DEGREES

Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026

Written By: Kathleen Gaines

MSN, RN, BA, CBC

8 Min Read Published January 27, 2026

Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs
What to Expect
FAQs
Resources

Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.

While graduate school can be cost-prohibitive, there are several affordable direct-entry MSN options. To help you find the right program for your budget, we've ranked the cheapest direct-entry MSN programs for 2026.

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Nurse.org’s Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and we use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.

School	Tuition	Program Length	Accreditation
Gwynedd Mercy University	$830 per credit hour	20 months	CCNE
Eastern University	$480 per credit hour	2 years	CCNE
University of Alabama at Birmingham	$628 - $1,550 per credit hour	3 semesters	CCNE
Georgian Court University	$995 per credit hour	2 years	CCNE
Ohio State University	$829.75 - $1,874.50 per credit hour	3 years	CCNE
Herzing University	$790 per credit hour	20 - 24 months	CCNE
University of West Florida	$418.77 - $1,078.41 per credit hour	20 months	CCNE

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Tuition

$830 per credit hour

Program Length

20 months

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

The affordable direct-entry MSN program at GMU is available in a hybrid online format. Students can earn their degree in 20 months, with an option to earn a post-master's clinical nurse leader certificate in another two months. They complete a total of 765 clinical practice hours within a network of over 100 regional healthcare partners.

Program Highlights

100% first-time pass rate on the 2025 NCLEX exam
Partnership with numerous healthcare facilities and up to $40,000 in loan repayment funds
Alumni receive a 10% tuition grant

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
Completed prerequisites in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, general chemistry, and statistics
Three letters of recommendation
Current resume/CV
Personal statement

Program Information

Application Deadline: February 1st
Contact Info:
- Phone number: (844) 707-9359
- Email: accelerate@gmercyu.edu

2. Eastern University

Tuition

$480 per credit hour

Program Length

2 years

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

Among the direct-entry MSN programs with the lowest tuition, Eastern blends clinical activity and online courses for the first four semesters of the program. For most of the program, students spend two days on campus weekly, but the final two semesters are 100% online. It takes two years to complete, and new students enroll in January and August.

Program Highlights

Clinical experiences provide for direct faculty-student interactions with 1:8 ratios
Rooted in Christian values, the program focuses on compassion, justice, ethical behavior, and holistic care critical to nursing
Students can complete a certification in school nursing after completing the direct-entry program

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
Completed prerequisites with a C+ grade or higher
Completed admission application
Current resume/CV
All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
Personal statement
Interview with a nursing program representative

Program Information

Application Deadline: July 21st
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (800) 732-7669
- Email Address: gpsadmissions@eastern.edu

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Tuition

$628 - $1,550 per credit hour

Program Length

3 semesters

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

UAB offers one of the state's best and cheapest direct-entry MSN programs, combining classroom experiences with online coursework. Students complete in-person clinicals in the Greater Birmingham area.

Program Highlights

Top-ranked MSN program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
UAB has the state's only Academic Health Science Center
Offers Peace Corps Volunteers a specific graduate fellow opportunity and a fast track into the program

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Combined score of 297 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE or a score of 480 on the GMAT
Three letters of recommendation
All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
Personal interview
Personal essay
Completion of pre-requisite courses with at least a C or better in each course

Program Information

Tuition Breakdown:
- Classroom (Resident): $628 per credit hour
- Classroom (Non-Resident): $1,550 per credit hour
- Online: $723 per credit hour
Application Deadline:
- Priority: June 1st
- Regular: August 31st
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (205) 975-7529
- Email Address: cdover@uab.edu

4. Georgian Court University

Tuition

$995 per credit hour

Program Length

2 years

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

GCU offers an affordable direct-entry MSN program that allows students to explore beyond the typical classroom setting. Students receive hands-on, real-world training in emerging fields, including quality improvement and health informatics.

Program Highlights

Courses are taught by practicing professionals, including nurse leaders and researchers
Direct partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health for clinicals and preceptorships
Over 99% of full-time students receive tuition assistance, with over $36 billion in financial aid awarded annually to students

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
Grade requirement of B- or higher in any science or math class taken during first enrollment
Prerequisites with labs completed within the last 10 years
Current resume/CV
Personal interview
All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
Completed online admission application

Program Information

Application Deadline: March 15th
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (732) 987-2770
- Email Address: gps@georgian.edu

5. Ohio State University

Tuition

$829.75 - $1,874.50 per credit hour

Program Length

3 years

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

OSU's direct-entry master's degree in nursing allows students to take the NCLEX after the BSN portion of the program, but does not award a BSN. Instead, they continue the program and earn only an MSN. Students can apply for a specialization halfway through the program, including nursing informatics, education, and nurse practitioner.

