Top BSN to MSN Online Programs

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can open up doors to remarkable career opportunities. But that four-year journey is just the beginning for many nursing professionals. As your career progresses, you may crave more responsibility, a higher salary, and greater autonomy.

In that case, it may be time to consider earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. MSN-trained nurses have a deeper knowledge of their specialties, allowing them to further their career aspirations.

This article explores the best online BSN to MSN programs nationwide. We'll cover everything you should know about the top 10 programs, tuition costs, specialties, and much more. Continue reading to find the best online BSN to MSN program for your nursing journey.

Top BSN to MSN Online Programs

What Is a BSN to MSN Program?

BSN to MSN programs are for nurses who have earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and are now ready to take the next step in their educational journey and earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Most standard MSN programs do require nurses to have a BSN, though RN to MSN programs do exist for ADN-prepared nurses who want to go straight into earning their master’s degree in nursing. 

Where a BSN program provides the training and instruction needed to become a general practice registered nurse, an MSN program provides more intensive clinical knowledge and focuses more extensively on problem-solving, leadership, and critical thinking. 

There are several MSN programs that specialize in specific areas of interest. These specializations include, but aren't limited to:

• Nurse administrator
• Nurse educator
• Clinical nurse leader
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Certified nurse midwife
• Clinical nurse specialist

Top 10 Online BSN to MSN Programs 

There are over 500 accredited MSN programs in the United States. The one that is right for you depends upon many factors, including:

• Accreditation
• Individual career goals
• Desired location
• Budget
• Full or part-time study
• In-person or online study
• Hands-on practice requirements

We considered these factors when curating this list of top BSN to MSN programs. We also weighed and prioritized critical academic elements, including:

• Cost of tuition
• Variety of programs
• Availability of online programming 
• Accreditation

1. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina College of Nursing is an excellent option for online MSN programs. US News & World Report ranked USC as the country's top online nursing program. The school offers BSN to MSN online programs allowing students to pursue advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) positions after graduation.

This university is ideal for students who want a personalized MSN experience. They may pursue any USC MSN program full or part-time at a steady or accelerated pace. Students may also complete practicum hours at their workplace rather than at sites predetermined by the school.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Healthcare Leadership
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Informatics

Additional Program Information: 

• MSN Program Tuition:
  • In-state: $770.25 per credit hour
  • Non-resident scholarship: $870.25 per credit hour
  • Non-resident: $1,438 per credit hour
• Program Length: 30 to 47 credit hours
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Application Deadline:
  • Spring: 
    • Early: July 1st
    • Final: September 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (803) 777-9080
  • Email Address: NURSGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu 
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

2. Duke University

Duke University offers several options for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses. But you'll also find programs for pursuing non-clinical specialties at this school.

Though Duke has hybrid distance options, there will be in-person components if you attend an MSN program at this school. Once every semester, students must come to campus for 2-5 day intensives, face-to-face interactions, and hands-on activities.

You must complete between 42 and 49 credit hours to complete Duke's BSN to MSN programs. These include 11 credits from core courses and a final clinical residency. Specialty certificates in areas including HIV, palliative care, endocrinology, and more are also available to a specific major where appropriate.  

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Informatics
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing and Healthcare Leadership
• Nursing Education
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $2,166 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Fall: December 1st 
  • Spring: May 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (877) 415-3853
  • Email Address: SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes  

3. Ohio State University

The traditional MSN program at Ohio State University includes on-campus and online options. The school is ranked among the best in the country and consistently ranks in the top 10 in U.S. News & World Report for nursing programs. 

At Ohio State, students find clinically oriented classes for all majors that they can complete online. Online students take distance classes synchronously, which means they log in and attend class at specified times. They also do in-person clinical hours in their local areas.

MSN Programs Offered:

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

Additional Program Information:

• In-state Tuition:
  • In-person: $9,682 per semester
  • Online: $52,904.70
• Non-resident Tuition:
  • In-person: $22,982 per semester 
  • Online: $53,904.70
• Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Round 1: October 15th
  • Round 2: March 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (877) 415-3853
  • Email Address: nursing@osu.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

4. The University of Alabama 

The University of Alabama offers online MSN degrees, preparing students to become NPs, take administrative positions at healthcare facilities, or educate nursing students.  Currently, UA only offers NP concentrations to residents of certain states. Despite the online BSN to MSN programs at UA, nursing students must still attend orientation on campus.

The University of Alabama’s MSN majors are: 

• Nurse Administrator 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 
• Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Nurse Educator

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: 
  • On-Campus:
    • Resident: $650 per credit hour
    • Non-Resident: $1,710 per credit hour
  • Online: $440 per credit hour
• Program Length: Two years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Spring: October 1st
  • Summer: February 1st
  • Fall: May 1st 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (205) 348-6639 
  • Email Address: vsamuel@ua.edu  
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

5. Emory University 

Emory’s nursing program has won national acclaim, including the #1 MSN program ranking from US News & World Report. Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has several MSN programs to satisfy diverse career goals.

The school offers APRN programs with dual-degree options, like the MSN-MA in bioethics or MSN-MPH in public health. While the full-time MSN format is taught in person, the part-time format combines distance learning with on-campus intensives.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 
• Nurse-Midwifery 
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Women’s Health/Gender-related Nurse Practitioner 
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN-MA in Bioethics Dual Degree 
• MSN-MPH Dual Degree
• Master in Cardiovascular Perfusion Science

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $24,986 per semester or $2,082 per credit hour
• Program Length: 
  • Full time: 18 months
  • Part-time: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Full-time Application Deadline (Fall start): 
  • Round 1: August 1st
  • Round 2: October 1st
  • Round 3: December 1st
• Part-time Application Deadline (Spring start):
  • Round 1: June 1st
  • Round 2: August 1st
  • Round 3: September 1st
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (404) 727-7980 or 1-800-222-3879
  • Email Address: nursingquestions@emory.edu 
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

6. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan’s School of Nursing consistently ranks among the nation's top nursing schools. The school's renown is largely due to its exceptional faculty, facilities, and clinical partners.

