The Best Accredited Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesAre you interested in advancing your nursing career to become a nurse practitioner (NP) without traveling to campus?
Online NP programs train registered nurses (RNs) to enter specialized areas of nursing and become certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, or clinical nurse specialists.
This guide highlights the best accredited online NP programs and includes information on how to apply and why accreditation is important.
Learn More About the Best Online NP Programs
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
A Baptist-affiliated institution located in southwestern Ohio, Cedarville University enrolls over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The affordable master of science in nursing offers accredited online NP programs with family nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner specialty tracks. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice that integrates a Christian perspective into all coursework. Distance learners must attend four on-campus clinical experiences: an orientation prior to starting specialty courses and during each semester of the specialty courses.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner
- Campus: Cedarville, Ohio
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $648 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate statistics and research courses
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 92.17% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,532 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$32,364
- Out-of-state$32,364
- In-State$9,065
- Out-of-state$9,065
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled4,461
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of West Florida, based in the Florida Panhandle, administers over 110 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Designed for working nurses, the family nurse practitioner master of science can be completed entirely online in seven semesters. This accredited online NP program requires 45 credits in direct care and foundational core classes, specialized coursework, and 600 practicum hours. The curriculum emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach to prevention, health education, and disease management in family, community, and rural care settings.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Pensacola, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $500 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate statistics course with a grade of "C" or above
- Minimum Time Commitment: 27 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 94.35% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,454 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- In-State$7,088
- Out-of-state$22,166
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled13,061
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Established in 1821 through an Act of Congress and located in the heart of the nation's capital, George Washington University enrolls more than 26,000 students.
GWU administers several top-ranked accredited NP programs online at the master's and doctoral level, including post-master's certificate options in family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology, and psychiatric mental health specialties. Most NP programs use a hybrid format, comprising online coursework and some required on-campus experiences for testing and training. NP programs offer fall and spring start dates and full- or part-time plans of study.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,395 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 87.4% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $101,254 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$55,961
- Out-of-state$55,961
- In-State$31,770
- Out-of-state$31,770
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate43%
- Students Enrolled27,017
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Texas A & M International University serves a multicultural community of over 8,400 students in 95 undergraduate and graduate programs. TAMIU's College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an accredited online NP program that prepares graduates for advanced practice family nursing roles with a focus on the promotion of health and well-being to diverse populations.
The FNP offers fall and spring start dates. The 48-credit curriculum, which takes three semesters to complete, includes foundational core, nursing theory, and practicum coursework.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Laredo, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education
- Tuition: $4,582 per semester for Texas residents; $10,469 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum overall 2.7 GPA and upper level 3.0 GPA; minimum one year clinical experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 97.06% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $64,990 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$3,818
- Out-of-state$13,634
- In-State$3,350
- Out-of-state$10,712
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled8,525
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Samford University, established by the Alabama Baptist Convention in 1841, has grown into a nationally ranked Christian university serving over 5,700 students.
The accredited online NP program serves the needs of working RNs by offering a flexible study plan that requires only three campus visits. Coursework consists of mostly asynchronous learning modules and one or two periodic synchronous sessions each semester. The school of nursing helps students find clinical placements in hundreds of agencies, primarily in the southeastern states.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Birmingham, Alabama
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $924
- Admission Requirements: BSN: valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate nursing research course with a grade of "C" or above, undergraduate nursing research course with a grade of "B" or above
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 96.69% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $99,380 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$33,248
- Out-of-state$33,248
- In-State$20,587
- Out-of-state$20,587
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,729
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Louis University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
As the first university established in the American West, Saint Louis University has remained grounded in its Catholic Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and service.
RNs looking for accredited online NP programs that accommodate their personal and professional schedules can pursue individualized full- or part-time study plans at SLU's Valentine School of Nursing with specialty tracks in adult-gerontology acute care, family nursing, pediatric primary care, and family psychiatric mental health.
The NP programs offer flexible online course delivery with only two-on site requirements.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – nurse practitioner
- Campus: Saint Louis, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,180
- Admission Requirements: BSN: valid RN license; minimum 3.2 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 94.22% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $92,243 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$46,400
- Out-of-state$46,400
- In-State$21,420
- Out-of-state$21,420
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled12,229
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Bradley University
- Peoria, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Combining the resources of a large university with a student-centered approach to learning, Bradley University offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges.
Bradley's accredited online NP programs allow nurses to earn their degree without leaving the workforce. Distance learners can complete the 50-credit family nurse practitioner degree in eight semesters without any on-campus requirements. The program includes five clinical practicums for a total of 700 hours that students may complete in their own communities.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Peoria, Illinois
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $990 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ADN or BSN; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 32 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 92.67% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,165 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$35,060
- Out-of-state$35,060
- In-State$16,740
- Out-of-state$16,740
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled5,855
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
For over 200 years, the University of Cincinnati has fostered inclusive education, evidence-based learning, and research. Students earn degrees in over 400 areas, including accredited online NP programs.
