<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="18" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> USC`s Online Master of Science in Nursing Program </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your MSN Online From USC in Just 21 Months </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Become a family nurse practitioner online in as few as 21 months with top-ranked USC's CCNE and BRN-Accredited online Master of Science in Nursing program.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-18" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-18" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://nursing.usc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USC-MSN_Formal-Vertical_Ver_S.Dworak-Peck-School-of-SW_CardOnTrans.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://nursing.usc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="19" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Online MS in Nursing From Georgetown University </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your Master’s in Nursing Online From Georgetown University </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. </p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-19" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-19" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Georgetown_S_SNHS_grayCMYK.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="20" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Advance Your Career With Nursing@Simmons </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your MSN and Become an FNP or PMHNP Online From Simmons University </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-20" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-20" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msn-fwp/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SC-MSN_University_Nursing_Color_Stacked.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msn-fwp/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Nursing

cat_Graduate

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Sam Becker

<p>One reason why nursing has attracted a lot of fresh talent in recent years (the pandemic notwithstanding) is these jobs tend to pay fairly well, with some nurses fetching <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/08/04/theyre-making-big-money-how-to-earn-139000-as-a-nurse/">salaries in excess of $100,000</a>. What’s more, nursing also presents a plethora of opportunities for people looking for a stable, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/09/27/how-nursing-schools-are-addressing-high-demand-for-nurse-practitioners/">in-demand</a>, and relatively recession-proof career. And some job classifications in nursing are expected to see job growth of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm">nearly 50%</a> between now and 2031.</p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>But of course there are barriers to entry. The biggest and most expensive, naturally, is education. To become a nurse, you need to go to school and earn a degree. To specialize in a certain area of nursing, and potentially increase your job prospects and earning potential, you’ll probably need a master’s degree, like a <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/08/04/is-a-masters-degree-in-nursing-msn-worth-it/">master’s of science degree in nursing (MSN)</a>—which can be quite expensive. However, a look at <em>Fortune’</em>s ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">best online MSN programs</a> reveals numerous affordable programs for prospective students. </p>



<p>Affordability may be a key qualifier for some prospective students, but not all, says <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/people/deven-richardson">Deven Richardson</a>, the enrollment coordinator at <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/university-of-nevada-las-vegas/">UNLV’s School of Nursing</a>—the top-ranking school on <em>Fortune</em>’s list. “It depends on the applicant,” he says. “We have a lot of graduate students who are already working and have families, so money may or may not be a factor. But we also have brand-new nurses where money plays much more of a factor” in regards to choosing an MSN program, he adds. </p>



<p>Though UNLV has one of the most affordable MSN programs in the country (see below), Richardson warns prospective students that tuition prices alone don’t relay the full cost of a program. “You need to take fees into account,” he says, which could include student health fees, technology fees, and more. </p>



<p>All told, Richardson says that fees, along with tuition, can swell a program’s cost considerably. UNLV charges $314 per credit hour, for example. With the fees included, “I tell them to expect to pay around $800 per credit hour,” he says. Also, schools change fee schedules and tuition rates, so it can be difficult to know exactly how much an MSN program will ultimately cost. </p>



<p>Even so, some programs are much more affordable than others, and likely to attract cost-conscious students. Here are five of the most affordable online MSN programs from <em>Fortune’</em>s list:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-university-of-nevada-las-vegas">The University of Nevada– Las Vegas</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/university-of-nevada-las-vegas/"><em>Fortune</em> online MSN program rank</a>: No. 1</li>



<li>Price per credit: $314</li>



<li>Credits required to graduate: 33–46</li>
</ul>



<p>As Richardson warns, extra fee may bring the total price tag higher than the “sticker price” that’s advertised. Counting tuition charges only, however, <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/degree/msn">UNLV’s program</a> could cost between $10,362 and $14,444, depending on the specific program students choose. UNLV doesn’t require GRE scores from applicants, but the school will need three letters of recommendation. In 2021, the average undergraduate GPA among accepted students was 3.62, and the retention rate for the program was 89.4%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-east-carolina-university">East Carolina University</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/east-carolina-university/"><em>Fortune</em> online MSN program rank</a>: No. 10</li>



<li>Price per credit: $388</li>



<li>Credits required to graduate: 40</li>
</ul>



<p>East Carolina University’s tuition charges for its online MSN program amount to $15,520—again, not including additional costs and fees. The program has an acceptance rate of 57.5% and doesn’t require applicants to submit GRE scores. Applicants are, however, required to submit three letters of recommendation, and in 2021, the average undergraduate GPA of accepted students was 3.4. The program had a retention rate of 93%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baker-university">Baker University</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/baker-university/"><em>Fortune</em> online MSN program rank</a>: No. 15</li>



