Best Online DNP Programs | 2024

Explore the top-ranked online DNP programs for 2024, including tuition, program length, and more, to find the perfect program for you. 

Top 10 Online DNP Programs 2024

Choosing a DNP program is a very large decision. Nurse.org has determined the best DNP programs online for 2024. Our ranking system takes numerous factors into consideration, including location, graduation rate, cost, credit hours, and accreditation, as well as other factors.

1. Rush University

The DNP program at Rush University is ranked as one of the top programs, according to U.S. News & World Report. The program focuses on population health and social determinants of health. While most classes are offered online, some courses require in-person attendance. Clinical practice sites are located in the Chicago area, so all students must live nearby. 

• Tuition: $1,344 per credit hour
• Program Length: 
  • Full-time: 2.5 years
  • Part-time: 3.5 years
• Are Online Options Available? Hybrid
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 312-942-7117
• Email Address: con_admissions@rush.edu
• Website

2. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins offers eight different DNP Advanced Practice tracks and three different DNP Executive tracks, including dual degrees with an MBA and MPH. Ranked as the top DNP program by U.S. News & World Report, students can expect a vigorous program taught by some of the leading industry and faculty in the country. 

By the time clinicals start, students should ideally relocate to the Baltimore area as clinical sites include Henderson Hopkins (a JHU community partnership school), the House of Ruth (a Baltimore domestic violence center), or in a Johns Hopkins Health System hospital or practice.

• Tuition: $1,939 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 years
• Are Online Options Available? Modified Distance Learning, including time on campus throughout the program 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 410-955-2768
• College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: son-webmaster@jhu.edu
• Website

3. University of Washington

The DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program at UW focuses on preventative care and treatment, allowing graduates to practice in a variety of settings upon graduation. The program is only offered full-time and in various formats.

Year one of the DNP program is offered in a hybrid format (50 percent in-person, 50 percent distance learning) and requires attendance on campus one day per week. Year two and year three require additional in-person class attendance as well as clinical experience. 

• Tuition: $982 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 years
• Are Online Options Available? Distance Learning with in-person clinical experience
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 206-543-8736
• College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: asknursing@uw.edu
• Website

4. University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama provides three Pathways to a DNP degree:

• MSN to DNP Pathway
• MSN to DNP Bridge Program for Clinical Nurse Leaders to Executive Nursing Administration Pathway
• BSN to DNP Pathway

Fourteen different DNP specialty tracks and nine different post-DNP certificates are available to students. South Alabama has one of the most extensive options. Students can complete clinicals at any location but must be present for on-campus immersion programs and dissertation work.

• Tuition: $549 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 to 6 years
• Are Online Options Available? Yes
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 251- 445-9400
• College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: condnpadmit@southalabama.edu
• Website

5. University of North Georgia

Courses at the University of North Georgia are asynchronous online but some courses will have optional synchronous sessions. This can be beneficial to students who prefer some Facetime with faculty and other students.

Each DNP course requires students to meet one day per month. Additionally, a minimum of two years of RN experience is required and current employment in a healthcare-related field is required. 

• Tuition: In-state: $375 per credit hour, Out-of-state: $412.50 per credit hour
• Program Length: 38 credit hours, 5 semesters (full-time) or 8 semesters (part-time)
• Are Online Options Available? Yes, but each core DNP course meets one day per month; typically on the third Monday.
• Accreditation: ACEN
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 706-867-2997
• College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: grads@ung.edu
• Website

6. George Mason University

There are two pathways available to students at GMU: BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #2 DNP program in the country, GMU offers four concentrations and is centrally located in Northern Virginia, giving students access to top D.C. hospitals for clinical rotations. 

The overall program expectations and requirements vary depending on the pathway, but both require a minimum of 1,000 in-person clinical hours at an approved clinical site and multiple on-campus immersion days. 

• Tuition: $850 per credit hour
• Program Length: 72 credit hours and 1,000 clinical hours
• Are Online Options Available? Hybrid
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Email Address: vhough@gmu.edu
• Website

7. Duke University 

Duke University offers four DNP programs: 

• Nurse Anesthesia
• Post-Masters
• BSN to DNP
• Executive Leadership

Students enrolled in the DNP program at Duke will be studying at one of the best programs in the country with access to the world-renowned Duke University Hospital and research center. While all programs are highly competitive, the DNP nurse anesthesia program is one of the most competitive in the country and receives hundreds of applicants each year. 

• Tuition: $2,075 per credit hour
• Program Length: 36 - 48 months depending on program
• Are Online Options Available? Hybrid
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Phone Number: (919) 684-3786
• Website

8. University of Missouri

Coursework can be completed online for the DNP program at the University of Missouri but an on-campus visit is required for five days during the summer before coursework begins for orientation to the DNP program.

The University of Missouri's DNP programs stretch over three different campuses, with each offering a variety of programs. This can be important when determining the best campus since there are in-person requirements. 

• Tuition: $62,230
• Program Length: 
  • Part-time with MSN: 3 years
  • Part-time with BSN: 5 to 6 years
• Are Online Options Available? Yes
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 573-882-0277
• College of Nursing - Contact Email Address: nursing@missouri.edu
• Website

9. Rutgers University 

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the DNP program at Rutgers is nationally ranked in the top 10 of the country.  Rutgers offers 12 DNP specialty programs ranging from NP, anesthesia, and even administration. Rutgers graduates over 140 DNP students each year, only further illustrating the strength of the programs. 

