Cheapest NP Program ... period

Hey Folks,

Yeah I'm actually asking this question seriously.

So here's the thing: I've been an RN (w/ a BSN and a prev. Bach.) in the ER for 1.5 years. It's awesome. I thoroughly enjoy it, but it's a 2nd (okay 4th career) for me and I've always known I would want to continue to become an NP after a short (albeit reasonable) amount of time. That being said, I already have WAY TOO MUCH student loan debt to gladly rack up another $50k - $80k for an MSN or DNP.

Thus, I ask of you: What is the absolutely LEAST expensive NP (preferably FNP) program you know of?

I've done quite a bit of web-research. When you Google this idea, usual the results look like this:

http://www.affordableschoolsonline.com/online-nurse-practitioner-programs-charging-the-least/

Which is fine but not exactly definitive or accurate. I've searched here on Allnurses about 40-ish times and read all kinds of dead-end threads from a couple years back.

I prefer online or one with a strong online component but... I live in LA and having approval from the CA Board of Nursing is pretty much the only requirement.

So what do you know folks? Annual tuition, total program cost, cost per credit? I need hard numbers please.

Thanks for reading.

ps. I know programs such as Frontier are very reasonable (about $30k) but it's also geared towards Women's Health NP (which is actually pretty cool, but just not really my thing).

32 Answers

Specializes in CCM, PCCN.

USA is, I believe, around $430 per credit hour, and all online. Most semesters I saw for the FNP track were 6 credits each, with one being 9 credits, so it's usually under $3K per semester. It's one of the cheapest I've seen that doesn't require you to be in-state. I think University of Southern Illinois was comparable.

Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Hmmmm. NP schools are not cheap. One option to manage cost is to get an MSN online through western governor's (cheap as HELL if you are self motivated, because you can take as many classes as you want for a flat rate each term), then get a post-MSN cert in your specialty. It won't knock much off the cost, but it might help. I saved about $20,000 by doing that.

Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I agree with cayenne there, most all NP programs I've looked into run 30-50K period for the entire program...Frontier has a Family Nurse practitioner component, it's not just women's health or midwifery. University of Cincinnati is a good option although you would have to research the state issues, as I'm from FL so there aren't many schools that I have a problem with. UC is about $34K entirely online, plus clinicals in your hometown and no campus visits. I have looked at WGU for the the MSN in education, and then thought about doing the post masters' option if i do not get into one of the three NP programs I applied to. One lady on here said she took 11mo and 5 days total to complete her MSN, and I think each 6mo term costs around $4K??? so thats not bad at all, plus they have the advanced pharm, advanced patho and health assessment courses that some MSN education schools do not offer as part of the curriculum.

Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I know someone on here posted that at South University she was paying $1700 every other month out of pocket to avoid having to take out student loans...so if a school has a payment plan and you can swing that payment you would leave with your degree and debt free =)

Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

here is WGU's tuition = ( a term is equal to 6months)

Nursing Programs (MSN and BSN):

$3,250 per term

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Cost should not be your top priority, there are many more important things to consider.

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Have you looked into the possibility of your hospital flipping some of the bill as reimbursement? Cheaper is not always the best.

\ said:
Thanks for the quick responses. The WGU concept seems to be more than just a novel ideal - thanks for the info. Of course it opens up the natural follow-up question of where to get a post-master's cert. for FNP but, I suppose, cheaper is cheaper. 🙂 But what's up with the grad. GPA of 3.0 for everyone? Isn't that a lil sketchy when applying to more competitive post-master's or DNP programs?

I am also looking into NP programs and never even considered going the WGU route first for the MSN then getting the Post masters NP degree after. Does WGU have multiple Master's degrees to choose from? I wonder which one would be best to choose when going on for a NP degree. I am ultimately looking to get a degree as a Psych NP

Thanks for the input

ps. I know programs such as Frontier are very reasonable (about $30k) but it's also geared towards Women's Health NP (which is actually pretty cool, but just not really my thing).

Frontier offers a Women's Health NP and also just a Family NP. So it might be worth checking out.

Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Case Management.

University of Alabama at Birmingham MSN-FNP , approx $18000. I graduate in December.

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.
From what I've read about Frontier it seems that even within the FNP program the emphasis is more on WHC; that could be an inaccurate assumption on my part.

Yup. An inaccurate assumption. And you have to set up your own clinicals at most online programs.

Have you thought about future loan repayment programs?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

There are ways to go to NP school using federal loans specifically geared towards NP education. I'd also check your state's board of nursing website, because it might help guide you towards loans. Also, consider entering the federal programs that allow repayment by working in an underserved area or Indian Health program after graduation. Finally, consider the military as a means of getting an education and repaying loans.

Under the Affordable Care Act, with so many more people entering the health care system, there will be more of a need for NPs, especially FNPs.

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