Top Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs | Online Options 2025
Accelerated nurse practitioner (NP) programs offer fast-track options for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). You can find a fast online nurse practitioner program, no matter your background. From direct entry programs for non-nurses to bridge programs for ADN or BSN-RNs, excellent programs await your attendance.
This article explores some of the quickest online nurse practitioner programs in 2025. Remember that universities don't usually use the term "accelerated NP programs." Instead, the schools on this list offer the quickest routes to completing your studies compared to other programs nationwide.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
For more than 15 years, American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University has been educating registered nurses and healthcare professionals like you online. We offer a number of advanced online nursing degrees designed to give you the advanced education needed to achieve your personal and professional goals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Natiowide except AZ, CA, DC, LA, NY, OR, TN, WA, PR
Top 10 Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs
Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation and uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
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| School | Nurse.org Total Tuition Estimate** | Program Length | Accreditation |
| 1. University of Rochester | $165,300 | 3-4 years | CCNE |
| 2. Herzing University | $48,320 | 20-28 months | CCNE |
| 3. Chamberlain University | $31,950 | 4 semesters | CCNE |
| 4. University of Illinois | In-State Tuition: $73,792 Out-of-State Tuition: $119,363 |
2-6 years | CCNE |
| 5. Georgetown University | $102,175 | 23-27 months | CCNE |
| 6. Vanderbilt University | $129,805 | 4 semesters | CCNE |
| 7. The Ohio State University | $93,360 | 3 years | CCNE |
| 8. Northeastern University | $93,192 | 2-3 years | CCNE |
| 9. Samuel Merritt University | $193,584 | 20-24 months | CCNE |
| 10. Wilkes University | $29,160 | 2-3 years | CCNE |
**Total program tuition is calculated by multiplying the programs cost per credit by the total number of credits needed for the course, as reported by the university website. Because of this, total program amounts are approximate and may not be exact.
The University of Rochester offers an accelerated master’s in nursing program for non-nurses. This program requires that students have worked or volunteered in healthcare before applying to the programs and that students have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their first bachelor's degree. The program is highly competitive, and cohorts are small.
After official acceptance into the program, students gain admission to two programs:
- A 12-month accelerated BSN, and
- An MSN program within their chosen specialty:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family
- Psychiatric Mental Health
- Pediatric/Neonatal
- Application Deadline: November 1st
- Contact Phone Number: (585) 275-2375
- Email Information: son_admissions@urmc.rochester.edu
$48,320
20-28 months depending on program
Herzing University* offers an online accelerated bridge program for nurses to become one of the following MSN nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The university offers programs for current ADN-prepared RNs who do not hold a BSN. This program takes as little as 28 months to complete.
For those with a BSN, Herzing also offers students an online BSN to NP program that takes about 24 months to complete. All students must complete an in-person clinical practicum, and Herzing guarantees a clinical site if they cannot secure one personally.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
- Contact Phone Number: 800-596-0724
$31,950
4 Semesters
Chamberlain University allows nurses to earn an MSN in as few as four semesters. The program is also available online, except for in-patient clinical work. Courses are taught by doctorally-prepared faculty, and all students have access to peer tutors.
Chamberlain has 23 campus locations across the nation and offers four NP specialty tracks.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Primary Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Phone Number: (877) 751-5783
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
For more than 15 years, American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University has been educating registered nurses and healthcare professionals like you online. We offer a number of advanced online nursing degrees designed to give you the advanced education needed to achieve your personal and professional goals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Natiowide except AZ, CA, DC, LA, NY, OR, TN, WA, PR
$73,792 - $119,363
2-6 Years
The University of Illinois offers a full or part-time DNP program to become one of ten different NP specialties. All didactic coursework is online, and clinical work rotations take place in locations near the university. The program can be completed in two to six years, depending on NP specialty, full-time vs. part-time enrollment, and prior education.
The DNP programs are offered at six campuses across the state of Illinois.
