2024 Most Affordable Online Family NP Programs (FNP)

Jobs in the nurse practitioner market are exploding and are expected to increase by 45 percent in the U.S. between 2022 and 2032, adding 118,600 jobs (BLS 2023). Family nurse practitioners must have at least an MSN to practice, and the requirement is moving toward a DNP.

Yet to reach the expanded opportunities for practice and increased wages, nurses need to attend graduate programs and pay what can often be high tuition prices, which can lead to increased student debt. To help avoid such high tuition costs, HealthcareDegree.com has compiled a list of the most affordable online family nurse practitioner programs, both by in-state and out-of-state tuition prices.

These rankings are based on tuition data HealthcareDegree.com collected from its sister site NPSchools.com in late 2023 from over 1,000 online nurse practitioner programs. Each list is ordered according to the lowest in-state or out-of-state tuition prices. Tuition information is as current as possible, being taken from the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school years as published by each school.

These family nurse practitioner program graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Featured FNP Programs
Cleveland State University	MSN - Forensic Nurse Practitioner	GO
Cleveland State University	MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP	GO
Wilkes University	MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner	GO
Wilkes University	MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS Option)	GO
Georgetown University	MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner	GO
St. John Fisher University	MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner	GO
University of West Florida	Online MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)	GO
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Check out the most affordable online FNP programs by the total cost of in-state tuition in 2023. A list of the most affordable online FNP programs by the total cost of in-state tuition follows. Please note that the first figure is total in-state tuition. If it has a second figure following the slash, it is the out-of-state tuition. 

1) Angelo State University Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner

Angelo State University’s CCNE-accredited online MSN in family nurse practitioner program prepares students to become primary care providers to individuals and families across the lifespan. Designed to accommodate busy schedules, the program’s on-campus attendance requirements are kept to a minimum, and the clinical requirements can usually be completed in the student’s city of residence in Texas.

Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN with an overall GPA of 3.0. Additionally, applicants must reside in the state of Texas and must have one year of recent clinical experience as a Registered Nurse. They must also have a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Texas.

Made up of 49 credits, the program includes courses such as evidenced-based practice & theory for advanced nursing; informatics & healthcare technology for advanced nursing; health policy & ethics; pharmacotherapeutics; advanced skills for advanced practice nurses; family primary care; and mental health concepts for advanced practice nurses.

• Cost per credit: Residents and non-residents ($232.30 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 49 credits
• Total cost: $11,382.70 + fees

2) Southeastern Louisiana University Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner

The master of science in nursing program at Southeastern Louisiana University is part of a consortium of four universities (Southeastern Louisiana University,  McNeese State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Nicholls State University) providing a comprehensive curriculum and preparing graduates to participate in several exciting opportunities in the healthcare profession. Notably, the required 600 clinical hours in this fully online program must be completed in Louisiana.

The 42-credit family nurse practitioner concentration includes courses such as theoretical foundations of advanced nursing; applied statistics for the health sciences; pathophysiology for advanced practice; generating evidence for nursing practice; health assessment and diagnostic reasoning for advanced practice; pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice; population-based primary care; advanced practice nursing: family health; and business, leadership and health policy for nurse practitioners.

• Cost per credit: Residents and non-residents ($286.03 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 42 credits
• Total cost: $12,013.26 + fees

3) Texas Tech University Online MSN-FNP Program

Texas Tech University (TTU) offers an online MSN-FNP program with fully online coursework, six campus visits in Lubbock, Texas, and local clinical preceptorships. One campus visit is for orientation, and the others are for objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). FNP applicants must have at least one year of nursing work experience and have Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification before entering population-focused courses.

Core courses cover scientific foundations for APRNs, informatics, quality and patient safety, and leadership. Specialty FNP courses cover diagnostic methods for APRNs, mental health in primary care patients, pharmacotherapeutics, and foundations of the well child. FNP students complete 525 population-focused clinical hours covering ages throughout the lifespan. 

