50 Best Graduate Nursing Schools in America

Southeastern Louisiana University's graduate nursing program is a joint program from four Louisiana universities. You can earn an MSN in nurse education or prepare to become a nurse practitioner in family practice or psychiatric mental health nursing. Note that while the theoretical component is entirely online, you must complete your clinical hours in Louisiana. 

You can study on a full- or part-time basis. Each program requires either a thesis or a scholarly project. To apply, you need a BSN, a 2.7 GPA, a course in statistics, and a Louisiana RN license. For the NP programs, you must have a course in physical assessment.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $3,342/semester (in state), $9,581/semester (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 

The College of New Jersey nursing graduate school offers aspiring nurse practitioners MSN programs in family, adult-gerontology primary care, or neonatal care. An MSN for clinical nurse leaders is also available. All part-time programs offer an RN-to-MSN option if you have an ADN rather than a BSN. 

Applicants must have an RN license. If you have another graduate degree or a GPA of 3.2, the school waives its usual GRE requirement.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,055/credit 
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist program at the University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center is available as a full-time or a part-time program. It includes 40 credits and 672 clinical hours, which must be completed in Oklahoma. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, a C or higher on a nursing research and on a statistics course, and an Oklahoma RN license. The program does not require clinical nursing experience or GRE scores. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $336/credit (in state), $1,086/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Lewis University, located in a southwest suburb of Chicago, has eight graduate degree options, including five nurse practitioner and three nurse administration programs. You can choose a family practice, adult gerontology primary or acute care, or psychiatric mental health NP track, or a nursing education, healthcare systems leadership, or school nurse specialty. Format options include 8-week accelerated, 16-week regular, online, and evening classes. The faculty:student ratio is 1:12. 

To apply, you should have an RN license in the state where you will complete your fieldwork, a BSN, a 3.0 GPA from BSN or graduate-level work, and both a statistics course and a nursing research course. The school also has a track for applicants without a BSN. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $820/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online or on campus
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Fairfield University's MSN programs include options in family nursing, psychiatric-mental health, nursing leadership, a dual MSN/MBA, and a master's entry to practice nursing (MEPN), an accelerated program for students with a bachelor's degree other than a BSN. The program emphasizes developing nursing skills to serve a community, especially culturally diverse and underserved populations. 

Most MSN programs require a BSN and a 3.0 GPA and an RN license. By the time the program starts, you must have a Connecticut RN license. The dual MSN/MBA program and the MEPN both require a 3.3 or higher GPA. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $960/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's MSN-FNP program emphasizes culturally competent care in the Rio Grande Valley area. You can attend on a part-time or full-time basis. The program ends with a thesis or project. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, a statistics course, and a Texas RN license. If your coursework is more than three years old, you must score at least 900 on the APRN HESI Specialty Assessment Exams: Assessment, Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapeutics.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $761/credit (in state), $1,181/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Spalding University's MSN programs are mostly hybrid (MSN-FNP) or online (nurse educator or nursing and health leadership), and available in BSN-to-MSN or RN-to-MSN formats. The one exception is the on-campus psychiatric mental health MSN. The hybrid family nurse practitioner program offers affordable on-campus housing for students who have to travel to the campus. 

To apply, you must have a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, and an active RN license for the state where you will do fieldwork. Coursework in statistics, nursing research, or evidence-based practice is preferred. Admission is on a rolling basis, and applicants are admitted until a cohort is full. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: Varies by program, MSN-FNP $800/credit, Nurse educator and leadership $600/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Varies based on program
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Georgia State University has both RN-to-MSN and BSN-to-MSN graduate degree programs. All four lead to nurse practitioner careers in adult-gerontology primary care, pediatric primary care, family, and psychiatric mental health nursing. The average first-time APRN board exam pass rate across all programs was 96% in 2019. You can attend as a part-time or full-time student. Most classwork is online, but some courses have a required on-campus component. 

To apply, you should have a Georgia RN license or evidence that you have applied for one, a 2.75 GPA, and at least one year of relevant experience. If you have a GPA below 3.0 or are enrolling in the RN-to-MSN program, you must submit MAT (preferred) or GRE scores. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $4,776/semester (in state), $15,108/semester (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges 

University of North Florida's graduate nursing programs include post-MSN DNP, BSN-to-DNP, and BSN-to-MSN options. You can choose from a post-MSN psychiatric-mental health DNP, post-MSN DNP in administrative or practice tracks, or an MSN in nursing education or in nursing leadership and administration. For the DNP practice tracks, you must have board certification as a certified nurse midwife, CNS, CRNA, or NP. 

