Top 10 Cheapest Online DNP Programs for 2025
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal nursing degree and pinnacle achievement for nurses in their education. These degrees are often costly, making them even more challenging to obtain. Fortunately, earning a DNP doesn’t have to be excessively expensive.
The cheapest DNP programs provide an affordable path to achieving your education goals. Nurse.org has compiled the top 10 cheapest online DNP programs, including tuition, program length, admission deadlines, and more.
Top 10 Cheapest Online DNP Programs
Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation and use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
|
School |
Program Length |
Tuition |
|
University of Massachusetts - Boston |
4 Years |
$15,342 - $29,514 Annually |
|
New Mexico State University |
3 Years |
$493.40 Per Credit Hour |
|
University of Central Arkansas |
3-5 Years |
$468.40 Per Credit Hour |
|
Wilkes University |
2 Years |
$1,025 Per Credit Hour |
|
University of Wilmington |
2-3 Years |
$713 Per Credit Hour |
|
University of South Alabama |
2-3 Years |
$594 Per Credit Hour |
|
Rasmussen University |
21 Months |
$38,394 Total |
|
National University |
30 Months |
$55,517 Total |
|
Grand Canyon University |
30 Months |
$740 Per Credit Hour |
|
Capella University |
Varies |
Up to $32,000 Total |
Out-of-state: $29,514.42
UMass Boston offers two affordable DNP programs: BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP. The programs focus on improving healthcare quality, advocating for health policy, conducting scientific research, and applying nursing informatics.
The BSN to DNP requires students to select a nurse practitioner (NP) concentration. However, the program's ultimate goal is for graduates to find jobs in health systems leadership and policy development.
- Application Deadline: February 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (617) 287-7547
- Email Address: dnp@umb.edu
NMU's 100% online DNP program is cheap and offers nurse anesthesiology, FNP, PMHNP, and MSN to DNP programs. The online coursework combines synchronous and asynchronous classes. However, the programs require in-person clinical rotations and on-campus orientations. DNP students must also attend a one-week on-campus intensive before their third year.
- Application Deadlines
- Priority: February 15th
- Final: April 1st
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (575) 646-3812
- Email Address: nursing@nmsu.edu
UCA has one of the most affordable online DNP programs. Students can expect a rigorous online curriculum with a few in-person requirements.
The university offers two DNP pathways: Post-BSN to DNP and Post-MSN to DNP. Interested students can attend monthly online information sessions to learn more about the program.
- Application Deadline: June 27th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (501) 450-3119
Wilkes University is home to one of the cheapest DNP programs online. With three convenient start dates and flexible, 12-week online courses, the program is ideal for working students.
The required in-person clinical hours for this program depend on students' previous experience and coursework. Before starting the program, students should speak with an academic advisor to determine their exact requirements.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
- Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
Wilmington is among the most affordable DNP programs. It builds upon students' master's education and includes eight core courses and four practice experience courses. The university recently updated the curriculum to match the 2022 AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education.
- Application Deadlines
- Spring: October 1st
- Summer: March 1st
- Fall: June 15th
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (877) 967-5464
- Email Address: recruiting@wilmu.edu
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing provides BSN and MSN-to-DNP options. It also offers an MSN-to-DNP bridge program for clinical nurse leaders to become executive nursing administrators.
Students in these DNP pathways will attend online coursework and in-person clinical hours. Distance students can complete their clinicals locally. Additionally, DNP students in an NP track must attend a 3-5 day on-campus orientation.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (251) 445-9400
- Email Address: condnpadmit@southalabama.edu
Rasmussen University's affordable online DNP program includes Executive Leadership and Public Health and Policy pathways. The programs encompass 48 to 63 credit hours, which students can complete in as little as 21 months. Notably, students in this program are NOT eligible for Title IV federal student aid programs.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (877) 308-9946
National University offers cheap DNP programs online that students can complete in 30 months. It also may be the most flexible program, with weekly start dates that allow students to enroll at their convenience. The university offers a single DNP specialty track in Executive Leadership.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (866) 776-0331
Students can complete Grand Canyon University's 39-credit online DNP degree in just 30 months. Most of the online courses in this program last eight weeks, but students must also complete three 16-week project courses.
At $740 per credit hour, GCU already has one of the cheapest online DNP programs nationwide. However, GCU grads can save even more money via the university's $2,000 alumni scholarship.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (855) GCU-LOPE
Capella University offers students exceptional flexibility when earning a DNP degree. The program consists of eight regular and five doctoral project courses, all completed online.
DNP students can choose between two learning formats: FlexPath or GuidedPath. FlexPath allows students to learn independently, taking courses as they’re ready. GuidedPath follows a structured format, where students take courses in a specific order and adhere to a set curriculum.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (866) 968-1046
What to Expect in Online DNP Programs
As a terminal nursing degree, even the cheapest DNP programs have coursework and curricula that are the most rigorous in nursing education. Students can expect coursework heavily based on research, evidence-based practice, leadership, and policy.
Prerequisites
Several DNP pathways require students to hold an MSN degree and an APRN license. However, BSN to DNP programs accept bachelor’s-prepared registered nurses.
Prospective DNP students also need clinical experience, the exact amount of which varies by program. Review your desired program requirements or speak with an academic advisor to better understand whether you're eligible for admission.
Admission Requirements
Though every online DNP program is different, most have similar entry requirements, which generally include:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) license
- Current, unencumbered registered nursing (RN) license
- RN experience (minimal requirement varies)
- MSN degree from an accredited program
- 3.0 or higher GPA in the MSN program
- All official transcripts from prior educational institutions
- Application fee
- Current Resume/CV
- Goal statement
- Faculty interview
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
Classes & Coursework
Despite their cost, these affordable online DNP programs must meet national standards for DNP education. The specific coursework you take will vary depending on your program and specialty. However, some standard courses in DNP degrees include:
- Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement
- Advance Healthcare Policy
- Advance Leadership
- Clinical Information Systems
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Clinical Reasoning
- Epidemiology
- Ethics and Legal Issues
- Evidence Appraisal
- Health Policy
- Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Across the Lifespan
- Informatics
- Professional Leadership and Practice Change
- Project Development
- Research
- Statistics
How to Choose an Affordable Online DNP Program
With so many available options, selecting the best and cheapest online DNP program can be challenging. The foremost factor to consider is nursing school accreditation - always choose a nationally accredited program.
The two primary accreditation bodies in the United States are:
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Other factors to consider include:
- Tuition - resident vs. non-resident?
- Class size
- Student-faculty ratio
- Attrition rate
- Clinical practice sites
- Flexibility
- Research opportunities
- Post-graduation employment rate
- Financial assistance
Popular Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 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.
The CCNE-accredited online DNP program from Simmons University will prepare you to advance to the highest level of professional nursing practice — and to drive meaningful change in health care as a nurse leader. Learn from experienced professors-of-practice and join a legacy of more than 100 years developing nursing leadership and excellence by completing your DNP on a part-time basis over seven 14-week terms.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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.
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