By Kelley Jacobs
In this ranking, we explore the top 20 MSN online programs, as determined by our point ranking system described below.
The demand for nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing is on the rise. Seven of the top 10 highest paying nurse specialities require an MSN, making it a highly sought after degree for nursing professionals. Nurses with their MSN degree have an increased number of specializations available to them, enabling them to pursue areas of interest more easily. More and more schools are trying to meet this demand by offering MSN online programs so that students can pursue their degree on their own schedule and in their own communities.
Among the types of degrees and degree named commonly encountered in this area include those listed below.
- Online Master of Science in Nursing
- Online Nursing Administration
- Online Nursing Education
- Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Online MSN – Nurse Educator
- Master of Science: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Online
- Master of Science in Nursing Online
- Online MSN Programs
- Online RN to MSN Programs
MSN Online Programs Ranking
Our list of the top 20 online MSN degrees is based on internet research, publicly available information from the schools websites and databases, and accreditation websites. We selected these 20 schools for their ability to provide a flexible online option for students, their overall reputation through rankings and accreditation, and specializations offered. Where there are ties, the school with the lowest per credit hour tuition rate (typically the in-state rate) will be ranked higher. Our points system is as follows:
2 points: Named a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education
2 points: Schools offering more than 3 specializations
1 point: Schools offering less than 3 specializations
3 points: Tuition less than $500/credit hour
2 points: Tuition between $500-$1,000/credit hour
1 point: Tuition greater than $1,000/credit hour
19. George Washington University
School of Nursing
MSN Program-Online
Washington, DC
Points: 3
The Online MSN Program at George Washington University offers many different program options for nurses a bachelors degree to continue their education. Students may participate part-time or full-time. Online coursework is completed using the Blackboard platform. Students should expect to come to campus at least once during the course of their program to fulfill requirements.
Tuition: $1,030/credit hour
Programs: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner; Health Care Quality; Nursing Leadership and Management; Nurse-Midwifery
18. Rush University
College of Nursing
MSN for RNs: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 3
Rush University offers an online MSN for RNs wanting to pursue additional education as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). The program is offered part-time, one course at a time. Students are expected to come on campus during one lab for an on-campus compressed 3-4 day format. Experience is not a prerequisite for this program, allowing those new to the field to apply.
Tuition: $879.00/credit hour
Programs: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
17. Loyola University-New Orleans
Loyola Online Master of Science in Nursing
Health Care Systems Management
New Orleans, Louisianna
Points: 3
Loyola University-New Orleans offers a MSN degree with a specialization in Health Care Systems Management. Courses are offered in an asynchronous format with each course lasting 7 weeks. Students complete courses one at a time and can complete their degree in approximately two years. The program is 36 credit hours and requires 180 clinical hours.
Tuition: $818.00/credit hour
Programs: Health Care Systems Management
16. University of Texas-Tyler
Nursing and Health Sciences
Online Nursing Administration
Online Nursing Education
Tyler, Texas
Points: 3
Nurse Education MSN Online Degree
Nursing Administration MSN Online Degree
The University of Texas-Tyler offers 2 programs leading to a MSN degree. Both programs require a 112.5 hour practicum. Students can complete their degree on a full-time or part-time basis while continuing to work their existing job. Coursework is completed entirely online. Students have flexibiity in their graduation requirements by choosing to complete a thesis or a scholarly project.
Tuition: $731.00-$1,095.45/credit hour
Programs: Nursing Administration; Nursing Education
15. Graceland University
School of Nursing
MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN-Nurse Educator
Independence, Missouri
Points: 3
Nurse Educator Program Website
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Website
Grace University has two programs leading to a MSN degree. The 47 credit hour Family Nurse Practitioner program can be completed in 8-12 trimesters while the the 40 credit hour Nurse Educator program can be completed in 6-12 trimesters. Students can work toward their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. A 2 day focus session brings students to campus during the Advanced Practice Competency Lab, otherwise all coursework is completed online. Students do need to complete a facultpreceptor-guided practicum in their geographic area.