Currently, TTU does not accept students from Arizona, California, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, and Washington. The program begins in the fall and spring and can be completed in 2.5 to three years. The MSN-FNP program through Texas Tech University is CCNE-accredited.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($265 per credit + fees); non-residents ($589 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 48 credits
• Total cost: $12,720 / $28,272 + fees

4) University of Nevada Las Vegas Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN family nurse practitioner program with online coursework, local preceptorships, and seven campus visits. Students come to Las Vegas, NV, for orientation, skills labs, Inter-Professional Education and workshops, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), prep skills days, and a culminating experience with a student presentation.

At least 2,000 hours of clinical work experience are required to apply, plus a BSN degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program takes as little as 16 months to complete on a full-time basis, or about three years part-time. UNLV currently accepts students from Alaska, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah into the online MSN-FNP program. The MSN program begins in the fall only, and the curriculum meets the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing as identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($321.75 per credit + fees); non-residents ($675.75 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 46 credits
• Total cost: $14,800.50 / $31,084.50 + fees

5) University of Nevada Reno (UNR) Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program

The University of Nevada Reno offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program with one three to five-day immersion before clinicals begin. The immersion allows students to develop relationships with faculty and peers, practice nursing skills, work with Standardized Patients, and attend live lectures. All other coursework is online, with clinicals completed locally to the student in approved states.

UNR accepts students from most states; however, the program may not meet requirements in several states and Washington, D.C. All out-of-state students should verify enrollment eligibility and state requirements before applying.

The FNP program begins in the fall and can be completed in five semesters on a full-time basis or eight semesters part-time. Specialty courses cover a range of populations and concepts, including pediatric and adult-gerontology acute illnesses, pediatric and adult-gerontology chronic illnesses, disease prevention, complex illnesses, health promotion, and family care management.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($330.75 per credit + fees); non-residents ($515 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 46 credits
• Total cost: $15,214.50 / $23,690 + fees

6) Purdue University Northwest MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) offers an ACEN-accredited online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program that can be completed in about three years on a part-time basis. The program is only offered part-time as it is designed for working professionals, and students have up to six years to finish. Course credits may be transferred in to shorten program length.

One campus visit in Hammond, Indiana, is included during the Advanced Health Assessment course, and 555 clinical hours are completed through local preceptorships, including where students currently work. PNW seeks to prepare master’s FNP graduates to serve as leaders in various nursing settings; combine knowledge, evidence, and practice skills with patient preferences; and practice in a way that honors humanistic nursing values. Foundation courses focus on advanced nursing practice, ethical reasoning, informatics, research, evidence-based practice, and advanced pharmacology and physical assessment. 

FNP-focused courses center on pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion, and pathophysiologic concepts, understanding how illness and disease alter cell and organ system functions. FNP students also complete courses on young and aging families and a clinical synthesis capstone practicum with diverse clients and families, including work with more complex, comorbid illnesses.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($340.90 per credit + fees); non-residents ($501.10 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $16,022.30 / $23,551.70 + fees

7) Columbus State University Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Topping our list as the most affordable out-of-state online Family NP program, Columbus State University (CSU) offers a 100 percent online MSN-FNP program that can be completed in about two years full-time or three years part-time. Students from 33 states plus Washington, D.C. may currently participate in the CSU FNP program. 

The MSN-FNP program earned accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE) in 2020. The curriculum covers healthcare populations across the lifespan and includes 765 clinical hours in the areas of women and children, adults, and the elderly. Courses also include material on pharmacology, health assessment, research, scientific underpinnings of advanced practice nursing, evidence-based practice, and health promotion.

Columbus State University utilizes CougarVIEW as its online Learning Management System (LMS), a branded version of D2L Brightspace. All coursework is delivered online, and asynchronously, and clinicals are completed local to the student in approved locations. CSU is located in Columbus, Georgia.

• Cost per credit: Residents and non-residents ($385 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 44 credits
• Total cost: $16,940 + fees

8) Nicholls State University Online MSN-FNP Program

Nicholls State University offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program to residents of Louisiana, with fully online coursework and local preceptorships. As part of the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN) with other universities, Nicholls State offers an affordable and convenient online degree option. The 600 clinical hours are logged through the Typhon Nurse Practitioner Student Tracking System (Typhon NPST).

