While online DNP programs can be a mildly controversial academic pathway, they are a popular option for students seeking to implement evidence-based practice into their integrative profession. In comparison to a research PhD, doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs are designed for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) seeking pinnacle leadership roles in their organization. While a PhD may lead to administrative or research positions, a DNP can lead to working directly with patients, leading teams, and improving healthcare quality directly.
The following list is composed of the most affordable online MSN to DNP programs, which will build upon a registered nurse’s master’s degree in areas such as systems leadership, quality improvement, administration, informatics, and more. While these aspirations can drive you toward annual earnings of over $103,000, the cost of pursuing online DNP programs can be a modifying factor on your academic journey and should be worked out carefully before committing to a program.
Below is our editorially independent list of the 113 “Best Buys” for affordable online DNP programs. GetEducated has compared 235 DNP programs from 163 regionally accredited online schools to create this ranking. The most affordable program, regardless of state residency, is offered by Missouri State University and costs just under $9,000, less than a third of today’s national average.
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Average Cost (In-state): ~$31,700
Least Expensive: Missouri State University ~$8,961
Most Expensive: University of San Francisco ~$80,020
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There’s no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online DNP programs. The online degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2021 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online DNP Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Missouri State University | (MO) | $8,961.00 | All Students |
2 | University of Central Arkansas | (AR) | $10,400.00 | All Students |
3 | New Mexico State University | (NM) | $11,933.50 $7,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $11,976.42 | All Students |
5 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $12,000.00 | All Students |
6 | Radford University | (VA) | $12,409.00 $21,382.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | East Carolina University | (NC) | $13,473.36 $36,676.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $13,747.44 $48,372.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | (TX) | $14,295.00 $35,805.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $14,751.03 | All Students |
11 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $14,969.13 | All Students |
12 | Georgia Southern University | (GA) | $15,263.00 | All Students |
13 | Northwestern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $15,374.50 $24,772.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Alcorn State University | (MS) | $15,560.00 | All Students |
15 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $15,587.35 | All Students |
16 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
17 | Florida International University | (FL) | $16,403.04 $36,060.84 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | University of Nevada - Reno | (NV) | $16,472.50 $21,827.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Pittsburg State University | (KS) | $16,672.00 | All Students |
20 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $16,800.00 | All Students |
21 | Indiana State University | (IN) | $17,264.00 $22,256.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Illinois State University | (IL) | $17,386.58 $32,166.72 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $18,050.00 $7,296.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
24 | Arkansas State University | (AR) | $18,075.00 | All Students |
25 | James Madison University | (VA) | $18,259.00 $40,951.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | Idaho State University | (ID) | $18,408.00 | All Students |
27 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $18,472.00 | All Students |
28 | Kent State University | (OH) | $18,632.00 $18,972.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | (AL) | $18,720.00 | All Students |
29 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | (LA) | $18,720.00 | All Students |
31 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $18,973.50 $37,732.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
32 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $19,000.00 $7,296.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
33 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | (MA) | $19,095.00 | All Students |
34 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $19,232.00 $25,632.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
35 | Troy University | (AL) | $19,250.00 | All Students |
36 | The University of Texas Medical Branch | (TX) | $19,504.09 $36,519.09 | In-State Out-of-State |
37 | McKendree University | (IL) | $19,800.00 | All Students |
37 | The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $19,800.00 | All Students |
39 | Frontier Nursing University | (KY) | $19,865.00 | All Students |
40 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $20,015.00 | All Students |
41 | Northern Kentucky University | (KY) | $20,510.00 | All Students |
42 | University of Southern Indiana | (IN) | $20,949.48 $22,029.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
43 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $20,971.00 $22,555.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
44 | Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $21,000.00 | All Students |
45 | University of Missouri-Kansas City | (MO) | $21,070.70 $38,260.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
