Best Indiana Nurse Practitioner Programs
October 6, 2021 , Modified on May 23, 2022 · 6 Min Read
Individuals interested in enrolling in nurse practitioner programs in Indiana can refer to this page to learn more about the opportunities available to them in the state.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are in demand and enjoy lucrative salaries and high levels of professional autonomy. If you are looking at the many NP programs Indiana offers, it can be hard to choose the right one for you.
This guide explores the best NP schools in Indiana, how to apply and pay for your degree, and answers to frequently asked questions about these programs.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best 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.
Keep reading to learn more about nurse practitioner programs, or go straight to our list of the best NP programs in Indiana.
What Can You Do With a Nurse Practitioner Degree?
Nurse practitioners are licensed to assess patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatments. Most NPs become family nurse practitioners (FNPs), but there are a variety of specialties and career options. Unlike physicians, NPs focus on a particular population during their schooling, such as family, pediatric, psychiatric mental health, or adult care.
This is the most common specialty for NPs. Family NPs are primary care providers for patients of all ages. The median salary for this specialty, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), is $107,000.
Acute care NPs treat acute conditions, that is, short-term immediate health needs such as injuries or illnesses. They often work in hospitals and urgent care centers. According to Payscale data from May 2022, the median salary for acute care NPs is $105,450.
Pediatric NPs specialize in treating children and younger adolescents. They focus on either psychiatric mental health, acute, or primary care. Payscale data from May 2022 shows a median pediatric NP salary of $93,360.
Featured Online MSN Programs
What To Look For in an Indiana Nurse Practitioner Program
When looking at NP school in Indiana options, decide whether you want to attend a larger or smaller institution or if you want a secular or faith-based program. Also consider if you prefer to take classes online or on campus.
Other factors, such as program quality and reputation, curriculum, and cost are easier to measure objectively.
Admission requirements tell you how likely you are to be admitted. They also indicate a school's culture and values and what it considers the most important backgrounds for successful students.
Unlike medical school, NP programs require students to select a specialty upon admission. After completing a core curriculum, you focus on this specialty. If you think you might change your specialty preferences, it is easier to transfer programs within the same school.
If attending an online NP program, consider clinical requirements and logistics and how to get clinical placement in your community. Some schools provide placement or extensive placement assistance, while others leave it up to students.
Accreditation is vital to getting your state license and board certification. This is why this guide only lists the nurse practitioner schools in Indiana that are accredited.
Consider the program length and structure and how it works with your schedule and existing responsibilities. Some programs expect or require full-time attendance, while others design the program for working students. Many schools offer part-time enrollment options.
Even for graduate schools, NCLEX-RN pass rates indicate a nursing school's overall quality and reputation. Be aware that this is most meaningful for medium and larger schools, as just one or two students can skew a smaller program's rates.
The graduation rate, especially combined with the board pass rate, is an excellent indicator of program quality and whether students succeed in the program once admitted.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Indiana
Now that you have selected some NP school in Indiana options, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare your application. Talk to a recent graduate. Have a trusted mentor review your application, both for errors and to make sure it reflects your potential. Let your references know to expect a request and if there is anything you would like them to emphasize.
Current and unencumbered RN license valid where you will be performing clinical experiences, college transcripts, a resume or CV, at least two references, and a completed application with an essay or personal statement
Most schools require a 3.0 GPA, but if your score is borderline, talk to an admissions counselor. Some schools admit students on a probationary basis, or you may have other qualifications that offset your lower GPA.
Most schools require or strongly prefer at least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent part-time experience) as an RN. If you have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) but not a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), some schools offer a registered nurse-to-master of science in nursing (RN-to-MSN) bridge program.
Why Is Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
During accreditation, an objective board reviews every facet of a program that affects its quality and the ability of its graduates to safely practice nursing. The review includes student outcomes (graduation rate, exam pass rates), faculty and staff background and qualifications, policies and procedures, curriculum and teaching approaches, and the technology and equipment in use.
- States require a degree from an accredited school for licensing.
- Boards do not certify graduates of non- accredited programs.
- Employers almost never even consider graduates of non-accredited programs.
- Accredited programs almost never accept transfer credits from non-accredited schools.
- With so many accredited Indiana NP schools, why risk your time and money on an non-accredited program?
