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.
Which is fine but not exactly definitive or accurate. I've searched here on Allnurses about 40-ish times and read all kinds of 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).
Yeah, I've heard much about Frontier. They are one of the few programs that actually lay out their costs very plainly Tuition | Frontier Nursing University . 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. Also you have to set up are your clinicals yourself - probably the one really tangible benefit to more expensive programs like Drexel or Georgetown.
Frontier offers a Women's Health NP and also just a Family NP. So it might be worth checking out.
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?
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
Without getting into too much detail about my personal finances, I do know about loan repayment options.; Some of which are applicable, most of which aren't.
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.
I should have clarified in my initial response- one of the reasons I applied to this school is because online courses are charged in-state tuition . I don't live in Alabama. There is a $200 fee per course in addition but it still worked out to approx $18K total for my MSN. ( I see the course fee is now $250/course )
From the UAB FAQ page: online-specified nursing classes to be charged at the in-state cost.
I appreciate the optimism. While I was completing my BSN, I did research some about this; especially for the US dept. of public health and the Indian Affairs etc.. The military isn't so much an option for me, but maybe the NSA? haha
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.
I should have clarified in my initial response- one of the reasons I applied to this school is because online courses are charged in-state tuition . I don't live in Alabama. There is a $200 fee per course in addition but it still worked out to approx $18K total for my MSN. ( I see the course fee is now $250/course )
From the UAB FAQ page: online-specified nursing classes to be charged at the in-state cost.
Hope this helps.
Well that's not too shabby then. quick math would suggest it would be about $22k for the same amount of credits - very reasonable :)
I'm going to WGU right now for an MSN - leadership/management. If all goes well over the next few months, it will have taken me 9-10 months to complete the entire program. Total cost - a whomping $6,790.00 .. I did some research prior to starting the program since I'm also considering a post-master FNP certificate. The only negative I can say about this route, at the time I signed up, they did not offer advanced assessment, pharm, or pathophys. All of which are requirements prior to applying to most FNP programs. I believe this has since changed in WGU’s program. …. This plan of attack won’t necessarily save me any time, but its going to save me a bucket load in cash. Good Luck!
Super inexpensive but what about the GPA being 3.0 for every graduate thing? is that even a thing? that's what I've read but haven't verified. i'm pretty sure that would be a non-starter for many post-master's NP programs.
You might say my original question was intended to get people to read and respond more than anything. I'm just surprised by the lack of straightforward data? This school = this much $ (in-state, out of state, online, blablablah); like an excel spreadsheet. There's tons of this kind of info re: med programs, or even MBAs and what not..
I'm going to WGU right now for an MSN - leadership/management. If all goes well over the next few months, it will have taken me 9-10 months to complete the entire program. Total cost - a whomping $6,790.00 .. I did some research prior to starting the program since I'm also considering a post-master FNP certificate. The only negative I can say about this route, at the time I signed up, they did not offer advanced assessment, pharm, or pathophys. All of which are requirements prior to applying to most FNP programs. I believe this has since changed in WGU’s program. …. This plan of attack won’t necessarily save me any time, but its going to save me a bucket load in cash. Good Luck!
I was never able to find a collection of that information anywhere either. Now, if you wanted to avoid the GRE that's a different story! lol .... I contacted the three schools I am interested in for my post MSN NP cert - two of the three said they only consider undergrad GPA anyway. The other program - depending on the competitiveness of the year, it could be a factor... But, all in all, the two schools that didn't care were state schools (= less expensive) so, I went for it.
Oakley44
105 Posts
Yeah, I've heard much about Frontier. They are one of the few programs that actually lay out their costs very plainly Tuition | Frontier Nursing University . 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. Also you have to set up are your clinicals yourself - probably the one really tangible benefit to more expensive programs like Drexel or Georgetown.