Best Affordable Online MSN Programs of 2026

If you want to advance your nursing practice and open new professional doors, a master of science in nursing (MSN) might be worth pursuing.

The following list includes some of the top affordable online MSN degree programs for 2025. However, note that these programs aren’t simply the cheapest available. Beyond their cost, we also considered student outcomes, ease of admission, reputation, flexibility, accessibility, and student diversity.

Affordability is an important factor when choosing an MSN degree program. However, affordability involves more than just a program’s “sticker price.”

The cheapest program in terms of tuition and fees is not necessarily the most affordable when you take into account financial aid availability and overall program quality.

Many students rely on financial aid to help pay for their degrees. Some schools offer generous scholarship opportunities, institutional grants, or discounts, while others provide minimal financial support. It’s important to compare your options since financial aid can sometimes cut tuition prices by half or more, as shown in the table below.

Additionally, the quality of a program can significantly impact your out-of-pocket costs. For example, a low-cost program that lacks student support and educational rigor might increase your risk of repeating courses or extending your graduation timeline, potentially leading to added costs. Accredited programs led by experienced faculty can reduce this likelihood.

Program quality also impacts your overall return on investment (ROI). A cheap program isn’t helpful if you graduate without strong career prospects. Programs with strong outcomes can offset a higher upfront cost when your increased earnings begin to pay back that investment.

Source: 2025 Online Education Trends Report

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of a MSN degree is around $19,000 per year without financial aid — or $76,000 for a four-year program.

However, online programs are often cheaper. Yearly tuition for online MSN degrees is around $11,000 before financial aid.

Undergraduate programs usually provide more federal aid options compared to graduate ones. Still, you may qualify for other financial aid options such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

Nurses typically earn above-average salaries, making an MSN a degree with a strong return on investment (ROI).

The mean starting salary for MSN graduates was $94,160 per year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) graduate salary report from the class of 2023.

Additionally, an MSN can help you qualify for advanced roles with higher salaries, such as nurse anesthetists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse aestheticians earned a median salary of $132,050 in 2024.

The BLS projects that jobs for advanced practice nurses will grow by 35% between 2024 and 2034. This suggests strong long-term career potential and job security, which further enhances the overall value of an MSN degree.

To save money on your degree, consider the following:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal loans, grants, and work‑study opportunities. Although much federal aid is allocated toward undergraduate students, many states and schools also use FAFSA results to award need-based scholarships, assistantships, and tuition reductions geared toward graduate students.

Some professional associations, private foundations, and hospitals offer scholarships specifically for nursing graduate students. Well-known examples include the Dr. Margaret Comerford Freda Award by the March of Dimes and the Nursing Economic Foundation’s scholarships for advanced nursing degree students.

If you’re currently employed at a hospital or healthcare organization, check if your employer offers tuition reimbursement or sponsorship specifically for graduate nursing programs. Before enrolling in your MSN, carefully review your employer’s reimbursement policy to confirm that your chosen program qualifies. Keep in mind that employers often limit reimbursement to approved degrees or specializations and typically require you to maintain a minimum GPA.

As a graduate student, you can apply for federal unsubsidized loans. You can also consider private student loans. However, these often have less favorable terms compared to federal loans and generally don’t qualify for federal forgiveness or income-driven repayment programs.

You may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or nursing‑specific forgiveness programs such as the Federal Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program or the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Keep in mind, however, that some of these programs may require service commitments in eligible locations, are highly competitive, and may not repay all of your debt.

Some schools allow you to earn credits for previous graduate coursework or relevant professional experiences. Check your school’s transfer credit policy for any credit hour limits and minimum grade requirements. Eligibility typically depends on factors such as the accreditation of your previous institution and the relevance of your previous credits to the degree program you’re enrolling in.