Courses include theoretical foundations of advanced nursing; applied statistics for the health sciences; generating evidence for nursing practice; pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nursing; population-based primary care; advanced practice nursing: family health; business leadership and health policy for nurse practitioners; and pathophysiology for advanced practice nursing. The online MSN-FNP program can be completed in about two years, taking two to three courses per semester, including summers.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($412.13 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Total cost: $18,545.85 + fees

9) Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Master of Science in Nursing – FNP

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) offers a CCNE-accredited online master of science in nursing FNP program with 100 percent online coursework, local practicums, and no campus visits. Students from all states except Maryland can complete the program. There are three MSN entry points: BSN, RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (RN Bridge Program), or an ADN or diploma in nursing (RN-to-MSN).

The BSN to MSN-FNP program can be completed in 2.5 to three years and is designed for full-time working nurses. The program begins in the fall, and entry points other than the BSN require more credits and time to complete. 500 clinical hours are completed at local sites approved by the TAMUCC College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

TAMUCC seeks to promote cultural diversity and includes a health policy and cultural diversity course in the MSN program. Other topics covered include health promotion, finance for the NP, advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and differential diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. 

• Cost per credit: Residents ($397.27 per credit + fees); non-residents ($859.58 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 49 credits
• Total cost: $19,466.23 / $42,119.42 + fees

10) The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Online MSN-FNP

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a fully online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits and local clinicals. Due to limited preceptorships, the program is competitive, and preference is granted to full-time applicants. The UL Lafayette MSN-FNP takes five semesters to complete full-time, and students must choose a scholarly project or thesis pathway. 

The MSN degree is offered through the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), which includes five Louisiana universities. Prospective students may apply through any of these institutions as all students take the same courses, which are delivered through the Moodle online learning management system (LMS). The core values of the ICMSN include leadership, practice, diversity, caring, accountability, lifelong learning, and collaboration.

MSN-FNP students use the Typhon Nurse Practitioner Student Tracking System (Typhon NPST) to log clinical hours, and assignments are turned in through the Moodle LMS instead of through email or other avenues. As the name indicates, UL Lafayette is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, and the MSN program is CCNE-accredited.

• Cost per credit: Residents only ($480 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 42 credits
• Total cost: $20,160 + fees

11) Austin Peay State University Online MSN-FNP Program 

Austin Peay State University, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, offers an online MSN-FNP program with two campus visits, one virtual skills intensive, online coursework, and local clinicals. Only students from New York are restricted at this time. The program begins in the summer or spring and offers both part-time and full-time completion plans. FNP students may take two courses per semester to finish in two years full-time, or fewer courses per semester to finish in eight semesters part-time.  

The APSU School of Nursing works from core values of quality, change, innovation, and collaboration, as well as professionalism, global awareness, caring, community, and safety. Outcomes for the online FNP program are centered on using evidence-based practice to create safe, quality patient care; effective communication and strong patient advocacy; professional behaviors and leadership competency; clinical reasoning and ethical decision-making in APRN practice; and research-based scientific inquiry leading to successful clinical decision-making and improved quality of care.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($470 per credit + fees); non-residents ($747 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 43 credits
• Total cost: $20,210 / $32,121 + fees

12) Clayton State University Online MSN-FNP Program

Clayton State University offers an online master of science (MSN) program in family nurse practitioner (FNP) preparing professional registered nurses for APRN roles as culturally competent primary care providers of families, communities, and clients. Full-time students can complete the program in two years while part-time students take three years.

Classes are offered completely online in an asynchronous or synchronous format. Applicants must hold a bachelor of science in nursing and a current unrestricted RN Georgia license.

