The Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are in demand throughout the country, and many FNPs earn six-figure salaries.

To become an FNP, you must earn a master of science in nursing (MSN) and pass the board examination, which most students do within two to three years.

With so many online family nurse practitioner programs, how do you choose? This guide to the top family nurse practitioner programs online identifies the top courses, explains what to look for, and describes how to apply.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best ADN-to-MSN (RN to NP) bridge programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: Academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

At a Glance: The Top 10 Online FNP Programs

  1. Texas A & M University-College Station
  2. Cedarville University
  3. Harding University
  4. The University of West Florida
  5. George Washington University
  1. Texas A & M International University
  2. Samford University
  3. Bradley University
  4. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
  5. SUNY Brockport

Featured Online MSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Learn More About the Best Online FNP Programs

How We Rank Schools

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online family nurse practitioner programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This ranking is not from 2024.

Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online FNP Program

The right online FNP program for you depends on your experience, background, finances, and attendance preferences. These are some of the most important to consider when choosing which schools to apply to.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements tell you how likely you are to be accepted to a particular online family nurse practitioner program. They also indicate what the school values in students and the types of backgrounds your classmates might have.

Specializations

Unlike undergraduate nursing degrees, MSN programs specialize in a particular type of patient care. Choose your specialization carefully, as it determines your scope of practice as a nurse practitioner.

Program Curriculum

Because the MSN program is standardized, the core curriculum does not vary significantly from one online FNP program to another. However, the course descriptions and elective options can help you make your choice.

Clinical Experience

Clinicals are a requirement for all MSN degrees, whether you attend your FNP program online or on campus. Find out beforehand how you can arrange local clinical placement and what support the school may offer.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the most important factor to consider. All the programs in this guide are accredited, so you can review the selection with confidence.

Program Length

Most online family nurse practitioner programs take between two and three years, but depending on your background, work schedule, and other responsibilities and goals, you may want a faster or slower pace.

School Graduation Rate

The school graduation rate, especially combined with the board pass rate, is an excellent indicator of program quality. When both rates are high, it shows that students are both successful abd satisfied with the program.

Online Learning Format and Requirements

Some FNP programs’ online formats feature synchronous classes, where everybody attends the lecture and discussions simultaneously. Others are asynchronous, so you can view the class and ask questions at any time. The right choice for you depends on your learning style and schedule.

Why Is Online FNP Program Accreditation Important?

During accreditation, an independent group of experts reviews a program for quality, to determine if graduates who pass the board exam can safely practice. This is a crucial indicator of program quality for many reasons.

  • You must graduate from an accredited program to apply for board certification.
  • Employers will not consider a job application from a graduate of an unaccredited program.
  • Most accredited schools will not accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
  • Many loans and grants, including federal aid, are only for students attending accredited programs.

How Online FNP Programs Work

In addition to attending clinicals in person, some online FNP programs have other in-person requirements, such as onboarding or labs. Most programs schedule on-campus components far in advance to make it as easy as possible for remote students to attend.

Attending a family nurse practitioner program online makes some aspects of the program easier but makes others more challenging. For example, clinical placement can be more challenging if the school does not have a healthcare facility near you. Many online FNP programs will help you to find placement but cannot guarantee it.

Applying to an Online FNP Program

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit your application. Talk to your references about anything you would like them to emphasize, and have somebody you trust review your application to make sure it reflects you and your strengths accurately.

  • Admission Requirements

    You will need aBSN (though RN-to-MSN programs and direct-entry programs do not require this) and a current and unencumbered nursing license. Most schools, whether they offer their family nurse practitioner program online or in person, require or strongly prefer at least two years of experience.

  • Admission Materials

    Application with essay or personal statement; copy of your nursing license; at least two references; transcript from your undergraduate courses

  • GPA Requirements

    Most schools require or prefer a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Paying for Online FNP Programs

Many factors affect financing your online FNP program, including financial aid, tuition and fees, program length, how many hours you will work while studying, and any needed travel.

While graduate school is often expensive, there are many ways to pay for it. Nurses are eligible for loans, scholarships, and grants from many different sources.

Some government programs offer scholarships or full loan forgiveness in exchange for working in an under-served area or for the military once you graduate. Your employer may offer tuition remission or reimbursement to help you advance your education.

What Can You Do as a Family Nurse Practitioner?

Family nurse practitioners work in hospitals and health systems, independent medical offices, urgent care centers and clinics, and other healthcare settings. They also work in other places where people need healthcare or healthcare expertise, such as military bases, medical research facilities, or in public health.

While licensed nurse practitioners assess patients, order tests, and prescribe treatment, including prescriptions, their scope of practice varies from state to state, as does practice authority (whether they can work independently or under a physician’s supervision or in collaboration with a physician). A growing number of states now give nurse practitioners full practice authority, which allows them to work independently.

Frequently Asked Questions About FNPs

Is a family nurse practitioner degree worth it?

Whether this is the right degree for you depends on your financial and career goals. Family nurse practitioner salaries, currently reported by the BLS, were an annual median of $126,260 in 2023. Many family nurse practitioners enjoy helping people and having a higher level of professional autonomy than RNs.

Are online FNP programs respected?

Whether you attend an FNP program online or on campus, the program has the same accreditation and standards, and you will receive the same diploma. This means that employers respect online FNP programs as much as on-campus programs.

Does it matter where you go to FNP school?

The most important factor is accreditation; attending an unaccredited program is an unnecessary gamble. The next factor to consider is the program specialty, since MSNs focus on one specialty. Finally, a school with a high graduation rate and high board pass rate will likely have a good reputation that will help you find a job and negotiate offers.

Are family nurse practitioners in high demand?

Because of the shortage of primary care providers, family nurse practitioners are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 46% between 2021 and 2031 for all nurse practitioners.


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Page last reviewed October 25, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.