Program Highlights

Offers students the opportunity to take a graduate nursing speciality quiz if unsure what specialization they are interested in.
Home to the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for EABP (Evidence-Based Practice), a “global hub for improving healthcare quality and safety.”
The recently opened Center for Healthcare Innovation and Wellness aims to bring together leaders in innovation, entrepreneurship, education, practice, and research.

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Completed prerequisite courses
Current resume/CV
All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
Three letters of recommendation
Recorded online video interview
Purpose and goals statement
Supplemental application for all current and/or former OSU students

Program Information

Tuition Breakdown:
- Resident: $829.75 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,874.50 per credit hour
Application Deadline
- Round 1: October 16th
- Round 2: March 1st
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (614) 292-8900
- Email Address: nursing@osu.edu

6. Herzing University

Tuition

$790 per credit hour

Program Length

20 - 24 months

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

While Herzing offers 100% online didactic classes, the program does require in-person instruction beyond the clinical component. The university requires students to complete labs and simulations at the Kenosha campus. Alternatively, they can attend three 2-4 day intensives at the Brookfield, WI, or Nashville, TN campus.

Program Highlights

Students can earn 9 credits towards a DNP degree.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Herzing among the best online graduate programs in 2025.
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
Aggregate score of 66 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Three letters of recommendation
Current resume/CV
Personal statement
Completed admission application

Program Information

Application Deadline: Rolling
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (800) 596-0724

7. University of West Florida

Tuition

$418.77 - $1,078.41 per credit hour

Program Length

20 months

Accreditation

CCNE

Online Options Available?

Hybrid

Why We Picked This School

Students are required to complete a minimum of 600 clinical hours throughout the program in a variety of specialities. UWF has made a name for itself by securing unique partnerships with clinical sites and commissioning programs for service members. With relatively lower faculty-to-student ratios, UWF is an excellent option for students.

Program Highlights

Offers a 1:20 faculty-student ratio in the classroom and a 1:8 faculty-student ratio in clinical courses
Partnership with different commissioning programs for all active duty service members
The MSN program is top-ranked by The Princeton Review of 2026

Requirements

Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Minimum score of 75% on the TEAS entrance exam
Letter of recommendation
Current resume/CV
Written essay
Completed prerequisites with B grade or higher

Program Information

Tuition Breakdown:
- Resident: $418.77 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,078.41 per credit hour
Application Deadline:
- Spring: August 30th
- Summer: September 1st
- Fall: February 1st
Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (850) 473-7756
- Email Address: cohnursing@uwf.edu

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program

You should expect a direct-entry MSN program to be fast-paced and intensive. These programs require students to focus on nursing coursework and clinical experiences.

Often, you can sit for the NCLEX after the undergraduate portion of the degree. While this doesn't necessarily mean you'll earn a formal Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), upon passing the NCLEX, you can apply for RN licensure. Time and schedule permitting, you may begin earning experience as a bedside nurse before you graduate.

FAQs

What are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?
- A direct-entry MSN program allows students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to pursue an advanced nursing degree. These programs bridge non-nursing and nursing education through an accelerated prelicensure curriculum, then build on that foundation with graduate-level coursework.
How Much Do Direct-Entry MSN Programs Cost?
- The cheapest direct-entry MSN program can cost as little as $20,000. However, most programs cost between $20,000 - $100,000 depending on various factors.
How Long are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?
- While program length may vary, students can complete most direct-entry MSN programs in two to three years.
How Hard are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?
- Direct-entry MSN programs are difficult and time-consuming. Students can attend accelerated courses focused solely on nursing.

Additional Resources

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org

As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. We independently research schools and programs for nurses and strive to write recommendations that genuinely reflect our true opinion of the product or service. Where relevant, our recommendations may incorporate feedback from 500,000+ nurses in our social communities.

✔ Evaluated 1,100+ accredited nursing school programs using the latest U.S. government data sets. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.

✔ Connected 1,500,000+ nurses to educational programs since 2020.

MSN

Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Nurse.org’s Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

2. Eastern University

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

4. Georgian Court University

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

5. Ohio State University

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

6. Herzing University

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

7. University of West Florida

Why We Picked This School

Program Highlights

Requirements

Program Information

Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program

FAQs

What are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?

How Much Do Direct-Entry MSN Programs Cost?

How Long are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?

How Hard are Direct-Entry MSN Programs?

Additional Resources

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org