Best Value Online Masters of Nursing Degree Programs 2014-2015

As the American population ages, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites nursing as one of the most rapidly growing professions in healthcare, with a 19% increase projected over the next ten years.

Highly trained and qualified nurses will find numerous job opportunities, no longer confined to hospitals and acute care settings, but in out patient clinics, long-term care facilities, municipal health clinics, industry and commerce.

Increasingly, hospitals and acute care settings are looking for nurses who have more than just clinical skills and who have continued their education to obtain advanced degrees in Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). Nurses with advanced degrees not only increase their earning potential, but are moving into more specialized areas of care (i.e., oncology, geriatrics, nursing education, etc.) as well as healthcare administration.

While it may take two to three years to graduate with a MSN degree, online programs have made it increasingly convenient for bachelor's prepared nurses to advance in their profession. Most MSN programs require at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN) for admission, but some schools provide accelerated RN to BSN to MSN educational tracks. Additionally, be aware that most MSN programs will require clinical practicum experience; but, often, the clinical can be done in the student's local community. Because of state educational regulations, some schools are restricted and can only allow students only from certain states. Once you've decided on a program, be certain your state is recognized by the school. Many healthcare systems and hospitals provide tuition assistance for nurses wishing to study for a masters degree either on a full time or part time basis.

In their annual special edition, U.S. News and World Report has ranked numerous online Masters of Science in Nursing programs, examining faculty credentials, admission policies and graduation rates.

Here is a sampling of the top programs ranked by estimated program cost from lowest to highest.

#1. Texas A&M University—​Corpus Christi

Length of Study: 37-47 Credit Hours Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $196 (in-state); $509 (out-of-state) Curriculum Snapshot: Science in Nursing, Nursing Research, Diverse Care Environments, Intro to Advanced Role, Nursing Informatics, Advanced Pharmacological Concepts, Health Assessment for Advanced Practice, Advanced Physiology with Pathophysiological Applications

#2. University of North Carolina—​Greensboro

A blended degree program, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro's College of Nursing has developed a MSN/MBA curriculum that combines healthcare practices with business principles. This degree is ideal for the nurse wishing to transition into healthcare systems administration.

• Length of Study: 62 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $200 (in-state) $900 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot: Role of Nursing Administration in Quality and Safety, Law, Policy, and Economics of Healthcare,Financial Management in Healthcare,Leadership and Management Essentials in Healthcare: Theories and Roles, Organizational Leadership and Management in Healthcare

#3. East Carolina University

Operating in Greenville, North Carolina since 1959, the East Carolina State nursing college offers several concentrations for its MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Nursing Education, and Nursing Leadership.

• Length of Study: 37-69 Credit Hours (dependent on track)

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $307 (in-state), $911 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot: Health Appraisal of Individuals, Families, and Communities, Professional Nursing Foundations, Comprehensive Care of Individuals Experiencing Alterations In Health, Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice

#4. Ball State University

Named by U.S. News and World Report as the 11th largest online MSN program in the country, Ball State Univeristy's MSN program focuses on the use of information technology in nursing practice, administration, education, and research.

• Length of Study: 50 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $307 (in-state); $518 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot: Nursing Theory, Nursing and Information Technology, Concept Analysis, Concept Analysis, Issues in the Aging Adult Population, Clinical Role, Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment

#5. University of Southern Indiana

Boasting over 1100 online students from 31 states, the University of Southern Indiana has a multi-track option for their MSN program which includes degrees in: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist,Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Management and Leadership.

• Length of Study: 42-44 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour:$309

• Curriculum Snapshot: Roles for Advanced Nursing Practice, Evidenced Based Practice for Advanced Nursing, Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice, Population Based Care and Health Policy, Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Nursing Nursing, Leadership in Health Systems

#6. University of Missouri—​Kansas City

Since 1973, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has offered a graduate nursing degree with the goal of building a program that provides quality nursing education on a local, state and regional level . The current MSN program has three options: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator.