46 | University of Massachusetts-Boston | (MA) | $21,090.00 | All Students |
47 | University of Michigan-Flint | (MI) | $21,244.00 $31,121.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
48 | Morningside College | (IA) | $21,402.00 | All Students |
49 | University of Iowa | (IA) | $21,407.50 | All Students |
50 | University of Detroit Mercy | (MI) | $21,525.00 | All Students |
51 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $21,551.00 | All Students |
52 | Eastern Kentucky University | (KY) | $21,600.00 | All Students |
53 | University of Arkansas | (AR) | $21,618.80 | All Students |
54 |  Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $22,063.00 | All Students |
55 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $22,596.00 | All Students |
56 | University of South Alabama | (AL) | $22,734.00 | All Students |
57 | Murray State University | (KY) | $22,758.00 | All Students |
58 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | (TN) | $23,007.00 $24,699.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
59 | Michigan State University | (MI) | $23,570.00 $24,270.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
60 | West Virginia University | (WV) | $23,595.00 $52,899.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
61 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $23,683.85 | All Students |
62 | University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $23,713.80 $26,952.75 | In-State Out-of-State |
63 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $23,791.00 $33,988.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
64 | Lewis University | (IL) | $24,190.00 | All Students |
65 | Ashland University | (OH) | $24,320.00 | All Students |
66 | University of Indianapolis | (IN) | $24,326.00 | All Students |
67 | University of South Alabama | (AL) | $24,516.00 | All Students |
68 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | (WI) | $24,556.20 | All Students |
69 | University of North Florida | (FL) | $24,863.04 $73,085.76 | In-State Out-of-State |
70 | Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $25,400.00 | All Students |
71 | Liberty University | (VA) | $25,490.00 $12,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
72 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $25,710.00 $40,568.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
73 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $25,900.00 | All Students |
74 | Touro University Nevada | (NV) | $26,000.00 | All Students |
75 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | (WI) | $26,180.00 | All Students |
76 | North Park University | (IL) | $26,715.00 | All Students |
77 | Clarkson College | (NE) | $27,194.00 | All Students |
78 | Ferris State University | (MI) | $27,288.00 | All Students |
79 | Chatham University | (PA) | $27,459.00 | All Students |
80 | University of Missouri-St Louis | (MO) | $27,611.10 $52,182.90 | In-State Out-of-State |
81 | Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $27,630.00 | All Students |
82 | University of Mobile | (AL) | $27,740.00 | All Students |
83 | Nebraska Methodist College | (NE) | $27,922.00 | All Students |
84 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | (OH) | $28,084.00 | All Students |
85 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $28,160.00 | All Students |
86 | Lincoln Memorial University | (TN) | $28,389.00 | All Students |
87 | Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing | (MO) | $28,805.00 | All Students |
88 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $29,026.00 | All Students |
89 | The College of Saint Scholastica | (MN) | $29,168.00 | All Students |
90 | Graceland University | (IA) | $29,214.00 | All Students |
91 | Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | (IL) | $29,285.00 | All Students |
92 | Creighton University | (NE) | $29,298.00 | All Students |
93 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $29,340.00 | All Students |
94 | Oakland University | (MI) | $29,450.00 | All Students |
95 | Messiah University | (PA) | $29,580.00 | All Students |
96 | Spring Arbor University | (MI) | $29,667.00 | All Students |
97 | Regis University | (CO) | $29,760.00 | All Students |
98 | Lourdes University | (OH) | $29,850.00 | All Students |
99 | Boise State University | (ID) | $30,000.00 | All Students |
100 | Washburn University | (KS) | $30,008.00 | All Students |
101 | Gonzaga University | (WA) | $30,060.00 | All Students |
102 | Allen College | (IA) | $30,076.00 | All Students |
103 |  Carlow University | (PA) | $30,350.00 | All Students |
104 | Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $30,470.00 | All Students |
105 | Shenandoah University | (VA) | $30,580.00 | All Students |
106 | Wilkes University | (PA) | $30,720.00 | All Students |
107 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $30,833.28 | All Students |
108 | Edgewood College | (WI) | $30,960.00 | All Students |
109 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $31,000.00 | All Students |
110 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $31,175.00 $34,025.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
111 | Bethel University - MN | (MN) | $31,500.00 | All Students |
112 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | (MA) | $31,647.00 $63,858.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
113 | Rivier University | (NH) | $31,700.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
West Chester University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $31,795.75 $32,739.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Regis College | (MA) | $31,800.00 $27,075.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $32,387.60 | All Students | |
Madonna University | (MI) | $32,465.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $32,976.00 | All Students | |
