Top 10 Affordable Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide primary care to patients from infancy to old age. Their primary duties include treating, diagnosing, counseling, and caring for their patients.
Choosing the right graduate nursing program can be overwhelming, especially if you're on a budget. Nurse.org has compiled a list of the 10 most affordable online FNP programs so that you can pursue your career without financial stress.
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 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 NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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Top 10 Affordable Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Our ranking system considers many factors, in addition to price, such as accreditation, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratios, to bring you the best, cheapest online FNP programs.
Remember that there is no way to become a family nurse practitioner without attending clinical courses. So, while the didactic coursework for these programs is 100% online, they all have some in-person requirements.
|
Program Name |
Accreditation |
Tuition |
Program Length |
|
Immaculata University |
CCNE |
$710 per credit hour |
2.5 years |
|
University of West Florida |
CCNE |
$500 per credit hour |
27-30 months |
|
Arkansas State University |
ACEN |
$370 per credit hour |
24 months |
|
Auburn University at Montgomery |
CCNE |
$469 - $516 per credit hour |
8 semesters |
|
Saint Frances Medical Center |
CCNE |
$755 per semester hour |
4 years |
|
Wilmington University |
CCNE |
$537 per credit hour |
7 semesters |
|
Kentucky Christian University |
CCNE |
$525 per credit hour |
7 semesters |
|
Briar Cliff University |
CCNE |
$560 per credit hour |
3 years |
|
Southeastern Louisiana University |
CCNE |
$858 per course |
42-45 credit hours |
|
The University of Texas Arlington |
CCNE |
$654 per credit hour |
32 to 36 months |
Immaculata, a smaller Catholic University just outside Philadelphia, offers a low-cost yet exceptional online FNP program. With access to the top hospitals on the East Coast, students receive cutting-edge clinical placements at this university. To graduate from this program, aspiring FNPs must complete 44 credit hours and 825 in-person clinical hours.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Phone Number: (610) 647-4400
UWF offers one of the cheapest online nurse practitioner programs in Florida. Students also benefit from a passionate faculty that still practices at the bedside, ensuring they receive expert instruction. Over three years, graduates from this program have an average pass rate of 93% on the AANP’s FNP Certification Exam.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Phone Number: (844) 372-9390
Students enrolled in the online FNP program at AKU benefit from one of the lowest tuition rates available. The program lasts just two years and consists of 41.5 credit hours and 750 clinical practicum hours.
Notably, students must complete their clinical in a state in which Arkansas has "State Operating Authority." These states vary, and you should consult an academic advisor before enrolling.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Phone Number: (844) 372-9390
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
- Resident: $469 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $516 per credit hour
AUM's affordable online FNP program provides students with an exceptional graduate education at a fraction of the cost. Students can save even more by taking advantage of scholarships and tuition reimbursement programs.
While didactic courses for this program are 100% online, there are some in-person requirements. In addition to clinical rotations, students must make a few campus visits for intensive experiences.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (334) 244-3000
- Email Address: admissions@aum.edu
Although the FNP program at St. Francis Medical Center is smaller and lesser-known, it still holds a deserved place on this list. SFMC offers one of the cheapest FNP online programs at a reasonable cost.
Students visit campus once per semester during the three practicum courses to learn hands-on skills. The remainder of the coursework is entirely online.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (309) 655-2201
Wilmington University revamped its online FNP program in 2024 to align with the new AACN Essentials education guidelines. Students can complete the 55-credit MSN program in seven semesters or 24 months. However, the university allows up to five years to graduate, allowing plenty of time for part-time attendees.
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: May 1st
- Spring: September 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (877) 967-5464
Students in KCU's affordable FNP program attend most classes online, except for a two-day campus intensive experience. The coursework is asynchronous, allowing them to take courses on their own schedules. The 47-credit-hour MSN program takes just over two years to complete on a full-time schedule.
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: March 1st
- Final: July 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (800) 522-3181
- Email Address: kegeyer@kcu.edu
The Briar Cliff online FNP track is a part-time program that students can complete in three years or eight semesters, including two summers. This schedule is ideal for those who need to work throughout the program and want a school-work-life balance. Unlike some other programs, Briar Cliff does not offer scholarships to FNP students.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (712) 279-5200
SLU's family nurse practitioner MSN is ideal for students in the southeastern United States. In addition to the 42 credit-hour program, students must complete 600 clinical hours with an approved preceptor.
While most classes are online, students must attend in-person intensives. They also have direct access to the Baton Rouge Center, equipped with human patient simulators (SimMan).
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (985) 549-5045
- Email Address: gradnursadmin@southeastern.edu
UTA offers one of the most affordable FNP programs for residents and non-residents alike. In addition to its low cost, UTA has affiliations with countless healthcare organizations that provide substantial tuition reimbursement.
The 46-credit-hour MSN degree has rigorous academic requirements that may burn out some students. Therefore, the university recommends that students limit their work schedules to complete the program successfully.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (866) 489-2810
What to Expect in an Online FNP Program
While each university offers a unique experience, there are several similarities between online FNP programs. After enrolling in your program, you will meet with your academic advisor. They will help you plan your degree progression and in-person clinical requirements.
While some schools set up clinical sites and preceptors for students, others require students to find their own. Since finding a clinical preceptor can be highly stressful and time-consuming, it's wise to start looking immediately.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for FNP programs vary based on the specific program. General admission requirements include:
- BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Undergrad GPA of 3.0 or higher
- College level statistics
- RN licensure in good standing
- 1+ years of relevant bedside nursing experience
- Background check
- Drug test
- Letter of intent/personal essay
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal interview
- Resume/CV
Classes & Coursework
Since online FNP programs must meet specific requirements, they all offer a similar course load. Courses you can expect to take include:
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Leadership and Administration
- Population Health and Epidemiology
- Health Care Policy and Politics
- Research
- Primary Care across the Adult Lifespan
- Primary Care of Women and Children
- Integrative Practice across the Lifespan
All FNP requirements also require in-person clinicals with a credentialed preceptor at an approved clinical site.
How to Choose an Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Choosing an affordable online FNP program depends on several factors, including your needs, career goals, and work schedule. Other vital elements to consider include:
- Public vs. private institution
- Graduation rate
- Accreditation
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Overall cost
- Full-time vs. part-time
- Length of program
- MSN vs. DNP
- State requirements for online programs
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Do you need to continue working during the program?
- Does the program find your clinical placements, or do you have to?
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 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 NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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