Nurse Practitioner Guides

Top Nurse Practitioner Programs

Welcome to our rankings of the top nurse practitioner schools in the country! There are many schools offering online programs and we hope you find our rankings useful as you begin to advance your nurse practitioner career.

A career as a Nurse Practitioner can offer many opportunities to those interested in healthcare. Nurse Practitioners perform many of the same tasks as medical doctors, including assessing and treating patients, prescribing medications, and offering education and resources.

Wherever they work, NPs care for patients, work with other healthcare professionals, and many seek out continued education opportunities to stay up-to-date in the field of nursing. Starting a career as an NP is an excellent and rewarding choice and selecting an online program to obtain the training you need is a smart and convenient option.

Choosing an Online Nurse Practitioner Program

With so many online education options available, it’s not surprising that Nurse Practitioner programs are one of the offerings. Many questions surround online education, especially as it pertains to the healthcare field. Here are common questions and answers about online Nurse Practitioner programs.

Click here to go directly to the program rankings.

Why Should I Choose an Online NP Program?

Online NP programs make advanced education attainable for people who are too busy to attend brick-and-mortar schools. The benefits of advanced education are clear: higher earning potential, opportunities for career advancement, and the opportunity for a career you that you are passionate about. You can achieve all of these things by taking online courses when it’s convenient for you.

Rather than working your schedule around school, you can complete your courses online and only visit the campus when it’s required. Many programs require your presence on campus at some point; however, these programs are far more flexible than classes with in-person requirements throughout each term.

Online programs are often more affordable than traditional educational programs at colleges and universities, which is an added benefit for people who desire an advanced education but cannot afford full-time degree programs.

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost?

The bottom line is that every online degree will vary in cost. Depending on what courses you need, which program you join, and what school you are virtually attending, the cost can vary. Some programs start at around $400 per credit while others begin closer to $2,000 per credit.

There may also be a price difference in in-state versus out-of-state tuition, which is an important consideration if you select a program outside your home state. Even for online programs, universities and colleges can still charge out-of-state tuition.

In addition to per-credit tuition, you should also consider the other types of fees which may apply to your online degree, such as:

  • Application fees
  • Enrollment/tuition deposits
  • Student body fees
  • Laboratory fees
  • Review charges
  • Testing fees
  • Challenge/Audit Fees
  • Matriculation/Internship Fees

Many students take out loans to pay for their online degree costs, which can also add fees and costs on top of the basic charges.

Is My Degree Legitimate if I Earn It Online?

The short answer is yes; your degree is legitimate even if you earn it online. The key is finding a reputable school which is accredited and meets the requirements of the national certification agency which will ultimately allow you to practice as an NP.

Here, we’ll look at esteemed programs with reputable schools all over the country, providing you with the options you need to earn a legitimate healthcare degree online.

School Rankings

#1 George Washington University

#2 Georgetown University

#3 University of Southern California

#4 Walden University

#5 Ohio State University

#6 Gonzaga University

#7 University of Connecticut

#8 Creighton University

#9 Clarkson College

#10 Stony Brook University

#11 Samford University

#12 Winona State University

#13 University of Texas Medical Branch

#14 Regis University

#15 Midwestern State University

#16 Northern Arizona University

#17 MCPHS University

#18 Frontier Nursing University

#19 Samuel Merritt University

#20 Simmons University

What to Expect from an Online NP Program

While an online program might be easier to manage as you can complete your work remotely, it is still a demanding academic experience. Here’s what to expect from an online NP program.

Admission Requirements

Before you begin an NP program, you must first possess Registered Nurse licensing as well as a nursing degree. Although there are three paths toward a nursing degree, including a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and hospital degree, many universities and colleges are picky about which applicants they admit.

For many programs, routes other than a bachelor’s degree in nursing will not satisfy their requirements. Essentially, you are building on your BS degree in nursing by earning an NP degree, so in many cases, you must first have that program completed.

For some schools, they may require additional application materials if you do not yet possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing, or if you have a bachelor’s degree in another subject. There may also be extra fees associated with these types of applications and reviews.

Many online programs will also require proof of past work as a nurse as well as confirmation of your RN certification. You must retain a nursing license in your state, but you may also have to hold a license in the state of the school you wish to attend, even if you are doing so virtually.

If you do not yet have experience in nursing or do not yet have your RN degree, an alternative track, apart from an MSN, may be a more viable option for you to achieve your educational goals. For example, there are BSN to MSN degree programs available at many nursing colleges.

Curriculum Demands

Curriculum in online courses is just as demanding as in-person courses, if not more so. Many remote nursing programs require you to “drop in” on actual classes virtually, meaning you are an active learner in the classroom environment.

Apart from interacting with peers online, you may also need to visit your college in person for orientations, intensive workshops, and other in-person events. Requirements vary based on the school and its programs, however, and many schools will present their students with opportunities local to them in place of requiring travel to the campus.

Skills Development

In addition to online or otherwise remote courses, MSN students will also participate in clinical programs. Locations vary for placement and will depend on where you live, what nursing facilities are near you, and which program you are studying under.

Certifications and Licensure

All nursing programs require that you at least have an RN license and are working as a nurse prior to enrollment. Colleges may vary in terms of their admittance, however, allowing either a bachelor’s degree or associate degree to fulfill their degree requirements.

Upon completing your Nurse Practitioner program, you may need to sit for specific exams to receive licensing as an NP. In some programs, however, you may not need to sit for exams, as the educational institution has the power to grant your NP status without them.

Certification and licensure requirements vary depending on your state as well as your educational institution, however, so it’s important to consider those factors before you apply to a program.

NP Program Specializations

While a Nurse Practitioner role requires a specific type of advanced degree, there are other advanced nursing roles which require additional education and certification. Some specializations require only a few extra classes, while others require an additional degree. Here are a few common NP specializations you may want to consider.

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AG-ACNP)
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AG-PCNP)
  • BSN to DNP
  • FNP
  • MSN
  • Pediatric Primary Care (PNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP)
  • Post-Master’s Certificate

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list: many colleges and universities also create their own degree programs with specific titles. You may also continue studying to earn a DNP or other degree or certification upon completion of your preliminary program.