Chamberlain University | (IL) | $33,030.00 $29,350.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Loyola University New Orleans | (LA) | $33,563.00 | All Students | |
Rush University | (IL) | $33,814.00 | All Students | |
Ursuline College | (OH) | $34,062.00 | All Students | |
Baylor University | (TX) | $34,100.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University Chicago | (IL) | $34,325.00 | All Students | |
Quinnipiac University | (CT) | $34,360.00 | All Students | |
Regis College | (MA) | $34,425.00 $29,306.30 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Ashland University | (OH) | $34,960.00 | All Students | |
Rush University | (IL) | $34,980.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $35,052.50 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $35,112.00 | All Students | |
West Coast University | (CA) | $35,220.00 $30,360.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 National University | (CA) | $35,274.00 $28,696.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Gannon University | (PA) | $35,520.00 | All Students | |
Post University | (CT) | $35,578.00 $30,808.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Liberty University | (VA) | $35,804.00 $17,500.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Rush University | (IL) | $36,146.00 | All Students | |
Samford University | (AL) | $36,206.00 | All Students | |
Creighton University | (NE) | $36,270.00 | All Students | |
Gwynedd Mercy University | (PA) | $36,445.00 | All Students | |
MCPHS University | (MA) | $36,450.00 | All Students | |
Bradley University | (IL) | $36,583.00 | All Students | |
Southern Adventist University | (TN) | $36,750.00 | All Students | |
University of Pittsburgh | (PA) | $37,426.00 | All Students | |
La Salle University | (PA) | $37,735.00 | All Students | |
Samuel Merritt University | (CA) | $38,230.00 | All Students | |
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | (IL) | $38,378.00 | All Students | |
Baylor University | (TX) | $39,600.00 | All Students | |
Regis College | (MA) | $39,675.00 $33,768.80 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Alvernia University Doctor of Nursing Practice / Clinical Leadership CCNE,14 Doctor of Nursing Practice / Health Systems Leadership CCNE,14 | (PA) | $40,425.00 | All Students | |
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | (CA) | $40,793.00 | All Students | |
Walden University | (MN) | $40,910.00 $34,917.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $41,225.00 | All Students | |
Abilene Christian University | (TX) | $41,600.00 | All Students | |
Upstate Medical University | (NY) | $42,438.00 $54,158.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Ohio State University | (OH) | $42,660.00 $43,660.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Simmons University | (MA) | $43,140.00 | All Students | |
Seton Hall University | (NJ) | $43,256.00 | All Students | |
University at Buffalo | (NY) | $43,272.00 $51,696.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Hawaii Pacific University | (HI) | $43,625.00 | All Students | |
Catholic University of America | (DC) | $45,290.00 | All Students | |
Monmouth University | (NJ) | $46,680.00 | All Students | |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | (WI) | $46,797.76 $77,053.44 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $46,845.00 $35,145.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions | (UT) | $47,155.00 | All Students | |
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Doctor of Nursing Practice / Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN to DNP) CCNE,14 | (TN) | $47,525.00 $51,950.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $50,075.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $50,360.00 | All Students | |
Thomas Jefferson University | (PA) | $50,732.00 | All Students | |
Duquesne University | (PA) | $52,815.00 | All Students | |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | (WI) | $53,205.10 | All Students | |
Texas Christian University | (TX) | $55,000.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $58,765.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $60,160.00 | All Students | |
University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $60,400.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $61,689.00 | All Students | |
University of San Francisco | (CA) | $62,660.00 | All Students | |
MGH Institute of Health Professions | (MA) | $62,900.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $64,380.00 | All Students | |
Duke University | (NC) | $65,080.00 | All Students | |
University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $66,440.00 | All Students | |
Georgetown University | (DC) | $66,520.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $67,746.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $70,437.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $73,500.00 | All Students | |
Andrews University | (MI) | $75,712.00 | All Students | |
University of San Francisco | (CA) | $80,020.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
ACEN Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
CCNE Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Spring 2021 review of regionally accredited online DNP programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online doctorate degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a doctorate degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for nursing may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online DNP programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Online DNP Programs Career Guide
Online DNP programs are designed to create leaders in the healthcare industry. Giving students a higher level of medical knowledge, an advanced understanding of management in healthcare, and a deep appreciation for strong healthcare policy, DNP graduates have the right skills to lead the healthcare industry forward.