• Length of Study: 41-43 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $338

• Curriculum Snapshot: Health Promotion, Cultural Diversity & Ethics, Pathophysiology Across LifespanTheoretical Foundations in Nursing, Nursing Research, Cultural Diversity & Values Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

#7. Stony Brook University—​SUNY

Stony Brook University's MSN program includes concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership and six specialities in the Nurse Practictioner prorgam. Stony Brook also offers an accelerated BSN program for students with a RN or degree in another field other than nursing.

• Length of Study: 41-43 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $338

• Curriculum Snapshot: Organizational Leadership and Role Transformation Quality Improvement, Safety, and Health Care Technologies, Health Policy and Advocacy Research, Statistical Methods & Scholarly Inquiry, Applications in Clinical Nursing Research, Pharmacology Health Assessment

#8. Georgia College & State University

There are two MSN degrees in the Georgia College and State University (Milledgeville) in Nurse Educator or Family Nurse Practitioner. The FNP program consolidates theories with evidence based clinical experience. The Nurse Educator track allows students to utilize their clinical experience to prepare them to teach in a clinical or academic setting.

• Length of Study: 40 Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $423

• Curriculum Snapshot: Role Perspectives of the Masters-Prepared Nurse, Healthcare Research & Statistical Analysis, Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology, Nursing Theory: Principles & Applications

#9. Florida State University

The Florida State University MSN program is separated into two concentrations, the Nurse Leader Program and Nurse Educator Program. The Nurse Leader track combines clinical leadership, quality improvement, clinical outcomes management, and patient safety. The FSU Nurse Educator MSN prepares the student for careers in patient education, academic nursing and staff nurse education.

• Length of Study: 32-35 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $480 (in-state); $1,111 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot: Theoretical Constructs for Nursing Science, Clinical Leadership and Resource Management, Leadership and resource management lab, Method of Research, Managing Information Technology in Health Care Organizations, Health Promotion and Planning.

#10. Spring Hill College

The oldest Catholic school in the Southeast, Spring Hill College is located on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and has been ranked in the top 20 of U.S. News and World Report. Spring Hill College has a single, focused Clinical Nurse Leader MSN curriculum, which takes an evidence based approach to clinical patient care.

Length of Study: 37 Credit HoursTuition Estimate Per Credit Hour:$490Curriculum Snapshot: Theoretical Foundations for Leadership,Applied Research & Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing PracticeHealth Policy, Ethics in Healthcare

#11. Ferris State University

Ferris University, located in Big Rapids, Michigan, has a MSN program with three concentrations: nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing administration. Admission to this program is limited to 20 students during the fall and spring semesters.

• Length of Study: 37 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $497 (in-state); $746 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot:Introduction to Advanced Nursing Roles, Organizational and Systems Leadership Health Care Systems, Policy, & Advocacy, Critique of Evidence for Practice Quality Improvement & Safety, Clinical Prevention & Population Health

#12. University of Colorado—​Denver

Ranked in the top 15 online programs for the past 7 years by U.S. News and World Report, the University of Colorado-Denver takes an unique approach in nursing leadership education with their Innovation in Leadership and Administration in Nursing and Healthcare Systems (iLead) program designed to foster leadership and administrative skills. The MSN in Informatics is focused on preparing the MSN for advanced practice nursing roles.

• Length of Study: 34 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $520

• Curriculum Snapshot: Not available

#13. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

St. Francis Medical Center has been in existence for over 100 years and has provided an accredited MSN program since 2000. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing offers a variety of concentrations in it's MSN program that includes clinical nurse specialities, nurse educator, gerontology and psychiatric nurse practitioner options.

• Length of Study: 36-47 Credit Hours (dependent on track)

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $528

• Curriculum Snapshot: Health Promotion, Nursing Research, Roles and Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing, Advances in Nursing Leadership, Advanced Health Assessment, Diagnostic Reasoning, Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Life Span,Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Life Span

#14. Eastern Kentucky University

EKU's MSN program is 100% online with clinical experience completed where the student lives. There are three speciality areas from which to choose: Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health and Nursing Administration.