Requirements vary by program. Generally, DNP applicants must have a GPA between 3.3 and 3.5, and an RN or APRN license. MSN programs require a 3.0 GPA and an RN license. DNP programs do not have a non-resident surcharge, while MSN programs do. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $523/credit (DNP), $494/credit (in state/MSN), $1,044 (out of state/MSN)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Online 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 

Framingham State University's MSN programs have three concentrations: nursing education, nursing leadership, and case management. All three follow a hybrid format and a research thesis. 

To apply, you must have a Massachusetts RN license; a BSN with a 3.0 GPA and 3.25 in nursing classes; and a C or higher in a statistics class. The school does not accept transfer credits. Students who work at specific employers, including several hospitals, are eligible for a 10% tuition discount. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,390/course
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

McKendree University, based in Lebanon, Illinois, has four options for its online MSN program: nursing education, nursing management/administration, population health, and school nurse endorsement. Program lengths vary. The shortest is the school nurse endorsement program, which takes two semesters. 

The programs are 100% online and available for part- or full-time study. To apply, you must have a BSN, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a current RN license. There is no application fee. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $495/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

New Mexico State University-Main Campus's MSN in nursing leadership and administration is available online as a full- or part-time program. Admission is open only to students from states that participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). The program requires 32 credits, and you can complete fieldwork in your own community. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, 3.0 GPA, current RN license, and a completed statistics class.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $493/credit 
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Online
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The University of Pennsylvania's MSN programs offer APRN and administrative tracks. The options include adult-gerontology acute and primary care, pediatric acute and primary care, neonatal acute care, psychiatric-mental health primary care, women's health primary care, nurse midwifery, health leadership, and nursing and healthcare administration. You can also pursue a minor in various specialized topics. 

You can attend as a full-time or part-time student. To apply, you must have a BSN and a statistics course. A competitive applicant has at least a 3.0 GPA. You must also have an RN license when you apply and a Pennsylvania RN license by the time clinical courses begin. The programs have different RN experience requirements.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $56,262/year 
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Varies by program
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The MSN programs at the College of Our Lady of the Elms include specializations in nursing and health services management, nursing education, school nursing, and a joint MSN/MBA. All programs are entirely online for BSN-to-MSN students, but the RN-to-MSN or RN-to-BSN-to-MSN programs have some on-campus requirements. The campus is in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The school does not require minimum credits per term, though part-time students must complete their studies within six years.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $911/credit (MSN), $965/credit (MSN/MBA)
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Texas A&M is one of the largest universities in the United States, consistently ranking in the top five, depending on methodology. Its MSN-FNP program is available on a full-time or part-time basis. The format is hybrid with some classes entirely online, while others are on-campus or partially online. The program does not require a thesis, but does have a scholarly project at the end. 

Applicants should have a BSN with a 2.75 GPA with a 3.0 in the last 60 hours and a Texas or multistate RN license. If your GPA for the last 60 hours is below 3.0, you must submit GRE scores. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $3,669/semester (in state), $7,341/semester (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

St. John's College, located in Springfield, Illinois, has a hybrid MSN-FNP program. Full-time students can typically complete the program in two years, while part-time students take three years. The program includes 45 credit hours, 600 clinical hours, and 60 simulation hours. 

Please note that you must be an Illinois resident to enroll. You must also have a BSN, a 3.0 GPA in upper-level courses, and an Illinois RN license. If you earned your BSN more than five years ago, you must have two years of experience as an RN within the last five years. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $24,732/year (full-time), $916/credit (part-time)
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduate degree options include BSN-to-MSN and MSN- or BSN-to-DNP as well as a Ph.D. in nursing. Class settings vary by program, with many offering hybrid or online options. Full-time tracks include adult-gerontology primary care, family, pediatric primary care, psychiatric-mental health nursing, and health care leadership and administration. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, a GPA of 2.75 or higher, at least a C in statistics taken within the last 10 years, a North Carolina or multistate RN license, and clinical experience. You must also have access to a car. The clinical experience specifics vary by program. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $9,667/semester (in state), $18,530/semester (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Varies by program, many are hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga has two nurse practitioner BSN-to-DNP programs: a family nursing option and an adult-gerontology acute care option. Both programs take eight semesters, conclude in a practicum, and include 1,050 clinical hours. 

To apply, you must have a BSN with a GPA of 3.0, one year of experience in acute/critical care for the adult-gerontology program or one year of direct care for the FNP program, and either a Tennessee or a multistate RN license.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $872/credit (in state), $1,320/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Fresno Pacific University's MSN in family nurse practice hybrid format classes meet in person once a week on the Fresno, California campus, while the other parts of each class are held online. The curriculum emphasizes  Christian values in nursing. The program requires 51 credits and ends with a major research project. 