NP specialties include adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner, neonatal, and women's health. The online NP master's programs offer fall, spring, and summer start dates each academic year. Working RNs can accommodate their schedules by taking courses on a part- or full-time basis with no on-campus requirements.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner, neonatal, women's health nurse practitioner
- Campus: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $7,451 per semester for Ohio residents; $7,601 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum undergraduate science 3.0 GPA; minimum undergraduate statistics course 2.0 GPA; minimum one year RN experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 87.57% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $94,031 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$9,723
- Out-of-state$25,057
- In-State$13,224
- Out-of-state$24,966
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled40,826
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Since its beginnings in 1872 as a Catholic college for women and underprivileged youth, Maryville University has grown into a comprehensive educational institution committed to student-centered learning. This commitment has expanded to include online programs.
Students enrolled in Maryville's accredited online NP programs can choose from five specialties: adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Each program delivers all coursework online with no required campus visit. Distance learners may complete clinical placements near their place of residence.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Saint Louis, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $813 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN: valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum one year RN experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 93.08% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $93,724 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled10,979
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Brockport
- Brockport, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
With a main campus in the village of Brockport near Rochester, New York,
SUNY Brockport enrolls over 6500 students in campus-based and online programs. Brockport's accredited online NP program, designed for practicing RNs who want to train for advanced practice roles as family nurse practitioners, takes as little as two years to complete.
This 42-credit program combines online non-clinical coursework with 2-3 hybrid clinical courses each semester. The curriculum incorporates a strong focus on culturally competent care for diverse populations.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Brockport, New York
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $471 per credit for New York residents; $963 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN: valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum one year RN experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 83.8% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $63,393 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled7,592
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online NP programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list was created prior to 2025.
Using Our Rankings: What To Look For in an Online NP Program
Online nurse practitioner programs vary in their schedules, levels of flexibility, curriculum, and specializations.
The following factors helped shape our rankings for the best accredited online NP programs. Consider these metrics as you choose your online NP program.
Admission Requirements
Online nurse practitioner programs often require students to have an active and unencumbered RN license, plus 1-2 years of nursing experience. You might also need to meet minimum GPA requirements, provide recommendation letters, and write a personal statement.
Specializations
Unlike a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program that offers general nursing education, online NP programs prepare graduates for advanced specialty practice. Focus on applying to programs that offer the specialty of your choice, such as family nurse practitioner or neonatal nurse practitioner.
Program Curriculum
The quality of the curriculum forms the foundation of preparedness for national certification. Consider course descriptions and elective options, and courses that align with your goals.
Clinical Experience
To meet credentialing requirements, online NP programs require clinical hours. Most programs help students find appropriate clinical placements. Note that some online programs require in-person lab experiences.
Accreditation
Program accreditation is a voluntary process that ensures students receive an education meeting national standards. Most financial aid institutions and nursing boards require students to attend an accredited program.
Program Length
The length and pace of the program vary depending on the school. Look for a program that accommodates your schedule and responsibilities. Consider programs with greater flexibility if you must continue working or need a part-time option.
School Graduation Rate
Programs often publish their graduation rate. This metric indicates how likely a full-time student is to graduate on time. A high graduation rate typically means the program admits qualified students and provides them with the necessary support throughout the program to graduate.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online NP programs may offer a combination of asynchronous and synchronous coursework, or offer asynchronous programming only. Since the program is entirely online, you’ll need to feel comfortable and competent with technology.
How Do Online Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?
Online NP programs aren’t entirely virtual – students must complete clinical experiences under the supervision of an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the student’s specialty. Some schools also require on-campus labs or skills checkoffs, while others use virtual simulations, allowing students to practice interacting with patients and developing treatment plans.
Programs may include live classes (synchronous), self-paced lectures (asynchronous), or both. Many online programs also have an online class that students must take that prepare them for online learning. Knowing what to expect for clinical hours, coursework, and schedules can help you determine if an in-person or online program is right for you.
Applying to an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
After choosing the online nurse practitioner programs you want to apply to, it’s time to ensure your applications give you the best advantage for admission.
Graduate programs seek candidates with appropriate academic and clinical experiences. The exact criteria for admission can vary by program.
- Admission Materials: Online NP programs require an active and unencumbered RN license in the state, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or BSN from an accredited program, and 1-2 years of clinical experience.
- GPA Requirement: Varies, but generally 3.0 minimum
- Other Requirements: In addition to the application and fee, you might also be asked to submit letters of recommendation, proof of your nursing license, background and drug test results, and transcripts of prerequisite coursework (e.g., statistics).
Why is Online NP Program Accreditation Important?
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two main accrediting organizations for online NP programs.
These independent groups evaluate nursing programs to ensure they meet nationally established academic standards. Accreditation is crucial for several reasons:
- Confirms the program meets national standards
- Qualifies students for federal financial aid
- Increases job opportunities, as employers prefer nurses from accredited programs
- Allows students to transfer credits
- Ensures eligibility for certification and NP licensure
- Makes advancing to a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program possible
In our list of the best online NP programs, all of the schools are accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Yes, accredited online NP programs are reputable and legitimate. They meet the same standards as on-campus ones and provide students with quality education, clinical experience, and preparation for licensure.
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