Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs 2025
Online nurse practitioner programs are available for almost every specialty and allow you to continue working, earning money, and upholding your family responsibilities while earning your degree. While didactic classes are taken online, your clinical hours can often be completed at your workplace or at a designated facility in your area.
To help you choose the right online nurse practitioner program for you, we've ranked the top programs for 2025.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university'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.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
-
MS-DNP - Adult NP
-
MS-DNP - Family NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Family NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
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
Nurse.org's Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation and uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard.
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.
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.
| School | Nurse.org Total Tuition Estimate** | Program Length |
| 1. Drexel University | $63,504 | 56 credit hours |
| 2. University of Alabama - Birmingham | $31,590 | 45 - 72 credit hours |
| 3. George Washington University | $69,600 | 48-54 credit hours |
| 4. Seton Hall | $72,960 | 48-49 credit hours |
| 5. Duke University | $106,134 | 42-49 credit hours |
| 6. The University of Mississippi |
In-State: $28,100 Out-of-State: $82,978 |
45-58 credit hours |
| 7. Vanderbilt University | $84,324 | 38-66 credit hours |
| 8. Stony Brook University | In-State: $21,195 Out-of-State: $49,365 |
45 credit hours |
| 9. Florida Atlantic University | In-State: $19,334 Out-of-State: $53,394.12 |
52 credit hours |
| 10. Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University* | $112,200 | 40-49 credit hours |
**Total program tuition is calculated by multiplying the program's cost per credit by the total number of credits needed for the course, as reported by the university website, using FNP programs as the standard. Because of this, total program amounts are approximate and may not be exact.
Why We Picked This School
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions offers top-ranked faculty, innovative learning technologies, and action-based learning in support of the development of clinical skills.
Drexel offers numerous NP specializations, with students also being able to dual enroll. While the programs conduct the didactic coursework online, multiple required in-person intensives help enhance students’ overall understanding of the material.
Program Highlights
- Ranked #45 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report
- Ranked #12 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
- All faculty are board-certified, experienced, and current practicing practitioners.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: August 1st
- Contact Phone Number: (215) 895-2400
- Email: enroll@drexel.com
Requirements
- BSN from an accredited program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from BSN
- 2 years of current bedside nursing experience; current
- Unrestricted RN license
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Completed application
- Personal statement
- Current resume/CV
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family with Emergency Specialization
- Pediatric Acute Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Pediatric Primary Care and Acute Care (Dual Option)
- Psychiatric Mental Health
Why We Picked This School
Considered one of the best nursing programs in Alabama, UAB offers multiple online NP programs that are offered on a part-time basis, allowing students to continue working throughout their education. UAB also boosts an impressive partnership with over 5,000 clinical affiliates.
Program Highlights
- Ranked 11th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Over 5000 clinical affiliates around the nation for in-person clinical requirements.
- Offered part-time through a distance accessible format that combines synchronous online classes with on-campus intensives
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: February 13th
- Summer: October 9th
- Contact Phone Number: (205) 934-5428
- Email: online@ua.edu
Requirements
- RN licensure
- BSN with at least a 3.0 overall GPA
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (if GPA below 3.2)
- Resume/CV
- Application fee
- Essay
- Supplemental Questions
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family
- Neonatal
- Pediatric Acute Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric/Mental Health
- Women’s Health Care
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university'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.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
-
MS-DNP - Adult NP
-
MS-DNP - Family NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Family NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
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
Why We Picked This School
George Washington University’s online NP program offers one of the top-ranked online NP programs with multiple tracks available for students to choose from.
Each program has a brief on-campus component and is available as either a part-time or full-time program. Most NP programs require a minimum of 600 clinical hours, and while GW does not guarantee clinical placements, they will assist students if they are unable to secure one.
Program Highlights
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 6 online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program nationwide.
- NP students must be residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia.
- Students must complete an in-person, on-campus clinical learning and skills intensive before starting clinical rotations.
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: July 1st
- Spring: December 1st
- Contact Phone Number: (202)994-7901
- Email: nursing@gwu.edu
Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- 1-2 years of professional nursing experience
- BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Active nursing license
- State of purpose
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family
- Psychiatric/Mental Health
4. Seton Hall
Why We Picked This School
Seton Hall University offers nationally ranked online programs designed to prepare Nurse Practitioner candidates to practice in a variety of specialty areas. Seton Hall is currently ranked as the #1 in New Jersey for Top Online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report. Professors are currently employed NPs, allowing students to learn from current practitioners.
Program Highlights
- No GRE requirement.
- Ranked as the top online MSN program in NJ by U.S. News & World Report.
- Generous tuition discount for employees of specific healthcare networks.
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: August 1st
- Spring: December 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (973) 542-6200
- Email: Gabriele.zengewald@shu.edu
Requirements
- BSN from an accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (3.2 or above for Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Registered nurse licensure
- Professional liability insurance
- Letters of reference
- Completion of prerequisites
- Statement of professional goals
- Academic transcripts
- Application fee
- Minimum of one year of professional nursing experience
Specialty Tracks Available
- Family
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric/Mental Health
Why We Picked This School
Duke University’s School of Nursing offers a variety of distance-based or online programs that require on-campus attendance at least once each semester for two- to five-day intensive programming and 11 credit hours of clinical core courses.
Currently ranked as one of the top ten MSN programs in the country according to U.S. News & World 2025, Duke’s NP programs are an excellent option for students.
Program Highlights
- Ability to add a specialty to your MSN, including cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, and/or orthopedics.
- Choose from 8 NP specializations.
