Best Online Master’s in Nursing MSN

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN NURSING (MSN)

Find top-ranked online master’s in nursing (MSN) degree programs for students wanting to acquire positions such as nurse practitioner, director of nursing, nursing informatics specialist, and nurse educator.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About MSN Degrees

Why get a master’s in nursing?

Registered nurses looking to build their resume and earn credentials for more specialized positions should consider a master’s in nursing (MSN). This degree provides in-depth instruction for a variety of concentrations, including family nurse practitioner, healthcare policy, nurse educator, nursing informatics, pediatric acute care nurse practitioner, and nurse-midwifery.

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How long does it take to get a master’s in nursing?

Both online and on-campus programs are available, and depending on the chosen field, required credits range from 30 to 57. Most tracks involve a capstone project or thesis and practicum hours. Students can typically fulfill these requirements in about two years.

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What can you do with a master’s in nursing?

Some students pursue doctoral studies after graduating, but many go on to acquire positions that are in line with their specialization, such as nurse practitioner, director of nursing, nursing informatics specialist, and nurse educator.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in nursing.

50 Best Online Master’s in Nursing MSN Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Duke University

    Cost of Degree: $61,522
    Expenses: $20,061
    Starting Salary: $209,671
    Salary after 4 years: $237,240
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN: Master’s of Science in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $14,902
    Expenses: $16,990
    Starting Salary: $95,195
    Salary after 4 years: $106,173
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Systems Leadership
    • Required Credits: 36-40
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,666
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $162,609
    Salary after 4 years: $183,991
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 51
    • Completion time: 3-4 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1330/30

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Connecticut

    Cost of Degree: $21,262
    Expenses: $17,604
    Starting Salary: $126,416
    Salary after 4 years: $140,994
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Neonatal Nursing
    • Required Credits: 44
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Loyola University Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $20,344
    Expenses: $18,320
    Starting Salary: $116,280
    Salary after 4 years: $131,570
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Population-Based Infection Control & Environmental Safety, Advanced Practice Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing and Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 38
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    82K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/27

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Central Florida

    Cost of Degree: $8,872
    Expenses: $17,668
    Starting Salary: $98,069
    Salary after 4 years: $109,377
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 31-36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1305/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Cost of Degree: $8,424
    Expenses: $20,077
    Starting Salary: $92,705
    Salary after 4 years: $103,396
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Maternal and Child Health
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #8

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/27

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Alabama

    Cost of Degree: $11,790
    Expenses: $20,084
    Starting Salary: $98,835
    Salary after 4 years: $110,232
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BSN/MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 50-56
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #10

    University of Arkansas

    Fayetteville , AR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    32K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Arkansas

    Cost of Degree: $9,066
    Expenses: $18,644
    Starting Salary: $100,942
    Salary after 4 years: $112,582
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. #12

    William Carey University

    Hattiesburg , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at William Carey University

    Cost of Degree: $12,672
    Expenses: $16,248
    Starting Salary: $74,163
    Salary after 4 years: $83,915
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 41
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Samuel Merritt University

    Cost of Degree: $57,365
    Starting Salary: $203,628
    Salary after 4 years: $230,403

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 49
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  12. #14

    Simmons University

    Boston , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/30

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Simmons University

    Cost of Degree: $27,314
    Expenses: $20,198
    Starting Salary: $106,941
    Salary after 4 years: $121,003
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing: RN to MSN
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #15

    Marshall University

    Huntington , WV
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Marshall University

    Cost of Degree: $8,934
    Expenses: $15,340
    Starting Salary: $79,872
    Salary after 4 years: $89,083
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. #16

    Oakland University

    Rochester Hills , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    20K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Oakland University

    Cost of Degree: $20,016
    Expenses: $14,636
    Starting Salary: $92,131
    Salary after 4 years: $102,755
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Forensic Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #17

    Frontier Nursing University

    Versailles , KY

    Student body

    3K

    Online Degrees

    MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    • Required Credits: 57
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN: Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner
    • Required Credits: 58
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN: Nurse Midwife
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #18

    Oklahoma City University

    Oklahoma City , OK
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Oklahoma City University

    Cost of Degree: $13,410
    Expenses: $13,736
    Starting Salary: $93,574
    Salary after 4 years: $105,878
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Community-Based Public Health
    • Education
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Cost of Degree: $8,295
    Expenses: $13,052
    Starting Salary: $78,340
    Salary after 4 years: $87,374
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 38
    • Completion time: 36 months
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Thomas Edison State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,150
    Starting Salary: $109,752
    Salary after 4 years: $122,409

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. #24

    King University

    Bristol , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at King University

    Cost of Degree: $14,181
    Expenses: $15,026
    Starting Salary: $92,109
    Salary after 4 years: $104,220
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Nursing
    • Required Credits: 35-45
    • Completion time: 16-20 months
    • Format: Online
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Montclair State University

    Cost of Degree: $14,285
    Expenses: $19,580
    Starting Salary: $100,367
    Salary after 4 years: $111,941
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing-Pre Licensure
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 18 months
    • Format: Online
  21. #26

    Graceland University

    Lamoni , IA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Graceland University

    Cost of Degree: $11,905
    Expenses: $14,880
    Starting Salary: $73,614
    Salary after 4 years: $83,293
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BSN/MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
    • and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. #27

    Wilmington University

    New Castle , DE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Wilmington University

    Cost of Degree: $9,276
    Starting Salary: $85,333
    Salary after 4 years: $96,554

