Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
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- Best Affordable Online NP Programs and Schools
- What To Look For
- Program Accreditation
- Applying to Online NP Programs
- Paying for Online NP Programs
- Career Opportunities
- FAQs
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesIf you want to become a nurse practitioner (NP), it is important to find a nurse practitioner program that is both affordable and flexible. Online nurse practitioner programs can offer learners the opportunity to advance their nursing careers and increase their earning potential with the option to continue working while they study.
In this guide, learn more about how online nurse practitioner programs work, how you can apply, how to pay for your education, and what you can do with your degree after graduation. Find the top online nurse practitioner programs that meet your needs and your budget.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best affordable online 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.
At a Glance: The Top 10 Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Texas A & M International University
- Cedarville University
- George Washington University
- Samford University
- Northern Arizona University
- University of the Cumberlands
- SUNY Brockport
- University of Iowa
- The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
- The University of Texas at Arlington
Learn About the Best Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools
Texas A & M International University
Laredo, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,243
- Out-of-state$16,248
- In-State$10,309
- Out-of-state$18,630
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled29,566
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of the Cumberlands
- Williamsburg, KY
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,875
- Out-of-state$9,875
- In-State$4,282
- Out-of-state$4,282
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled19,110
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Brockport
- Brockport, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- 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
University of Iowa
- Iowa City, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,073
- Out-of-state$30,036
- In-State$10,079
- Out-of-state$26,026
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled30,318
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
- Chattanooga, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,836
- Out-of-state$23,954
- In-State$8,450
- Out-of-state$16,514
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled11,728
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas at Arlington
- Arlington, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,910
- Out-of-state$26,056
- In-State$8,739
- Out-of-state$21,571
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled48,072
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
If you’re considering applying to online nurse practitioner programs, you should consider factors such as accreditation, program length, clinical experience, and board certification rate before you choose programs to apply to.
Program Tracks and Specializations
Online NP programs allow you to specialize in areas such as family nursing, pediatrics, women’s health, and adult-gerontology. Nursing schools often offer different specialization tracks based on their faculty’s expertise.
Clinical Experience
To be eligible to sit for your nurse practitioner certification exam, you will need to complete minimum required clinical hours. Find out if your nursing school assists with clinical placement, how many hours you’ll spend in clinicals, and whether you have to complete clinical hours in the same state as the nursing program.
Typically, it’s the certifying body (such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners) that specifies the clinical hours needed to sit for the exam.
Accreditation
To become a licensed NP, you must graduate from an accredited program. In addition, most employers won’t consider hiring graduates of an unaccredited program.
Program Length
You will complete 40-50 credits and at least 500 clinical hours in an NP program. Programs may add additional clinical requirements based on your specialty. How long it takes you to complete these requirements will depend on whether you take the program full time or part time.
Board Certification Rate
The board certification rate tells you how well the program prepares students to become board-certified NPs in their specialty. A low board certification rate may indicate a program does not prepare students well.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online does not necessarily mean self-paced. Some online courses still require you to attend virtual lectures at a set time. Many online programs may also require yearly or twice-yearly on-campus attendance to meet with advisors, professors, and other students.
If you have other commitments, you should make sure the online format fits your schedule. You will also need reliable internet and technology to participate in online classes. Consider your access to those resources before applying.
Why Is Online Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
This guide only lists accredited online NP programs. This is because states require you to graduate from an accredited program to earn your NP license. Accreditation for nursing programs is important because:
- The most valuable nursing certifications also require graduating from an accredited program.
- Very few employers consider hiring graduates of unaccredited programs.
- It means independent experts have confirmed the program meets quality standards.
- Accredited schools almost never accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
- Many grants and loans, including federal loans, are only available to students attending accredited programs.
How Online Nurse Practitioner Programs Work
You can complete your online nurse practitioner program almost entirely online. Some programs may even offer online labs, depending on their resources. Yet, most online nurse practitioner programs have an in-person clinical component.
Most NP students have to complete at least 500 hours of clinical experience. You may have to complete additional hours, depending on the requirements from your state board of nursing for your specialty. You may also have to complete additional clinical hours for specific classes you take.
You might have to find your own clinical site and get it approved by the nursing program. Some nurse practitioner programs offer clinical placement assistance to help you find a clinical site as an online nursing student.
After you complete your nurse practitioner program, you should take your board certification exam within one or two months. The American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board are two most common programs for you to get board certified. Depending on your specialty, you may have more options.
Learn more about whether an online nurse practitioner program is right for you with our comparison of in-person and online nursing programs.
Applying to an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
Give yourself plenty of time to apply to online NP programs. Ask somebody who knows you to review your application, especially your personal statement or essay to be an NP. Personalize your essay to the school’s program and culture. Materials for graduate applications for nurses include the following.
Admission Materials
Requested materials may include undergraduate transcripts, a current and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, a resume/curriculum vitae, at least two references, and an application that includes an essay or personal statement.GPA Requirements
Many schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA. If your GPA doesn’t reflect your abilities, talk to an admissions counselor about your background, as you may have other qualifications that can offset a marginal GPA.Other Requirements
Most on-campus and online NP programs require or strongly prefer at least two years of experience as an RN.
Paying for Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Financial factors for attending an affordable online NP program include tuition (in state versus out of state), program length, and books and equipment. You should also consider any travel for required on-campus components or clinicals and how many hours you can work while studying.
There are many financial aid resources for nurses available, both from your school and outside sources. Foundations, associations, corporations, and government programs offer nursing grants and scholarships.
Because the need for NPs is so high, some government programs pay the entire cost of your NP nursing degree, plus a stipend, if you commit to working in an underserved area once you graduate. You may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness for nurses.
Similarly, your current employer may help pay tuition costs, especially if you remain with them after graduation.
What Can You Do as a Nurse Practitioner?
Most nurse practitioners examine, treat, and diagnose patients under the supervision of a physician or under their own authority in full-practice authority states. Nurse practitioners enjoy more autonomy, opportunities for career advancement, and salary than registered nurses.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners have a median annual salary of $120,680, which is about $43,000 more than the median annual salary for registered nurses. Registered nurses have a median annual salary of $77,600. The BLS projects the field for nurse practitioners will grow 46% between 2021-2031.
- Family Nurse Practitioner: Family nurse practitioners work with patients of all ages in primary care. They focus on preventive care, but they also manage chronic conditions.
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners treat, diagnose, and examine older adults. They may work in acute or primary care.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners treat and diagnose patients with mental health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Can you become a nurse practitioner online?
Yes, you can take a nurse practitioner program online. The labs may even be online if the nurse practitioner program has the resources. However, you may have an in-person clinical component.
What is the fastest way to become a nurse practitioner?
The fastest way to become an NP depends on your existing degree. If you have a bachelor’s in nursing, it takes about two years of full-time study to complete an on-campus or online NP program. If you have an associate nursing degree, it takes approximately three years.
What costs and fees are associated with online NP programs?
The costs and fees associated with online NP programs include the application fees, cost of tuition, cost of supplies and books, and other university fees.
Are nurse practitioners in high demand?
Yes, nurse practitioners are the fastest-growing occupation in 2022. BLS projects 46% job growth for nurse practitioners between 2021-2031.
Related Nurse Practitioner Resources
Page last reviewed November 8, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.