Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) support patients and physicians. Their insight and individualized approach support patients of all ages. If you want to become an FNP, there are flexible program options to meet your needs.
Continue reading to discover the benefits of completing an online FNP program. This guide covers the best online FNP programs, including searching, applying, and paying for your degree.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the most affordable online family nurse practitioner 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.
Featured Online FNP Programs
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online FNP Program
It's crucial to pay attention to key factors when choosing an online FNP program. These elements can affect your eligibility and satisfaction with the program. The following data points contributed to the overall rankings and should be evaluated based on your unique needs.
Admission Requirements
Most programs have similar requirements, such as graduation from an accredited nursing program. However, there may also be requirements unique to the program you are considering. Checking admission requirements ensures you are qualified to apply.
Specializations
Achieving an FNP certification requires graduating from a program with an FNP specialization. Although nearly 70% of all nurse practitioners are FNPs, not all graduate nursing programs offer an FNP specialization.
Program Curriculum
The program's curriculum should prepare you for your national certification examination and cultivate advanced clinical skills. FNPs must be proficient educators, advocates, counselors, and clinicians. An FNP curriculum should address how to evaluate research, promote critical thinking skills, and help students assume leadership positions.
Clinical Experience
Information about how clinicals are structured may influence your program choice. Does the school help with placement? Are you limited to certain practices for clinical experiences? How is the time spent in clinical rotations broken up? Each of these factors may impact your decision.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a voluntary process that demonstrates a school's dedication to quality academics, industry best practices, and continuous improvement. You must graduate from an accredited program to qualify for the FNP certification examination.
Program Length
The number of credits you need depends on the program, your educational attainment, and your degree. An MSN FNP program may require 37-50 credits and 500-672 clinical hours.
School Graduation Rate
When selecting a school, look for the FNP program's graduation rate. A high graduation rate can indicate student satisfaction and your likelihood of completing the degree. It may also reveal the level of support available to students in the program.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online programs became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the popularity has continued as students and schools recognize the benefits. It is critical to understand the learning format used by the program you are considering, as it may not meet your learning needs.
Why Is FNP Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is vital for the online FNP program you consider. Each program listed in our ranking is accredited.
Accreditation is a third-party peer review to ensure the program meets educational standards and prepares students for the field. Reasons to attend an accredited program include:
- Accreditation ensures quality education that meets national standards
- Credits from an unaccredited program do not transfer
- Is required to take the NCLEX in states that require accreditation to practice
- Without accreditation, you may not qualify for federal aid
- Many states and employers require RNs to graduate from an accredited program
- Without accreditation, your license may not transfer through reciprocity
- Accredited programs receive more educational funding
- Graduates of accredited programs have better job prospects
Learn More About the Most Affordable Online FNP Programs & Schools
See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
#1 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of West Florida, part of the State University of Florida system, enrolls over 3,000 students in 110 undergraduate and graduate programs. The family nurse practitioner master of science, designed for working nurses, features fully online classes in eight- or 16-week formats.
The 45-credit program requires 21 credits in direct care and foundational nursing core classes and 24 credits in specialized family practice areas. The curriculum prepares graduates to provide primary care to children and adults across the lifespan.
- 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: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 91.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,450 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1970, Texas A & M International University enrolls over 8,400 students in five academic colleges. The college of nursing and health science offers an affordable online FNP program that prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing roles with a focus on the promotion of health and well-being to diverse populations.
The online degree offers starting dates in both the fall and spring semesters. Students can complete the 48-credit curriculum over three semesters, including the practicum experiences.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Laredo, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $4,582 per semester for Florida residents; $10,469 for out-of-state residents
- 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 (2021/2022): 97.06% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $64,990 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Georgetown University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Established in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation's oldest Catholic university. The school of nursing reflects the institution's commitment to Jesuit values of holistic healthcare and serving the common good. Designed for working RNs, the online FNP program offers multiple start dates and permits nurses to continue working during their first year of study.
