Best Online DNP Programs | 2025

Explore the top-ranked online DNP programs for 2025, including tuition, program length, and more, to find the perfect program for you. 

Top 10 Online DNP Programs 2025

Choosing a DNP program is a very large decision. Nurse.org has determined the best DNP programs online for 2025. Our ranking system takes numerous factors into consideration, including location, graduation rate, cost, credit hours, and accreditation, as well as other factors.

1. National University

National University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP) degree program is 13 courses with start dates every Monday. Students have increased flexibility as most courses run over eight weeks, while dissertation courses run 12 weeks.

• Tuition: $46,837 program cost
• Program Length: 30 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (866) 776-0331
  • Email Address: 
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Capella University

Capella University offers students exceptional flexibility in earning a DNP degree. The program consists of eight courses and five doctoral project courses, all completed online. Students can choose between two learning formats: FlexPath or GuidedPath. FlexPath allows students to learn at their own pace, 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.

• Tuition: Max program cost $32,000
• Program Length: Varies
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (866) 968-1046
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. University of Phoenix - Arizona

The University of Phoenix focuses on balancing work, family, and education for its students. Classes are 100% online, except clinicals, and can be completed either day or night. Courses can be started at any point and students have direct access to around-the-clock support and resources from a variety of personnel. 

• Tuition: $2,635 per course
• Program Length: Varies
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (866) 766-0766
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

4. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

UTMB offers three pathways for DNP students: MSN-DNP, BSN-DNP with a Nurse Practitioner Concentration, and BSN-DNP with a Nurse Anesthesia Concentration. The MSN to DNP pathway (most popular) is 8 semesters long, requiring 16 courses. Students interested in one of the pathways should attend a virtual (or in-person) open house to learn more information and meet with key faculty members. 

• Tuition:
  • Resident: $1,221.14 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,687.14 per credit hour
• Program Length: 8 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
  • Summer: August 15th
  • Fall: November 15th
  • Spring: March 15th
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (409) 772-8328
  • Email Address:  lnhoman@utmb.edu
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

5. Medical University of South Carolina

MUSC accepts applications to the DNP  program from students who live in all states except Louisiana, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. They offer DNP programs for those with either a BSN or an MSN. The programs are 100% online, except for the required clinicals. 

• Tuition:
  • Resident: $8,116 per semester
  • Non-Resident: $10,858 per semester
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: May 1st
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (843) 792-8515
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

6. The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center

This DNP program is the largest producer of doctorally prepared nurses. The University of Tennessee recently introduced its ninth and newest concentration, a DNP in the Nurse Executive track. 

• Tuition: $5,931 per semester
• Program Length: 30 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
  • DNP Anesthesiology:
    • Priority: July 15th
    • Final: August 15th
  • DNP (other concentrations):
    • Priority: February 1st
    • Final: April 1st
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number:
  • Email Address: 
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

7. Wilkes University

At Wilkes University, courses are 100% online and designed specifically for working nurses.  They offer indirect clinical hours and mostly asynchronous courses. There are ten courses in the DNP program, and they can be completed in 2 years. 

• Tuition: $1,025 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
  • Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
• Online Options Available? Yes

8. Rush University

The DNP program at Rush University focuses on population health and social determinants of health. While most classes are offered online, some courses require in-person attendance. Clinical practice sites are located in the Chicago area, so all students must live nearby. 

• Tuition: $1,344 per credit hour
• Program Length:
  • Full-time: 2.5 years
  • Part-time: 3.5 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (312) 942-7117
  • Email Address: con_admissions@rush.edu
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

9. Oakland University

The DNP program at Oakland was the first Michigan university to offer a terminal degree. The program is offered in a flexible online format to accommodate working professionals. The program includes more than 1,000 clinical hours to complete the program. 

• Tuition:
  • Resident: $915 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,027 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline: November 1st
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (248) 370-2100
  • Email Address:  nrsinfo@oakland.edu
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

10. University of Wilmington 

The DNP program at Wilmington builds upon the information previously learned in master's programs through eight core courses and four practice experience courses. Students are required to complete 45 credits and 1,000 clinical hours. While most students complete the program in two to three years, the program must be completed in five years. 

