Best MSN Programs for Each Specialty/Degree
The US is home to hundreds of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Choosing the best option for you depends on a host of factors, including your desired job. MSN programs lead to advanced nursing careers in clinical and nonclinical settings.
This article identifies the best MSN program for each nursing specialty and degree, from nurse practitioners to educators and beyond. Read on to discover the top master's degree in nursing program in your field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn a valuable nursing credential at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Expand your expertise and prepare to take on leadership and independent practice opportunities. Complete your courses online, on your schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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.
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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.
Best MSN Programs for Each Specialty & Degree
Methodology
Our ranking methodology at Nurse.org considered the following factors:
- Accessibility and affordability
- Program delivery (online, in-person, hybrid)
- Accreditation
- Admission requirements
- Program accolades and reputation
- Acceptance & graduation rates
1. Best Nurse Practitioner MSN Program
University of South Carolina - Columbia, SC
U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of South Carolina as the nation's #1 online MSN program. The University offers seven different MSN programs, including Entry to Practice Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Leadership, and Nursing Informatics.
In 2022, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) students had 100% first-time pass rates on the ANCC Board Certification.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $770.25
- Nonresident: $1,438
- Application Deadlines
- Summer (Early): August 15th
- Summer (Regular): October 31st
- Fall (Early): February 1st
- Fall (Regular): April 15th
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (803) 777-7412
- Email: NURSGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn a valuable nursing credential at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Expand your expertise and prepare to take on leadership and independent practice opportunities. Complete your courses online, on your schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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.
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
2. Best Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) MSN Program
Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN
Graduates of this CNM program earn a degree from the #1 Certified Nurse Midwife program, ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Vanderbilts doctorally prepared faculty focuses their curriculum on serving underserved populations. The program hosts in-person classes with only local clinical sites, so students must live near Nashville to attend.
- Application Deadline: October 15th
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (615) 322-4400
- Email: VUSN-Academics@vanderbilt.edu
3. Best Clinical Nurse Specialist MSN Program
The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX
UTA has the best CNS program nationwide and consistently ranks among U.S. News' top MSN programs. This degree's curriculum allows students to gain valuable insight into the profession from current practicing CNSs. Faculty work closely with students to hone skills in hospital and non-hospital settings.
- Tuition
- Resident: $1,418
- Nonresident: $2,035
- Application Deadline: November 1st
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (512) 471-7913
- Email: nugrad@nursing.utexas.edu
4. Best Nurse Educator MSN Program
Duke University - Durham, NC
U.S. News ranked Duke University the top nurse educator program in the country, so its reputation as the best comes as no surprise. As a top university in the South, Duke offers students a top-notch education at a reasonable cost. Students can take classes from anywhere but must complete an in-person practicum tailored to Duke's teaching goals.
- Application Deadlines
- Spring: December 1st
- Fall: May 1st
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (919) 684-3786
5. Best Nursing Informatics MSN Program
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA
Nursing informatics programs prepare nurses to work at the intersection of nursing and technology. The University of Pittsburgh offers nursing informatics as an MSN major, minor, or post-professional certificate. Students may complete any of these pathways full- or part-time. While many complete the program in two years, including clinicals, they can pursue the degree at their own pace.
- Application Deadlines
- Fall: June 15th
- Spring: October 1st
- Summer: March 1st
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (412) 624-4586
- Email: sao50@pitt.edu
6. Best Nursing Leadership & Administration MSN Program
University of Maryland - Baltimore, MD
The University of Maryland consistently ranks as one of the country's top nursing programs and MSN programs. Students attending its Nursing Leadership & Administration MSN get to complete their practicums at some of the nation's top hospitals.
The program is undergoing an overhaul that will take full effect in spring 2025. Changes include increasing the number of clinical hours from 135 to 150. The university is also revising the curriculum to help students better grasp leadership and management skills.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $873
- Nonresident: $1,549
- Application Deadline: December 15th
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (410) 706-0501
- Email: admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu
7. Best Public Health Nursing MSN Programs
Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA
The public health MSN focuses on working with communities to offer health services. The curriculum includes increasing awareness of public health crises and developing community care plans.
Students can complete this 45-credit program in just two years, but some may require a slower pace. Drexel locks in a tuition rate for students who can complete the program in three years. Additionally, the university has strong connections with local healthcare organizations, offering deep discounts to members and employees.
- Application Deadline: March 3rd
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (800) 2-DREXEL
- Email: CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
8. Best MSN/MBA Program
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins offers one of the country's premier MSN/MBA programs in conjunction with the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins. Throughout the program, students complete 65 credits and 504 clinical hours. They may attend synchronous and asynchronous classes in a full or part-time capacity.
Since this program is so competitive, applying to backup programs is highly recommended.
- Application Deadline: January 15th
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (410) 955-4766
9. Best MSN/MPH Program
New York University - New York City, NY
NYU’s MSN/MPH students will complete 70 to 85 credits depending on their chosen concentration. Only available on a full-time basis, students can choose between nursing administration, education, education, midwifery, or one of four NP specialties.
- Application Deadlines
- Early: March 1st
- Final: June 15th
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (212) 998-5300
- Email: nursing.admissions@nyu.edu
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn a valuable nursing credential at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Expand your expertise and prepare to take on leadership and independent practice opportunities. Complete your courses online, on your schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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
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.
How to Choose an MSN Program
You may ask yourself, how do I choose which MSN degree to get? Should I become an NP or a nurse educator? Do I want to go into leadership and administration? These are all excellent questions to consider before applying for different programs.
Several factors will contribute to choosing the best MSN program for you. These include:
- Your career goals
- Whether you prefer flexibility or set schedules
- Your preference for night and weekend work
- Your previous bedside experience
For example, pursuing a career in education or administration might suit you if you want to avoid weekend and holiday shifts. Alternatively, consider an NP position if you still want to work at the bedside while taking on more responsibility.
Keep in mind that some MSN degree programs require specific bedside experience. Neonatal nurse practitioner programs, for example, require NICU nursing experience. You might not qualify to pursue this degree if you’ve only worked in geriatric units.
