Schools for Nurse Practitioners

The demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) is growing, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 52% job growth rate for NPs from 2020-30. While becoming an NP requires hard work, online nurse practitioner programs make it easier to achieve your career goals. Our guide to the best online nurse practitioner programs shows you how to select a school and apply to online FNP programs.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online nurse practitioner programs and help you find a program that fits your schedule, budget, and career path. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability , reputation, and program offerings.

Read on to learn more about becoming an NP, or go straight to our list of the best online nurse practitioner programs.

What Can You Do as a Nurse Practitioner?

Thanks to their advanced training and education, NPs hold more clinical autonomy than RNs. NPs make key decisions in patient care and serve as primary caregivers, much like physicians. They hold hospital admitting privileges and may prescribe medication in collaboration with a physician, although NPs may prescribe independently in some states.

While some 47% of these advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) work in physicians' offices, others find jobs in hospitals, outpatient care centers, educational services, and health practitioners' offices. Around 90% are certified to work in specialized primary care areas like family, adult-gerontology primary care, and acute care.

An NP's earning potential depends on their specialty area and their work setting. Emergency departments are the top-paying setting for NPs, offering $135,000 a year. Read about other lucrative career options on this page.

What to Look For in an Online Nurse Practitioner Program

Be wary when NP programs offer a fast track to a six-figure salary. While NPs enjoy high pay, they earn their role through rigorous study. Classwork and clinical rotations prepare them to administer effective care, shape healthcare policies, and maintain professional standards. Candidates searching for a quality NP program should prioritize the following factors.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should ensure that they are qualified to attend their chosen NP program. Good programs use a competitive admissions process to vet applicants.

Program Curriculum

Students complete core courses in nursing research, pharmacology, healthcare policies and ethics, and advanced practice nursing. The best online NP programs offer a student-centered curriculum that lets degree-seekers pursue specializations like acute care, family, neonatal, or oncology nursing.

Clinical Experience

Every NP program includes a clinical component, and some make it easier for working students to complete clinical rotations. Online NP programs often allow degree-seekers to complete clinical rotations at their workplace, or during evening or weekend shifts at local facilities.

Accreditation

Earning your degree from an accredited institution ensures that you are receiving a quality education and making a worthwhile investment. Nursing program accreditation agencies include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Many employers expect job candidates to hold a degree from an accredited program.

Graduation Rate

A school's graduation rate says a lot about its quality. Colleges with high graduation rates tend to prepare students for their future careers in a timely manner. A low graduation rate may reflect a lack of student support or rigorous coursework. That said, high rates may also indicate a less demanding NP program. Remember, students who take longer to graduate usually pay more in tuition.

Online Learning Format and Requirements

Some online NP programs are designed to accommodate working RNs. These programs let students complete coursework at their own pace, or offer asynchronous formats without set class times. Synchronous classes best suit online learners who enjoy a more structured class setting.

Why Is Program Accreditation Important?

​​Regionally and nationally accredited schools offer a quality education. Accrediting agencies review student outcomes, faculty, and curricula to ensure that they meet the highest standards.

Accreditation also influences the student journey in many other ways:

• Credits earned at an unaccredited school may not transfer to accredited institutions.
• Accredited graduate schools may not accept students who attended unaccredited undergraduate schools.
• Unaccredited schools cannot provide students with federal financial aid.
• Some employers do not recognize degrees from unaccredited schools.

Who Accredits Nurse Practitioner Programs?

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
• Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education

How Do I Know an Online Nurse Practitioner Program Is Accredited?

Online and on-campus programs both undergo the same scrutiny to earn accreditation. Each nursing program's homepage typically lists its accreditation status. You can also verify a program's status by reviewing the directories listed above.

All schools listed on this page, and on NurseJournal.org, hold accreditation.

Paying for Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Many students struggle to pay their tuition out of pocket, even when an online NP program lets them work while attending school. Students who cannot pay their tuition up front can take out student loans, or access financial aid at the program level. Many institutions distribute scholarships based on merit, and some offer need-based grants specifically for future NPs.

Helpful Nurse Practitioner Program FAQs

Can you get a nurse practitioner degree online?

Yes, there are many general and FNP online programs to choose from. Online NP programs are just as prestigious as their on-campus counterparts and offer the same degree. However, distance learners must find a local placement for their clinical fieldwork.

What is the easiest nurse practitioner program?

Most online nurse practitioner programs cover the same topics and teach to the same standards of care. You can find a program that best suits your educational background and goals by looking at the admission rates, online learning formats, and graduation timelines for different online NP programs.

What is the fastest way to become a nurse practitioner?

While most online NP programs require two years of full-time study, some schools offer an 18-month option. Avoid non-accredited colleges that may feature shorter programs — you’ll be wasting your time and effort on a worthless degree.

What nurse practitioner makes the most money?

NP salaries depend on local demand and cost of living, specialty, and employer, along with individual factors like professional experience. The BLS reports that NPs in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Ohio make the most money. According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), adult mental health NPs earn the highest wages, drawing a median annual salary of $125,000. The AANP also reports that Veterans Affairs facilities offer the highest median salary of all employers.