If you want to become a nurse practitioner in the most affordable way possible, there are many schools around the country that may fit into your budget. Some offer online programs that allow you to complete your degree from anywhere, while others require on-campus learning. Whether you’re interested in becoming an FNP, PNP, AGNP, or WHNP, here are the cheapest NP programs in the country.
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Most Affordable FNP Programs
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) work with patients of all ages, from children to seniors. This specialty is one of the most popular, so there are many affordable options.
Winston-Salem State University
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 51
Clinical Hours: 672
Tuition: $215.11 per credit + fees for residents; $800.37 per credit hour for non-residents
Program Overview:
The FNP MSN program at Winston-Salem State University begins in the fall of every year. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as two years. A BSN/MSN to DNP program is also available at the same price per credit.
The University of Texas Medical Branch
- Galveston, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $336 per credit + fees for residents; $868 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Texas Medical Branch offers an FNP program that is primarily online, though students must come to campus for orientation at the beginning of the program and then two or three days every semester. Clinical experiences can be completed in the nearby Galveston area or near the student’s home at university-approved clinical sites.
Texas A&M International University
- Laredo, Texas
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 405
Tuition: $367 per credit + fees for residents; $1,030 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
This FNP program at Texas A&M International University has a large online component, but students are required to attend on-campus experiences twice in every course to give them the opportunity for hands-on learning and personalized support.
University of Southern Indiana
- Evansville, Indiana
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 630
Tuition: $432.78 per credit + fees for residents; $847.66 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The FNP program at the University of Southern Indiana can be completed in about 2.5 years. It is 100% online with in-person clinicals. Students find their own clinical sites close to where they live, but faculty and staff can offer assistance if needed.
Midwestern State University
- Wichita Falls, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with some on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 512
Tuition: $21,858 for the program + fees for residents or about $455 + fees per credit; $27,378 for the program + feed for non-residents or about $570 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Most of the courses for this FNP program at Midwestern State University are offered online, but some courses may require mandatory on-campus visits. Generally, on-campus immersions take place around midterms and finals.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Houston, Texas
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 41
Clinical Hours: 660
Tuition: $18,947 + fees for the program; estimated $460 per credit
Program Overview:
The FNP program at UTHealth Houston was designed to be flexible. Most of the coursework is completed online, but students must come to campus for in-person labs and other hands-on learning experiences. UTHealth Houston also offers a BSN to DNP option for those interested in pursuing a doctorate.
Brigham Young University
- Provo, Utah
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 57
Clinical Hours: 756
Tuition: $495 per credit + fees for LDS; $990 per credit + fees for non-LDS
Program Overview:
In addition to clinical hours, this FNP program also requires 252 indirect patient hours to complete a master’s project. Brigham Young University is affiliated with the Latter-Day Saints, and members of the Mormon Church pay less tuition than non-members.
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, Florida
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $500 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of West Florida’s FNP program is entirely online, except for in-person clinical, which can be completed at appropriate clinical sites close to the student’s home. This program is only offered full-time. Courses are either eight or 16 weeks long, and the program can be completed in as little as 27 months.
University of the Cumberlands
- Williamsburg, Kentucky
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $539 per credit
Program Overview:
The FNP program at the University of the Cumberlands offers online classwork with no on-campus requirements. In-person clinicals can be done near the student’s home, and students are responsible for finding their own clinical sites and preceptors. The University also offers a unique One Price Promise, and tuition includes the cost of fees and books.
Post University
- Waterbury, Connecticut
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42 to 45
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $588 to $603.75 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Post University offers flexible online classes with monthly start dates so students can start the program at a time that works well for them. All courses in the FNP program are eight weeks long and taken one at a time.
Most Affordable PNP Programs
Those wishing to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner have several affordable options available, with some schools offering both acute and primary care options.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $272.43 per credit + fees for residents; $682.43 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers two PNP programs: an acute care option and a primary care option. The acute care program requires 51 credits, and the primary care program requires 49. All classes are online, with occasional mandatory visits to the Lubbock campus.
University of Nevada – Reno
- Reno, Nevada
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 44 to 46
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $344.25 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The PNP program at the University of Nevada Reno focuses on acute care. Most classes are online, but students have to come to campus occasionally throughout the program for in-person learning. Note that the per-credit tuition listed is the base tuition; non-residents will pay significant fees, increasing the total cost for those who do not live in Nevada.