- A robust research center that focuses on advancing nursing and interdisciplinary science.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: December 1st
- Contact Phone Number: (877) 415-3853
- Email: SonAdmissions@dm.duke.edu
Requirements
- Registered Nurse licensure
- BSN from an accredited program with a preferred 3.0 GPA or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing with a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Resume
- Personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- General Statistics or Introductory Statistics with a grade of C or better
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family
- Neonatal
- Pediatric Acute Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric Mental Health
- Women’s Health
Why We Picked This School
The University of Mississippi’s School of Nursing is a nationally ranked program that offers flexible Nurse Practitioner programs in both online and hybrid formats.
The programs boast high pass rates on national certification exams, as well as low tuition costs. The Acute/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track is the only one of its kind in the state of Mississippi.
UMMC is an excellent option for students for a variety of reasons, but mostly because of the connections with the largest medical campus in Mississippi.
Program Highlights
- UMMC has the state's only Level 1 trauma center, Level 4 neonatal intensive care nursery, and organ transplant program.
- Considered a Centre of Excellence through evidence-based practice with JBI.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: March 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (601) 815-0124
- Email: admissioncounselor@umc.edu
Requirements
- BSN degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative nursing GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course
- One year of experience as an RN
- Official transcripts
- Completed application
- Personal interview
- Unrestricted RN license
Specialty Tracks Available
- Acute/Primary Care Pediatric
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Family
- Neonatal
- Family Psychiatric/Mental Health
- Pediatrics Primary Care
- Pediatrics Acute Care
Why We Picked This School
Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing offers a variety of learning formats that use online and distance technologies to deliver high-quality education in a range of Advanced Nursing Practice Specialties.
Consistently ranked as one of the best NP programs in the country, Vanderbilt offers students the opportunity to learn from a nursing program that has been around for over one hundred years.
Program Highlights
- Ranked #4 in MSN programs according to U.S. News & World Report.
- 97% of graduates are employed in advanced practice nursing after graduation.
- Clinical placement faculty will partner with distance students to identify appropriate preceptors.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: March 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (888) 333-9192
- Email: vusn-admissions@vanderbilt.edu
Requirements
- Statement of purpose
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Complete academic history
- Three letters of academic or professional reference
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Graduated from an accredited school
- Unencumbered RN license
- BSN degree
- Resume/CV
- Personal interview
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Emergency
- Family
- Neonatal
- Pediatric Acute Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health (Lifespan)
- Women’s Health/Gender-Related
- Women’s Health Gender-Related/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
Why We Picked This School
The Stony Brook School of Nursing is a top-ranked school recognized for excellence and innovation in education, leadership, research, advocacy, and practice.
All of its Nurse Practitioner programs provide graduates with either a Master of Science in Nursing degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and are offered through distance education with on-site requirements.
Program Highlights
- Named a SUNY Regional Nursing Simulation Center.
- Designated an R1 Research Institute.
- Offers extensive tuition reduction and assistance to military personnel and their families.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Varies by program
- Contact Phone Number: (631) 444-3200
- Email: gradadmission@stonybrook.edu
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
- Minimum of one year’s recent relevant experience preferred
- Unofficial transcripts
- Three-credit undergraduate course in health assessment.
- Three-credit undergraduate course in statistics.
- Three online letters of recommendation
- Current Registered Nurse license
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Family
- Neonatal
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Pediatric Acute Care
- Psychiatric Mental Health
Why We Picked This School
Florida Atlantic University is among the 10 most affordable online MSN programs nationwide. The university offers three online nurse practitioner degrees.
FAU offers a personalized approach to a student’s education. Once accepted, a gap analysis will be completed to determine each student’s plan of study. Students who already hold an MSN degree in a non-NP specialty are exempt from some classes.
Program Highlights
- NP program education is rooted in a holistic, caring-based philosophy.
- Students are required to complete 780 in-person clinical rotations.
Program Information
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- Contact Phone Number: (561) 297-2535
- Email: kchadwel@health.fau.edu
Requirements
- Bachelor’s in Nursing from an accredited program
- GPA of 3.0
- Copy of CV/resume
- One letter of recommendation
- Registered nursing license
- Philosophy of nursing essay
- Copy of your final conferred official academic transcript
- Prerequisites: Basic statistics course and baccalaureate level nursing research course
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult/Gerontological
- Family
Why We Picked This School
Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University’s nationally recognized online MS in Nursing programs* prepare registered nurses to provide high-quality nursing care in four separate specialty areas.
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., students who attend GW’s online NP programs have access to some of the top hospitals in the nation. While students are not required to be local for clinicals, there is no shortage of clinical rotation sites close to campus.
Program Highlights
- MCB School First Time Certification Rate Average for 2022-2024 (National Average: 78.7%)
- Students are required to attend a minimum of two in-person on-campus clinical intensives (depending on program)
Program Information
- Application Deadline: July 13th
- Contact Phone Number: (877) 910-4692
- Email: onlinenursingadmissions@georgetown.edu
Requirements
- BSN degree
- Current registered nurse license
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and science GPA
- Prerequisite courses
- At least one full year of relevant bedside experience.
Specialty Tracks Available
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Family
- Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health
- Women’s Health
Additional NP Resources
- Top 10 Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Top ADN to MSN (RN to NP) Programs
- 10 Shortest Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Top Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university'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.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
-
MS-DNP - Adult NP
-
MS-DNP - Family NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Family NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
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
FAQs
*Indicates an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, Nurse.org may earn a commission if you click through and use this service.
NP