Students must complete 44 credits over seven terms, including a minimum of 650 clinical hours and two clinical intensives in the Washington, D.C. area.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $2,278 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 (2021/2022): 96.9% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $100,876 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Stony Brook University, located on the north shore of Long Island, is part the State University of New York System. The university currently offers over 200 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs and serves over 25,000 students. The affordable online FNP program comprises 45 credits in foundational, research and evidence-based practice, assessment, and nursing education courses. The office of clinical placements works collaboratively with faculty to secure appropriate placements for online students.
- Program: Master of science - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Stony Brook, 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 residents
- Admission Requirements: BSN; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum one year of clinical practice
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 95.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $105,660 for master's graduates , according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Southern California, one of the nation's top-ranked academic institutions, boasts a distinguished faculty that includes dozens of recipients of prestigious national honors, including the Nobel Prize, the MacArthur "Genius" Award, the Guggenheim Award, and the Pulitzer Prize.
The school of social work administers a 49-credit online MSN with a family nurse practitioner track designed for working RNs. Students may choose full-time or part-time enrollment, completing most requirements online except for clinical placements and two on-campus clinical intensives at the Los Angeles campus.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Los Angeles, California
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $42,740 for two semesters
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate statistics course with a grade of "C" or above; minimum one year of clinical experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 21 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $163,230 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#6 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cedarville University, a Baptist-affiliated institution located in southwestern Ohio, offers over 150 academic programs. The affordable online FNP program has the lowest tuition of all graduate nurse practitioner degrees in the state. The curriculum emphasizes the use of evidence-based practice for meeting the needs for primary care and prevention and integrates a Christian perspective into all coursework. The flexible, mostly online format requires four on-campus clinical experiences.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Cedarville, Ohio
- 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 (2021/2022): 83.2% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,530 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
41%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#7 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Samford University, established by the Alabama Baptist Convention in 1841, offers undergraduate and graduate programs at its suburban Birmingham campus and online. The 42-credit online FNP program accommodates the needs of working RNs through a flexible plan of study that requires only three campus visits.
Graduates of the program may sit for the FNP national certification examination administered by either the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANPCB).
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Birmingham, Alabama
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $924 per credit
- 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 (2021/2022): 95%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $99,380 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
37%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
University of the Cumberlands
- Williamsburg, KY
- 4 years
- Online
One of the fastest growing private schools in Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands offers the lowest tuition rate in the state. The university's affordable online FNP program trains advanced practice nurses to provide holistic healthcare with an emphasis on rural populations, through health promotion, prevention, and management across the lifespan.
The 48-credit curriculum requires 32 credits in didactic and blended learning courses, and six credits in clinical practice. The degree also establishes a strong foundation for doctoral education in nursing.
- Program: Master's in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Williamsburg, Kentucky
- Type: Private
- 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: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 50% first-time pass rates
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Northern Arizona University enrolls over 28,000 students at its main campus is Flagstaff and 20 other locations throughout the state. The university administers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs, including over 150 online degrees and certificates. The flexible and affordable online FNP program, designed for working RNs interested in providing family care in rural settings, prepares graduates for both national and state FNP certification. The 48-unit curriculum emphasizes the management of individual and family care, professional relationships, and healthcare delivery systems.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $585 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate statistics course with a grade of "C" or above; undergraduate nursing research and public health nursing courses with a grade of "B" or better
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 94.4% first-time pass rates
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $92,630 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#10 The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2023
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Established in 1821 by an act of Congress in the nation's capital, George Washington University has grown into a highly ranked private institution serving over 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Designed for working RNs interested in completing an FNP program online, the master of science FNP offers full- or-part time options with start dates in the fall and spring semesters.
The 48-credit curriculum, delivered in a hybrid format, requires 700 clinical practice hours and two on-campus experiences: the campus learning and skills intensive and the objective structured clinical examinations.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- 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 (2021/2022): 87.4% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $101,250 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
How Online FNP Programs Work
It is helpful to understand how an online FNP program works as you search for a qualified option. The online versus in-person requirements vary depending on the program. Some schools allow students to complete all coursework online, while others require in-person labs or seminars.