Paying for a Nurse Practitioner Program in Indiana
Especially if you still have undergraduate loans, paying for your nursing degree can be expensive. Factors to consider include direct costs, such as tuition, fees, books, travel expenses for on-campus requirements, whether you qualify for in-state tuition, and whether you plan to work while studying.
Financial aid can make your dream school a reality. Nonprofits, such as foundations and associations, corporations, local government, and even your school, offer scholarships and grants. You may be eligible for loan forgiveness if you work in an under-served area, for the military, or for other government agencies after graduation.
Learn More About the Top NP Programs in Indiana
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Ball State UniversityLocation
Muncie, IN
Ball State University offers a master's degree in nursing with a family nurse practitioner track. The 47-credit nurse practitioner program in Indiana includes 690 supervised clinical hours in primary care settings.
All students must complete an initial one-day, on-campus orientation. After attending orientation, distance learners take online courses in an asynchronous format, which means they can log on to access course material at any time. Full-time students can complete the program in around six semesters, or two years. Part-time students typically graduate after nine semesters.
Ball State offers graduate assistantships and scholarships to help curb tuition costs.
Campus: Muncie, Indiana
Type: Public
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $442/credit for Indiana residents; $651/credit for nonresidents
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; three letters of recommendation; personal statement
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
School Site: Tuition | Financial aid
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Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisLocation
Indianapolis, IN
IUPUI's master's degree in nursing allows students to pursue a family nurse practitioner track. This hybrid program incorporates some on-campus components with primarily online coursework. Depending on course objectives, some classes within the family nurse practitioner track may include in-person sessions. Core courses may also feature synchronous requirements, and students may need to teleconference in at specific times.
The program comprises 43 total credits and 600 clinical hours. Full-time students follow a two-year schedule, while part-time learners graduate in three years. IUPUI's nursing school runs several scholarship programs, including funding awards specifically for master's students.
Campus: Indianapolis, Indiana
Type: Public
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $578/credit for Indiana residents; $1,553/credit for nonresidents
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
School Site: Tuition | Financial aid
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University of IndianapolisLocation
Indianapolis, IN
A private institution affiliated with the Methodist church, the UIndy offers a master's in nursing degree that emphasizes ethical reasoning in clinical practice. Students who choose the family nurse practitioner concentration enroll part-time, and they finish the degree in three years.
The 49-credit, 15-class hybrid program includes both online and on campus courses. Campus courses meet in person once a week, while students complete online coursework through web-based discussion forums.
Students must also fulfill 645 supervised clinical hours in a healthcare facility. Coursework prepares students for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners family nurse practitioner certification exam. According to UIndy, program graduates boast a 100% exam pass rate.
Campus: Indianapolis, Indiana
Type: Private
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $730/credit hour
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; eight hours shadowing a licensed family nurse practitioner; one letter of recommendation; personal statement
Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
School Site: Tuition | Financial aid
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Indiana State UniversityLocation
Terre Haute, IN
ISU students can earn a master's in nursing with a family nurse practitioner track entirely through part-time distance education. Candidates complete 47-50 credits, depending on their chosen culminating experience course. Learners typically graduate in 2.5-3 years.
The curriculum includes courses like advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology for advanced practice nurses, and diagnostic lab for family nurse practitioners. Students also learn to manage healthcare delivery systems and monitor healthcare practice quality. The program includes 675 clinical hours, which master's candidates complete onsite.
Campus: Terre Haute, Indiana
Type: Public
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Tuition: $419/credit for Indiana residents; $541/credit for nonresidents
Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; three letters of recommendation; personal statement
Minimum Time Commitment: 2.5 years
On-Campus Requirements: No
Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
School Site: Tuition | Financial aid
Common Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs
In Indiana, the average NP salary is $113,490. This is considerably higher than the average registered nurse salary of $82,750 and more than twice the average $58,260 for all workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While it is not one of the highest demand states, Indiana has a shortage of primary care providers. NPs can help to fill this need.
For students with a BSN, it typically takes two years of full-time study to earn an MSN in Indiana. Students with an ADN, or those attending on a part-time basis, may take three years or longer.
Indiana is a reduced practice state for NPs, and they must work in collaboration with a physician. NPs need an explicit written agreement with the physician that outlines the details of their collaboration and the physician's supervision.
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