A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate-level degree designed for registered nurses who want to advance their skills, move into leadership roles, or specialize in areas like nurse education, administration, or advanced clinical practice. It’s the next big step for nurses who already hold a BSN and want to take their careers and their earning potential to a higher level.
The beauty of an MSN is that it doesn’t just deepen your medical knowledge; it opens you to more responsibility, better pay, and opportunities to shape the future of healthcare. However, earning this degree can be demanding, especially for nurses who are already working full-time. That’s why online MSN programs have become such a practical and popular option. They allow you to balance work, study, and personal life without putting your career on hold.
Graduate nursing programs can be expensive. That’s why finding an affordable online MSN program is important. It gives you the chance to gain advanced training without drowning in student debt.
There are many accredited, budget-friendly MSN programs out there that don’t compromise on quality. We’ve carefully researched and compared these programs to bring you a list of the most affordable online MSN schools. Check these schools out below.
Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
1. Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State offers one of the most standout affordable online MSN programs you’ll find. Their online MSN tracks, such as the MSN, Nurse Educator or MSN, and Nurse Executive, have a total tuition of $12,570 regardless of in-state or out-of-state status.
The tuition is built on a flat rate of $407 per credit hour for graduate online nursing. The program is designed for working nurses who want flexible scheduling, strong leadership, or educator focus, and recognition, making it a very cost-efficient path to an advanced nursing degree.
The combination of low cost plus online format puts this program high on the list of most affordable online MSN options.
2. Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) features affordable online MSN programs that are built for working nurses wanting to move into leadership or advanced practice roles. For example, their MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner online total tuition is listed at $17,616 for the entire program (48 credit hours) at approximately $367 per credit hour.
In addition, the MSN in Nursing Administration is noted as having a total tuition of $11,377 for 31 credit hours when offered in the accelerated online format. These figures place TAMIU among the more affordable online MSN program options, especially when compared to typical graduate nursing programs that often cost far more.
3. Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University may not list a specific “online MSN” cost clearly for all tracks, but its online graduate programs demonstrate a strong value approach. For example, for its online M.Ed. program, the tuition is shown as $385 per credit hour, totaling $13,860 for the full program.
While this example is for education rather than nursing specifically, it signals a broader institutional pricing strategy that is lower cost for online graduate study. Students in nursing-ready pathways or RN-to-BSN at Fitchburg also benefit from low per-credit costs (e.g., RN-BSN online at $311 per credit hour, total tuition ~$9,952)
With such rates, Fitchburg represents a strong contender among affordable online graduate nursing programs, even if you have to verify the exact MSN track cost for your nursing specialization.
4. University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine offers a strong example of an affordable online MSN program aimed at working nurses who want to move into leadership or education roles. Their MSN tracks include Nursing Administration & Leadership and Nursing Education, delivered in an accelerated online format with multiple start dates.
The e-tuition rate for fully online graduate programs is $526 per credit hour for all students, with mandatory online fees bringing the total to about $625 per credit hour. With a 36-credit-hour option, you’re looking at a total cost in the ballpark of $22,000-$23,000 (depending on credits transferred).
5. Denver College of Nursing
Denver College of Nursing (DCN) also offers one of the most compelling, affordable online MSN programs for RNs ready to step into educator or leadership roles. The program consists of 56 quarter credit hours and is designed to be completed in roughly 15-18 months.
The total tuition listed is about $17,798 plus a $102 admin fee, bringing the total cost to approximately $17,900. For nurses already holding a BSN and an active RN license, this is an especially affordable path to an MSN.
6. Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers a solid example of an affordable online MSN program available to working nurses seeking advanced credentials. Their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is fully online and accommodates several specialization tracks, including Nurse Educator, Executive Leader, and Nurse Practitioner roles.
Tuition is about $420 per quarter credit hour for most graduate programs. For a typical 60–90 quarter credit-hour MSN, this brings an estimated total tuition of around $25,200-$37,800, depending on the track and credit load.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If you’re looking for an online MSN program that offers flexibility, multiple start dates, and a reasonable cost structure, just make sure your chosen specialization fits your licensure state requirements.
Rivier University
Rivier University delivers an affordable online MSN program ideal for nurses seeking roles in leadership, education, or advanced practice. For their online MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner track, tuition runs at about $747 per nursing-course credit and $1,166 per clinical-course credit for the 2025-26 year.
With credit hours in the 45–51 range for FNP and 32–42 for the Nursing Education track, total tuition falls in the ballpark of $30,000-$40,000, depending on clinical and elective credits. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University stands out for offering one of the most budget-friendly online graduate nursing options. Their online tuition rate for graduate work is around $348.78 per credit hour for the 2025-26 term.
If you assume a 30-credit online MSN track at that per-credit rate, you’re looking at approximately $10,500–$11,000 total tuition, making it a very competitive online MSN program. The school emphasises value, access, and flexibility, making it a good route for cost-conscious nurses aiming to advance.
Is Getting an Online MSN Really Worth It?
When people talk about getting a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), one of the biggest questions is, “Is it really worth the money and effort?” For most nurses, the answer is a solid yes. An MSN program, online or on campus, requires an investment of both time and money, but the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial cost.
For starters, nurses with an MSN typically earn significantly more than those with only a bachelor’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Anesthetists, earn a median salary of over $125,000 per year, nearly double what registered nurses make on average. This means that within a few years of graduating, many MSN holders begin to see a strong return on their investment through higher pay and more stable career opportunities.
Beyond salary, an online MSN allows for career flexibility. Graduates can move into leadership roles, teach in nursing schools, or specialize in high-demand fields like mental health or family practice, all without giving up their current jobs during the program. The online format allows nurses to keep earning while they study, which improves the overall financial payoff even more.
Conclusion
If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step in your nursing career, this is your sign to go for it. Earning an MSN can open doors to higher-paying jobs, leadership roles, and specialized nursing fields that truly make an impact.
The best part is, the affordable online MSN programs we’ve listed above prove that quality education and reasonable tuition can go hand in hand. So, if you’ve been on the fence about pursuing your master’s, take the leap; you’ll be investing in a future that’s both rewarding and secure.