Tuition: $720/credit hour for the Family Nurse Practitioner program and $550/credit hour for the Nurse Educator program
Programs: Famiy Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Educator
14. University of Colorado-Denver
College of Nursing
Online Master of Science in Nursing
Denver, Colorado
Points: 3
Nursing Informatics Program Website
The University of Colorado-Denver offers an MSN degree with a concentration in either Nursing Informatica or Innovation in Leadership and Administration in Nursing and Healthcare Systems (iLead). Both programs can be completed 100% online and take between 2 and 3 years to complete (program must be completed within 5 years). Students in the 30 credit hour iLEAD program can elect to complete an additional 12 credit hours for a specialization in Executive Leadership (post-masters certificate) or an additional 12 hours for a specialization in Healthcare Informatics.
Tuition: $560.00-1,020.00/credit hour
Programs: Innovation in Leadership and Administration in Nursing and Healthcare Systems-iLEAD; Nursing Informatics
13. Georgia College and State University
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing Program
Milledgeville, Georgia
Points: 3
Georgia College and State University offers an online MSN degree with minimal face to face sessions on campus across their three different programs. Programs follow a cohort model and courses are offered both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Programs begin each summer with a week long immersion experience on campus allowing students to become familiar with faculty and peers.
Tuition: $539.50/credit hour
Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Educator
12. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
College of Nursing
Master of Science: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Online
Amherst, Massachusetts
Points: 3
The Clinical Nurse Leader MSN degree can be earned on a part-time or full-time basis. The program is 37 credit hours and can be completed in 2 years if pursuing full time and 3-4 years if attending full-time. The program requires a 560 hour practicum that students can complete in their own community.
Tuition: $110.00/credit hour+prorated curriculum fee of $1,588 up to 4 credit hours for in-state students. $414.00/credit hour+prorated curriculum fee of $2787.50 up to 4 credit hours for out-of-state students.
Programs: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
11. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Las Vegas, Nevada
Points: 3
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Website
Nurse Educator Program Website
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas has two online programs which lead to the MSN degree. Both programs have on-campus requirements which vary in duration and frequency. Students may participate on a full-time or part-time basis, but must complete their degree within 6 years. Students who are newly admitted to the program begin in the fall of each school year.
Tuition: Tuition is $264.00/credit hour for in-state students, $554.50/credit hour for out-of-state students. An additional charge of $156.75/credit hour is charged for 300-400 level courses and an additional charge of $239.50 is charged for 500-700 level courses.
Specialities: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Educator; Family Nurse Practitioner
10. Duke University
Duke University School of Nursing
Master of Science In Nursing
Durham, North Carolina
Points: 4
Students pursuing a MSN degree from Duke University have three Distance Based Specialities to select from. Core courses are offered entirely online while speciality courses require students come to campus once or twice a semester. Students can complete their degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Each program has a clinical component that students need to complete.
Tuition: $1,568.00/credit hour
Distance Based Specialities: Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Family Nurse Practitioner; Gerontoloical Nurse Practitioner
9. John Hopkins University
John Hopkins University School of Nursing
Online MSN Programs
Baltimore, Maryland
Points: 4
John Hopkins University offers two different programs leading up to the MSN degree. Program options can be completed either full-time or part-time. Courses are offered primarily asynchronous. Students can elect to complete the Nurse Educator Certificate concurrently while pursuing their MSN. The Clinical Nurse Specialist program allows students to select from 3 concentrations to meet their health care population interests. Students interest in both programs can complete the joint Health Systems Management/Clinical Nurse Specialist combination.
Tuition: $1,451.00/credit hour
Programs: Clinical Nurse Specialist (concentrations in Adult/Gerontological Health; Adult/Gerontological Critical Pediatric Health; Pediatric Critical Care); Health Systems Management; Health Systems Management/Clinical Nurse Specialist combination
8. Duquesne University
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Points: 4
Duquesne University is a top ranked school by The Princeton Reivew and the School of Nursing online MSN degree program is top ranked by U.S. News & World Report. All courses for the three different programs are offered online. Students should expect to come to campus for a mandatory orientation, in addition to individual program on-campus expectations. Students can work toward their degree while enrolled full-time or part-time, but must complete their program of student within 5 years.
