Top 10 Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs | 2025

Online nurse practitioner programs are hybrid programs that give nurses the necessary education to become nurse practitioners. While there are many factors to consider when choosing one, the main factor for many of us is, “How much does it cost?”

If you’re looking to become an NP while spending as little money as possible, we’ve rounded up the cheapest online nurse practitioner programs for 2025. 

How Much Do NP Programs Cost?

Nurse practitioner programs can vary widely in cost, ranging from as low as $11K to over $100K, so you’ll want to choose something you can actually afford. 

Comparing Online Nurse Practitioner Program Tuition

We know how hard it can be to track down tuition information, let alone compare costs between programs since everyone lists tuition costs a little bit differently. To make it easy to compare tuition between NP programs, we've calculated the total program cost for you by multiplying the programs cost per credit, as listed on each school's website, by the total number of credits needed for the course. Because of this, total program amounts are approximate and may not be exact. 

10 Cheapest Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Here are the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs for 2025 ranked by price, as well as instructor quality, student success, engagement, and student opinions.  

School	Nurse.org Total Tuition Estimate**	Program Length
1. Southeastern Louisiana University	In-State: $11,760 Out-of-State: $26,292	42-45 credit hours
2. The University of West Florida	In-State: $17,307 Out-of-State: $46,991	45 credit hours
3. Stony Brook University	In-State: $21,195 Out-of-State: $49,365	45 credit hours
4. Mercer University	In-State: $21,695 Out-of-State: $21,695	48 course hours
5. The University of Alabama	In-State: $23,320 Out-of-State: $23,320	53-79 credit hours
6. The University of Mississippi	In-State Total: $27,250 Out-of-State: $79,950	50 credit hours
7. The University of Texas Arlington	In-State: $30,084 Out-of-State: $30,084	46 credit hours
8. Briar Cliff University	In-State: $31,590 Out-of-State: $31,590	54 credit hours
9. Cedarville University	In-State: $33,936 Out-of-State: $33,936	12 semester hours
10. Bradley University	In-State: $54,500 Out-of-State: $54,500	50-59 credit hours

**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. 

1. Southeastern Louisiana University

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $11,760

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $26,292

Program Length: 42-45 credit hours

Southeastern Louisiana University offers Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks. It’s important to know that all clinical hours must be completed in Louisiana. 

2. The University of West Florida

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $17,307

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $46,991

Program Length: 45 credit hours

Started in 1963, the program takes 27 months to complete, with 600 required clinical hours. FNP students have to attend an on-campus summer immersion orientation prior to starting their clinicals. 

3. Stony Brook University

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $21,195

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $49,365

Program Length: 45 credit hours

Programs at Stony Brook allow students to graduate with either an MSN or DNP degree, which are offered through online distance education with on-site requirements. 

Available programs include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Health, Women’s Health, Neonatal Health, Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Acute Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health.

4. Mercer University

In-State Total Est. Program Cost:  $21,695

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $21,695

Program Length: 48 course hours

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track at Mercer University requires students to complete 48 course hours and 660 clinical hours.

5. The University of Alabama

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $23,320

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $23,320

Program Length: 53-79 credit hours

There are currently three tracks offered, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner.

The programs are available 100% online, with clinical sites chosen by you and two on-campus sessions that have to be completed over the course of the study. 

Currently, only residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia are eligible for the Nurse Practitioner concentrations.

6. The University of Mississippi

In-State Total Est. Program Cost:  $27,250

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $79,950

Program Length: 50 credit hours

The University of Mississippi’s School of Nursing is a nationally ranked program and offers flexible Nurse Practitioner programs in both online and hybrid formats.  

It also has a very impressive number of NP programs, including Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

7. The University of Texas Arlington*

In-State Total Est. Program Cost:  $30,084

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $30,084

Program Length: 46 credit hours

The University of Texas at Arlington's NP degrees are some of the most popular nurse practitioner programs in Texas. Currently, the university offers seven different specialty area options:

1.  Family Nurse Practitioner
2. Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
3. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
4. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
5. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
6. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
7. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

8. Briar Cliff University

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $31,590

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $31,590

Program Length: 54 credit hours

Three tracks are offered at Briar Cliff University, including a Family Nurse Practitioner, an Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or a Psychiatric Mental Health Care Practitioner.

9. Cedarville University

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $33,936

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $33,936

Program Length: 12 semester hours

Cedarville boasts one of the best online FNP programs in Ohio. Students also have the opportunity to earn a Nursing Education Certificate with their FNP degree. Like similar online programs, students have to attend several on-campus learning experiences but with a low cost per credit hour - this program is worth it.

