The Most Affordable Online FNP Programs of 2024
- Affordable FNP Programs
- What to Look For
- Program Accreditation
- How Online Programs Work
- How to Apply
- How to Pay
- Career Opportunities
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: FatCamera / E+ / Getty ImagesFamily nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide holistic, primary care to patients across the lifespan. As the nation’s fastest-growing occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, FNPs have many employment options.
Online FNP programs offer a flexible educational environment to meet your career, personal, and financial needs.
Find the best online FNP programs, the importance of accreditation, and other key factors to help you identify the program that fits you.
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Online FNP Programs
Texas A & M International University
Laredo, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,818
- Out-of-state$13,610
- In-State$3,350
- Out-of-state$10,694
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled8,455
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$60,446
- Out-of-state$60,446
- In-State$60,446
- Out-of-state$60,446
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled49,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- In-State$7,088
- Out-of-state$22,166
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled13,288
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,174
- Out-of-state$33,174
- In-State$9,864
- Out-of-state$9,864
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled4,643
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
University of the Cumberlands
- Williamsburg, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,875
- Out-of-state$9,875
- In-State$4,282
- Out-of-state$4,282
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled19,272
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Rockhurst University
- Kansas City, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$39,500
- Out-of-state$39,500
- In-State$16,524
- Out-of-state$16,524
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled3,626
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,894
- Out-of-state$57,894
- In-State$32,850
- Out-of-state$32,850
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled26,457
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,381
- Out-of-state$16,600
- In-State$10,724
- Out-of-state$19,266
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled28,711
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Saint John Fisher College
- Rochester, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,352
- Out-of-state$35,352
- In-State$18,054
- Out-of-state$18,054
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled3,539
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What To Look For in an Online FNP Program
It’s crucial to consider several key factors when choosing an online FNP program. These elements can affect your eligibility and satisfaction with the program and career outcomes after graduation. 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. Check the program’s admission requirements to ensure 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, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANC), 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 covers evaluating research, promoting critical thinking skills, and helping 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 demonstrating 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 and state licensure.
Program Length
The number of credits you need depends on the program. An accredited MSN FNP program typically requires 37-50 credits and 500-672 clinical hours.
School Graduation Rate
Identifying a school with a high graduation rate ensures a quality FNP program. Determined by students completing their degrees in a timely manner, this metric highlights a school’s success and performance.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Attending an online program allows you to continue working while earning your degree, but you must complete clinical hours in person at approved sites. Online programs offer significant flexibility but require a high degree of dedication and self-discipline.
Why Is FNP Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is vital for the online FNP program you consider. Every program in our ranking and on our site is accredited.
Accreditation is a third-party peer review to ensure the program meets educational standards and prepares students for the field. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredit online FNP programs.
Reasons to attend an accredited nursing program include:
- Accreditation ensures quality education that meets industry standards
- Both the American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) require graduation from an accredited program to sit for the FNP certification exam
- Credits from an unaccredited program do not transfer
- You may not qualify for federal aid
- You may not qualify for licensure through examination or endorsement
- Accredited programs receive more educational funding
- Employers may require you to have a degree from an accredited program
How do Online FNP Programs Work?
Comparing in-person and online options is important in choosing the best FNP program. The online path offers the advantage of choosing a learning structure that balances your education with your career, personal life, and financial status.
Schools may offer a hybrid option. Hybrid programs blend online coursework with supervised simulated lab settings and clinical placements that put classroom theory into real-world practice.
You may be able to find programs that do not require in-person labs. Yet, accredited FNP programs must require at least 500 in-person clinical hours for state licensure and board certification.
Some online programs will help students find clinical placements locally, or they may require you to complete clinicals at their partner healthcare setting.
Your starting education level, program credits, and choice of full- or part-time status affect curriculum pace. You can generally complete a BSN to MSN program in 15-24 months full-time or 24-48 months part-time. Full-time ADN to MSN students can complete the program in 30-36 months, while part-time students can graduate within 36-48 months.
Applying to an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The application process includes several steps, including ensuring you meet admission and GPA requirements and gathering the necessary documentation. Learn more about all the steps and requirements for applying to a FNP program.
Admission Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited BSN program
- 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 checks
- 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 determine how much you will pay for your online FNP program. 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 making loan payments for 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 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 several years after graduation.
What Can You Do as a FNP?
FNPs can assess, diagnose, and prescribe treatment for patients depending on their state. Becoming an FNP offers greater earning potential and increased autonomy. The AANP reports improved patient outcomes with FNPs compared to physicians.
According to Payscale, the average annual income for an FNP is $104,330 as of August 2024, with California being the highest-paying state. Level of experience, practice setting, and postgraduate certifications impact income.
NPs can pursue many job prospects across an array of settings, including:
- Home health and hospice centers
- Hospitals
- Private practices
- Long-term care facilities
- Acute and urgent care centers
- Public health departments and community clinics
- Correctional facilities
- Occupational sites
- School campuses
Frequently Asked Questions About Online FNP Programs
Many classes in the curriculum are difficult because FNPs must have good analytical skills and judgment and strong clinical knowledge. Some of the more challenging courses include advanced physiology and pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, healthcare policy and systems, and research and evidence-based practice.
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