Tuition: $1,177.00/credit hour
Specialities: Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner; Forensic Nursing; Nursing Education and Faculty Role
7. University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston
School of Nursing
Masters Program
Galveston, Texas
Points: 4
The University of Texas Medical Branch-Galvaston offers 6 program tracks leading to a MSN degree. All tracks can be completed online and require minimal visits to campus. Full-time and part-time study options are available. All tracks have the same seven core courses except the Executive Nurse Leader program. Programs can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule and the Executive Nurse Leader (ENL) can be completed in as little as one year.
Tuition: $686.34-$1,040.34/credit hour
Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner; Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; Clinical Nurse Leader; Executive Nurse Leader; Nurse Educator
6. Stony Brook University-SUNY
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
Advanced Practice Nursing Program
Stony Brook, New York
Points: 4
Stony Brook University School of Nursing has a wide array of MSN programs available through distance education with on site requirements. Programs require students to complete between 36 and 45 credit hours and utilize a cohort model. On-site immersions are offered on a scheduled basis and students complete coursework online.
Tuition: $510.15-$919.15/credit hour
Programs: Nursing Education; Nursing Leadership; Advanced Practice Nursing Program (Adult Gerontological Health; Family Health; Neonatal Health; Child Health; Psychiatric/Mental Health); Nurse Midwifery
5. University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina College of Nursing
MSN Program
Columbia, South Carolina
Points: 4
The University of South Carolina offers four different programs leading to the MSN degree. Students can work toward their degree on a full-time or part-time basis, but must complete within 6 years. Courses are offered asynchonously to allow students to study and complete coursework when it is convenient for them to do so. Most coursework can be completed online, but some programs do have campus visit requirements in order to better facilitate learning and meet clinical requirements.
Tuition: $501.00-$625.00/credit hour
Programs: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult/Gerontology; Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Family; Organizational Leadership
4. University of Missouri-Kansas City
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Master of Science in Nursing
Kansas City, Missouri
Points: 4
The School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City has three different programs leading to the MSN degree including the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and the Nurse Educator. All three programs require minimal onsite visits. Programs can be completed by taking 41-45 credit hours (depending on the program). Programs are offered both full-time and part-time to allow students flexibility and the opportunity to balance the demands of life, school and work.
Tuition: $499.39/credit hour
Programs: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Educator
3. Ohio State University
College of Nursing
MSN-Traditional Option
Columbus, Ohio
Points: 5
Ohio State University has three programs leading to a Masters of Science in Nursing. Students can complete each of the programs either part-time or full-time and complete their studies in 2-3 years. All programs require clinical hours which can be completed at pre-arranged locations close to their home (if available). The Neonatoal Nurse Practitioner program requires students have 2 years of full-time work experience in a neonatal intensive care unit prior to starting clinicals.
Tuition: $995.30/credit hour
Specialities: Family Nurse Practitioner; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
2. Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier School of Nursing
Online Master’s of Science in Nursing Programs
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 5
St. Xavier University is the only school iin Illinois to be designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. Students can select from two concentrations leading to the MSN degree. Coursework can be completed online as the program is designed to be flexible to provide work/home/school balance. The Nursing Executive Leadership track requires a 3-day on-campus experience approximately halfway through the program.
Tuition: $670.00/credit hour
Programs: MSN in Clinical Nursing Leadership; MSN in Executive Leadership
1. East Carolina University
College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Greenville, North Carolina
Points: 6
The College of Nursing at East Carolina University offers 5 program tracks which can be completed online. Students can take advantage of full-time and part-time program options. Programs require minimal campus visits and the Nursing Leadership program can be completed 100% online. The Nursing Leadership program offers 3 different specialities including Leadership in Acute Care Health Systems, Leadership in Community Based Health Systesm or Leadership in Health Care Educational Systems. The Nurse Midwifery program is an option for students living in North or South Carolina.
Tuition: $322.00-$926.00/credit hour
Programs: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; Nursing Education; Nursing Leadership; Nurse Midwifery
Click here for a high resolution version of the award badge for this article, for use in your promotion or publications.
About the Author:
Kelley Jacobs is a midwest business consultant and former program evaluator. Her experience includes qualitative and quantitative reaseach, survey development and statistical analysis. With 15 years in social service, Kelley is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community.