4 Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

Earn an online nursing degree to advance your healthcare knowledge and skills. You can even earn a pay bump, too. Read this page to learn how.
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Updated on January 10, 2024
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Nurses are the most trusted workers in any profession, according to a 2022 Gallup poll. And the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences reports that these professionals make up the largest portion of America's healthcare professions. However, very few of these nurses are Asian American (7.2%), African American (6%), or Hispanic (5.6%).

Online nursing programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) center on diversity in the field. When researching programs, consider these factors of educational quality:

  • Faculty experience
  • Clinical opportunities
  • Student support services
  • Accreditation

Read on for our list of the top online HBCU nursing programs. Each school has a track record of granting quality nursing degrees and helping launch careers.

What Is an Online Nursing Program?

The best online nursing degrees prepare HBCU students to work as licensed registered or advanced practice nurses. Earning this degree lets you pursue a variety of nursing careers, including:

  • Labor and delivery nurse
  • Nurse educator
  • Nurse anesthetist
  • Emergency room nurse
  • Travel nurse
  • Informatics nurse

Why Attend an Online HBCU Nursing Program?

Online nursing degrees are as valuable as degrees earned on campus. Some of the many benefits of earning a nursing degree in an online HBCU program are:

  • Quality
  • Diversity
  • Flexibility
  • Affordability
  • Support

HBCUs have reputations for diverse, inclusive campus cultures. Online programs offer flexibility for students with career or family obligations.

The affordability of HBCUs also makes them accessible. And online students save money on transportation, housing, and other fees that come with on-campus learning environments.

Online HBCU nursing programs also provide student support like academic and career advising and tutoring that ensures students reach their academic and professional goals.

Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

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Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.

We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

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#1 4 Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

  • Tallahassee, FL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Florida A&M University's online master of science in nursing program will prepare you to become a nurse practitioner.

FAMU's online nursing program requires fewer credits than others, meaning you can graduate and start working as a nurse sooner.

The School of Nursing also offers two specialized online MSN programs in women's health and gerontology.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,152
Out-of-state
$14,524
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,019
Out-of-state
$22,108
Retention Rate
85%
Acceptance Rate
33%
Students Enrolled
9,184
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
98% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 4 Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

Winston-Salem State University

  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Winston-Salem State University offers an innovative online master of science in nursing with an advanced nurse educator (ANE) concentration. You can also choose a mostly in-person family nurse practitioner track. Led by extraordinary faculty, the online MSN program can fit into nurses’ busy schedules.

The ANE track doesn't require you to submit GRE or MAT scores for admission. The school has simplified its other admission requirements as well. WSSU has removed time limits for health assessment, statistics, and research courses. And the school has reduced the length of the required essay. 

The MSN program is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education. The program has a 50% graduation rate, and online enrollment is capped at 95 students.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,401
Out-of-state
$13,648
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$3,872
Out-of-state
$13,987
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
5,169
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
95% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 4 Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

Fayetteville State University

  • Fayetteville, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Fayetteville State University offers an online MSN in patient safety and quality. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, this program covers the following key nursing concepts:

  • Safety culture
  • Regulations and compliance
  • Legal issues
  • System designs

The program has a 36% graduation rate. Online enrollment includes about 90 students, with 54% of these students receiving loans.

To apply, you must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school with an overall 3.0 GPA or higher. Admission requirements also include holding a registered nurse license. International students must provide official Test of English as a Foreign Language scores

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$2,982
Out-of-state
$14,590
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$3,438
Out-of-state
$14,503
Retention Rate
66%
Acceptance Rate
79%
Students Enrolled
6,726
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
91% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 4 Best Online HBCU Nursing Programs

Grambling State University

  • Grambling, LA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Grambling State University's hybrid nurse educator program offers two tracks: adult/geriatric and maternal/child health nursing. Both programs consist of one class per week, along with online class activities.

The program trains nurses with advanced knowledge and clinical and intellectual skills for their chosen specialization.

To apply, you need a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. You must also provide GRE scores, recommendation letters, and official transcripts.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,140
Out-of-state
$5,140
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$5,110
Out-of-state
$5,110
ROI Score

ROI Value Score: Medium

We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.

We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.

Our Methodology
Medium
Retention Rate
77%
Acceptance Rate
93%
Students Enrolled
5,438
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
86% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Additional Resources for Students in Online HBCU Nursing Programs

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing: This organization lists scholarships and financial aid opportunities for nursing students. It also provides a handy fact sheet on nursing careers.
  • American Nurses Association: Nursing students can subscribe to this organization to find career support that includes access to a vibrant student community and a career center.
  • Minnesota North College: This college offers a free online guide of library resources, such as databases, academic journals, and textbooks. It also offers open educational resources related to nursing professions.
  • Herzing University: This university lists five convenient mobile apps to help nursing students save time, retain information, and excel in nursing school.
  • The Learning Nurse Resources Network: This online platform offers nursing apps, quizzes, and professional development advice. It also offers accessible learning materials for nursing students.