2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for DNP Programs

Accreditation is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a DNP degree. Enrollment in an accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice program ensures that graduates will qualify for licensure and certification in whatever nursing position they choose to pursue. Employers may prefer to hire nurses who have completed a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These organizations are the only accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as accreditors for nursing programs. They ensure nursing programs are held to universal academic standards and meet specific industry requirements to better prepare nurses for healthcare roles.

Prospective students should also consider what DNP program options a school has available. There are many specializations within these programs, including adult-gerontological acute care, family nurse practitioner, nursing administration, neonatal nurse practitioner, nursing informatics, public health administration, women's health, and nurse educator tracks.

Students enrolled in a DNP program need at least 1,000 clinical practice hours. Those considering an online program should look closely at the requirements to ensure they can complete their nursing practicum locally. This is especially important for nurses who want to complete clinical hours at their current place of work.

Students who plan to seek APRN certification should check the eligibility requirements for their intended specialization when choosing a program. Each APRN certification has specific criteria for supervised clinical experience hours, program accreditation, and core competencies that must be included in the coursework.

Nursing professionals who currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may be considering either an MSN or DNP program. Choosing between these different levels of education is a personal decision that will depend on individual career goals and how much time and money a student is able to dedicate to their studies. Both degrees will allow nurses to become APRNs. Generally, earning a DNP is a better choice for nurses seeking roles in leadership, administration, education, or research. Earning an MSN can lead to specialized nursing roles.

The major differences between these two degrees are cost, length of time to completion, and salary benefits. Earning an MSN will likely take less time and cost less than earning a DNP, but may also mean lower average salary rates, depending on the specialty area or chosen career path. Earning a DNP will require more credit hours, take a longer amount of time, and may be more expensive, depending on the program. However, a DNP may be necessary for some positions and may qualify nurses for higher pay.

As with any doctoral program, the length of an online DNP program depends on a few factors: what degree a student holds before entering the program, whether they attend full time or part time, and whether the program requires a dissertation. On average, MSN-prepared nurses will earn their DNP in two-three years, whereas nurses with a BSN will need five-six years to complete the degree.

MSN students take many of the classes required to graduate with a DNP, and this effort is usually rewarded with a shorter time to graduation. Students in a BSN-to-DNP program need to demonstrate their aptitude with the graduate-level coursework included in an MSN program before they move to the DNP requirements.

DNPs are practice doctorates rather than research doctorates, which means they're terminal degrees that aim to prepare students for a profession rather than a career in research or teaching. Therefore, most DNP programs culminate in a capstone course that features a semester-long research project rather than a dissertation that could take years to write.

We have limited data on the average cost of online graduate degrees, but bachelor's degrees are significantly more affordable online, especially for out-of-state students or those who attend private colleges and universities.

Given the growing demand for DNP-prepared nurses, a student's employer may agree to partially subsidize the degree in exchange for a guaranteed period of service after graduation. Many employers provide up to $5,250 a year, which is the amount they can pay without being taxed. We cover additional ways of funding an online degree below.

Most applicants considering a DNP already have a nursing degree and years of experience, so the prospect of several more years of hard study can be daunting. Although the advanced degree won't be worth the costs for everyone, it can provide a major career boost in terms of salary and employability.

Potential benefits

• A DNP graduate who passes a licensing exam is eligible for a high-paying, fast-growing advanced practice registered nurse role. The majority of APRNs work as nurse practitioners. NPs earn a median annual salary of $112,000 and have a projected job growth of 52% through 2029.
• A doctorate may soon be required for a number of APRN roles. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs will stop accrediting master's programs for certified registered nurse anesthetists after 2022 in favor of a doctorate. In addition, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties hopes to make the DNP its entry-level degree for NPs by 2025, but for now, it's not a requirement.
• APRNs are overwhelmingly satisfied with their choice to pursue an advanced nursing degree.

Potential drawbacks

• To graduate, DNP students need to complete more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice. Working nurses may be able to complete these at their current positions, but their employer will usually require that nurses perform clinical hours separate from work hours. If the student's chosen focus area differs from their current job, they may need to travel to a second location for clinicals.
• DNPs can be expensive. Annual tuition for the most affordable online programs ranges from about $4,000 to $9,000, but many cost upwards of $15,000 per year. To estimate the full cost of the degree, students should add the cost of books, supplies, and fees, and then multiply the total by two to four years for the program.

Nothing about nursing classes make them especially well- or ill-suited to distance learning, but the usual caveats apply. Online programs allow students to work on assignments, watch lectures, and post to discussion forums on their own time as long as they respect due dates. Students don't need to uproot their lives to move close to school if they find an ideal program in another area of the country. One downside is that students might forgo some informal networking opportunities that take place on campus, but this may be offset by a DNP student's field experience. Each student needs to log more than 1,000 clinical hours in a healthcare facility, where they can make helpful contacts.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are APRNs who work in a wide range of settings. They diagnose and treat medical problems and have the power to prescribe medication in all states. According to salary data from PayScale at the time of writing, nurses who hold a DNP earn about $8,000 more per year, with an average salary of $104,000, than those with an MSN. DNP graduates are also better prepared for more advanced nursing research and leadership roles or positions as faculty members or administrators.

Even if someone isn't motivated by a higher salary, they may want to consider a DNP to stay competitive with the rest of the workforce. Currently, an MSN is the minimum degree required for NP certification, but several nursing organizations (including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing) are advocating for the DNP to replace the MSN for entry into NP practice. The industry hasn't yet adopted this change, but the trend in nursing education is to require more advanced credentials among nurses. For example, beginning in 2025, a doctorate will be required for nurses to certify as a registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), one of the highest-paid positions within the field.