10. Bradley University 

In-State Total Est. Program Cost: $54,500

Out-of-State Total Est. Program Cost: $54,500

Program Length: 50-59 credit hours

This program is 100% online from Bradley University and allows students to earn an FNP degree in as little as 26 months. There are currently four NP programs for students to earn an MSN and four options for students to earn a DNP degree.  

What to Expect in an Online NP Program

So if you’ve been out of school for a while, you might be wondering: what exactly should you expect out of an online NP program? Well, much like your original nursing school degree, you’ll get a mixture of class time, coursework, and hands-on clinical learning. 

The main difference, of course, is that because your program is online, all of your class time and instruction time will be online as well. Here’s how the process of an online nursing school program will go:

Application

The first step to attending NP school online will be submitting your application. Depending on the school you choose, the application process can be a bit intense, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for what you’ll need before you apply. If you’re applying at the same school you attended for undergraduate, the process can be a little easier since they’ll already have access to your transcripts. If not, you’ll need a bit more additional paperwork. Most schools will require the following as part of the application process:

• Application fee
• Completed application 
• Complete undergraduate transcripts for any school you attended
• Copy of your nursing license
• Resume (most schools will require you to have at least one 1 year of experience as a nurse, although there may be exceptions for this)
• Letter of intent
• 3 professional references
• Copy of your driver’s license

Most MSN-NP programs don’t require the GRE, but if it’s required, you’ll also have to submit those scores. In addition to your application, you’ll want to complete a FAFSA for any financial aid you’ll be eligible for or loans you’ll need to take out. 

There may also be additional program-specific information or requirements; for instance, some schools may require an interview or proof you’ve taken certain undergraduate classes, like statistics, within the last seven years to be eligible.

Welcome Weekend

Some schools may kick off your online NP program with what’s called a “welcome weekend,” in which they bring online students to gather in person for an introduction to the program, pass out required materials, and provide an orientation. If the program does require this, it is usually mandatory, so consider this when applying to an NP program. 

This is not a requisite and is only school-specific, but be sure to check if your school requires it before enrolling. Some schools may also have similar in-person events, called “immersion weeks,” throughout the program, so, again, check what in-person requirements there are with your course of choice.

Coursework

As we mentioned, all of your coursework with an online NP program will be online. That will include:

• Virtual classes
• Virtual educational information (slides, presentations, etc.)
• Homework
• Discussion boards
• Submission of your own work, including research papers, essays, etc. 

If you’re attending a program full-time, you can expect 2-4 classes per semester, and the amount of time you will need to dedicate to studying and homework could be 12-24 hours per week. You will also need to factor in clinical hours, which will vary based on the specific course. 

Everyone is different, but you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time, especially in the beginning, and/or it’s been a while since you’ve been in school.

Program Structure

Online nurse practitioner programs are more popular than ever because they allow for more flexibility in class schedules and are ideal for working students and students with other responsibilities, including families and children. 

However, despite being “online,” any nurse practitioner program you choose will have some in-person components. Didactic coursework can be done online, but clinicals MUST be completed in person. 

Other programs may host additional in-person requirements, such as an “immersion weekend” where skills are taught, and still, others may have other onsite requirements, so be sure to check all of the course requirements carefully before choosing.

Clinical Work

The clinical portion of your NP program is crucial to your success as an NP. Similar to how a BSN program is structured, you’ll start your NP program with 1-2 semesters of coursework only, then move into the clinical portion. The clinical portion usually consists of around 500 clinical hours that involve you shadowing and working side-by-side with a preceptor as you learn and practice your clinical skills. 

Every program will have specific requirements for the clinical hours and will structure them differently. Some online NP programs set up their own clinicals, so you’ll be required to go through the school and work with a healthcare facility and NP they have partnered with, while others let you set up your own. If you have a provider in mind that you’d like to be your preceptor, be sure to speak to the school ahead of time to ensure that choosing your own preceptor is allowed.

Exam

Finally, in order to become an official NP, you’ll need to pass your national certifying exam. 

The most common certifying organizations are the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). 

If you’ve chosen the pediatric NP route, your exam might be through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). However, no matter which route you choose, even once you pass your exam, you’ll need to renew your NP periodically, too, just like any healthcare professional.

Next Steps

The ideal NP program for you will depend on your needs and availability. Choosing one of these affordable online nurse practitioner programs will help you advance your career without major interruptions to your professional or personal life. However, you should keep in mind that all NP programs will have clinical requirements that you must attend in person to graduate.

While online nurse practitioner programs are perfect for workers, some students may require in-person instruction. If you desire the classroom experience, finding a nurse practitioner program near you will be a better fit. 

No matter how you attend, becoming a nurse practitioner will prove to be a financially and professionally rewarding career. Best of luck on your advanced nursing journey!