Top BSN to NP Programs

For bachelor-degreed nurses seeking additional challenges, leadership opportunities, and the ability to work independently, enrolling in a bachelor of science in nursing to nurse practitioner (BSN-to-NP) program can be a great career move!

Many highly regarded BSN-to-NP programs are available, and choosing the one that’s right for you will depend on your specific needs and interests. To help you make this important decision, we’ve compiled a list of our top ten BSN-to-NP programs for 2024.

What to Expect in a BSN-to-NP Program

A BSN-to-NP program will offer a different and deeper focus on overall patient well-being than what was covered in your bachelor’s degree nursing program. You will better understand the importance of health promotion and education and the tools to apply this more holistic approach.

BSN-to-nurse practitioner programs include extensive clinical hours as well as classroom work that delves deeply into topics including:

• Health assessment
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Patient management

Though most students opt to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), many BSN-to-NP programs offer a choice of NP specialties based on the patient demographic you wish to serve.

Top 10 BSN-to-NP Programs

There are many excellent BSN-to-NP programs, offering aspiring nurse practitioners a wide range of options, locations, and formats from which to choose. We ranked the top 10 BSN to NP programs using many factors, including:

• Academic quality
• Tuition
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Availability of specialized programs
• Availability of online learning

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

1. Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers nurses who have completed a BSN degree several BSN to DNP tracks to prepare them for advanced roles as clinical and healthcare leaders.  

The program requires a minimum of 1,000 practice hours and completion of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practicum. It also prepares graduates to remain in practice, working both autonomously and collaboratively as part of cross-professional teams.  

Hopkins offers three- and four-year plan options. While a part-time plan of study is not available, students who enroll in the four-year plan may be able to work as registered nurses during their first year, depending upon the flexibility of their work schedule. Following the first year, it will be more challenging to maintain employment.

Johns Hopkins BSN to DNP programs include:

• DNP Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $51,669 
• Program Length: Three to four years  
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: January 15th
• Contact Info: (410) 955-4766 
• Online Options Available? Yes

2. Duke University School of Nursing

Duke University School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program has eight advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) majors. The university offers each of these programs online with additional on-campus activities that require students' attendance once per semester for two- to five-day intensive courses with faculty and other experts. So, these programs will involve face-to-face interactions and hands-on activities despite online formats.

Each major requires the completion of 11 credit hours of clinical core courses and a final clinical residency. The minimum number of credit hours for each degree ranges from 42 to 49, depending upon the degree being pursued and specialties. Depending on the program, specialties BSN to NP students may choose from include:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• HIV
• Oncology
• Orthopedics
• Palliative Care
• Veterans Health Care
• Pediatric Behavioral
• Mental Health

Nurse Practitioner practice tracks offered include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care 
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $13,488 per semester 
• Program Length: Two-to-three years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: December 1st
  • Spring: May 1st
• Program Contact: Brandon Holmes, Admissions Officer 
• Phone Number: (919) 668-6274
• Email: bgh7@duke.edu 
• Online Options Available? Yes

3. University of Pennsylvania

Penn Nursing is home to some of the country's best BSN to NP programs. QS World University ranked Upenn's nursing school as No. 1 in the world every year since 2016, and its graduate school of nursing was ranked No. 3 nationwide by US News & World Report in 2022.

UPenn offers BSN-degreed nurses ready to specialize in their nursing practice several different nurse practitioner options within their MSN degree program. Each nurse practitioner track requires a minimum of 12 course units that take between one and three full calendar years to complete. 

The university also offers an accelerated direct entry BSN-to-MSN program and the opportunity for full-time admitted students to be selected and invited to apply to become Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Fellows.

Nurse Practitioner practice tracks offered include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Family 
• Neonatal 
• Pediatric Acute Care 
• Pediatric Primary Care  
• Psychiatric-Mental Health  
• Women’s Health/Gender-Related 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: Program costs depend on the number of course units taken per semester.
  • 12-month program: $81,081
  • 14-month program: $94,595
  • 18-month program: $121,622
  • 36-month program: $233,932 
• Program Length: One to three years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall full-time: November 2nd
  • Fall part-time: March 15th
  • Spring full-time: September 19th
  • Spring part-time: October 17th
  • Accelerated BSN-MSN: October 17th 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (215) 898-4271 
  • Email: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu
• Online Options Available? No

4. Columbia University School of Nursing

Columbia University’s School of Nursing is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and simulation center, valuable hands-on experience through clinical rotations, and wealth of research opportunities for students.

The Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Program prepares nurse practitioners in several specialty areas. Columbia offers this three-year full-time program and prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive care and leadership.

BSN to NP programs offered by Columbia include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) 
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP) 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $70,194 
• Program Length: 3 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: December 15th 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (212) 342-3920 
  • Email: son-ocas@cumc.columbia.edu
• Online Options Available? No 

5. Case Western University

Case Western University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing has earned a reputation as one of the top programs in the country. The school’s BSN-to-NP program produces advanced practice nurses with MSN degrees that allow them to blend majors or pursue joint master’s degree opportunities with other schools at the university. 

The program is affiliated with some of the country’s most prestigious healthcare facilities, including the Cleveland Clinic, and it offers a flight nursing specialty that can be added to adult acute care majors.

Case Western’s NP curriculum is available full and part-time, with many classes available online. Students can complete several programs in a semi-distance format with limited trips to campus. Most majors require 39-41 credit and 600-700 clinical hours, allowing full-time students generally complete the coursework within four semesters or 18 months.

Nurse Practitioner degree tracks offered include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care 
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $2,263 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 18 months 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: March 15th 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (216) 368-8532
  • Email Address: msnasst@case.edu 
• Online Options Available? Yes

>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

6. Emory University School of Nursing 

Recently ranked No. 1 among graduate nursing schools by US News & World Report, Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers some of the nation’s top BSN to NP programs.

