Most Affordable Online RN to MSN Programs

UOPX is a CCNE-accredited institution with a tuition guarantee that locks in rates. But it’s also a for-profit university. So check with mentors & employers before you commit to the program.

Location: Arizona | Type: For-Profit University | Accreditation: CCNE

Even though it’s a public university, UofM charges the same tuition rates for in-state & out-of-state online students. Our price quote is based on the shortest MSN (e.g. Education); the price will go up for longer specialties. No BSN is awarded in the Online RN/MSN program. If you need that qualification, have a look at UofM’s Online RN to BSN pathway.

Location: Tennessee | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

But you also have the option to select a faster—and cheaper—Competency-Based pathway* for the Generalist track. NAU is one of the rare public universities to offer this kind of self-directed learning. Keep in mind that all NAU applicants must have an Arizona RN license or meet Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multistate licensure.

Location: Arizona | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

QUC is a private university, so online tuition rates are straightforward. You’ll also need to budget for any clinical fees, textbooks, supplies, personal expenses, and loan fees. Monthly payment plans are available.

Location: North Carolina | Type: Private University | Accreditation: CCNE

USA is a public university, but web rates for undergraduate and graduate courses in the College of the Nursing are the same for all students. Check the Fee Schedule to learn about additional costs.

Location: Alabama | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

The bridge course is a graduate offering, so we’ve used graduate tuition rates to calculate the total cost. FPU offers modest partnership discounts—ask the MSN program coordinator about whether you might qualify.

Location: New Hampshire | Type: Private University | Accreditation: ACEN

Tuition rates at this private university are very reasonable, but we recommend you check the Fees section to learn more about one-off costs. We’ve included the mandatory, per credit online technology fee in our calculations.

Location: Oklahoma | Type: Private Methodist University | Accreditation: ACEN

The cheapest tracks are going to be the shortest ones (e.g. Leadership and Education). NP specialties will be more expensive and may include pricier clinical courses. You’ll also need to budget for course fees (e.g. technology fee) and one-off expenses (e.g. graduation fee).

Location: New Hampshire | Type: Private Catholic University | Accreditation: ACEN

For our price quote, we chose the MSN in Nurse Administrator, which is composed of 10 undergraduate quarter hours and 28 graduate quarter hours. (If you opt for the RN to BSN to MSN route, you’ll have to pay for more coursework.) One important note—this program is not available to residents of Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Washington.

Location: Illinois | Type: Private Catholic University | Accreditation: CCNE

BSU uses a “per semester” tuition model for its cost calculators. So to get a sense of ballpark prices, we estimated that you would need at least 6 BSN-level credits/1 semester. Then we added at least 36 credits/6 semesters for the MSN in Nurse Administrator. We’ve given you the out-of-state price; Indiana residents will pay even less! Just check the State Authorization section to ensure you’re eligible to apply.

Location: Indiana | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

We used the MSN in Administration (36 credits) for our tuition estimate. NP specialties are always going to be more expensive. UAB is a public school, but online undergraduate & graduate tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Check the Institutional Fees section for details on one-off costs (e.g. graduation fee).

Location: Alabama | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

Bridge courses are at the graduate level, so the per credit tuition rate is going to be the same for all courses. Our price is for MSN specialties in indirect care (e.g. Leadership, Education & Informatics). NP tracks are charged at a higher rate. You’ll also need to budget for per semester & one-off fees.

Location: Florida | Type: Private Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

For our tuition calculation, we used Administration—it’s the shortest and most affordable MSN specialty. We also included the mandatory general student fees. If you need to make up additional General Education requirements, the price will obviously go up.

Location: Tennessee | Type: Private Evangelical Christian University | Accreditation: CCNE

Students enrolling in MSN indirect care tracks are automatically eligible for a 25% tuition deduction, so we used the Leadership in Healthcare Delivery-Administration (LEAD) specialty to calculate the baseline price. NP tracks will be significantly more expensive. And additional fees will apply (e.g. application fee).

Location: Iowa | Type: Private Healthcare University | Accreditation: CCNE

We use the standard online undergraduate rate for BSN-level courses and the MSN rate for graduate credits, but check with CSU. The traditional BSN is charged at a flat rate. One-off costs will include things like the graduation fee.

Location: South Carolina | Type: Private Southern Baptist University | Accreditation: ACEN

Our price calculations are based on the 36-credit MSN in Nursing Administration—it’s the shortest track. The price will go up for other specialties.

Location: Illinois | Type: Private Catholic University (Franciscan) | Accreditation: CCNE

We used the online undergraduate rate for BSN-level courses and the standard online graduate rate for MSN credits. Keep in mind that advanced practice nursing specialties have a higher per credit tuition rate. Active duty and active reserve applicants qualify for a special discount.

Location: Arizona | Type: For-Profit Christian University | Accreditation: CCNE

For the tuition quote, we combined 6 credits at the undergraduate rate with 36 credits at the higher graduate nursing rate. This price is for the MSN in Administration & Leadership. The 48-credit FNP specialty will be significantly more expensive. You’ll also have to budget for additional per semester fees.

Location: Louisiana | Type: Private Jesuit University | Accreditation: CCNE

We used the tuition wizard to establish a baseline price for the Accelerated pathway in Nursing Leadership & Administration; it includes the mandatory learner resource fee. Up until 2015, Herzing was a for-profit university. So talk to recent graduates and career mentors before you make a decision.

Location: Wisconsin | Type: Private University | Accreditation: CCNE

Montclair State is a public university, so it charges different undergraduate tuition rates (we’ve used the out-of-state rate). But the total program cost for the Online MSN is the same for all students. All candidates must have a New Jersey RN license or be eligible for RN licensure.

Location: New Jersey | Type: Public Research University | Accreditation: CCNE

For our tuition quote, we used the maximum number of bridge courses (12 credits) and the MSN in CNL (34 credits)—that’s the shortest MSN track that’s available. NP specialties will be longer and more expensive. You’ll also need to include the additional per semester General University fee in your budget.

Location: Pennsylvania | Type: Private Catholic University | Accreditation: CCNE

The shortest & most affordable MSN track is Healthcare Systems Leadership (36 credits). Other specialties will be pricier. We used the RN to BSN rate for the bridge courses and the MSN rate for the graduate credits. Your budget will also need to include additional one-off costs & fees (e.g. per semester technology fee).

Location: Illinois | Type: Private Catholic University | Accreditation: CCNE

Both MSN specialties are 36 credits, so we used that number for our graduate tuition calculations. The BSN-level course will be cheaper. There will be additional per term fees (e.g. graduate nursing) for the MSN portion of the program.

Location: New York | Type: Private University | Accreditation: CCNE

For our calculations, we used the shortest MSN concentration, which is Forensics (36 credits in total) and the part-time undergraduate tuition rate at the College of Nursing. But you may want to check with Xavier to see if your BSN-level credits qualify for the more inexpensive off-campus rate.

Location: Ohio | Type: Private Jesuit University | Accreditation: CCNE

We’ve used the price quoted in the Tuition & Aid section. Roberts is a private college, so everyone is charged the same undergraduate & graduate rates. There is an additional one-time student fee. Corporate & alumni tuition discounts are available.

Location: New York | Type: Private Christian College | Accreditation: CCNE