To apply, you need a BSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (or a letter of explanation if your GPA is lower), coursework in statistics, chemistry, and upper-division writing, and a California nursing license. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $750/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Located in Quincy, Illinois, Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, offers MSN programs in nurse education and nurse administration. Both tracks are designed for part-time students. The programs are fully online with no on-campus requirements. To apply, you must have a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, a current RN license, and coursework in assessment, nursing research, and statistics. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $675/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Pacific Lutheran University's MSN programs specialize in either nurse education or nurse leadership. Programs are designed for working students and most students work 0.5 or 0.6 FTE schedules. Students with a bachelor's degree in a subject other than nursing can enter either a BSN-to-MSN or entry-level master's track. 

Both the BSN-to-MSN and the entry-level programs require a 3.0 GPA, with additional required classwork for the entry-level option. For the BSN-to-MSN option, you must have at least a B in statistics and clinical experience in nursing. GRE scores are optional.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,093/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Among Duquesne University's MSN options, you can choose from three nurse practitioner programs: adult-gerontology acute care, family, or psychiatric-mental health. For other MSNs, the school offers executive nurse leadership and health care management, forensic nursing, or nurse education and faculty role programs. During the program, students come to the Pittsburgh campus for one-week residencies. The specific times vary based on programs. 

RNs working at one of the school's tuition partners or who are active-duty and reserve personnel, or members of other groups are eligible for a 30% tuition discount. To apply, you must have a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, at least one year of experience, and a C or higher in college statistics. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,699/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Hybrid (online courses and on-campus residences) 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education 

New York University's MSN programs consist of nurse practitioner specialties in adult-gerontology acute or primary care, family pediatric acute or primary care, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. You can also earn an MSN in clinical research nursing, nurse-midwifery, nursing administration, nursing education, and nursing informatics or follow sequences in holistic nursing, palliative care, or substance use disorders. 

All MSN programs require a BSN, 3.0 GPA, coursework in basic statistics and in nursing research, at least one year of experience as an RN, and a New York nursing license. Some programs have other requirements. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $2,308/credit 
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Prairie View A&M University's MSN specialty is nurse education. At this historically Black university, the 36-credit curriculum includes 15 core courses, 12 credits in nursing administration, and 9 credits in business or in informatics. For your final project, you can pick a thesis or a non-thesis research project. Except for two courses, all classes are held on the Houston campus. 

To apply, you should have a BSN, a GPA of 2.75 in your last 60 BSN hours or of 3.0 in any graduate work, at least one year of experience, and either a Texas RN license or an application in progress. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $3,997/semester (in state), $8,689 (out of state) for guaranteed rate
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University offers a full-time MSN in nurse education. The program notes the school's belief that nurses should reflect their communities and that more than 70% of the students are members of minority groups. The school is the only academic medical center in Brooklyn and its facilities include an 8-bed simulation center. 

Students from lower-income backgrounds or who are the first in their families to attend college may be eligible for a scholarship of up to $30,000. To apply, you must have a BSN, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a New York RN license.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $11,310/semester (in state), $23,790/semester (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: On campus
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

St. Joseph's University has three MSN programs: adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, adult-gerontology primary care NP concentration, and nursing education. Each program takes seven semesters and they are designed for working students. The number of required credits varies based on the program. All programs are at the Brooklyn campus. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, a GPA of at least 3.0, and at least one year of RN experience. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,270/credit (on campus) 
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus
• Program Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

At Morningside University, the MSN options include clinical nurse leadership, family primary care, and adult-gerontology primary care. You can attend as a full-time or part-time student. Depending on the program, you will complete at least one on-site residency and at least 500 clinical hours. Morningside is based in Sioux City, Iowa. Be sure to check if students from your state are eligible to attend. 

You must have a BSN, Iowa or multistate RN license, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If your GPA is below 3.0, you may be eligible for conditional acceptance.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $610/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Jacksonville University has several MSN options, including adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, clinical nurse educator, healthcare quality and safety, informatics, and nursing leadership in healthcare systems. It also offers a joint MSN/MBA. You can choose to enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, either a 3.0 GPA or GRE scores and letters of recommendation, and an active nursing license. You must also be eligible for a Florida license by endorsement. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $700/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

The MSN program at Eastern New Mexico University's main campus, in Portales, New Mexico, offers a specialization in nurse education. It is entirely online and takes two years or less. Out-of-state students who take up to six credits per semester are eligible for in-state tuition. Residents of New Mexico who maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA are eligible for the New Mexico Nurse Educator Scholarship. 

You must have a BSN and an RN license to apply. Unlike many schools, there is no charge to apply. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $320/credit (in state); $419/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public
• Program Format: Online 
• Program Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

The MSN programs at Florida Atlantic University include adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, advanced holistic nursing, family nurse practitioner, nursing administration and financial leadership, nurse educator, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Students can attend on a part-time or full-time basis. The core curriculum is available online, while the rest of the programs require on-campus classes. The number of credits and practicum hours vary by program. 