This 47-credit program includes courses such as advanced pathology across the lifespan; healthcare policy; theory & research for graduate nursing; diagnostic & clinical reasoning; advanced health assessment for FNPs; advanced pharmacology for FNPs; population health and emerging disease; advanced practice nurse roles in society; and health promotion of adults and family.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($442 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $20,774 + fees

13) Indiana State University (ISU) Online MSN-FNP Program 

Indiana State University (ISU) offers an ACEN-accredited online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits, fully online coursework, and local preceptorships. Courses focus on evidence-based practice, qualitative and quantitative research, disease prevention, health promotion, managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems, and monitoring and ensuring the quality of healthcare practice. Also included are cultural competence, teaching and coaching, professional nursing roles, the FNP/patient relationship, and managing acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan.

The online MSN-FNP program begins in the fall and spring and can be completed in 2.5 to three years part-time. Courses are delivered asynchronously with advanced notification of any live components. A choice of a culminating experience may change the total credit load from 47 to 50 if students choose a master’s thesis. ISU accepts students from 34 states into the FNP program.

• Cost per credit: Residents ($450 per credit + fees); non-residents ($585 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $21,150 / $27,495 + fees

14) Troy University Online MSN-FNP

Troy University, located in Troy, Alabama, offers an online MSN-FNP program that includes up to five campus visits, plus 705 locally completed clinical hours. The program is offered in 23 states and can be completed in two years on a full-time basis, or 2.5 to three years part-time. 

This cohort-based program is taught by faculty from several of its Alabama campuses, including Troy, Montgomery, Dothan, and Phenix City. Full-time MSN-FNP students may only enter in the fall, whereas part-time students may begin in the fall, spring, and summer.

Core courses cover nursing theories, healthcare economics, foundations of advanced nursing practice, research, data analysis, scholarly inquiry, and evidence-based practice. Practicum courses cover pediatric, women, adult, and geriatric populations, with additional clinical experience with a wide range of patients. The FNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Troy University is located in Troy, Alabama.

• Cost per credit: Residents and non-residents ($475 per credit + fees)
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $22,325 + fees

15) Ball State University – BSN to MSN FNP Program

Ball State University (BSU) offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits, fully online coursework, and local clinical practicums. The online FNP program has competitive admission, accepting only those applicants with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and accepted students must earn a grade of B or higher in all MSN courses.

Ball State University, located in Muncie, Indiana, is a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence. Additionally, the faculty consists of practicing nurses and research scholars with access to continuing professional development through the BSU Integrated Learning Institute. 

The online MSN-FNP program is offered part-time and can be completed in six to nine semesters. An RN to MSN program is also offered that takes 10 to 12 semesters to complete. BSU currently accepts students from Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Utah; approval is pending for Washington. 

• Cost per credit: $463 (residents) / $681 (non-residents) /credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $22,372 / $32,947 + fees

Following is a listing of the 15 most affordable out-of-state online FNP programs in 2024. A description of the program will be included if not listed above. For this listing, only out-of-state tuition is included.

1) Columbus State University Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Topping our list as the most affordable out-of-state online Family NP program, Columbus State University (CSU) offers a 100 percent online MSN-FNP program that can be completed in about two years full-time or three years part-time. Students from 33 states plus Washington, D.C. may currently participate in the CSU FNP program. 

The MSN-FNP program earned accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE) in 2020. The curriculum covers healthcare populations across the lifespan and includes 765 clinical hours in the areas of women and children, adults, and the elderly. Courses also include material on pharmacology, health assessment, research, scientific underpinnings of advanced practice nursing, evidence-based practice, and health promotion.

Columbus State University utilizes CougarVIEW as its online Learning Management System (LMS), a branded version of D2L Brightspace. All coursework is delivered online, and asynchronously, and clinicals are completed local to the student in approved locations. CSU is located in Columbus, Georgia.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $385 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 44 credits
• Total cost: $16,940 + fees

2) The University of Southern Indiana (USI) Online MSN-FNP

The University of Southern Indiana (USI) offers an online MSN with an FNP specialization and four campus visits. The program can be completed in three years and is open to applicants in 33 states. The program begins in the fall, spring, and summer, with courses lasting 16 weeks in the fall and spring, and 10 weeks in the summer.