Online MSN to DNP programs are great for people who already have master’s degrees and are working in the healthcare profession, but want to expand their careers into higher roles, especially leadership and management roles. DNP online programs require dedication and commitment, but they can also help you launch a world-class healthcare career.
What are Online DNP Programs?
While completing a DNP does not make you a physician, it is a doctorate-level degree that qualifies you as a “doctor” in the academic sense, although you are not a Ph.D. holder like physicians.
A DNP is different from a Ph.D. education in a variety of aspects. Most notably, it is less focused on the research of medicine and healthcare, and more focused on nursing and direct administration of care.
The classes and curriculum of a DNP program generally build on two components. The first is building your foundational outcome competencies, the second is specialty competencies. Essentially, the first builds your overall healthcare skills and knowledge, while the second focuses on a specific area, such as management, health policy, professional leadership, or nursing information.
While many healthcare and medical degrees take a close look at the science of health and wellbeing, such as anatomy and chemistry, a DNP generally takes a high-level approach, focusing on issues like evaluating healthcare practices and using evidence-based research to improve medical outcomes. Classes may include effective leadership, data-driven healthcare changes, and budget planning for hospitals.
Again, a DNP does not make you a physician, but instead gives you doctorate-level training in nursing. This may seem like splitting hairs, but it’s an important difference.
For most people completing an online degree, the career outcome would be taking on a job as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), which includes nurse practitioner, certified midwife, and other nursing roles.
However, this degree also prepares you for leadership roles in the healthcare setting, roles such as…
Chief Nursing Officer
- Median Salary: $104,690 (All executives)
- Job Growth: 4% (All executives)
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Training/Work Experience: 5 years experience
A chief nursing officer, who would benefit from online DNP programs, holds an important role in healthcare. This is a top nursing management position that requires several years of medical experience, as well as an education in leadership and organization. While the listed job growth for all corporate executives is 4%, it’s reasonable to assume that with the growth of healthcare needs, there will also be a growing need for chief nursing officers.
Nurse Anesthetist
- Median Salary: $174,790
- Job Growth: 14%
- Education: Master’s
- Training/Work Experience: None
These professionals are responsible for administering anesthesia, which needs to be delivered with care and caution. For this reason, nurse anesthetists are highly trained and well paid. While it’s always possible to find work as a nurse anesthetist with a master’s degree, a DNP program will increase you knowledge of the profession while making you a more attractive job candidate to potential employers.
Licensing, Certification & Experience Requirements
Licensing and certification will depend on the specific job you hold. In most cases, however, if you are working directly with a patient in a healthcare profession after completing online DNP programs, you will need to be certified through the proper body.
For a nurse anesthetist, for example, you will need to be certified through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), an organization that offers the National Certification Examination (NCE). Nurse anesthetists will need to routinely re-certify through the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program.
A chief nursing officer, however, will not need to be licensed, as they are generally guiding nurses but not working directly with patients. But to work in this profession, you likely needed experience as a registered nurse or an advanced-practice nurse; for those careers you would have needed proper certifications. So you would have, essentially, needed certification in the past in order to move forward in this profession.
DNP programs online are prefect for experienced healthcare professionals who want to advance their career to the next level. If you are especially interested in leadership roles within a healthcare setting, they could be the ideal option for your future. The course work is rigorous, but it could be the stepping stone to more advanced, fulfilling work in the nursing profession.