For admission, you should have a BSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If your GPA is below 3.0, you should submit GRE or MAT scores. You will also need to meet several course prerequisites.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $372/credit (in state), $1,027 (out of state)
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Madonna University's MSN in nursing administration is available as a standalone MSN or as a joint MSN/MBA program. The BSN-to-DNP also allows an exit at the MSN stage. The MSN requires 42 credits and the joint MSN/MBA requires an additional 22 credits. 

To apply, you must have a BSN with a GPA of 3.0, GRE scores if your GPA is below 3.25, and a current RN license. All programs are on the Livonia, Michigan campus. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,065/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

San Diego State University MSN programs include adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (CNS), executive nurse leader (ENL), nursing informatics, a dual CNS/ENL, family nurse practitioner (FNP), joint adult-gerontology FNP, pediatric/family FNP, and psychiatric-mental health NP options. You can attend as a BSN-to-MSN or as a Master's Entry Program in Nursing student. Only the nursing informatics course is available online. 

To apply, you must have a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, a California RN license, a basic statistics class, and one year of experience (recommended). 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,690/credit 
• School Status: Public 
• Program Format: On campus, nursing informatics is either online or on campus
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission 

Dominican University of New York designed its MSN-FP program for working students. Classes are held in the evenings and students can complete the program in two years. All faculty members are active APRNs, rather than full-time academics. 

To apply, you must have a BSN and an active RN license, at least one year of experience as an RN before you begin clinical courses, and a passing degree in a college-level statistics class.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $1,080/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On campus 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Hardin-Simmons University is a Baptist university based in Abilene, Texas. You can earn either an MSN in nurse education or an MSN-FP. To apply, you must have a current Texas RN license and the program recommends at least one year of experience as an RN. The education track requires 33 credit hours and 200 clinical hours, and the FNP track requires 44 hours and 750 clinical hours.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $595/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

At the University of Northern Colorado, based in Greeley, there are two MSN program options and an MSN-FNP option. The MSN-FNP is a part-time, three-year hybrid program with classes on campus one day per week. Only the family nursing program can lead to a nurse practitioner role. The family nursing specialization requires 855 clinical/simulation hours and either a thesis or comprehensive examination. The leadership program requires 155 clinical hours and can be completed in 5 terms. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $706/credit
• School Status: Public
• Program Format: On-campus or hybrid (FNP), Online (Leadership)
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

At the University of Utah, you can pursue an MSN with a specialization in gerontology, nursing education, and nursing informatics. All programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis. The gerontology program requires 150 practicum hours and either a master's project or thesis. The other MSN programs require 120 practicum hours and a capstone project. The university participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program, so students from participating states may be eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $301/credit (in state), $1,058/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public
• Program Format: Online
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

At Stony Brook University, you can earn an MSN with specialties in adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, family health, neonatal, nursing education, nursing leadership, nurse midwifery, pediatric acute care, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health nursing. 

To apply, you must have a BSN, one year of nursing experience (recommended), a GPA of 3.0, and at least three credits each in statistics and health assessment. You need basic life support (BLS) certification by the time the program begins. Specialties may have additional required certifications.

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $471/credit (in state), $963/credit (out of state)
• School Status: Public
• Program Format: Online with on-campus components
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; American College of Nurse Midwives
• School Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Palm Beach Atlantic University's MSN in health systems leadership is available in BSN-to-MSN, BSN/MSN dual degree, and RN-to-MSN tracks. The Christian-based school is  located in West Palm Beach.

To apply, you must have an RN license, a 3.0 GPA (or GRE scores in the 50th percentile in the verbal and quantitative sections and 4.0 on the analytical writing section), and at least one year of RN experience. You must have a Florida nursing license or documentation that you applied for one. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $920/credit
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Hybrid
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Yale University, based in New Haven, Connecticut, offers an MSN with specializations in adult/gerontology acute care, adult/gerontology primary care, family, nurse-midwifery, pediatric acute care, pediatric primary care, psychiatric–mental health, and women's health. It also offers concentrations in diabetes care, oncology, gender and sexuality health justice, and research, as well as program tracks for global health and research. 

You must have an RN license to apply. One year of RN experience and a course in statistics and research methods are recommended. On-campus students must have a Connecticut RN license by November 1. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $49,018/year
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: On-campus, with part-time online options for psychiatric-mental health and family practice (starting September 2024)
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, American College of Nurse-Midwives
• School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education 

DePaul University's RN-to-MSN programs include two nurse practitioner and two nurse education or leadership options. The nurse practitioner tracks are adult-gerontological care or family nursing. Each program ends with a capstone project. 

Applicants need an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and a current RN license. Students from Arizona, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, or Washington are not eligible to apply. 

Graduate School Snapshot

• Tuition: $780/credit 
• School Status: Private
• Program Format: Online 
• Program Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission