Online Master’s of Nursing degrees allow graduate students and working professionals to advance in their current roles as nurses and thus increase their earning potential. However, although salary expectations are higher and there are more responsibilities associated with these advanced positions, not all online programs are created equal. For instance, some online Master’s in Nursing degrees can be completed entirely from a distance, while others require clinical experiences or minimal campus visits. These programs may also feature various areas of specializations and tracks that allow graduate students to tailor the program to meet their individual interests and career goals. In this ranking, we explore the top 25 most affordable online Master’s of Nursing degrees to help you narrow down your options.
Methodology
We developed the following list of affordable graduate degrees in nursing using information we gathered from each school’s website as well as U.S. News & World Report and the National Center for Education Statistics. Our goal was to help graduate students considering higher education in the field of nursing to select the best program to meet their individual interests, academic needs, and professional goals. We conducted a search for the term “online Master’s of Nursing degrees” using the College Navigator Tool at the NCES, which yielded 50 results. We then narrowed down this pool of colleges and universities into the top 25 institutions based on tuition rates, average class size, and national rankings.
Average Cost of Attendance
As you begin to research prospective schools through which to earn your graduate nursing degree, one of the first factors you may consider is how much a particular program costs. For this reason, we included the average cost of attendance in our ranking criteria, providing both in-state and out-of-state tuition costs for your reference. However, we only awarded points based on each school’s in-state rates based on the ranges below.
Points:
Under $20,000: 3 points
$20,001 to $30,000: 2 points
$30,001+: 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The size of the school and the classes it offers will greatly affect your academic experience. For instance, while larger universities and colleges may have more majors and concentrations from which to choose, they may not be able to offer the same level of individualized academics or personal mentoring that smaller schools have been known to provide. Although there are benefits and drawbacks to both large and small institutions, we awarded the most points to schools that reported class sizes of 10 or fewer students per teacher.
Points:
10:1 or lower: 3 points
11:1 to 15:1: 2 points
Higher than 15:1: 1 point
College Ranking
When choosing the best online master’s in nursing degree, it is also important to consider how each program compares to others across the country. U.S. News & World Report, known for its ranking of schools and degrees, is a valuable resource for obtaining this information. For the purpose of this list, we consulted the publication’s “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs” listing in order to determine the quality of each program, and we awarded points based on individual program rankings.
Points:
U.S. News & World Report: Best Online Master’s in Nursing Program Ranking:
Top 25: 5 points
Top 50: 4 points
Top 75: 3 points
Top 100: 2 points
Higher Than 100: 1 point
Ranking Top 25 Online Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing
25. University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Points: 4
Program Website
The affordable online RN to MSN degree at the University of North Alabama is offered entirely online and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Graduate students arrange observation clinical experiences in their own area, and students earning a BSN under this concentration complete nine credit hours of coursework at the time they are admitted into the MSN program. Therefore, online RN to MSN students need to complete only 23 additional credits in order to earn their degree. Students following this path may complete the low cost online MSN program within four semesters of full-time study. Students take 30 credit hours of core nursing classes in key areas such as psychology, nutrition, and elementary statistics as well as microbiology, human anatomy, and physiology.
Degree Options:
RN to MSN
In-State Tuition: $10,432
Out-of-State Tuition: $10,432
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
24. McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois
Points: 5
Program Website
McKendree University confers an affordable online MS in Nursing degree that allows students to pursue a specific interest area such as population health, education, or management and administration. The inexpensive online MSN program is comprised of a full-time, two-year curriculum consisting of five semesters of study or a part-time option that involves 10 semesters of study. Depending on the concentration area chosen, students must complete 150, 160, or 165 hours of a practicum experience. All tracks require core nursing courses that examine topics in cultural diversity, health promotion and disease prevention, ethical issues, health policy and advocacy, advanced nursing research, and professional role development.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN Online) Degree
In-State Tuition: $23,760
Out-of-State Tuition: $23,760
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#113
23. King University
Bristol, Tennessee
Points: 5
Program Website
Students who have already completed an RN to BSN program may pursue an affordable online MS in Nursing from King University. The low cost online MSN program consists of two concentrations in either nursing administration or nurse education, both of which can be completed within five 15-week semesters. The nursing administration track is comprised of 35 semester hours, while the nurse education track involves 39 semester hours. The CCNE-accredited program is organized into a cohort in which students move through the curriculum together, and coursework focuses on an advanced level of nursing practice and education. Coursework is available online, allowing working professionals to earn their degree without sacrificing their current roles or family responsibilities.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
In-State Tuition: $21,175
Out-of-State Tuition: $21,175
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#116
22. Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
Points: 5
Program Website
The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at Grand Canyon University confers an affordable online MS in Nursing degree with an emphasis in leadership in the healthcare systems. The CCNE-accredited program consists of graduate nursing leadership and core courses, including classes taken with students pursuing a Master of Science in Leadership degree. Inexpensive online classes are eight weeks in length, and students must complete 36 credits in order to graduate. Areas of study include performance improvement and quality, healthcare financial management, organizational development and change, and organizational leadership and informatics. Students must also complete a 150-hour leadership in healthcare systems practicum experience prior to graduating.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing With an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems
In-State Tuition: $18,000
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
21. Delta State University
Cleveland, Mississippi
Points: 5
Program Website
Students pursuing the affordable online MS in Nursing at Delta State University can choose from three concentrations: family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Students complete 49 semester hours, 46 credit hours, and 44 credit hours, respectively. All concentrations complete coursework in health assessment, advanced theoretical issues in nursing and ethics, and advanced nursing research and evidence-based practice. The low cost online MSN program can be completed in two years of full-time study and consists of online courses combined with on-campus seminars. Clinical opportunities may be taken near the student’s home with the exception of the family nurse practitioner track in which clinicals must be completed in either Arkansas or Mississippi.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $17,292
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,292
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
20. Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware
Points: 5
Program Website
Wilmington University’s College of Health Professions confers an affordable online MSN in Nursing Leadership that is designed for working professionals seeking advanced leadership roles. The inexpensive MSN program is available either entirely online or in-person and consists of 15-week or accelerated 7-week block classes. Students choose from three specialized nursing leadership concentrations: legal nurse consultant, educator, and executive. Graduate students take 12 courses for a total of 36 credits, and all three tracks consist of leadership courses as well as core classes in teaching and learning in nursing, politics and policy in the healthcare system, evidence-based practice in the health professions, and contemporary concepts in advanced practice roles. All students must also complete a nurse leadership portfolio prior to graduating.
Degree Options:
MSN in Nursing Leadership
In-State Tuition: $17,172
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,172
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
19. California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania
Points: 5
Program Website
The affordable MSN in Nursing Administration and Leadership is available entirely online and can be completed within 20 months of part-time study. The curriculum builds on Bachelor’s in Nursing programs and covers topics such as healthcare finance, human resource management, delivery systems of patient care, organization, management, legal and ethical practice, health policy, theory and research, and disease prevention and health promotion. Students round out this low cost online degree with a 150-hour nursing administration practicum course. Students may also choose to complete an MSN-MBA dual degree that requires only 54 credits versus the 66 credits needed if pursuing the degrees separately.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration and Leadership
MSN-MBA
In-State Tuition: $15,480
Out-of-State Tuition: $23,220
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#132-#170
18. Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
Points: 5
Program Website
Kennesaw State University offers an affordable online MSN in Advanced Care Management and Leadership degree designed to prepare nurse leaders for a number of employment opportunities within a number of healthcare agencies and institutions. Within this inexpensive online program, the Nursing Administration and Health Policy track is grounded in practice and guided by healthcare research and theory. The 40-credit-hour online degree prepares graduates to apply for nursing management and leadership certification and can be completed within 15 months. Areas of study include ethical decision-making, global initiatives in healthcare, conflict management, leadership strategies in implementation and development, and healthcare policy operations, finance, issues, and theory.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $15,320
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,320
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
17. Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
Points: 6
Program Website
Students considering the affordable online MS in Nursing from Sacred Heart University need not have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or completed the Graduate Records Examination test prior to applying for admittance into the program. Throughout the curriculum, students develop the superior educational, leadership, and clinical competencies needed to thrive as clinical nurse managers, nurse educators, and nurse leaders. SHU offers four specializations, consisting of 36 or 39 graduate semester credits, that allow students to focus their degree on a specific area of interest such as nursing management and executive leadership, nursing education, clinical nurse leader, and family nurse practitioner. This low cost master’s degree program is available entirely online and does not require any on-campus residencies; students may complete practicum hours locally. Core courses cover evidence-based practice for quality care, principles of healthcare research, theory and professional roles for contemporary nursing and healthcare ethics and policy for contemporary nursing.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $25,020
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,020
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#97 (tie)
16. MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, Kansas
Points: 6
Program Website
Designed for licensed registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the affordable MS in Nursing at MidAmerica Nazarene University is available entirely online and can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Consisting of 39 credit hours, students complete the low cost online MSN program in 26 months or at their own pace, and they may tailor the degree in three areas: healthcare quality management, nursing education, or healthcare administration. All MSN students take a graduate core curriculum consisting of studies in applied evidence-based research design, health promotion for a global society, research and evidence-based practice in nursing, theory and research in nursing, and emerging trends in healthcare delivery such as politics, policy, ethics, and systems. Students must also complete an evidence-based practicum experience prior to graduating.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $19,461
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,461
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
15. Wilson College
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Points: 6
Program Website
The Department of Nursing at Wilson College provides an affordable online Master of Science in Nursing designed to provide the necessary education for graduate students to succeed as nurses. With one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios on our list, the inexpensive MSN program is comprised of online coursework, and students may choose from two tracks in either nursing leadership and management or nursing education. All students complete core course requirements in addition to classes in their respective tracks. Required areas of study include topics in research methodologies, ethics and healthcare regulations, advanced nursing practice, generating and using evidence in healthcare, and a master’s project. Students may also choose to follow the RN to MSN program if they have an associate degree or diploma in nursing as well as three years of experience in the field.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $19,000
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
N/A
14. University of Central Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas
Points: 6
Program Website
The affordable online MS in Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas prepares students with practice expertise and broad knowledge that expands on what was learned during the bachelor’s program. Graduate students may choose one of three specialty tracks: clinical nurse leader, nurse educator with clinical specialty, and nurse practitioner. All tracks qualify students to sit for their respective national certification examinations. Low cost MSN coursework is available entirely online, but students may need to attend on-campus clinical courses that consist of a laboratory component. Required areas of study include health policy and economics, epidemiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, research for evidence-based practice, and theoretical foundations of nursing practice.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $12,675
Out-of-State Tuition: $12,675
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#70
13. University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
Points: 7
Program Website
The University of West Georgia’s Tanner Health System School of Nursing confers an affordable online MS in Nursing with two concentration options in health systems leadership and nursing education. The nursing education track allows students to develop expertise in college/university teaching, professional development, patient education, and health education and promotion, while the health systems leadership track focuses on patient-centered care, case management, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, public/community health, leadership and management, and health policies and systems. Students may complete the inexpensive online MSN program in four semesters of full-time study, or they may choose to earn their degree on a part-time basis.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $15,882
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,882
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#53 (tie)
12. University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Points: 8
Program Website
The University of Cincinnati confers an affordable online MS in Nursing program that prepares nurses for advanced roles in a number of healthcare environments. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree and have at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in order to be admitted into the program. College graduates with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field may earn a master’s through the school’s accelerated direct-entry MSN program. On-site and online specializations within the master’s program are available, including low cost online programs in adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, nursing administration, occupational health, and women’s health. Of these, the nurse midwifery and occupational health tracks require on-campus visits throughout the course of the program.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $28,960
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,560
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#10 (tie)
11. University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Points: 8
Program Website
Students may earn an affordable online MS in Nursing in Clinical Systems Leadership from the University of Arizona. This CCNE-accredited program is offered by the College of Nursing and is designed for licensed registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN track is also available for students who hold an associate degree in nursing that consists of three additional courses which cover topics discussed in the bachelor’s program. Areas of study include health promotion and risk reduction, health information and patient care technologies, and healing environments and practices. Both tracks conclude with a clinical systems leadership immersion experience. Graduate students of this inexpensive online MSN program complete 31 credits on a full- or part-time basis, and they can earn their degree in as few as 15 months.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing in Clinical Systems Leadership
In-State Tuition: $24,955
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,955
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#47 (tie)
10. Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Florida
Points: 8
Program Website
The CCNE-accredited affordable online MS in Nursing at Jacksonville University is designed to help students gain confidence as they pursue careers as nursing professionals. Offered by the Keigwin School of Nursing, the low cost online program consists of three specializations in informatics, leadership in the healthcare system, and clinical nurse educator. Students may earn their degree within 24 months of full-time study, and classes are offered in convenient eight-week sessions. The core curriculum is comprised of 18 credits in areas such as nursing research and theory, information systems and technology, nursing leadership, and organization, delivery, and policy. Students take one course per session and interact with classmates and professors using email and discussion boards. The inexpensive online MSN program culminates in projects and a practicum experience that are completed in each student’s hometown.