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Executive
    • Educator
    • Legal Nurse Consultant
    • Public Health
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  23. #28

    Florida A&M University

    Tallahassee , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    33%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Florida A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $9,876
    Expenses: $18,368
    Starting Salary: $85,618
    Salary after 4 years: $95,492
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  24. #29

    Georgia Southern University

    Statesboro , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/20

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Georgia Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $6,520
    Expenses: $18,990
    Starting Salary: $88,300
    Salary after 4 years: $98,482
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN: Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 14 months
    • Format: Online
    MSN: Chronic Care Management
    • Required Credits: 26
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
  25. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Georgia Southwestern State University

    Cost of Degree: $4,399
    Expenses: $15,130
    Starting Salary: $76,808
    Salary after 4 years: $85,665
    Cost Recoup Time: 3 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Nursing
    • Nursing Leadership/Management
    • Required Credits: 36-44
    • Completion time: 22 months
    • Format: Online
  26. #31

    Quinnipiac University

    Hamden , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/26

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Quinnipiac University

    Cost of Degree: $20,740
    Expenses: $18,750
    Starting Salary: $123,971
    Salary after 4 years: $140,272
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN: RN to MSN
    • Required Credits: 140
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  27. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Auburn University at Montgomery

    Cost of Degree: $8,578
    Expenses: $12,598
    Starting Salary: $72,785
    Salary after 4 years: $81,179
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 44
    • Completion time: 3 years
    • Format: Online
  28. #33

    University of Hartford

    West Hartford , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/25

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Hartford

    Cost of Degree: $15,202
    Expenses: $17,952
    Starting Salary: $94,672
    Salary after 4 years: $107,121
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  29. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/24

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Azusa Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $17,811
    Expenses: $13,490
    Starting Salary: $102,363
    Salary after 4 years: $115,823
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 37
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  30. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1167/25

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Queens University of Charlotte

    Cost of Degree: $13,514
    Expenses: $17,266
    Starting Salary: $90,461
    Salary after 4 years: $102,355
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Nurse Administrator
    • Nurse Educator
    • Clinical Nurse Leader
    • Nursing Informatics
    • Required Credits: 37
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  31. #36

    Florida Atlantic University

    Boca Raton , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/22

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Florida Atlantic University

    Cost of Degree: $6,693
    Expenses: $19,974
    Starting Salary: $92,514
    Salary after 4 years: $103,182
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Advanced Holistic Nursing
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  32. #38

    Shenandoah University

    Winchester , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Shenandoah University

    Cost of Degree: $24,060
    Expenses: $15,330
    Starting Salary: $95,771
    Salary after 4 years: $108,364
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing

    Concentrations

    • Midwifery
    • Required Credits: 49
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  33. #39

    Lourdes University

    Sylvania , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Lourdes University

    Cost of Degree: $16,389
    Expenses: $16,668
    Starting Salary: $75,628
    Salary after 4 years: $85,572
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: 3-4 years
    • Format: Online
  34. #41

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,631
    Expenses: $14,556
    Starting Salary: $84,086
    Salary after 4 years: $93,783
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  35. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/21

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Felician University

    Cost of Degree: $20,900
    Expenses: $18,070
    Starting Salary: $96,687
    Salary after 4 years: $109,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 19 months
    • Format: Online
  36. #43

    Madonna University

    Livonia , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Madonna University

    Cost of Degree: $16,830
    Expenses: $15,690
    Starting Salary: $81,305
    Salary after 4 years: $91,995
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Leadership
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  37. #44

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/23

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Nova Southeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $23,911
    Expenses: $20,570
    Starting Salary: $101,814
    Salary after 4 years: $115,201
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing – Non-Clinical

    Concentrations

    • Executive Nurse Leadership
    • Nursing Informatics
    • Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  38. #46

    Sacred Heart University

    Fairfield , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Sacred Heart University

    Cost of Degree: $34,852
    Expenses: $21,370
    Starting Salary: $113,167
    Salary after 4 years: $128,048
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN: RN to MSN Operational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 30-120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing Management and Executive Leadership
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 36-39
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  39. #47

    Elms College

    Chicopee , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at Elms College

    Cost of Degree: $17,021
    Expenses: $18,746
    Starting Salary: $90,827
    Salary after 4 years: $102,770
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing And Health Services Management
    • Required Credits: 35
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in School Nursing
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 37
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN/MBA in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 3 years
    • Format: Online
  40. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    960/19

    Career Outlook for Nursing degree at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    Cost of Degree: $8,333
    Expenses: $13,704
    Starting Salary: $84,661
    Salary after 4 years: $94,424
    Cost Recoup Time: 3 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSN in Nursing Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    MSN in Nursing Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Nursing Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,677
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,073
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $101,531
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $113,239
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 4 years
  • Job Growth: 5.92%
  • Number of Jobs: 3,258,400
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Nurse Anesthetists8.91%$196,110
Nurse Midwives6.10%$122,416
Nurse Practitioners44.53%$116,373
Medical and Health Services Managers28.40%$103,928
Registered Nurses5.60%$78,969

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$68,100$96,148$126,864

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Michigan15% higher than average$93,363
#3 Ohio14% higher than average$94,040
#4 Texas10% higher than average$97,405
#5 California26% higher than average$135,789
#6 Illinois7% higher than average$99,627

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$196,110
Nurse Midwives$122,416
Nurse Practitioners$116,373

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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