Best FNP Programs in 2023 (Online & On-Campus)

Nurse practitioners play a very important role in the medical field. They are licensed and autonomous clinicians who work alongside doctors and nursing staff in various medical settings. Whether they work in the ER or at a family medical practice, they can help bridge the gap between the nurse and the doctor to help alleviate the pressures of everyday workflow. Typically, an FNP (family nurse practitioner) will need a master’s degree to achieve their desired status to work in a hospital. Fortunately, there are many programs available throughout the United States that provide quality FNP programs for aspiring practitioners to join.

One of the biggest reasons nurses pursue a career as an FNP is increased earning potential. FNPs earn more than the average nurse and will experience increased job prospects, an improvement of professional responsibility, and the ability to work autonomically alongside doctors. Nurses oftentimes do not have the power to make the big decisions that doctors do in the workplace as they are instructed to carry out orders regularly. Aspiring FNPs will enjoy the fact that they are in charge of their own work area and can make critical calls just as doctors do in moments of need.

A Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimal requirement for becoming a nurse practitioner. It takes about 3 years to complete this course and includes subject matters such as health assessment, pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology. Those who wish to go above and beyond can apply for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). A doctorate will present more job opportunities for FNPs and cover more material than the master’s course, such as courses in leadership, population health and assessment, and a final capstone project that will test the aspiring FNPs skills and prepare them for the workforce. FNPs can expect to make an average salary of $97,990 per year with room to grow as the medical field continues to expand.

Below is a list of the top 5 schools that we recommend for aspiring FNPs. Each school on this list will provide information on their unique requirements and various attributes that make them stand out from the rest as an admirable choice for students.

Best FNP Programs in the United States

1. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University has one of the best FNP programs in the state of Texas. They offer students a chance to acquire a Master of Science program in family nursing that will lead to a career as an FNP. This program consists of 48 credited hours and can be taken as a hybrid course (online and in-person). Texas Tech University is a massive campus with over 1,839 acres of land. This makes it one of the largest campuses in the United States and will give you plenty of space to explore when you are pursuing your FNP certification while you are here.

• Program Length: 48 credit hours
• Admission Requirements: RN License to practice, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1 year of experience working as an RN, 3.0 GPA, ACLS
• Tuition: $15,480 for Texas Residents
• Accreditation: SAC and SCC

2. Stony Brook University – SUNY

Stony Brook University offers online FNP programs for aspiring nurse practitioners who are looking to break through into a higher tier of the medical field. The school is located in SUNY’s Health Sciences Tower in Stony Brook, NY. The school has been known for its high passing rate and the fact that it employs more people than any other program on Long Island. There are consistently 24,000+ students enrolled at any time and shows continuous signs of growth each year. Stony Brook University is 60 miles east of New York City and is 3 miles from West Meadow Beach. It is considered the top 1% of universities in the world per QS World University Rankings in 2018.

• Program Length: 42 credits and 500 hours of clinical practice.
• Admission Requirements: Having a GPA of 3.0, written statement, malpractice insurance and an interview with the school for admission.
• Tuition Costs: $12,380.

3. Duke University

Duke University was founded in 1838. The school has a total undergrad enrollment of 6,692 and is placed in a suburban setting, allowing easy access for many of the students that frequent here. Duke University currently holds a 51% female student population with over 8,664 students on campus who regularly attend classes every day.

• Program Length: 49 credit hours and 728 clinical hours.
• FNP students will have the ability to specialize in specific areas, such as HIV, oncology, cardiology, or orthopedics.
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 or more to enroll.
• Tuition Costs: $34,500

4. Ohio State University

Ohio State University is recognized by the National Organization of Nurse Practioner Faculties Advanced Nursing Practice as an exemplary school for aspiring FNP applicants. This school stands out from the rest by offering aspiring students a midwifery-nurse specialty track that has been approved and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for the Midwifery Education. Did you know that Ohio State University has the #1 best online bachelor’s programs in the U.S.? This is perfect for RNs looking to get their FNP license while they are still working. The school was established in 1870 with the first graduating class in 1878. With over 100 years of success, Ohio University is the perfect place for RNs looking to advance their careers in the medical field.

