Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
Enrolling in an MSN program opens RNs and BSNs to advanced careers. If you are looking to advance your nursing career, then you should look into an online MSN program. This article contains a list of the most affordable online Master of Science in Nursing programs to help you in your career advancement journey.
Online MSN programs typically take two years to complete, this program provides two tracks; the first track is for RNs who want to assume administrative positions like nurse educator or nurse administrator and the other track is for RNs who want to become APRNs (Advanced practice registered nurses.)
RNs who obtain their MSN and move on to become APRNs earn a projected median salary of $117,670 per year; making it one of the most lucrative positions in the health sector.MSN programs are usually expensive but an online MSN program is more affordable and some colleges offer the same tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Below is a list of the most affordable online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs.
Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
1. Appalachian State University
Appalachian state university offers an online master of science in nursing that prepares students for leadership roles in nursing education and research.
The part-time program emphasizes methodology-based nursing practice through simulation training. The MSN culminates in a field practicum.
Applicants are required to have a BSN with specialized nursing accreditation or an associate or diploma in nursing with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
Students are required to have a minimum 3.5 GPA and must complete a statistics prerequisite course. Candidates must also possess an unencumbered RN license and at least one year of nursing experience. The average cost of tuition for this program is $304 per credit (in-state); $1,138 per credit (out-of-state).
Appalachian state university holds accreditation from SACSCOC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
2. Florida Atlantic University
FAU delivers an online MSN program with flexible enrollment and hybrid learning options. Students enrolled in this program can choose from seven concentration tracks in advanced holistic nursing, adult/gerontological nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, nursing administration and financial leadership, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and nurse educator.
Prospective students are required to have a BSN from an institution with regional and programmatic nursing accreditation. Students must also have a GPA of at least 3.0 over their final 60 baccalaureate credits.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $372 per credit (in-state); $1,027 per credit (out-of-state).
Florida Atlantic University holds accreditation from SACSCOC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
3. California State University-Dominguez Hills
California State University located in Dominguez Hills offers an online MSN program in six tracks including clinical nurse specialist-neonatal, clinical nurse specialist-adult/gerontology, nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist-pediatric, family nurse practitioner, and nurse educator. Each pathway requires its own residency or practicum experience.
Applicants are required to have a BSN with specialized nursing accreditation from a regionally accredited university, students are also required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and satisfy prerequisites including recent nursing experience and statistics and research. Candidates must also have an unencumbered RN license in the United States.
California State University holds accreditation from WSCUC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
4. New Mexico State University-Main Campus
New Mexico State University delivers an online MSN program that equips students for careers in nursing administration and leadership. Students can choose to enroll in this program full- or part-time. Core coursework explores topics like health policy, evidence-based practice for healthcare leaders, and advanced leadership in healthcare. The program requires students to participate in the fieldwork component.
Applicants must have a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA and an unencumbered RN license in the United States, and candidates are also required to complete an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics prerequisite course.
Average cost of tuition for this program is $412 per credit (in-state); $412 per credit (out-of-state).
New Mexico State University holds accreditation from HLC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
5. McNeese State University
McNeese State University offers an online MSN program in three concentrations: nursing education, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Students can also choose to complete a focused scholarly project or a thesis.
McNeese offers a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program exclusively available online.
Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university and they must also be in good standing with their last-attended institution.
Candidates must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for all undergraduate coursework and a minimum 2.75 GPA for all upper-division coursework. McNeese State University holds accreditation from SACSCOC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
6. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University’s MSN programs are offered online and in a hybrid format. IUPUI offers the MSN program in nine tracks, such as nursing leadership; those related to nursing education, pediatric, adult-gerontological, family practice, and psychiatric-mental health clinical specialties.
Prospective students must have a BSN with specialized nursing accreditation with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Candidates must also hold an active, unencumbered RN license and they must satisfy a statistics prerequisite.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $616 per credit (in-state); $1,632 per credit (out-of-state).
Indiana University-Purdue University holds accreditation from HLC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
7. Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University’s online MSN program provides a nursing education focus and it also offers full- and part-time enrollment tracks. Coursework covers topics like leadership development, advanced nursing theory, and curriculum design and development.
Students complete a project or thesis each semester, students are also required to complete a teaching practicum requirement.
Prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing with specialized nursing accreditation and hold a minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA. Candidates must also have an active RN license or RN eligible in Utah.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $301 per credit (in-state); $909 per credit (out-of-state).
Utah Valley University holds accreditation from NWCCU and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
8. University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana offers an online master of science in nursing through the College of Health Sciences and the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing. The program offers concentrations in adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, gerontological clinical nurse leader, and family nurse practitioner.
Interested applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with specialized nursing accreditation, demonstrate a GPA of at least 2.8, and possess an unencumbered RN license. Applicants are also required to have at least two years of RN experience. Students who have GPAs of less than 2.8 may take the GRE for conditional admission consideration.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $500 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students.
The University of Louisiana holds accreditation from SACSCOC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
9. Georgetown University
Georgetown offers an online MSN program in four nursing concentrations such as family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, women’s health nurse practitioner, and nurse-midwifery women’s health nurse practitioner. Each of these tracks is available in online and hybrid options and clinical field experience.
Prospective students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, they must also possess an RN license. Candidates are also required to have BSNs with specialized nursing accreditation and a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must also satisfy prerequisite coursework in statistics. Some specialties require specific RN experience.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $2,278 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Georgetown University holds accreditation from MSCHE and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
10. University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida offers an online master of science program in three tracks: nurse educator, nursing and healthcare simulation, or nursing leadership and management. The curriculum is focused on nursing education and research, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice.
Prospective students must have an RN license for admission consideration. They must also must hold a BSN, or an associate degree or diploma in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and satisfy prerequisite coursework. Applicants must be residents of Florida or another state that recognizes the National Council of State Boards of Nursing compact.
The average cost of tuition for this program is $327 per credit (in-state); $1,152 per credit (out-of-state). students.
The University of Central Florida holds accreditation from SACSCOC and the nursing program is accreditated by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
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