NP focus areas include:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Additional Information
- Total Tuition Est.**:
- Resident: $73,792
- Non-Resident: $119,363
- Application Deadline: Jan 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (312) 996-7800
- Email Information: conapply@uic.edu
$102,175
23-27 Months
Georgetown University* offers four highly acclaimed NP programs, including:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwifery/Women/s Health Nurse Practitioner
Students earn real-world experience through live online classes, coursework, and in-person clinical placements.
The university has a vast network of healthcare settings at over 3,700 locations in 49 states. Classes are taught by active practitioners, and students participate in Objective Clinical Intensives (OCIs), which are academic visits during which they practice clinical skills and complete in-person physical assessments.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Phone Number: 877-910-4692
- Email Information: onlinenursingadmissions@georgetown.edu
$129,805
4 semesters
Vanderbilt University offers a quicker path for non-nursing bachelor's degree students to start working as nurse practitioners. The university offers a PreSpecialty MSN program with a three-semester BSN program followed by subsequent NP specialty coursework.
The courses are offered full-time and on campus, so students must live within commuting distance of the campus. Full-time students may then complete NP coursework in as little as three semesters.
-
NP specialty areas include:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner/ AGPCNP
- Application Deadline: January 1st
- Contact Phone Number: (615) 322-4400
- Email Information: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu
$93,360
3 Years
The Ohio State University offers an MSN program for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field to become NPs in as little as three years. This program is an excellent option for non-nurses to become an NP faster than most programs.
Graduates earn an MSN in one of the following specialty tracks:
- Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Application Deadline:
- Round 1: October 31st
- Round 2: March 1st
Contact Phone Number: (614) 292-4041
Email Information: nursing@osu.edu
$93,192
2-3 Years
Northeastern University has one of the fastest MSN programs available. However, students must earn a BSN to be eligible for entry. Students with degrees other than a BSN are considered at the program administrator's discretion. Once admitted, full-time students can complete their NP degree in two or three years, depending on their specialty.
Northeastern offers several NP specialty tracks, including:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: August 1
- Spring: November 1
- Contact Phone Number: (617) 373-7055
- Email Information: bouvegrad@northeastern.edu
$193,584
20 months - 24 months
Samuel Merritt University has made a name in the Golden State for advanced nursing education. Not only does it have one of the top CRNA programs in California, but it also offers a five-semester online family NP program.
Family NP students must already have a BSN and an unencumbered license. However, the university website reports that they will also evaluate nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field on a case-by-case basis.
Samuel Merritt’s online FNP program is approved for nurses residing in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Texas
- Virginia
- Application Deadlines
- Spring: November 1st
- Summer: March 1st
- Fall: July 1st
- Contact Phone Number: 866-629-0655
- Email Information: online@crm.samuelmerritt.edu
$29,160
2.5-3 Years
Wilkes University offers two pathways for students to earn an NP degree. These include a traditional MSN program for those with a bachelor’s degree and an RN-to-MSN program for those with an ADN in nursing. The RN-to-MSN program takes a few extra months to complete.
Students can choose between three NP specialty concentrations, including:
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Application Deadlines
- Standard Admissions: Rolling
- Priority Admissions: January 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
- Email Information: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
About Online Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs
Accelerated NP programs prefer students with healthcare experience through work or volunteering. Most programs require students to have a specific number of years of experience before applying. Depending on the program and your starting degree, you may be able to apply with only volunteer medical experience.
Program Length
The shortest online nurse practitioner programs are 15 months long. However, depending on the program and specialty, they typically range from three to five years. Length will also vary if you are taking classes part-time vs. full-time.
Degrees
All accelerated NP programs are unique. Some award a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Others only offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees for NP specialties.
Experience
It is also important to remember that even if universities offer programs with an accelerated portion, such as an accelerated BSN, students must gain some experience in the field before moving into their advanced practice studies.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
For more than 15 years, American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University has been educating registered nurses and healthcare professionals like you online. We offer a number of advanced online nursing degrees designed to give you the advanced education needed to achieve your personal and professional goals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Natiowide except AZ, CA, DC, LA, NY, OR, TN, WA, PR
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