UM's BSN to MSN programs feature clinical leadership paths, with most majors offered in two or three-year plans. Most of UM's MSN programs are hybrid, and three are entirely online with three and four-day on-campus intensives. All online classes take place in an asynchronous format to accommodate students’ schedules. Unlike other MSN programs, the University of Michigan does not require experience as a RN to be considered for admission.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 
• Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Nurse-Midwifery/Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation

Additional Program Information: 

• In-state Tuition: 
  • In-person: $1,908  per credit
  • Online: $1,698  per credit
• Non-resident Tuition:
  • In-person: $3,488 per credit
  • Online: $2,001 per credit
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
  • Early: January 15th
  • Final: March 15th
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (734) 763-5985
  • Email Address: UMSN-GradAdmissions@med.umich.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

7. Loyola University New Orleans

Graduates of Loyola University’s MSN programs go on to work in some of the top hospitals and universities around the country. Rooted in Jesuit traditions, students enrolled in the programs not only receive a well-rounded education but also form connections with nurse leaders around the world. 

Recent graduating classes have a 100% pass rate for ANCC Certifications. Throughout the programs, students attend classes online but complete all clinicals in person at an approved clinical site.

MSN Programs Offered:

• MSN General
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $850 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (504) 588-6025
  • Email Address: online@loyno.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

8.  Villanova University

Conveniently located outside Philadelphia, students enrolled in the MSN programs at Villanova University have access to some of the nation’s top hospitals for clinical rotations. While the MSN programs are offered entirely online, in-person clinical coursework is required. Students attend the programs from all over the country but many do relocate to the Philadelphia region to complete their clinical rotations. 

Unique to other MSN programs, students at Villanova can also choose to attend some classes in person.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 
• Nursing Education

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $1,050 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Summer: April 1st
  • Fall: July 1st
  • Spring: November 1st
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number:  (610) 519-4500
  • Email Address: nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

9. New York University

NYU's College of Nursing offers BSN to MSN programs for nurses seeking roles in clinical practice, education, and informatics. The school places a strong focus on leadership throughout the curriculum. Thus, it prepares students to lead in advanced practice nursing roles like nursing management, clinical research, teaching, and clinical consultation.

All MSN students complete core courses, advanced core courses, population/specialty coursework, and clinical hours. In addition to NYU's nursing specialties, students may select clinical concentrations in holistic nursing, palliative care, and substance use disorders.

Furthermore, the nursing school recently introduced a hybrid-format pediatric NP specialty perfect for students seeking more flexibility. NYU nursing students may also pursue a dual MSN and MPH (public health) degree through a 3-year graduate curriculum.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Clinical Research Nursing 
• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Informatics
• Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Primary Care/Acute Care 
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition:  $2,400 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: 
  • Spring: 
    • Early: November 1st
    • Final: December 1st 
  • Fall: 
    • Early: March 1st
    • Final: June 15th
  • Summer: February 15th 
• Contact Info: 
  • Phone Number: (212) 998-5317
  • Email Address: nursing.admissions@nyu.edu 
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes

10. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing has a well-earned reputation for global and community health leadership. The school’s MSN curriculum is designed for BSN-degreed nurses interested in improving healthcare quality and efficiency.

Graduates of this BSN to MSN program become experts in fiscal management, strategic planning, legal and ethical decisions, and organizational structure. The courses focus on evidence-based practice, decision-making, and innovative redesign of healthcare delivery systems.

The MSN curriculum at Johns Hopkins is offered online with some in-person opportunities. The program’s offerings include information technology, health policy, and case management, allowing students to tailor the curriculum to their interests. MSN candidates can choose from a single-track degree or a dual-track MSN and MBA.

MSN Programs Offered:

• Entry into Nursing
• Healthcare Organizational Leadership Track
• MSN/MBA Dual Degree

Additional Program Information: 

• Tuition: $1,937 per credit
• Program Length: 
  • Single track full-time: 4 semesters
  • Single track part-time: 7 semesters 
  • Dual track MSN/MBA: 3 to 6 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: January 15th  
• Contact Information:
  • Phone Number: (410) 955-4766 
  • Email Address: jhuson@jhu.edu
  • Website
• Online Options Available? Yes 

FAQs

• Is BSN to MSN the same as RN to MSN?

  • BSN to MSN and RN to MSN programs are designed for nurses with different educational backgrounds. RNs who are BSN-trained can enroll in BSN to MSN programs. RNs who are ADN-trained will need to go through an RN to MSN bridge program specifically geared for nurses who want to earn their BSN and MSN at the same time. 

• How long do BSN to MSN programs take?  

  • Most BSN to MSN programs take between 18 months and two years to complete. However, your program length may differ depending on your major and whether you attend full or part-time.

• Can I get my MSN right after I finish my BSN? 

  • In most cases, APRN programs require at least one year of clinical experience for admission. Therefore, you may not be able to get your MSN right after finishing your BSN. But, degrees in administration, education, and informatics may not have this requirement, allowing you to pursue your MSN immediately. 

• Is an MSN harder than a BSN?  

  • MSN programs offer different challenges than BSN; some might find them more difficult. MSN curriculum provides a greater depth of knowledge with a higher degree of specificity. They also devote a significant amount of study time to leadership. 

• Is an MSN better than a BSN? 

  • Nurses with MSN degrees have greater earnings capacity and are more likely to be hired or promoted into leadership positions. Moreover, you may need an MSN to get your desired job. For example, NP and CNS positions require MSN degrees.