Degree Options:
Online Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $21,450
Out-of-State Tuition: $21,450
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#42 (tie)
9. University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Points: 8
Program Website
The University of Central Florida College of Nursing offers an affordable online MSN in Leadership and Management. The 36-credit-hour program prepares students for advanced leadership positions through a curriculum focused on patient-care practices and evidence-based management. Students may earn their degree within seven semesters on a part-time basis or five semesters on an accelerated basis, and they may tailor the program through electives to meet their academic and professional goals. Inexpensive MSN courses are available entirely online, and graduate students have the ability to complete the 315 required clinical hours and internship requirements in their home communities. MSN programs in nursing education and healthcare simulation are also available.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Management
In-State Tuition: $11,784
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,013
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#50 (tie)
8. East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Points: 8
Program Website
East Carolina University offers a number of affordable online MS in Nursing degrees in several concentrations, including a 42-semester-hour program in nursing leadership. This concentration is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to assume advanced leadership positions within the healthcare system. Students may choose from one of three pathways of focus, including leadership in healthcare educational systems, leadership in community-based health systems, or leadership in acute care health systems. All three concentrations study law and regulation, health policy, human resource management, financial management, and administrative and organizational ethics and theory. Students take additional coursework and complete a 210-hour practicum experience in their area of focus.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership
In-State Tuition: $10,469
Out-of-State Tuition: $37,540
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#27 (tie)
7. University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Points: 8
Program Website
The University of Nevada – Las Vegas confers an affordable online MS in Nursing through its School of Nursing. The low cost online MSN program uses a number of teaching strategies to engage graduate students, including two to three one-day orientation sessions on-campus before the start of both fall semesters. Students may choose from two tracks: a 33-credit-hour nurse educator track and a 46-credit-hour family nurse practitioner track. Both pathways consist of 18 credits in core classes that cover topics in advanced pharmacology and genetics, health and public policy, informatics and quality improvement, nursing theory and research, and advanced health assessment. The family nurse practitioner program culminates in a clinical synthesis, while the nurse educator program culminates in a nurse educator scholarship project.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $10,018
Out-of-State Tuition: $20,174
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#27 (tie)
6. Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 9
Program Website
The affordable online MS in Nursing at Saint Xavier University advances students’ clinical, business, and management skills so that they may immediately apply what they have learned to their places of employment. Students may choose from three CCNE-accredited tracks: nurse educator, executive leadership, and clinical leadership. All students take 18 credit hours of core courses in key topics within the field, including information technology and healthcare outcomes, epidemiology and population-based healthcare, healthcare systems and financing, nursing inquiry, philosophical and theoretical foundations of advanced nursing practice, and communication, conflict, collaboration, and culture in healthcare. Graduates of this low cost online MSN degree program are prepared to sit for their respective national certification examinations for their respective areas of study.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $26,250
Out-of-State Tuition: $26,250
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#3
5. Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Points: 9
Program Website
Ball State University confers an affordable online MS in Nursing that begins with an introduction to information technology in nursing research, education, administration, and practice. Ranked among the top 15 online graduate degrees in nursing in the country, the low cost online MSN program allows students to tailor the curriculum to meet their academic and professional goals. Students can choose from three nursing specialty tracks to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, or nurse educator. Students may also choose to pursue either a nurse educator or nurse administrator pathway and complete a family nurse practitioner certificate all within one program. BSU also confers an RN to MSN option for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree outside the field of nursing.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing
In-State Tuition: $18,720
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,720
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#13 (tie)
4. University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Points: 9
Program Website
The affordable online MSN in Nursing Administration at the University of South Carolina is ranked as the sixth-best master’s degree in nursing in the country. Available entirely online, students can complete the required 30-unit program within 12 to 18 months. Practical online MSN coursework covers areas such as theoretical and conceptual foundations for nursing, research methods for nursing, financing healthcare, and facilitative processes for organizational leadership, thus preparing nurses at the graduate level to effectively manage the delivery of healthcare and nursing services across a broad spectrum of settings. Two leadership courses require hours in the field performed with a mentor at the student’s place of employment, and the program culminates in a master’s thesis.
Degree Options:
MSN in Nursing Administration
In-State Tuition: $17,063
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,063
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#6 (tie)
3. Stony Brook University SUNY
Stony Brook, New York
Points: 9
Program Website
Stony Brook University’s affordable online MS in Nursing Leadership prepares graduate students to assume leadership positions across all levels of healthcare and nursing. The low cost online MSN program is organized into an executive cohort via a blended model of online coursework and scheduled on-site immersions. The 36-credit program is comprised of nursing leadership courses and research courses as well as core courses in healthcare policy and advocacy, organizational leadership and role transformation, and healthcare technologies, safety, and quality improvement. Students without a bachelor’s degree in nursing must complete a clinical practice portfolio that the school then reviews for bachelor’s-level nursing competencies prior to admittance into the program.