Campus immersions occur at the Clinical Simulation Center in Evansville, Indiana, which is designed to simulate a hospital setting. Here FNP students can work on simulated patients in a safe, practice environment. The immersions may include patient assessments and safety protocols, examination and interpretation of lab results and resulting patient care, decision-making practice, and collaboration. The USI online MSN-FNP program is CCNE-accredited.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $432.78 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 42 credits
• Total cost: $18,176.76 + fees

3) Troy University Online MSN-FNP

Troy University, located in Troy, Alabama, offers an online MSN-FNP program that includes up to five campus visits, plus 705 locally completed clinical hours. The program is offered in 23 states and can be completed in two years on a full-time basis, or 2.5 to three years part-time. 

This cohort-based program is taught by faculty from several of its Alabama campuses, including Troy, Montgomery, Dothan, and Phenix City. Full-time MSN-FNP students may only enter in the fall, whereas part-time students may begin in the fall, spring, and summer.

Core courses cover nursing theories, healthcare economics, foundations of advanced nursing practice, research, data analysis, scholarly inquiry, and evidence-based practice. Practicum courses cover pediatric, women, adult, and geriatric populations, with additional clinical experience with a wide range of patients. The FNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Troy University is located in Troy, Alabama.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $475 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $22,325 + fees

4) University of West Florida Online MSN-FNP

The University of West Florida, located in Pensacola, FL, offers a fully online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits, a virtual orientation and skills workshop, and local preceptorships. The orientation and skills workshop occurs in the summer before clinicals begin and clinical practices include 600 direct patient care hours with women, children, families, and adults.

The CCNE-accredited FNP program is designed for working nurses who wish to advance their degree to care for patients across the lifespan in a more direct, one-on-one setting. It can be completed in 27 to 30 months full-time, with courses lasting eight to 16 weeks.

Key topics include foundational concepts and theories of nursing, clinical principles for advanced health assessment, the mechanisms of disease and disease prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic health issues, positive change in health care systems, and the effect of population diversity on healthcare and patient outcomes.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $500 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Total cost: $22,500 + fees

5) McNeese State University Online MSN-FNP

McNeese State University offers a 100 percent, CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP that can be completed in five semesters full-time, or seven to eight part-time. The 600 clinicals hours for this program must be completed in Texas or Louisiana, so although students from other states can participate, this MSN may not work for those individuals. Start dates land in the fall and spring, and FNP students choose a focused scholarly project for a total of 42 credits or a thesis option for a total of 45 credits.

As are some other affordable FNP programs mentioned in this list, the McNeese MSN-FNP program is offered through the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), which includes four Louisiana universities. Courses are delivered through the Moodle online learning management system (LMS) and are the same for all 5 institutions. The ICMSN follows core values, including leadership, diversity, accountability, and caring. McNeese University is located in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $554.92 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 42 credits
• Total cost: $23,306.64 + fees

6) Purdue University Northwest MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) offers an ACEN-accredited online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program that can be completed in about three years on a part-time basis. The program is only offered part-time as it is designed for working professionals, and students have up to six years to finish. Course credits may be transferred in to shorten program length.

One campus visit in Hammond, Indiana, is included during the Advanced Health Assessment course, and 555 clinical hours are completed through local preceptorships, including where students currently work. PNW seeks to prepare master’s FNP graduates to serve as leaders in various nursing settings; combine knowledge, evidence, and practice skills with patient preferences; and practice in a way that honors humanistic nursing values. Foundation courses focus on advanced nursing practice, ethical reasoning, informatics, research, evidence-based practice, and advanced pharmacology and physical assessment. 

FNP-focused courses center on pharmacotherapeutics, health promotion, and pathophysiologic concepts, understanding how illness and disease alter cell and organ system functions. FNP students also complete courses on young and aging families and a clinical synthesis capstone practicum with diverse clients and families, including work with more complex, comorbid illnesses.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $501.10 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $23,551.70 + fees

7) University of Nevada Reno Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program

The University of Nevada Reno offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program with one three to five-day immersion before clinicals begin. The immersion allows students to develop relationships with faculty and peers, practice nursing skills, work with Standardized Patients, and attend live lectures. All other coursework is online, with clinicals completed locally to the student in approved states.

