Most Affordable Online DNP Programs

FHSU's online DNP program offers both BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP tracks. The BSN-to-DNP requires 75 credits for graduation, while the MSN-to-DNP requires 30 credits. DNP students must also complete a final project course, 900 clinical hours, and 600 project hours. BSN-to-DNP students must also pass a comprehensive exam with at least a 70% to graduate.

Prospective DNP students must submit online applications, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, resumes, and personal statements. Competitive applications possess a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants also need an RN license and a BSN or MSN from a nursing program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC. Applicants with only a BSN must participate in an admissions interview with faculty.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN- and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 75 (BSN-to-DNP) or 30 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit:  $400
• Est. Total Tuition: $30,000 or $12,000
• Length: 4 years or 2 years (including summer semesters)
• Format: Fully-online coursework with in-person clinicals.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Northwestern offers remote learners an online BSN-to-DNP program with an emphasis on nursing practice in rural communities. The didactic portion of this family nurse practitioner curriculum is entirely online with in-person requirements for clinicals. Required classes for the 73-credit DNP include advanced holistic assessment, advanced pathophysiology, gerontology in primary care, and health promotion. Students at Northwestern choose from a three-year or four-year curriculum plan that includes the 1,020 required hours for clinical experiences and completion of a final project and portfolio.

Prospective online DNP students at Northwestern must possess a BSN from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited school with a 2.5 or higher overall GPA and a 3.0 or higher required in the last 60 hours of bachelor's instruction. Applicants should possess an unrestricted RN license and have some experience working with patients within the previous three years.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

• Credits: 73
• Cost Per Credit: $389 (resident); $643 (non-resident)
• Est. Total Tuition: $28,397 (resident), $46,939 (non-resident)
• Length: 3-4 years
• Format: Fully online coursework with in-person clinicals.
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

The DNP program at NMSU features both online BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP degrees. BSN-to-DNP learners choose from concentrations in family nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. New for Fall 2021, the school also offers an MSN-to-DNP in population health leadership. NMSU is also planning to offer a concentration in nurse anesthesiology soon.

The school accepts only full-time BSN-to-DNP students and requires attendance at an in-person, two-day orientation on campus. Third-year BSN-to-DNP students also attend a weeklong clinical boot camp on campus during a summer semester. All DNP students complete in-person clinicals as well. Applicants for both programs should have 3.0 or higher GPAs and unencumbered RN licenses. Competitive applicants have passed undergraduate or graduate courses in statistics.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 74 (BSN-to-DNP); 32-45 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit: $329 (resident; up to 14 credits per semester); $398 (non-resident; up to 6 credits per semester)
• Est. Total Tuition: $24,346 (resident, BSN-to-DNP); $29,452 (non-resident, BSN-to-DNP); $10,528-$14,805 (resident, MSN-to-DNP); $12,736-$17,910 (non-resident, MSN-to-DNP)
• Length: 2-3 years
• Format: Fully online coursework with in-person clinicals, orientation, and boot camp (BSN-to-MSN)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

UN Reno offers both a BSN-to-DNP and an MSN-to-DNP for remote learners. Incoming students with an MSN can expect a fully online learning experience, while faculty deliver BSN-to-DNP coursework mostly online. BSN-to-DNP students at UN Reno choose from specialty tracks in adult gerontology and acute care, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health. MSN-to-DNP degree-seekers choose specializations in advanced practice, nurse executive, clinical education leadership, or health policy. BSN-to-DNP students complete in-person clinical residencies while MSN-to-DNP students complete final projects.

Applicants need a BSN and at least a 3.0 GPA or an MSN and at least a 3.5 GPA from a nursing program with NLNAC or CCNE accreditation. While the school does not offer internal scholarships for DNP students, it does try to connect incoming and continuing students with external scholarship opportunities. 

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 68-72 (BSN-to-DNP); 30 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit: $314 (resident)
• Est. Total Tuition: $43,662-$46,188 (BSN-to-DNP); $19,245 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Length: 3-5 years (BSN-to-DNP); 2 years (MSN-to-DNP)
• Format: Fully online or mostly online coursework plus in-person clinicals
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

UNLV offers two DNP options: the MSN-to-DNP advanced practice track and the nurse executive track. Upon completion of these programs, graduates can pursue leadership positions in clinical teaching and research, administration, and clinical practice. The MSN-to-DNP advanced practice program requires 31 credits for graduation. Major courses include population health analysis and evaluation, business management for nurse practitioners, and translational evidence for healthcare systems. Students must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA to remain in good standing with the nursing department.

Prospective DNP students need an MSN with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Applicants also need an unencumbered RN license and an APRN license. Depending on the applicant's credentials, an admissions interview may be required.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 31-32
• Cost Per Credit: $305.50 (resident); $641.50 (non-resident)
• Est. Total Tuition: $9,776 (resident); $20,528 (non-resident)
• Length: 2 years
• Format: Fully online 
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

MSU Springfield offers remote and hybrid nursing students the BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP programs. Incoming students with an MSN can expect a fully online learning experience while the BSN-to-DNP is a hybrid program. The BSN-to-DNP program features a family nurse practitioner track that takes about four years to complete. The 79-credit program requires classes in advanced pharmacotherapeutics, emerging science methods of advanced practice, and health policy to improve health disparities as well as in-person clinicals. The MSN-to-DNP, which requires only 29 credit hours and no clinicals, takes about three years.

Students in the MSN-to-DNP programs may be able to secure one of two graduate assistantships where they receive money for tuition and living expenses in exchange for their contributions to the nursing program or graduate school.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 79 (BSN-to-DNP), 29 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit: $508.35 (resident, BSN-to-DNP); $645.58 (non-resident, BSN-to-DNP); $442.37 (online, MSN-to-DNP)
• Est. Total Tuition: $40,160 (resident, BSN-to-DNP); $51,001 (non-resident, BSN-to-DNP); $12,829 (online MSN-to-DNP)
• Length: 3 years (BSN-to-DNP); 2 years (MSN-to-DNP)
• Format: Fully online or mostly online coursework with in-person clinicals
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

UCA is a public university with both BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP programs for remote learners. Most BSN-to-DNP courses are online with 1,125 clinical hours in person. In this family nurse practitioner track, students make three or four trips to campus every 15-week semester. Courses include population health and epidemiology, primary care for NPs, and care of adults across the lifespan. The MSN-to-DNP program is part-time with online courses and in-person clinical training over six semesters. Required classes include leadership principles for advanced practice nursing, health policy, and a DNP final project class in addition to 360 hours of fieldwork. 

Applicants for both tracks need a 3.0 or higher GPA for consideration. Interested students also need to submit personal statements and scholarly writing samples in addition to having an admissions interview.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 73 (BSN-to-DNP); 32-36 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit: $489 
• Est. Total Tuition: $15,648-$35,697
• Length: 3-4 years (BSN-to-DNP); 2-3 years (MSN-to-DNP)
• Format: Fully online or mostly online coursework with in-person clinicals
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Ashland prides itself on offering a DNP curriculum focused on leadership development, cultural competence, organizational analysis, and evidence-based practice. Remote DNP degree-seekers can choose an online BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP depending on their educational levels. Outside of online courses, learners can expect to complete three to four days of in-person training on campus each semester.

BSN-to-DNP students choose from a family nurse practitioner or health systems leadership track. These tracks take three and four years to complete, respectively. Required core classes for both include research methods and evidence-based practice, health informatics, and health policy and advocacy. MSN-to-DNP learners pick from tracks in advanced practice nurse or health systems leadership. Expect to spend two to three years finishing these tracks.

Prospective students need a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applications must also include three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a description of interest are for the DNP final project.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP) 

• Credits: 57-77 (BSN-to-DNP); 32-54 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Cost Per Credit: $695
• Est. Total Tuition: $39,615-$53,515 (BSN-to-DNP); $22,240-$37,530 (MSN-to-DNP)
• Length: 3-4 years (BSN-to-DNP); 2-3 years (MSN-to-DNP)
• Format: Fully online coursework with in-person clinicals
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Post online DNP students at Post University choose from programs in educational leadership, executive leadership, professional leadership, and informatics leadership. Since these programs are focused on nursing management, leadership, and technology, they do not require on-campus residencies. All requirements can be completed remotely except for the 1,000 clinical practice hours, and currently employed RNs can complete those hours at their place of employment.

All DNP tracks at Post require 42 credits for graduation, and most students complete their programs in two years. Core classes include health services research, health statistics, health policy, and quality management. Each track also requires the completion of two capstone project classes.  Post's programs feature flexible curriculums that allow students to tailor their degrees to fit their career needs.

Applications must include resumes, personal statements, and transcripts that reflect a 2.5 or higher GPA. You also need a master's degree in nursing or an outside field. Those with non-nursing masters may qualify for all tracks except for educational leadership. Incoming students can apply for several internal scholarships, some worth up to $10,000 per year.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Credits: 42
• Cost Per Credit: $770
• Est. Total Tuition: $32,340
• Length: 2 years
• Format: Fully online coursework with in-person clinicals
• Accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

A&M-Corpus Christi's DNP program online includes two specialty tracks: nurse practitioner and executive leadership. This is a part-time program for those who already possess a master's degree and an RN license with the authority to practice in Texas. Candidates for the executive leadership track do not need a nursing master’s degree. One focused on administration in business, healthcare, or the equivalent is sufficient.

DNP degree-seekers at A&M-Corpus Christi must complete 1,000 hours of field experience. Incoming learners with an MSN can transfer up to 500 hours toward this requirement. Online students must also complete a DNP final project under the guidance of the nursing faculty.

Prospective students must submit online applications, personal statements, copies of their RN or NP licensure, and application fees online. Competitive candidates possess a 3.0 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours of their master's coursework. 

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Credits: 40
• Cost Per Credit: $864 (resident); $1,354 (non-resident)
• Est. Total Tuition: $34,560 (resident); $54,160 (non-resident)
• Length: 3-4 years
• Format: Fully online coursework with in-person clinicals
• Accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)