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Which online family nurse practitioner programs best match your needs? This guide to the top online FNP programs will help you find the right program for you.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: FG Trade / E+ / Getty ImagesFNPs are trained to take on different roles and responsibilities than traditional nurses or nurse practitioners (NPs). To become an FNP, you must first earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree and pass a board examination — a process that usually takes three years or more to complete.
Busy modern students need flexibility and convenience. That makes online programs an enticing option for many. We’ve identified the top programs and ranked them here, along with an explanation of what to look for in a program and what to expect once you graduate.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About the Best Online FNP Programs
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$8,395
- Out-of-state$36,849
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled70,418
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$32,364
- Out-of-state$32,364
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled4,461
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Harding University
- Searcy, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$21,000
- Out-of-state$21,000
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled4,617
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled13,061
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$55,961
- Out-of-state$55,961
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate43%
- Students Enrolled27,017
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$3,818
- Out-of-state$13,634
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled8,525
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$33,248
- Out-of-state$33,248
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,729
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Bradley University
- Peoria, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$35,060
- Out-of-state$35,060
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled5,855
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$9,723
- Out-of-state$25,057
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled40,826
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Brockport
- Brockport, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Tuition
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled7,592
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online FNP Program
The right online FNP program for you depends on your experience, background, finances, and attendance preferences. These are some of the most important to consider when choosing which schools to apply to.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements tell you how likely you are to be accepted to a particular online FNP program. They also indicate what the school values in students and the types of backgrounds your classmates might have.
Specializations
Unlike undergraduate nursing degrees, MSN programs specialize in a particular type of patient care. Choose your specialization carefully, as it determines your scope of practice as an NP.
Program Curriculum
The core MSN curriculum does not vary widely from one online FNP program to another. However, course descriptions and elective options can help you make your choice.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experiences are similar to internships, giving the learner real-world experience. These are required for all MSN degrees, whether you attend school on campus or online. Find out beforehand how you can arrange local clinical placement and what support the school may offer if you need to find a site.
Accreditation
Accreditation is always an important factor to consider. All the programs on our list are accredited, so you can review the selection with confidence.
Program Length
Most online FNP programs take 2-3 years, but depending on your background, work schedule, and other responsibilities and goals, you may want a faster or slower pace.
School Graduation Rate
A school’s graduation rate, especially when combined with the board exam pass rate, is an excellent indicator of program quality.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Some FNP programs’ online formats feature synchronous or more structured classes, where everybody attends the lecture and discussions simultaneously. Others are asynchronous or more self-paced, so you can view the class and ask questions any time. The right choice for you depends on your learning style and schedule.
Why Is Online FNP Program Accreditation Important?
During accreditation, an independent group of experts reviews a program for quality, to determine if graduates who pass the board exam can safely practice. This is a crucial indicator of program quality for many reasons.
- You must graduate from an accredited program to apply for board certification.
- Employers will not consider a job application from a graduate of an unaccredited program.
- Most accredited schools will not accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
- Many loans and grants, including federal aid, are only for students attending accredited programs.
How Online FNP Programs Work
In addition to attending clinical rotations in person, some online FNP programs have other in-person requirements, such as onboarding or labs. Most programs schedule on-campus components far in advance to make it as easy as possible for remote students to attend. Schools may also require proctored exams, but they usually monitor you using software at home.
Attending an FNP program online can make some aspects of the program more convenient, but can also make other aspects more challenging. For example, clinical placement can be more challenging if there are not a lot of healthcare facilities near you, particularly if the school is not equipped to help you find and select the right site.
Applying to an Online FNP Program
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit your application. Contact your references ahead of time, ensure you still have their permission to give their name to program officials, and talk with them about any particular attributes or examples you would like them to emphasize.
At the end of the process, have somebody you trust review your application to make sure it is accurate and reflects your strengths.
Admission Requirements
You will need a BSN degree (though RN-to-MSN programs and direct-entry programs do not require this) and a current, active nursing license. Most schools, whether they offer their FNP program online or in person, require or strongly prefer at least two years of experience.
Admission Materials
Application with essay or personal statement; copy of your nursing license; at least two references; transcript from your undergraduate courses
GPA Requirements
Most schools require or prefer a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
Paying for Online FNP Programs
While graduate school is often expensive, there are many ways to pay for it. Nurses are eligible for loans, scholarships, and grants from many different sources.
Some government programs offer scholarships or loan forgiveness in exchange for working in an underserved area or for the military once you graduate. Your employer may offer tuition assistance to help you advance your education.
What Can You Do as a Family Nurse Practitioner?
FNPs work in hospitals and health systems, independent medical offices, urgent care centers, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Other career options include military bases, community health organizations, research facilities, public health departments, schools and universities, correctional facilities, and telehealth.
While licensed NPs assess patients, order tests, and prescribe medications, their scope of practice varies from state to state, as does NP practice authority (i.e., whether NPs can work independently, or under a physician’s supervision, or in collaboration with a physician). A growing number of states now give NPs full practice authority, which allows them to work as independent healthcare providers.
In states with full practice authority, FNPs can evaluate patients, order diagnostic tests, manage treatments, and prescribe medications, all without physician oversight. Because of their autonomy, FNPs can provide primary and preventative healthcare in rural and underserved areas where there are few healthcare providers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Yes, the nation’s best online FNP programs are reputable, accredited, and ready to prepare you for a career as an NP. When choosing your program, be sure to consider the program’s reputation, faculty expertise, clinical placement support, accreditation status, and graduation rates.
Related Pages
Page last reviewed October 25, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.