Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Vermont (2026 Online & Campus Ranked)

Vermont NP Programs at a Glance

State practice authority	Full Practice Authority – NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently
Vermont Board of Nursing	Vermont Board of Nursing
Vermont median NP wage	~$120,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See Vermont state OES tables for current detail.
National median NP wage	$129,210/year (BLS, May 2024)
Projected NP job growth	46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions
Primary accreditors	CCNE · ACEN
Common NP specialty tracks	FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP
Typical program length	2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN

2026 Updates for Vermont NP Programs

• Vermont practice authority. Vermont is a Full Practice Authority state. Licensed nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications independently of physician supervision. Vermont is one of 27 states + DC granting full NP autonomy under state law.
• BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; Vermont-specific data is published in the Vermont state OES tables.
• Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
• AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in Vermont.
• Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
• PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.

According to a report, 73% of the current demand for APRNs in Vermont is geared towards Nurse Practitioners (NP). The state foresees a 12% growth in NP employment from 2015-2030, with the highest increases for medical specialties at 22%. The highest demand comes from the Burlington and St. Albans areas, where the percentage growth is at 16%. 

This opportunity is due to the rapid demand for healthcare services that the physician supply cannot meet for now, as well as the need to control medical costs. There is also a widespread growth of APRN populations in each state, and the openness of states to improve practice scope amongst mid-level providers.
With Vermont NPs earning an average of $67 an hour or $138,536 a year, this career proves to be promising for nurses who want to elevate their skills. Be part of the burgeoning Vermont NP workforce by enrolling in any of these two schools:

Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Vermont

Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Vermont State Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.

1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)

The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. Vermont MSN-NP options are concentrated at the University of Vermont (Burlington) and Norwich University (Northfield). UVM anchors the state’s academic medical center clinical placements; Norwich runs a hybrid online MSN-FNP for working RNs throughout New England.

2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)

For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In Vermont, Norwich University offers an RN-to-MSN bridge pathway into the NP track. UVM also accepts ADN-prepared RNs through a separate RN-to-BSN-to-MSN ladder. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.

3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)

Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 4 Vermont schools offer a DNP program — see the full Vermont DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.

4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)

For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. Vermont post-master’s certificate options are concentrated at the University of Vermont. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.

5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)

For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. Vermont’s direct-entry option is the University of Vermont’s Master of Nursing entry pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s holders. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.

Fast & Affordable Vermont NP Programs (Editorial Picks)

These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll Vermont residents.

Fastest Vermont NP Programs

• Norwich University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple intakes per year; accelerated track for working RNs across New England.
• University of Vermont — MSN-FNP: Burlington-campus full-time option with strong UVM Medical Center clinical pipeline; 24-month accelerated path.
• University of Vermont — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a Vermont specialty.

Most Affordable Vermont NP Programs (In-State Tuition)

• University of Vermont — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition with the broadest specialty footprint in Vermont; UVM Medical Center clinical anchor.
• Norwich University — Online MSN-FNP: Private military college with competitive online tuition; strong veteran-RN pipeline.

Vermont Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties

The matrix below maps Vermont NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most Vermont schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 4 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.

Family NP (FNP)

The most common specialty in Vermont. All 2 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.

• Norwich University
• University of Vermont

BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Vermont

Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 4 Vermont schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated Vermont DNP programs guide for admissions detail.

• University of Vermont
• Russell Sage College
• University of Massachusetts
• University of New Hampshire

Nurse Practitioner Programs in Vermont by City & Region

Vermont’s 2 featured NP schools are concentrated in the Champlain Valley (UVM in Burlington) and Central Vermont (Norwich in Northfield). Cross-border DNP options at UMass, University of Southern Maine, and Russell Sage College (NY) also serve Vermont students.

Champlain Valley / Burlington

• University of Vermont — Burlington

Central Vermont

• Norwich University — Northfield

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