UNR accepts students from most states; however, the program may not meet requirements in several states and Washington, D.C. All out-of-state students should verify enrollment eligibility and state requirements before applying.

The FNP program begins in the fall and can be completed in five semesters on a full-time basis or eight semesters part-time. Specialty courses cover a range of populations and concepts, including pediatric and adult-gerontology acute illnesses, pediatric and adult-gerontology chronic illnesses, disease prevention, complex illnesses, health promotion, and family care management.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $515 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 46 credits
• Total cost: $23,690 + fees

8) Texas Woman’s University Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Texas Woman’s University (TWU), located in Denton, TX, offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN family nurse practitioner program with one campus visit. 572 clinical hours are completed locally in one of over 30 approved states of study. 

Courses are delivered in a 13-week format with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. The MSN-FNP program takes a little less than three years to complete, and students have up to six years to complete it. Courses cover concepts such as research and quality improvement, pharmacotherapeutics for APRNs, assessment and diagnosis, and care of patients across the lifespan. 

Texas Woman’s University seeks to provide a platform for diversity and collaboration, exploration of creative expression, innovation, research, and professional development with a commitment to improve patient outcomes. The TWU College of Nursing offers clinical placement assistance through a Placement Coordinator and access to student success coaches to ensure online students meet expectations and thrive in the online program.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $572.40 per credit
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Total cost: $25,758 including fees

9) Northern Kentucky University Online MSN-FNP Program

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers a fully online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits and local clinical practicums. It is designed to be completed in 22 months and includes 600 clinical hours. NKU strives to offer a private education at a much lower cost than most public colleges and universities, and faculty know students by name, making this online program much more relational in nature.

Core concepts include critical analysis of research data, evidence-based practice, effective patient diagnosis and treatment, advanced systems thinking, accountability, and personal behavior and ethics in relation to nursing care. Nurses are also taught effective communication skills and diversity sensitivity. FNP specialty courses cover the care of adolescents and adults, geriatric primary care, pediatric primary care, and pharmacology.

The MSN-FNP allows applicants to have a BSN or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.  Those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree take two additional MSN courses. Classes last seven weeks each, and a capstone experience is included in the curricula. The FNP program is CCNE-accredited, and NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $550 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $25,850 + fees

10) University of South Alabama MSN-FNP Program

The University of South Alabama (USA) offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program with two to six campus visits in Mobile, Alabama, and 600 clinical hours. The two mandatory clinical skills intensives cover basic skills, simulation exercises, and clinical exams. Additional visits may be required at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters for final exams or semester orientations, however, these may be offered as online experiences. 

There are entry points for applicants with a BSN, ADN plus a non-nursing bachelor’s, and non-nursing bachelors with no nursing degree. USA also offers two dual FNP degrees as well as optional subspecialties, including Addictions Nursing Care, Advanced Forensic Nursing, Cardiovascular, Clinical Lipidology, Nurse Educator (NE), and Palliative Care. Any divergence from BSN entry with no extras will add additional credits to the program.

Of note, four of the MSN courses are offered at the doctoral level and apply directly to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program should nurses desire to move on to earn their DNP. The online MSN-FNP program through the University of South Alabama accepts applicants from all states except South Dakota and New York at this time.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $594 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Total cost: $26,730 + fees

11) Campbellsville University Online MSN-FNP Program

Campbellsville University offers an ACEN-accredited online MSN-FNP program with 100 percent online coursework, no campus visits, and 600 clinical hours at approved facilities local to the student. As a Baptist-based university, Campbellsville operates from a Christ-centered approach, preparing nurses to serve as Christian servant-leaders in their work and community interactions.

Courses last eight weeks each, and start dates land in the fall and spring. The MSN-FNP can be completed in approximately two years on a part-time basis. The MSN curriculum and outcomes are based on the Core and Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies developed by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Learning outcomes include using scientific research-based nursing practice, developing quality improvement measures in healthcare, and engaging in effective interpersonal communication with other healthcare professionals.

