Best Bang For Your Buck: Top Affordable Online Nursing Programs
In order to begin a career as a nurse practitioner, one must complete at least a master’s degree in nursing after becoming a registered nurse. Although graduate programs were once marked by an intense investment of money and time, more and more students are reaping all the benefits of an advanced degree at a lower cost and on their own schedules. Although distance learning may not be the right fit for everyone, many online colleges and universities are offering accredited degree programs comparable to those found in a traditional classroom.
This article provides an alphabetical list of some of the top affordable online advanced degree programs for those looking to become a nurse practitioner. Each institution was vetted for its accreditation status, types of nursing degrees offered, as well as the in-state resident/base tuition rate well being below the national average for master’s degree programs ($14,825 in 2006, as reported by the Council for Graduate Schools).
Affordable Degree Programs - Notes – Article Resources
Affordable Degree Programs
- Degrees offered: MS, RN-MS,
- Semester tuition: $1,365/credit hour (~$5,460 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: BS-RN, MS (forensics)
- Semester tuition: $150/credit hour (~$1,800 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: MS, DNP
- Semester tuition: IA residents - $341.00/credit hour (~$4,092 full-time); non-residents - $426/credit hour (~$5,112 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: BS-MS, MS
- Semester tuition: $ 353/credit hour (~$4,236 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: MS, MS-MBA
- Semester tuition: (full-time) TX residents - $5,502.50/ non-residents - $11,237.50
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
- Degrees offered: MS
- Semester tuition: $400-$600/credit hour (~$4,800-$7,200 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? N/A**
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees offered: MS
- Semester tuition: $3,681.60 flat fee for 6-month period
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: MS, DNP
- Semester tuition: residents - $389/credit hour (~$4,668 full-time), non-residents - $1,185/credit hour (~$14,220 full-time)
- Part-time enrollment available? YES
- Degrees offered: MS, MBA
- Semester tuition: $3,250 (MS and MBA)
- Part-time enrollment available? N/A**
Notes
*Tuition rates reflect enrollment for U.S. citizens for one semester. Full-time enrollment tuition was calculated for 12 credit hours unless specified by the institution. Please see the individual institutions for information regarding additional fees and policies.
** “N/A” denotes the information was not readily available on the institution’s website. Please consult the individual institutions directly for more information.