<li>Price per credit: $480</li>



<li>Credits required to graduate: 32</li>
</ul>



<p>Baker University’s online MSN program costs $480 per credit, for a total of $15,360. Like the other programs preceding it on this list, GRE scores aren’t required, and there are two potential MSN tracks that students can take: education or administration. Applicants need two letters of recommendation, and the average undergraduate GPA of accepted students last year was 3.63.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-florida-atlantic-university">Florida Atlantic University</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/florida-atlantic-university/"><em>Fortune</em> online MSN program rank</a>: No. 18</li>



<li>Price per credit: $371.82</li>



<li>Credits required to graduate: 33–37</li>
</ul>



<p>The total tuition charges for FAU’s online MSN program range from $12,270 to $13,757, depending on the specific concentration students choose. FAU’s program is a bit pickier than others on this list, with an acceptance rate of 43.4%, and prospective students need to submit one letter of recommendation, though GRE scores aren’t required. Last year’s incoming class had an average GPA of 3.4, and the graduation rate for students within three years of entering the program, as of 2021, was 70%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-university-of-louisiana-monroe">University of Louisiana–Monroe</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/university-of-louisiana-monroe/"><em>Fortune</em> online MSN program rank</a>: No. 28</li>



<li>Price per credit: $365.79</li>



<li>Credits required to graduate: 38</li>
</ul>



<p>At a rate of $365.79 per credit hour, the University of Louisiana–Monroe’s 38-credit online MSN program totals roughly $13,900. The program doesn’t require applicants to submit GRE scores unless their GPA is lower than 2.8, and no letters of recommendation are needed either. The program has a 64% acceptance rate, and in 2021 incoming students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.07.</p>



<p><em>See how the schools you’re considering fared in </em>Fortune<em>’s rankings of the best master’s degree programs in data science (<a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-masters-in-data-science/">in-person</a> and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/data-science/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-data-science/">online</a>), <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">nursing</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/">computer science</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-cybersecurity/">cybersecurity</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/">psychology</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/public-health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/">public health</a>, and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business-analytics/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-business-analytics/">business analytics</a>, as well as the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/leadership/doctorate/rankings/best-online-doctor-education-programs/">doctorate in education</a> programs MBA programs (<a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-parttime-mba-programs-in-2022/">part-time</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-executive-mba-programs-in-2021/">executive</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-mba-programs/">full-time</a>, and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-online-mba-programs/">online</a>).</em></p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>If you want to find great resources to become a health coach, check out the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-health-coach-certifications/">best health coach certifications</a>.</li>
<li>Interested in a psychology degree? Here are some of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/">best online masters in psychology programs</a> you can find.</li>
<li>Want a more flexible way to earn an online master’s degree in nursing? Explore our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/%22">best online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>Choose one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/">best online masters in public health programs</a> to help you find the right school for you.</li>
<li>Our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">best online masters in nursing programs</a> can be a useful tool in your search for advanced online learning.</li>
<li>Many universities offer <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/most-affordable-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/">affordable online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>For those looking to learn the basics of nutrition, one of the programs in our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-nutritionist-certifications/">best nutritionist certifications</a> is a great first step.</li>
<li>Fulfill your ambitions of being a personal trainer with one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-personal-trainer-certifications/">best personal trainer certification</a> programs. </li>
</div></div>
</div>

We compiled five of the most affordable master of science in nursing (MSN) programs from Fortune's 2022 ranking of the best online MSN programs.

5 of the most affordable master’s in nursing (MSN) programs in the U.S.

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Health and Wellness

We compiled five of the most affordable master of science in nursing (MSN) programs from Fortune's 2022 ranking.

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Business

Career Hub

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

5 OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE MASTER’S IN NURSING (MSN) PROGRAMS IN THE U.S.

5 of the most affordable master’s in nursing (MSN) programs in the U.S. | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Preston Fore

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brad Haft

The best software engineering bootcamps of 2024 to help strengthen your coding skills

https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-software-engineering-bootcamps/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

5 of the most affordable master’s in nursing (MSN) programs in the U.S.

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

The best software engineering bootcamps of 2024 to help strengthen your coding skills

Advance Your Career With Nursing@Simmons