All programs require at least 500 hours of clinical experience. Some online FNP programs help students find clinical placements and others do not. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both in-person or online options.
Applying to an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program
There are several steps to the application process, including ensuring you meet admission and GPA requirements and gathering the necessary documentation. The application process can be demanding. But with preparation, you can become the ideal program candidate.
Admission Requirements
- Regionally accredited BSN
- Verified, valid, unrestricted RN license
- Two years of full-time experience in the past five years
- Schools consider volunteer work, time shadowing an NP, and certifications favorably
Admission Materials
- Completed application
- College transcripts
- Personal statement, goal statement, or letter of intent
- Resume
- Interview
- Letters of recommendation
- Direct entry or accelerated programs require a passing NCLEX score to finish the program
- Before starting clinicals students must provide:
- Health status
- State and federal background check
- Malpractice insurance
- Prerequisite classes may include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biomedical statistics
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Nutrition
GPA Requirement
GPA requirement varies and may range from 2.7 to 3.2
Paying for FNP Programs
Several factors influence your ability to pay for your online FNP program out of pocket. These include the length of the program, cost per credit, whether you are paying in-state or out-of-state tuition and fees, and whether you can work while taking classes.
Many nursing students entering graduate school may still be paying for their undergraduate degrees if their loans are not yet eligible for federal loan forgiveness. You can also defer loans until you complete your FNP program. Some financial aid options for students include scholarships, grants, and student loans.
Additionally, some hospital benefits include tuition reimbursement. It is important to understand the reimbursement terms before accepting the aid. You may need to work at the hospital for a certain number of years after graduation.
What Can You Do as an FNP?
FNPs enjoy a broad scope of practice, but many specialize by earning certifications in areas like pain, obesity management, or diabetes. These certifications are not required, but they may increase an FNP's employment opportunities and salary potential while meeting the needs of patients.
According to Payscale, the average annual salary for an FNP in the U.S. is $98,563 as of August 2022. Years of experience, location, additional certifications, and practice setting can affect salary.
FNP APRNs can work in:
- Hospitals
- Urgent care centers
- Doctor's offices or private clinics
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Hospice centers
- Correctional facilities
- College campuses
- Health departments
- Occupational sites
- Private practice in states with full practice authority
Frequently Asked Questions About Online FNP Programs
Can you become a family nurse practitioner online?
Yes, you can earn an MSN or DNP through an online FNP program. However, some programs may require students to attend in-person labs or seminars throughout the program. All FNP candidates must complete at least 500 hours of clinical experience.
What is the fastest way to become a family nurse practitioner?
FNPs need an RN license, certification from one of two national organizations, and at least an MSN. One of the fastest ways to earn FNP credentials is by enrolling in a two-year MSN program with a BSN and RN license. But, becoming an FNP can take 2-7 years, depending on your current education level, whether you have an RN license, and if you enroll in a program part or full time.
Some options include RN-to-MSN programs, which can take 3-4 years. A student could also become an FNP within 6-7 years by completing a two-year ADN, getting two years of experience, and then enrolling in an RN-to-MSN program.
Does it matter where you go to FNP school?
Yes, it does. Graduates from prestigious schools will have an easier time getting their first job. Afterward, employers value experience more than your educational background. However, if you aspire to work in research, teach at the university level, or become a school nurse, you'll want to seek out an online FNP program with strengths in those areas.
Are family nurse practitioners in high demand?
Of the more than 355,000 NPs licensed in the U.S., 69.7% are family nurse practitioners. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there's an expected shortfall of 48,000 family medicine physicians by 2034. This shortage opens greater opportunities and demand for FNPs to work in family medicine.
Page Last Reviewed: October 15, 2022
Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.
Reviewed by
