10 Best Online MSN Programs That Won’t Break the Bank

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can open the door to a wide range of clinical and non-clinical specializations within the nursing profession. But most advanced nursing programs require at least two years of additional training, which can be time-consuming and costly.

If you’re currently working as a nurse, an online MSN program can boost your education and expertise without cutting into your busy schedule.

Here are some of the best online MSN programs that are affordable and convenient.

East Carolina University

Noteworthy feature: Offers a variety of concentrations

Online tuition: $232.79 per credit for residents, $877.35 per credit for non-residents (doesn’t include miscellaneous fees)

Program duration: 37 to 69 credit hours, depending on concentration

The College of Nursing at East Carolina University offers the following MSN program specialties: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult-Gerontology and Neonatal), Nursing Leadership, Nursing Education, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

General admission requirements include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited nursing program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and minimum GPA of 3.0 for nursing major
• Current registered nurse (RN) license to practice in North Carolina or a NCSBN-compact state
• Completed statistics course with a grade of “C” or higher

Note: There might be additional admission requirements depending on your desired concentration.

Fort Hays State University (FHSU)

Noteworthy feature: Offers hybrid BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program

Online tuition: $298.55 per credit for MSN, $400 per credit for DNP

Program duration: 36 credit hours

FHSU is located in Kansas, but its graduate nursing program is offered 100% online.

Program applicants must first be accepted to the University Graduate School. Other acceptance requirements for the graduate nursing program include:

• BSN degree from a nationally accredited program, including National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Current RN license to practice in the U.S.
• Can’t be a resident of Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming or Alabama

MSN curriculum options include Nursing Administration and Nursing Education tracks. The department also offers an online BSN to DNP program, which is currently accepting applications from Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Georgia College & State University (GCSU)

Noteworthy feature: Offers a variety of concentrations

Online tuition: $373 per credit (doesn’t include miscellaneous fees)

Program duration: 39 to 45 credit hours, depending on concentration

GCSU, located in Milledgeville, offers a number of graduate online options for BSN-prepared nurses. But all clinical rotations must be completed in Georgia with an approved preceptor.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from an accredited program, including from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or CCNE
• Minimum 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 undergraduate semester hours
• Current license as an RN in Georgia and at least one year of clinical practice

GCSU’s MSN degree concentrations include: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Nurse Educator, Nurse Midwifery and PMHNP.

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW)

Noteworthy feature: Offers 100% online courses for all concentrations

Online tuition: $385 per credit

Program duration: 36 to 44 credit hours, depending on concentration

GSW’s online nursing program is offered in conjunction with Columbus State University (CSU). Full-time students can complete the MSN program in 22 months.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from a regionally accredited college and nationally accredited nursing program (NLNAC or CCNE)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Current RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be met

Students can pursue one of four different program tracks, including Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership/Management, Nursing Informatics or FNP.

Northeastern State University

Noteworthy feature: Offers the ability to complete coursework in as few as 12 months

Online tuition: $371 per credit

Program duration: 32 credit hours

Northeastern State University’s MSN program has six start dates each year with courses that are only seven weeks long. This program can be completed in as little as one year, which means you can move up in the workforce and start earning your full pay faster.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from a regionally accredited college and nationally accredited nursing program (ACEN, CCNE or Nurse Executive Advanced-Board (NEA))
• Minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA (or 3.0 GPA on nursing coursework)
• Current RN license

Available MSN program tracks include Administrative Leadership in Nursing, Nursing Education and Nursing Informatics.

Texas A&M University

Noteworthy feature: Offers unique MSN concentration to prepare for caring for victims of violence

Online tuition: $705 per credit for residents, $1,387 per credit for non-residents (doesn’t include miscellaneous fees)

Program duration: 36 to 48 credit hours, depending on concentration

Texas A&M’s MSN program is provided primarily online, but students will also need to travel to its Bryan-College Station campus for a limited number of class activities.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN degree
• RN license
• Completion of elementary statistics course with a minimum grade of “C”
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA (cumulative and on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework)

Texas A&M has three MSN program tracks: Nursing Education, FNP and Forensic Nursing. Note that FNP applicants must reside in Texas and have a Texas RN license.

University of Texas at Tyler (UT-Tyler)

Noteworthy feature: Offers online dual MSN-MBA degree and a BSN to Ph.D. program

Online tuition: $421 per credit for residents, $892 for non-residents

Program duration: 36 to 63 hours, depending on concentration

The UT-Tyler nursing program offers several online MSN tracks, including Nursing Administration, Nursing Education and a hybrid FNP program.

General admission requirements include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or better
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credit hours of undergrad
• Proof of current licensure from the state where clinical practicum will occur

It also offers a dual MSN-MBA degree and a BSN to Ph.D. program. Note that there are additional semester hours, tuition costs and application requirements needed to apply for these accelerated programs.

Troy University

Noteworthy feature: Offers reduced tuition for military families

Online tuition: $494 per credit

Program duration: 37 to 47 credit hours, depending on concentration

Troy’s MSN program is available online, and in Alabama at its Montgomery, Troy and Phenix City campuses. The nursing program has a 95.5% graduation rate and a 100% job placement rate after graduation.

It’s also a military-friendly university that provides generous scholarships for military members (active duty and reserve) and their families.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from a regionally accredited university and a nationally accredited nursing program (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA))
• Minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Current RN license for the state in which you’ll have clinical experiences
• At least one year of experience as an RN if pursuing the FNP track

The MSN program offers an FNP track that requires a limited number of mandatory on-campus requirements. Students who begin full-time in the fall can complete the FNP program in five semesters.

It also offers a Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership (HINL) track that is offered fully online without on-campus requirements.

University of Cincinnati

Noteworthy feature: Offers a variety of concentrations

Online tuition: $746 to $761 per credit, depending on residency

Program duration: 39 to 57 credit hours, depending on concentration

The University of Cincinnati MSN program offers 100% online and on-campus/hybrid programs.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from an accredited nursing school (ACEN or CCNE)
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum science GPA of 3.0 and a completed statistics course with a 2.0 or higher
• Current RN license and at least one year of work experience as an RN
• Must not live in Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island or Tennessee

Available online MSN program tracks include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, FNP, Nursing Administration, Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health.

University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV)

Noteworthy feature: Offers the ability to complete coursework in 12-36 months

Online tuition: $364 per credit for residents, $1,233 for non-residents

Program duration: 33 to 46 credit hours, depending on specialization

UNLV’s online nursing program allows students to choose part-time or full-time enrollment options with a handful of mandatory on-campus sessions each semester.

General admission requirements include:

• BSN from a nursing program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate work
• Completion of undergraduate courses in nursing research, physical assessment and introductory statistics
• Current RN license in state of residence
• Minimum of 2000 hours of practice as an RN

The MSN program has two year-round tracks, including Nurse Educator and FNP. It’ll be adding the PMHNP concentration for the Fall 2021 semester.

Choosing between online MSN programs

Online nursing master’s programs can give you the flexibility to learn on your own time. And they can often be cheaper than in-person programs at a local university.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of online MSN programs. Look for a program that matches your finances, time commitment and learning style.

If you’d prefer to complete your degree as fast as possible, Northeastern State University and UNLV offer the quickest degree tracks at just one year. They’re also some of the most affordable programs on our list.

Need help paying for nursing school? Explore the best options for private student loans, but only after exhausting federal financial aid opportunities (e.g. federal loans, scholarships and grants).