The university’s MSN Flex program prepares graduates for the appropriate APRN certification examinations in several different specialty areas. It allows students to choose between a traditional, full-time curriculum and a flexible part-time program they can complete over two or three years. Part-time students enjoy hybrid coursework with online learning and on-campus intensives.

Nurse Practitioner practice tracks offered include: 

• Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Women’s Health/Gender-related Nurse Practitioner 
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner  

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $24,259 per semester 
• Program Length: 18 months full-time 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Part-time Application Deadline (Spring): 
  • Priority: June 1st
  • Round 2: August 1st
• Full-time Application Deadline (Fall):
  • Priority: August 1st
  • Round 2: October 16th
  • Round 3: December 15th
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (404) 727-7980
  • Email Address: nursingquestions@emory.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes

7. Vanderbilt School of Nursing 

Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing prepares graduates to work independently or collaborate with other healthcare professionals in several specialty areas. Most programs can be completed in one calendar year, and the school offers flexible course delivery formats so students can learn from wherever they live. 

After completing the BSN to NP program at Vanderbilt, NPs wanting to continue their studies can progress directly into the school’s highly regarded DNP program. Vanderbilt also has state-of-the-art facilities and offers students the ability to earn a dual MSN and MTS-DIV degree in partnership with Vanderbilt Divinity School.

Vanderbilt’s BSN to NP tracks include:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner  
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner  
• Emergency Nurse Practitioner  
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner  
• Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner - Dual Focus 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care  
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care  
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan) 
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) 
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner/ Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Dual Focus  

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition:  $1,883 per credit hour 
• Program Length: One year 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: October 15th
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (615) 322-3800 
  • Email Address: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu 
• Online Options Available? Yes

8. University of Michigan School of Nursing 

The School of Nursing at the University of Michigan offers students the opportunity to learn from faculty experts, observe groundbreaking research firsthand, and put theory into practice in the school’s high-tech simulation lab. Consistently ranked one of the top nursing programs in the country, UM offers nurses who have earned their BSN two options for becoming a nurse practitioner:

1. A two-to-three-year program that leads to an MSN degree
2. A three-to-four-year program that leads to a DNP degree

Two of the school’s MSN nurse practitioner programs (Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner) are available online, and all of the DNP nurse practitioner programs include web-blended course offerings.

Nurse Practitioner practice tracks offered include:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN)  
• Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 

Additional Program Information:

• In-person Tuition: 
  • In-state: $1,834 per credit
  • Non-resident: $3,339 per credit
• Online Tuition:
  • In-state: $1,624 per credit
  • Non-resident: $1,912 per credit
• Program Length: 
  • MSN program: 2 to 3 years
  • DNP program: 3 to 4 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Early: January 15th 
  • Final: March 15th 
• Contact Info: (734) 763-5985 
• Online Options Available? Yes

9. Ohio State University College of Nursing 

The Ohio State University College of Nursing has been recognized as one of the best graduate nursing programs in the nation. The school has prioritized innovation and evidence-based practice, global engagement, and research and offers students experiential opportunities to engage with partners around the world.

BSN-degreed nurses can choose from two NP tracks at OSU:

1. Traditional Master of Science in Nursing program
2. BSN-to-DNP program that offers both a master’s and doctorate degree

Both tracks offer certification in your choice of advanced practice specialties. All students may complete traditional core classes online. There are also three BSN to NP online specialties with 100% distance learning via synchronous classes.

Nurse Practitioner degree tracks offered include: 

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP)
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP)
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN or DNP) 

Additional Program Information:

• On-campus MSN and BSN-to-DNP Tuition: 
  • In-state: $9,682 per semester
  • Non-resident: $22,982 semester
• Distance MSN Tuition
  • In-state: $52,729.50
  • Non-Resident: $53,729.50
• Distance BSN-to-DNP Tuition:
  • In-state: $73,220.90
  • Non-residents: $74,820.90
• Program Length: 
  • MSN:  2 years full time
  • BSN-to-DNP: 3 years full time or 4 years part-time 
• Accreditation: CCNE 
• Application Deadline: October 31st
• Contact Info: nursing@osu.edu 
• Online Options Available? Yes

10. University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing 

As a premier nurse practitioner school in Texas, UT Austin's NP program prepares students for advanced practice, research, and leadership roles. The school's MSN program has been ranked among the best Master’s in Nursing Schools in the country. It takes 1.5-to-2 years to complete full-time, with part-time options available. Candidates with a BSN degree can choose from several specialty areas of focus.

University of Texas at Austin’s Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner concentration is the first nursing program in the country to offer Touchpoints training, which provides anticipatory guidance tailored to the child’s temperament and development level, as well as collaboration between parent and practitioner. 

BSN to NP tracks offered include: 

• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: 
  • In-state: $5,233/semester
  • Non-resident: $9,670/semester 
• Program Length: 1.5 to 2 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: November 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (512) 471-7913
  • Email Address: nugrad@nursing.utexas.edu
• Online Options Available? No

FAQs

• How long do BSN-to-NP programs take? 

  • Most BSN to NP programs can be completed in two to three years. Each program's length depends on whether it culminates in an MSN degree or a DNP degree and whether the program is in person or online.

• How hard are NP programs? 

  • Nurse practitioner programs are challenging because the curriculum goes into greater depth than undergraduate studies in addition to students undergoing education in leadership, collaboration, and holistic wellness.

• How hard are BSN to NP programs?  

  • BSN to NP programs require commitment and concentration as they build upon what nurses learned during their Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum and clinical experience, which can help make the challenging coursework more manageable.