To be eligible for the DNP program, students must hold an MSN degree with current national board certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Clinical Nurse Specialist).

• Tuition: $713 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 to 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application Deadline:
  • Spring: October 1st
  • Summer: March 1st
  • Fall: June 15th
• Contact Info:
  • Phone Number: (877) 967-5464
  • Email Address: recruiting@wilmu.edu
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

DNP Fast Facts

 

What Is an Online DNP Program?

An online DNP program is a doctor of nursing practice program that has core didactic courses taught in either a synchronous or asynchronous format.

Despite the courses being offered online, DNP programs still require in-person attendance at clinicals and dissertation work. The specific amount of time will vary depending on the program and specialty, but regardless, there is still an in-person requirement.

What to Expect in an Online DNP Program

Though every DNP curriculum is different, all accredited nursing programs follow the framework provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. 

Online DNP Classes

Individuals should expect to take the following classes:

• 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

DNP Online Program Prerequisites

Though every online DNP program is different, most have similar entry requirements, which generally include:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nursing license
• Application fee (varies based on program)
• Current, unencumbered nursing license
• Current Resume/CV
• Goal statement
• GPA of at least 3.0 or higher in the Master’s program
• Interview with faculty (if moved forward by the admissions committee)
• Letters of Recommendation (both academic and professional references)
• MSN degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution and a nationally accredited school of nursing
• Official Transcripts (from all previous colleges/universities)
• Personal essay
• RN experience (minimal requirement varies)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if applicable 

Online DNP Program Tuition

Online DNP programs vary greatly in cost. Factors include school, location, online versus in-person, and degree. A major contributing factor to cost is in-state versus out-of-state tuition. 

Online programs are generally cheaper than traditional in-person programs. However, even some programs that are online for didactic coursework may still require in-person clinicals. This is something to consider when applying to a DNP program. 

Credit hours can vary between $500 and $4,000, depending on the program. Part of this will depend on whether the program is public or private. Furthermore, DNP programs are more expensive because of the increased number of credit hours and complexity of coursework. Overall tuition costs also include program fees, lab fees, course materials, and other associated expenses. 

DNP Accreditation

The two main accreditation bodies in the United States are as follows:

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

How Hard is an Online DNP Program?

DNP programs are very difficult as this is a terminal degree for advanced practice registered nurses. The purpose of a DNP program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles as executives or advanced practice nurses. 

Furthermore, DNPs are expected to apply evidence-based practice to improve individual, family, and community health outcomes. Individuals are expected to think more critically and analyze research and data.

While a DNP program is very challenging regardless of employment status, it can be even more challenging if working during the duration of the program. 

What Can You Do with a DNP Degree?

The purpose of a DNP program is to prepare individuals to assume leadership roles as executives or advanced practice nurses. 

According to the AACN, says, 

• Earning a DNP prepares individuals to better meet the demands of an increasingly complex healthcare system.
• Equipped with the highest level of scientific education, DNPs have the advanced expertise to promote positive health outcomes.
• Courses in DNP programs enable nurses to expand their skills in areas such as leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
• DNPs can implement the science developed through other types of nursing doctoral programs, which are more focused on research.

How to Pick the Right DNP Program for You

Picking the right DNP program can be overwhelming, especially with the increasing number of available programs throughout the country and the ease and accessibility of online programs.

The most important determining factor when choosing a program is understanding if the state in which you reside allows students to enroll in distance education programs and, therefore, participate in clinical practicums within the state.

It is important to check with your state board of nursing to see if your state allows this. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. If you have any questions regarding state eligibility, you can also contact the University’s Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs.

Other factors include, 

• Am I able to travel to campus for in-person days?
• Consider the entry prerequisites for which you qualify.
• Consider the program’s accreditation and graduate certification rate.
• Does Your Current Job Have an Affiliation with a Specific DNP Program?
• Do you want a program that will find your clinical placements?
• How will I pay for the degree? Loans? Scholarships? Tuition Reimbursement?
• Is there program flexibility?
• What is the job placement rate for the DNP program?
• What is your goal after graduation? Hospital? Private practice? Strictly academia? Research?
• Will I need to work during the program, or can I take time off?

 

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