Degree Options:
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
In-State Tuition: $16,632
Out-of-State Tuition: $33,984
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#15 (tie)
2. University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, Texas
Points: 9
Program Website
Ranked among the top 20 online Master’s in Nursing degrees, the affordable MSN in Nursing Education at the University of Texas at Tyler is designed for students who have earned an undergraduate nursing degree. The 36-semester-hour low cost MSN program is available entirely online and prepares students for national certification, doctoral studies, and careers in research, primary care, education, and service. Areas of study include organizational systems leadership, healthcare informatics, evaluation in nursing education, health policy and population health, and a nursing capstone through which students benefit from hands-on experience in the field of nursing education.
Degree Options:
Nursing Education MSN Degree
In-State Tuition: $15,997
Out-of-State Tuition: $31,711
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#19 (tie)
1. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
Points: 9
Program Website
Florida Atlantic University confers a 33-credit affordable online MS in Nursing for students considering a career as a clinical nurse leader. The inexpensive online MSN program is comprised of core coursework in nursing research and evidence-based practice, philosophical and theoretical foundations of nursing, and advanced nursing practice grounded in caring as well as concentration courses in clinical informatics and clinical nurse leadership. Students are required to complete a 400-hour practicum in order to graduate. A part-time program, students may earn their degree within seven semesters, and graduates are prepared to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader examination. Possible career options for graduates include emergency room nurse, staff development educator, community health educator, nurse navigator, quality manager, or clinical nurse leader.
Degree Options:
Master of Science Degree in Clinical Nurse Leaders, MSN
In-State Tuition: $12,204
Out-of-State Tuition: $33,818
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 24:1
U.S. News & World Report Ranking:
#23 (tie)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for a Master’s in Nursing Degree?
Students who graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing degree are prepared for hundreds of positions across the field of nursing, although specific opportunities will vary depending on the specialization or concentration chosen during the program. For instance, some graduates pursue administrative and/or managerial roles at medical facilities, while others assume patient care roles in anesthesia and midwifery. Some of the most popular career options for graduates with a master’s degree in nursing include:
- Health Services and Medical Managers
- Licensed Vocational and Licensed Practical Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists
- Registered Nurses
How Much Can You Earn in This Field?
Salary expectations will vary depending on a number of factors, including level of education attained, specialization area, location, and experience in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses (RNs) earned $71,730 per year as of May 2018. The highest 10 percent earned more than $106,530, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,800. The median annual wages for this occupation in the top industries in which they worked were:
- Government: $78,390
- Private, local, and state hospitals: $73,650
- Ambulatory healthcare services: $68,320
- Residential care and nursing facilities: $63,990
- Private, local, and state educational services: $61,850
The BLS also indicates that nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earned $113,930 per year as of May 2018, and licensed vocational and licensed practical nurses earned $46,240 per year during the same time period. As you can see, salary ranges can vary drastically, so it is important to consider the specific career path you intend to enter when thinking about how much you can earn in this field.
What Will You Study in a Master’s in Nursing Degree Program?
Online master’s degrees in nursing are typically designed for licensed and registered nurses looking to expand their opportunities or advance in their current roles. Those who have already earned an associate or bachelor’s in nursing degree may complete their graduate education through a bridge program, and graduates are prepared for work as advanced practice nurses or managerial positions within the field. An advantage of bridge programs is that they allow students to earn their master’s degree quicker, using undergraduate coursework toward the graduation requirements. Some examples include RN to MSN, ADN to BSN, and RN to BSN.
Although program requirements and course offerings differ depending on each individual school, there are a number of concentrations commonly found in online master’s in nursing programs, including nursing education, family nurse practitioner, and nursing administration and leadership. Graduate students pursuing a master’s online in nursing can expect to take courses in:
- Health policy
- Health promotion and epidemiology
- Advanced nursing
Master’s programs vary in length depending on whether a student is taking classes on a part- or full-time basis as well as the number of courses that are offered each term. While some schools allow students to work through the program at their own pace and thus earn their degree quicker, others require students to complete classes at the same time as their peers. On average, however, most online master’s degrees in nursing can be completed within two to three years; those with a bachelor’s in nursing or an RN license may be able to earn their degree sooner.
Regardless of the path which you intend to take in the field of nursing, the field of nursing is growing at a rapid rate. In fact, the BLS indicates that employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. As you consider the length and cost of the program, degree requirements, and graduate learning outcomes, we hope that our list of the top online Master’s in Nursing degrees helps you narrow down the programs available to you to find the one that best meets your academic and professional goals.
AS Staff
This concludes our ranking of the top 25 most affordable online Master’s of Nursing degrees.
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