The DNP courses all feature online classes but also in-person required classes held at the Newark, NJ campus. There is a unique executive weekend model that allows full-time working students to meet over one long weekend once per month at the Newark campus. 

• Tuition: 
• Program Length: 3 to 4 years
• Are Online Options Available? Hybrid
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Phone Number: (973) 972-3067
• Website

10. University of Virginia

UVA offers two pathways for nurses interested in a DNP: a BSN to DNP program and an MSN to DNP program.

The program's executive, hybrid format means that students attend in-person classes just once a month with the balance of their learning online.

Most DNP programs will give alumni preference over non-alumni for spots in the program; UVA guarantees admissions to alumni interested in enrolling in the DNP program.

• Tuition: Resident: $862 per credit hour, Non-resident: $1,407 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 to 5 years
• Are Online Options Available? Hybrid
• Accreditation: CCNE
• College of Nursing - Contact Phone Number: 434-924-0141
• Website

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DNP Fast Facts

 

What Is an Online DNP Program?

An online DNP program is a doctor of nursing practice program that has core didactic courses taught in either a synchronous or asynchronous format.

Despite the courses being offered online, DNP programs still require in-person attendance at clinicals and dissertation work. The specific amount of time will vary depending on the program and specialty, but regardless, there is still an in-person requirement.

What to Expect in an Online DNP Program

Though every DNP curriculum is different, all accredited nursing programs follow the framework provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. 

Online DNP Classes

Individuals should expect to take the following classes:

• Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement
• Advance Healthcare Policy
• Advance Leadership
• Clinical Information Systems
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Clinical Reasoning
• Epidemiology
• Ethics and Legal Issues
• Evidence Appraisal
• Health Policy 
• Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan
• Informatics
• Professional Leadership and Practice Change
• Project Development
• Research
• Statistics

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DNP Online Program Prerequisites

Though every online DNP program is different, most have similar entry requirements, which generally include:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nursing license
• Application fee (varies based on program)
• Current, unencumbered nursing license
• Current Resume/CV
• Goal statement
• GPA of at least 3.0 or higher in the Master’s program
• Interview with faculty (if moved forward by the admissions committee)
• Letters of Recommendation (both academic and professional references)
• MSN degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution and a nationally accredited school of nursing
• Official Transcripts (from all previous colleges/universities)
• Personal essay
• RN experience (minimal requirement varies)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if applicable 

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Online DNP Program Tuition

Online DNP programs vary greatly in cost. Factors include school, location, online versus in-person, and degree. A major contributing factor to cost is in-state versus out-of-state tuition. 

Online programs are generally cheaper than traditional in-person programs. However, even some programs that are online for didactic coursework may still require in-person clinicals. This is something to consider when applying to a DNP program. 

Credit hours can vary between $500 and $4,000, depending on the program. Part of this will depend on whether the program is public or private. Furthermore, DNP programs are more expensive because of the increased number of credit hours and complexity of coursework. Overall tuition costs also include program fees, lab fees, course materials, and other associated expenses. 

DNP Accreditation

The two main accreditation bodies in the United States are as follows:

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

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How Hard is an Online DNP Program?

DNP programs are very difficult as this is a terminal degree for advanced practice registered nurses. The purpose of a DNP program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles as executives or advanced practice nurses. 

Furthermore, DNPs are expected to apply evidence-based practice to improve individual, family, and community health outcomes. Individuals are expected to think more critically and analyze research and data.

While a DNP program is very challenging regardless of employment status, it can be even more challenging if working during the duration of the program. 

What Can You Do with a DNP Degree?

The purpose of a DNP program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles as executives or advanced practice nurses. 

According to the AACN, says, 

• Earning a DNP prepares individuals to better meet the demands of an increasingly complex healthcare system.
• Equipped with the highest level of scientific education, DNPs have the advanced expertise to promote positive health outcomes.
• Courses in DNP programs enable nurses to expand their skills in areas such as leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
• DNPs can implement the science developed through other types of nursing doctoral programs, which are more focused on research.

How to Pick the Right DNP Program for You

Picking the right DNP program can be overwhelming, especially with the increasing number of available programs throughout the country and the ease and accessibility of online programs.

The most important determining factor when choosing a program is understanding if the state in which you reside allows students to enroll in distance education programs and, therefore, participate in clinical practicums within the state.

It is important to check with your state board of nursing to see if your state allows this. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. If you have any questions regarding state eligibility, you can also contact the University’s Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs.

Other factors include, 

• Am I able to travel to campus for in-person days?
• Consider the entry prerequisites for which you qualify.
• Consider the program’s accreditation and graduate certification rate.
• Does Your Current Job Have an Affiliation with a Specific DNP Program?
• Do you want a program that will find your clinical placements?
• How will I pay for the degree? Loans? Scholarships? Tuition Reimbursement?
• Is there program flexibility?
• What is the job placement rate for the DNP program?
• What is your goal after graduation? Hospital? Private practice? Strictly academia? Research?
• Will I need to work during the program, or can I take time off?

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