• Length of Study: 39 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $590

• Curriculum Snapshot:Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, Research In Rural Nursing, Research Project, Epidemiology and Risk Management

#15. University of Alabama—​Huntsville

UA-Huntsville provides a five-track MSN program that will prepare the student to function as a family nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, adult clinical nurse specialist, or in an indirect care provider role as a leader in health care systems. Students who successfully complete the MSN coursework are eligible to sit for national certification in their area of concentration. Depending on track, UA-Huntsville overs both an online only or a blended educational structure.

• Length of Study: 38-41 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $636

• Curriculum Snapshot: Dependent on track

• Length of Study: 37 Credit Hours

#16. Xavier University

• Length of Study: 36 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $640

• Curriculum Snapshot: Health Care Ethics for Nursing Leaders, Theoretical Bases for Nursing Practice, Nursing Research, Health Care Informatics, Health Care Policy for Nursing Leaders

#17. Graceland University

Graceland University's main campus is located in Lamoni, Iowa and the university has been highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report and as one of the top Midwest schools by the Princeton Review. Graceland's MSN program has a specialty track of either nurse practitioner or nurse educator. Students are required to attend a 2-day focus session at their Independence, MO campus.

• Length of Study: 40-47 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $650

• Curriculum Snapshot: Pharmacotherapeutics, Theory in Nursing, Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice, Advanced Pathophysiology, Application of Research for Best Practices

#18. University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis offers a three-tiered MSN program with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration. Due to State Board of Nursing requirements and a shortage of clinical placement sites, students who wish to enroll in the MSN Education or FNP programs, must reside in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico or Wisconsin. Some restrictions apply to the MSN Administration program.

• Length of Study: 36-57 Credit Hours (dependent on track)

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $710

• Curriculum Snapshot: Management; Human Resources of Health Care Organizations,Financial Management of Health Services, Legal Aspects of Health Services Administration, Health Care Ethics

#19. University of Massachusetts—​Amherst

This program has 100% employment rate following graduation and offers a Master of Science Clinical Nurse Leader degree. Graduates are prepared to design and manage, health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management services in clinical settings.

• Length of Study: Minimum 37 credit hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $750

• Curriculum Snapshot: Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Healthcare Quality

#20. Arizona State University

• Length of Study: 37 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $768Curriculum Snapshot: Systems Thinking in a Complex Environment, Information Technology in Healthcare, Advanced Principles and Concepts of Innovation, Healthcare Policy & Innovation, Financing for Innovation, Outcomes Evaluation, Innovation Methods

#21. Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University offers a "Blend Program" to non-degreed RNs to earn undergraduate nursing credits which then allow students to move into the MSN program. The Loyola program offers a Healthcare Systems Management specialization track, which includes, but is not limited to, Nursing Administration, Management, Leadership, Finance, Quality Assurance, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention/Management.

• Length of Study: 36 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $818

• Curriculum Snapshot: Theories in Health Care Systems, Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care,Health Care Quality & Safety,Human Resource Management

#22. George Washington University

George Washington University provides five different tracks for their MSN. The tracks include, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Quality, Nursing Leadership and Management or Nurse-Midwifery. The Nurse-Midwifery track is conducted as a collaborative between GWU and Shenandoah University.

• Length of Study: Approximately 3 years (dependent on track)

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $834

• Curriculum Snapshot: Dependent on track chosen

#23. Medical University of South Carolina

• Length of Study: 47-60 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $884 (in-state); $1,061 (out-of-state)

• Curriculum Snapshot: Health Care Economics & Finance, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Evidence Based Practice, Quality and Safety

#24. Duquesne University

• Length of Study: 36-47 Credit Hours (dependent on concentration)

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $1,036

• Curriculum Snapshot: Historical and Contemporary Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice, Health Care Ethics in Practice and Policy, Evidence Based Nursing Practice and Policy Development

#25. Johns Hopkins University

• Length of Study: 36-67 Credit Hours

• Tuition Estimate Per Credit Hour: $1,420

• Curriculum Snapshot:Physiological/Pathophysiological Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice I, Clinical Pharmacology, Health Assessment and Measurement: Adult/Geriatric Variations, Health Assessment and Measurement: Pediatric Variations, Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement, Philosophical, Theoretical, and Ethical Basis for Nursing