388.00 $50,388.00
    MSN with DNP – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $51,034.00 $51,034.00
    MSN with DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $52,972.00 $52,972.00
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    65 Maryville University(#4)
    Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $23,577.00 $23,577.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $26,016.00 $26,016.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $28,455.00 $28,455.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $28,455.00 $28,455.00
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    Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $30,894.00 $30,894.00
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNP) $33,333.00 $33,333.00
    MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNP) $35,772.00 $35,772.00
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGACNP) $38,211.00 $38,211.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) $38,211.00 $38,211.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN PMHNP) $40,650.00 $40,650.00
    BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP AGPCNP) $60,996.00 $60,996.00
    BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP PNP) $63,687.00 $63,687.00
    BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP AGACNP) $66,378.00 $66,378.00
    BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP FNP) $66,378.00 $66,378.00
    BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP PMHNP) $69,069.00 $69,069.00
    Show Fewer Programs (-)
    63 University of Missouri(#5)
    Graduate Certificate- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $12,399.07 $12,399.07
    Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $12,454.85 $12,454.85
    MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $28,483.20 $28,483.20
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $30,381.27 $30,381.27
    Show More Programs (+)
    MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $30,381.27 $30,381.27
    DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $43,563.08 $43,563.08
    DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $43,563.08 $43,563.08
    DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $43,563.08 $43,563.08
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    62 University of Missouri – Kansas City(#6)
    Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $11,763.00 $11,763.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $11,763.00 $11,763.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $11,763.00 $11,763.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $11,763.00 $11,763.00
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    Post-Master's Certificate – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $11,763.00 $11,763.00
    Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $13,723.50 $13,723.50
    Post-Master's Certificate – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $15,684.00 $15,684.00
    MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner $29,407.50 $29,407.50
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $30,061.00 $30,061.00
    BSN-DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $48,359.00 $48,359.00
    BSN-DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $48,359.00 $48,359.00
    BSN-DNP – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $48,359.00 $48,359.00
    BSN-DNP – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $58,815.00 $58,815.00
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    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
    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
    Show Fewer Programs (-)
    62 University of Texas – Arlington(#8)
    Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Acute 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 – Pediatric Primary 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 – 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
    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 $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 PMHNP Certificate – for NPs (second specialty) $21,780.00 $21,780.00
    Post-Master's AGPCNP Certificate – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,630.00 $36,630.00
    Post-Master's FNP Certificate – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,630.00 $36,630.00
    Post-Master's PNP Certificate – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,630.00 $36,630.00
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    Post-Master's WHNP Certificate – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $36,630.00 $36,630.00
    Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $39,600.00 $39,600.00
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $45,540.00 $45,540.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $45,540.00 $45,540.00
    MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $45,540.00 $45,540.00
    MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $45,540.00 $45,540.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $48,510.00 $48,510.00
    MSN to DNP – AGPCNP – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – AGPCNP – for NPs (second specialty) $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – PNP – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – PNP – for NPs (second specialty) $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – WHNP – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – WHNP – for NPs (second specialty) $51,910.00 $51,910.00
    MSN to DNP – PMHNP – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $54,595.00 $54,595.00
    MSN to DNP – PMHNP – for NPs (second specialty) $54,595.00 $54,595.00
    MSN to DNP – FNP – for MSN-prepared non-NPs $57,420.00 $57,420.00
    MSN to DNP – FNP – for NPs (second specialty) $57,420.00 $57,420.00
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – BA route $60,390.00 $60,390.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – BA route $60,390.00 $60,390.00
    MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – BA route $60,390.00 $60,390.00
    MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner – BA route $60,390.00 $60,390.00
    MS to DNP – AGPCNP – for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $62,650.00 $62,650.00
    MS to DNP – FNP – for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $62,650.00 $62,650.00
    MS to DNP – PNP – for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $62,650.00 $62,650.00
    MS to DNP – WHNP – for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $62,650.00 $62,650.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – BA route $63,360.00 $63,360.00
    BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $65,335.00 $65,335.00
    BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $65,335.00 $65,335.00
    BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $65,335.00 $65,335.00
    BSN to DNP – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner $65,335.00 $65,335.00
    MS to DNP – PMHNP – for RNs with Non-Nursing Master's $65,335.00 $65,335.00
    BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $68,020.00 $68,020.00
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – ADN route $136,620.00 $136,620.00
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – ADN route $136,620.00 $136,620.00
    MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – ADN route $136,620.00 $136,620.00
    MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner – ADN route $136,620.00 $136,620.00
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – ADN route $139,590.00 $139,590.00
    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 – 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 More Programs (+)
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner $17,600.52 $17,600.52
    MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $17,600.52 $17,600.52
    MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $17,600.52 $17,600.52
    MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $18,438.64 $18,438.64
    Show Fewer Programs (-)
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    Nurse Practitioner Career and Salary Data

    With the outlook for growth between 2018 and 2028 at 28 percent for nurse practitioners, compared to 5 percent across all occupations, studying to become a nurse practitioner can be a solid career advancement option for interested RNs (BLS, 2018). Additionally, with a median annual wage of $107,030 in 2018, the return on investment for NP schooling looks attractive (BLS, 2018).

    According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, of the nurses who go on to become nurse practitioners, 66.9 percent become family NPs, 19.8 percent become adult and adult-gerontology primary care NPs, 7.9 percent study acute care, 4.1 percent go into various psychiatric mental health NP roles, 4 percent enter primary care pediatrics, and 2.7 percent become women’s health NPs (AANP 2018). In addition, some nurse practitioners become certified in more than one specialty area, increasing their marketability in the health care sector.

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