Covered concepts may include leadership and role development for APRNs, healthcare delivery and policy, advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning, health promotion and disease prevention, and care of women, children, adolescents,  adults, and older adults. Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $603 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Total cost: $27,135 + fees

12) Ohio University Online Master of Science in Nursing – FNP

Ohio University offers a CCNE-accredited online master of science in nursing FNP program with three campus visits and 500 local clinical hours through preceptorships. The MSN-FNP program focuses on knowledge and practice to allow nurses to learn foundational concepts and apply practical nursing skills in clinical situations. FNP students learn how to care for patients across the lifespan, focusing on evidence-based practice and quality of patient care. Specialty courses focus on maternal and child care and the care of adults and older adults.

The Ohio University online MSN-FNP program can be completed in six semesters or two years by taking two courses per 14-week term. FNP students come to campus three times; first for orientation, second for a clinical on-campus intensive, and third for a final on-campus intensive related to assessment, clinical management, and preparation for the FNP certification exam. Ohio University is located in Athens, Ohio.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $687 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 40 credits
• Total cost: $27,480 + fees

13) St. Thomas University Online MSN-FNP Program

St. Thomas University offers an online CCNE-accredited master of science program in nursing with a specialization in family nurse practitioner. With several starts per year, this program can be completed entirely online and requires as few as 18 months. The program’s curriculum integrates health policy, pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.

Applicants to the program must possess an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school with a 3.0 GPA, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

Comprising 47 credits, the program includes courses such as philosophical & theoretical basis of nursing; advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; diversity in advanced health practice; influencing health policy; advanced clinical pharmacology; advanced FNP: children & families; advanced FNP: adult gerontology; and advanced FNP: women’s health.

• Cost per credit (out-of-state): $585 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $27,495 + fees

14) Indiana State University (ISU) Online MSN-FNP Program 

Indiana State University (ISU) offers an ACEN-accredited online MSN-FNP program with no campus visits, fully online coursework, and local preceptorships. Courses focus on evidence-based practice, qualitative and quantitative research, disease prevention, health promotion, managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems, and monitoring and ensuring the quality of healthcare practice. Also included are cultural competence, teaching and coaching, professional nursing roles, the FNP/patient relationship, and managing acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan.

The online MSN-FNP program begins in the fall and spring and can be completed in 2.5 to three years part-time. Courses are delivered asynchronously with advanced notification of any live components. A choice of a culminating experience may change the total credit load from 47 to 50 if students choose a master’s thesis. ISU accepts students from 34 states into the FNP program.

• Cost per credit (out of state): $585 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 47 credits
• Total cost: $27,495 + fees

15) United States University MSN-FNP Program

United States University (USU) offers a CCNE-accredited online MSN-FNP program that can be completed in two years. One four-day campus immersion is included in One 4-day campus immersion is included in California, Arizona, or Florida. Students take one course every eight weeks, and 540 clinical hours are included.

The USU online MSN-FNP program follows a “Caring Science” model, which imparts best practices for promoting and maintaining the health of patients, their families, and surrounding communities. Students can access mentorship opportunities to guide them in theoretical and evidence-based nursing practice. Topics covered may include evidence-based advanced nursing practice, leadership and collaboration, cultural competence and sensitivity, written communication skills, professional speaking, ethical reasoning and decision-making, and research-based data interpretation and application.  

• Cost per credit (out of state): $644 per credit + fees
• Number of credits: 48 credits
• Total cost: $30,912 + fees

Whether it’s the rising costs of education or the lack of time due to work and life responsibilities, earning a family nurse practitioner graduate degree may have seemed too expensive or daunting a proposition. These online FNP programs ranked by affordability can open up opportunities you might not have considered. Many are specifically designed so that working professionals can continue to work while advancing their education.

These online FNP programs can be convenient, affordable, and completed in 2½ to three years on a part-time basis. Those attending full-time can even complete the programs more quickly. Note that DNP programs take about four years to complete part-time. With the tremendous need for nurse practitioners, these FNP programs can provide a career pathway without the burden of more expensive tuition.