University of Missouri – Kansas City
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $512.40 per credit + fees for residents; $1,286.25 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Missouri Kansas City offers both acute care PNP and primary care PNP programs. The acute care option is 52 credits; the primary care option is 46 credits. Both programs offer online classes with an on-campus clinical residency requirement. Students who reside in states in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) get a special tuition rate of $768.60 per credit + fees.
University of South Alabama
- Mobile, Alabama
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $594 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of South Alabama offers two PNP options: acute care and primary care. Both programs have the same number of credits and clinical hours and one on-campus clinical skills intensive, where students learn and practice hands-on advanced practice assessment skills and procedures.
University of Missouri – Columbia
- Columbia, Missouri
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $600 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The primary care PNP program at the University of Missouri Columbia is primarily online, with on-campus requirements a few times throughout the program. Students can begin the program during the fall, spring, or summer semesters, and it takes between 2.5 to 3.5 years to complete.
Most Affordable AGNP Programs
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) focus on working with adults across the lifespan, from young adults to senior citizens. Whether you’re interested in practicing in acute or primary care, several affordable options exist.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $272.43 per credit + fees for residents; $682.43 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers an acute care AGNP program primarily online with a few on-campus visits, mainly in the last semester when students prepare for clinical work. The MSN program boasts a combined 97.12% pass rate for first-time AGNP exam takers between 2020 and 2022.
The University of Texas Medical Branch
- Galveston, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $336 per credit + fees for residents; $868 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Texas Medical Branch offers an acute care AGNP program and a primary care AGNP program. Students complete most of the coursework online but must come to campus for orientation and two to three days every semester. Clinical experiences can be completed near the student’s home if approved by the school.
University of Southern Indiana
- Evansville, Indiana
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 675
Tuition: $432.78 per credit + fees for residents; $847.66 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Coursework for the University of Southern Indiana’s AGNP in acute care is 100% online with in-person clinical experiences. Students are responsible for securing their own clinical sites and preceptors, but faculty and staff can offer assistance. This program can be completed in about 2.5 years.
Youngstown State University
- Youngstown, Ohio
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 540
Tuition: $527 per credit + fees for residents; $532 per credit hour + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Youngstown State University’s Acute Care AGNP program offers online classes with some onsite requirements. Full- and part-time plans are available, and there are multiple start dates throughout the year, so students don’t have to wait long to get started.
Post University
- Waterbury, Connecticut
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42 to 45
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $588 to $603.75 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
All classes in the AGNP program at Post University are taken online. Students take one 8-week course at a time and complete the program in 28 months. This program is one of the more flexible options available, as there are start dates every month.
Most Affordable WHNP Programs
The Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) programs are a little more pricey than other specialties, but there are some affordable options for those who wish to pursue a career with this patient population.
Kent State University
- Kent, Ohio
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 630
Tuition: $571.90 per credit + fees for residents; $581.90 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The WHNP program at Kent State University offers 100% online classes with no on-campus requirements. Most of the classes are asynchronous, but there are some live sessions where students attend seminars, do presentations, or ask questions. Students can attend the program either full or part-time, and it takes between three and 3.5 years to complete.
University of South Alabama
- Mobile, Alabama
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $594 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
All coursework for the WHNP program at the University of South Alabama is online, but students are required to attend one intensive course on on-campus clinical skills during the program. The campus offers a state-of-the-art simulation lab where students will learn to master the skills necessary for this specialty.
Frontier Nursing University
- Versailles, Kentucky
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $685 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Frontier Nursing University’s WHNP program features online coursework with two on-campus immersions throughout the program. FNU offers every course, every term, so students have the flexibility to attend either full or part-time while completing clinical experiences in their home communities.
University of Missouri – Kansas City
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 46
Clinical Hours: 660
Tuition: $880.65 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
In the WHNP program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, students take one to two classes a semester. Most coursework is online, but on-campus intensives are required each semester. Students can complete the program in two to three years.
University of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: 672
Tuition: $892 per credit + fees for residents; $907 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The online WHNP program at the University of Cincinnati offers classes taught entirely online. Students must also attend a two-day virtual synchronous intensive, where they network with others in the cohort and meet faculty. This flexible program has three start dates a year and can be completed in only six semesters.