Best Online Master’s In Nursing (M.S.N.) Programs Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Consider Your Future Goals

When researching M.S.N. programs, you should be able to articulate your future career goals to determine which school is your best fit. Many M.S.N. programs offer multiple specializations. Your school and program should offer a curriculum that will help you achieve your career goals, whether you aim to become a family nurse practitioner, a nurse educator or an executive nurse leader.

Many M.S.N. programs only admit students who already hold an unencumbered RN license; these are known as RN-to-M.S.N. bridge programs. A bridge program may be shorter than a full M.S.N. degree program, and if you already hold RN licensure, you won’t need to worry about your M.S.N. program meeting RN licensing requirements.

However, you should look for an M.S.N. program that offers a clinical or practicum experience so that you can gain valuable experience in your chosen profession. This is particularly important if you want to become a nurse practitioner.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Per-credit tuition rates for the 10 ranked programs in our guide ranged from $327 to $1,699. Extrapolated over an approximately 30- to 45-credit program, this translates to somewhere between $10,000 and $76,500 in total tuition costs. This is a wide range, but tuition rates can differ widely among M.S.N. programs depending on program length and the institution’s public or private status.

For comparison, the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) reports that during the 2021–22 academic year, graduate programs charged an average of $20,513 in annual tuition. Over the course of a two- or three-year program, this translates to somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000 in total tuition costs.

Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to access federal student aid opportunities such as Pell Grants, scholarships and loans. You can pursue similar financial aid options through nonprofit organizations, individual schools and private lenders.