The Best Accredited Online NP Programs

Online NP programs train registered nurses for advanced practice without requiring a move to campus. This guide covers strong accredited online options across specialties, plus how to apply and why accreditation is the first thing to check.

Programs Worth a Look

Tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and College Scorecard earnings come from the years noted. This list predates 2025, so confirm current figures with each school.

Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH, private) runs an affordable MSN with FNP and pediatric NP tracks, integrating a Christian perspective across the curriculum. Distance learners attend four oncampus clinical experiences. CCNE accredited, $648 per credit, 24 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and undergraduate statistics and research. NCLEX 92.17% (2022). Earnings $56,532 (bachelor's graduates).

University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL, public) offers a fully online FNP MSN built for working nurses, finished in seven semesters. The 45-credit program runs 600 practicum hours with an emphasis on prevention and disease management in family, community, and rural settings. CCNE accredited, $500 per credit, 27 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and a "C" or better in statistics. NCLEX 94.35% (2021). Earnings $58,454 (bachelor's graduates).

George Washington University (Washington, D.C., private) runs several master's and doctoral NP programs plus post-master's certificates in FNP, adult gerontology, and psychiatric mental health. Most use a hybrid format with online coursework and required campus testing and training, with fall and spring starts and full or parttime study. CCNE accredited, $1,395 per credit, 24 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, and a 3.0 GPA. NCLEX 87.4% (2021). Earnings $101,254 (master's graduates).

Texas A&M International University (Laredo, TX, public) prepares graduates for family practice with a focus on diverse populations. The 48-credit FNP runs three semesters with fall and spring starts and no oncampus requirement. ACEN accredited, $4,582 per semester for Texas residents and $10,469 for out-of-state students. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 2.7 overall and 3.0 upper-level GPA, and one year of clinical experience. NCLEX 97.06% (2020). Earnings $64,990 (bachelor's graduates).

Samford University (Birmingham, AL, private) serves working RNs with a flexible FNP that requires only three campus visits, running mostly asynchronous modules with one or two synchronous sessions per semester. The school places students across hundreds of agencies, mainly in the Southeast. CCNE accredited, $924 per credit, 24 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and undergraduate nursing research. NCLEX 96.69% (2022). Earnings $99,380 (master's graduates).

Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO, private) offers full or parttime NP study through its Valentine School of Nursing, with tracks in adult-gerontology acute care, family, pediatric primary care, and family psychiatric mental health. Only two onsite requirements. CCNE accredited, $1,180 per credit, 36 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, and a 3.2 GPA. NCLEX 94.22% (2021). Earnings $92,243 (master's graduates).

Bradley University (Peoria, IL, private) lets nurses earn the degree without leaving work. The 50-credit FNP runs eight semesters with no oncampus requirement and five clinical practicums totaling 700 hours, completed in your own community. CCNE accredited, $990 per credit, 32 months. Admission needs an ADN or BSN, an RN license, and a 3.0 GPA. NCLEX 92.67% (2022). Earnings $62,165 (bachelor's graduates).

University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH, public) offers NP specialties in adult-gerontology primary care, family, neonatal, and women's health, with fall, spring, and summer starts and no oncampus requirement. CCNE accredited, $7,451 per semester for Ohio residents and $7,601 for out-of-state students, 24 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, a 3.0 science GPA, a 2.0 statistics grade, and one year of RN experience. NCLEX 87.57% (2022). Earnings $94,031 (master's graduates).

Maryville University (St. Louis, MO, private) offers five NP specialties: adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family, pediatric, and psychiatric mental health. All coursework is online with no required campus visit, and clinical placements can be local. CCNE accredited, $813 per credit, 20 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and one year of RN experience. NCLEX 93.08% (2021). Earnings $93,724 (master's graduates).

SUNY Brockport (Brockport, NY, public) runs a 42-credit FNP that combines online non-clinical coursework with two or three hybrid clinical courses per semester, finished in as little as two years, with a strong focus on culturally competent care. CCNE accredited, $471 per credit for New York residents and $963 for out-of-state students, 24 months. Admission needs a BSN, an RN license, a 3.0 GPA, and one year of RN experience. NCLEX 83.8% (2021). Earnings $63,393 (bachelor's graduates).

What to Compare Across Programs

Online NP programs differ in schedule, flexibility, curriculum, and specialization. Admission usually requires an active unencumbered RN license, one to two years of experience, a minimum GPA, recommendation letters, and a personal statement. Because NP programs prepare you for a specific advanced role, apply to ones that offer your specialty. Read course descriptions and electives closely, since the curriculum is the foundation for national certification. Every program requires clinical hours, and most help with placement, though some add in-person labs. Accreditation is required for aid and licensure. Program length runs 20-36 months depending on pace, specialty, and prior education. A high graduation rate signals a program that admits qualified students and supports them through. And since the work is online, you need to be comfortable with the technology and know whether courses are synchronous, asynchronous, or both.

How Online NP Programs Work

Online NP programs are not entirely virtual. You complete clinical hours under the supervision of an APRN in your specialty, and some schools add oncampus labs or skills checkoffs while others use virtual simulations. Classes may be live, self-paced, or both, and many programs include an orientation course on online learning. Knowing what to expect for clinical hours, coursework, and schedule helps you decide whether online or in-person study fits.

Applying

Graduate programs want candidates with the right academic and clinical background, though exact criteria vary. Most require an active unencumbered RN license, an ADN or BSN from an accredited program, and one to two years of clinical experience. The GPA minimum is generally 3.0. Beyond the application and fee, expect to submit recommendation letters, proof of licensure, background and drug test results, and transcripts of prerequisites such as statistics.

Why Accreditation Matters

The CCNE and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two main accreditors for online NP programs. They evaluate programs against national academic standards. Accreditation confirms a program meets those standards, qualifies students for federal aid, improves job prospects, lets you transfer credits, and ensures eligibility for certification and NP licensure. Every school on this list is accredited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are accredited online NP programs legitimate? Yes. They meet the same standards as oncampus programs and provide the same education, clinical experience, and licensure preparation.

How do I pick the right program? Start with your specialty, budget, and availability, then look for accredited programs with strong faculty, clinical placement support, and high licensure pass rates.

How long does an NP program take? Typically two years, ranging from 20 to 36 months depending on whether you study full or parttime, your specialty, and your prior nursing education.

Can NPs practice online? Yes, through telehealth, though scope of practice and independence vary by state law, which determines whether physician oversight is required.