Cheapest NP Program ... period

Nursing Students NP Students Nursing Q/A

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).

Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Case Management.

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.

I'm going to 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.

Specializes in Emergency.

My spreadsheet was also specific to just a few programs that I felt met my specific academic needs.

The first thing I had to do was create a list of schools that met my academic requirements (online, able to select preceptors, good reputation, etc.).

Once I had a short list of schools, I researched the specifics of the programs from a time standpoint, number of semesters, how much work I felt I could do during each phase of the program, etc. I also researched the cost per credit and number of credits. Combining all of this information I was able to get an estimated cost for the program. I used this to determine not only the direct but indirect costs for the program. Of course, with each individual having their own set of variables (pay rate, hours of work they are willing to do, age, etc.) these kinds of spreadsheets are really vary individualistic.

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!

Hi lostNneuro, I have applied at , too. I am considering this route to FNP and I wondered if you went on to receive your post-master FNP certificate? From reading some posts here, you are happy with the MSN program at WGU. Have you had any trouble transferring your credits from WGU. I know this is an older post, but if you read this I am curious how things have worked out (bc I am considering a simar path). Thank you

hey purple butterfly! I did complete my MSN with , I learned a lot and I loved it for the most part. I did NOT continue for my FNP cert. I decided before I started WGU, I wasn't going to pursue it. My only concern with WGU is how your credits may be viewed in a "competitive" program such as the post-masters FNP. Plus, WGU is "competency" based, so if you pass the course you get a "B" = the best you could come out with is a 3.0, which might not be enough for some FNP programs. Just a few things to be aware of. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Thank you for the info. Yes, I know what you me about the competency based. If that wasn't a concern, I would definitely go to because they seem to have a Great program. I am still deciding. I'm also considering Chamberlain, which I have been very impressed with thus far! There I can do the RN-BSN-MSN-FNP program all in one, and both degrees confer! Best to you and thanks again for the reply.

Hi TashaLPN2006RN2012 - I'm reading this thread and see that you graduated from Simmons College FNP program. I am in the application process. Is there anything you can tell me about the program? Did you like it? Was it good? Did you do online or on campus? Would you recommend it to someone else? I am interested in the online program because I live in CA. Any insight would be greatly appreciated :) thank you!

Specializes in NICU.

Hi localgirl85,

Did you ever get accepted into the Simmons FNP program? If so, do you like it?

I am thinking about applying and would love some feedback. Thank you!

Thanks for the quick responses. The 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?

Exactly. This is the type of response I honestly appreciate for all of about 8 seconds. I realize cost shouldn't be the TOP priority priority, which is why my original question takes up about 1/2 of a page. Boston, huh? So if you clicked on my link you might have seen how U. Mass (in Amherst) is right up there with err, well actually according to that specific list it IS the cheapest in-state tuition.

The thing is, and I'm really not trying to sound utterly condescending or unappreciative of your feedback, cost is a deciding factor in where I can apply and in no small part because it wasn't such a concern of mine back when I was attending a very good (expensive) liberal arts school while earning my BA more than a decade ago; or whilst getting my BSN not too long ago as well. In fact, my disregard for mounting student loan debt is very much why I can't ignore the cost of any future NP school.

I also understand this is where people might say, "Hey Nurse Oakley44, maybe lay off the whole idea until you finishing paying off your current mortgage of student loans then". I get that but if I were to be able to attend a school where I could actually kind of pay as I go, then I'd much prefer to do that; which leaves me to my original question. What is the cheapest NP (preferably FNP) program (that's recognized in all 50 states or at least CA) that you know of??

I really can't stress enough the fact that I've been researching this very concept on Allnurses before I even finished my BSN but, much like the salary/wage inquiry threads, most of these type of posts dissolve into arguments about the quality of one program or another w/o ever mentioning any kind of hard numbers. For example, I've come to realize, if $ weren't a real issue, I would've already applied to UC Davis here in CA a couple months ago, or Univ., or Georgetown.

Again, thanks for reading.

They do offer tuition reimbursement. Although, the amount is relatively small.

Maybe I should have rephrased my original question a bit. I'm aware that cheaper is not always the best; not unlike money does not always = quality (i.e. Univ. of Phoenix, just my opinion).

I figured someone on Allnurses (or even Google) might have a something a more tangible list of actual tuition or cost-per-credit quotes at hand.

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