• 60% acceptance rate for the majority of students who apply for the program.
• GPA average of 3.4 – 3.7 to join the program.
• In state tuition – $11,560. Out of state tuition is $29,224.
• The program takes 2 years to complete for full-time students. Part-time students can expect 3 years to complete this course.
• Students will need 225 clinical hours in their final year per semester to complete the course.

5. John Hopkins University

Though John Hopkins’ FNP program has only been established since 2010, it offers students an online program that provides those who enroll with pre-recorded and archived classes. This is perfect for busy RNs who are looking for a proper education but find themselves burdened with their heavy workload throughout the week and is extremely accommodating for their busy schedules. There is a steam tunnel that remains underneath John Hopkin’s Homewood and East Baltimore campuses. These steam tunnels are a reminder of how old the university is. It is also known as the first research university in the U.S. Medical breakthroughs were known to come through the university. Research is still conducted to this day and many nurses will find comfort that the school continues to support medical science in the way that it does.

• Tuition Costs: $1450 (in-state and out-of-state students)
• 20% acceptance rate.
• Average GPA of 3.75 and 3.96 to be accepted.
• The graduation rate is nearly 95%.

6. Loyola University

Loyola University is located in eventful New Orleans, LA and provides aspiring FNP’s with an online family nurse practitioner program that is convenient for those who are enduring a heavy workload in the medical field. However, it should be noted that this university requires students to attend a one-week orientation that is held on campus in order to complete the course.

Loyola University is also known for its nationally recognized biomedical science programs. This means that they have a strong focus in the medical sciences, which is a good focus to have for aspiring FNP students who plan to attend this university.

• Tuition: Each credit is priced at an average rate of $800.
• 1000+ clinical hours are required to finish the course and obtain an FNP license.
• The university has an acceptance rate of 87% with an average GPA of 3.52.
• Most students finish the program in 3 years. However, this completion rate depends on whether or not they take the course full time or part-time.

7. George Washington University

George Washington University is a staple point of higher education in the Washington D.C. area. The University was recently placed in the recent Times Higher Education report, stating that the university is one of the 100 best universities in the U.S. that “produced millionaires.”  The university is known for its strategic initiatives that focus on five specific areas. These areas include student experience, research, philanthropy and constituent engagement, medical enterprise, and institutional culture. Aspiring FNP students will find solace in the fact that the university has a strong focus on medical enterprise and will find themselves with many job opportunities post-graduation.

• Students are required to complete 36 hours of coursework and provide proof of these hours to complete the program.
• Tuition for the program is $50,000 per one year of full-time enrollment.
• Some of the courses that students will study will be focused on Research Project Proposal, Concepts in Population Health, and Clinical Research Projects.

How We Ranked the Schools

There are a lot of factors that go into determining whether or not a school is a right fit for you. Whether or not they have online courses, their acceptance rate, and graduation rate are all important aspects of determining how we decide which schools are the best for your buck. We ranked the schools most importantly on accessibility. RNs have a busy schedule and may find it difficult to squeeze in time for extra schooling to take that next step in their professional career.

We also rated the schools on a general level of GPA requirements. Higher GPA requirements mean that the schools are a bit more rigorous, which is good to ensure that students can receive the highest level of education when it comes to receiving their degrees. Finally, tuition is another major factor by which we rank. Going back to school again to receive your FNP license can be expensive, on top of other costs that require your finances in your life. Finding the schools with the best balance of these attributes was our main goal in providing you, the aspiring students, with the best resources when it comes to picking the school that will advance your career for the better.

We would like to invite any of the aforementioned schools to correct us on any potential information that needs to be adjusted. We understand that certain aspects change throughout the years and need to be updated. Feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to change the information so that it reflects the current status quo of your school.

Best Nursing Programs Is Here to Help

We understand the call many nurses answer to that will advance their careers further in the medical field. It is a rapidly expanding field that requires more professionals than ever to answer to growing work demands of people who need help. Best Nursing Programs is here to help you find the right schools to help you take your career in the next step. Check our website regularly for updated lists that will help you find the school that fits your unique needs.

Sources

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/academic-ranking-world-universities-2015-results