Identifying top programs that are also cost effective in a sea of nursing schools and online MSN programs can be a daunting and time-consuming task. You, however, need to move forward and get to the next stage of your career as a nurse practitioner, leader, and administrator. You are looking for the top master’s in nursing administration online programs with the most economic price to fit your budget and match your nontraditional working student lifestyle.
Do you need accelerated, asynchronous courses? Hands-on guidance from experienced nursing faculty? Internships where you can work for an accessible local practice? A master’s in nursing administration online can offer you this and more. Plus, with a difference in tuition price of well over $50,000 between the most affordable and most expensive online MSN programs, it pays off to do your research before committing to a school.
Take a look at our “Best Buy” list below to make the next move toward an affordable master’s in nursing administration online. These rankings were calculated by analyzing tuition at 177 regionally accredited nursing schools offering 194 different online MSN programs. GetEducated is designed to make sure you are an informed consumer so you can efficiently take the next step in your professional medical career.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$23,400
Least Expensive: Texas A & M International University ~$10,410.11
Most Expensive: Johns Hopkins University ~$61,330
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There’s no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest master’s in nursing administration online. The online degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2021 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Texas A & M International University | (TX) | $10,410.11 $25,513.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $10,747.80 | All Students |
3 | Western Carolina University | (NC) | $11,029.60 $31,435.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | (NC) | $11,035.00 $18,703.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Northeastern State University | (OK) | $11,036.80 $11,068.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | (TX) | $11,206.00 $23,014.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $11,783.52 $41,461.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Louisiana Christian University | (LA) | $12,350.00 | All Students |
9 | Missouri State University | (MO) | $12,360.00 | All Students |
10 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $12,800.00 | All Students |
10 | Emporia State University | (KS) | $12,800.00 | All Students |
12 | Lamar University | (TX) | $13,098.00 | All Students |
13 | University of West Georgia | (GA) | $13,606.00 | All Students |
14 | Central Methodist University | (MO) | $13,675.00 | All Students |
15 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $13,757.34 $37,991.97 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $13,860.00 | All Students |
17 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | (NC) | $14,007.15 $23,472.86 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | (AL) | $14,040.00 | All Students |
19 | University of Wyoming | (WY) | $14,220.00 | All Students |
20 | Henderson State University | (AR) | $14,355.00 | All Students |
21 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | (TX) | $14,543.52 $33,772.72 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $14,625.60 | All Students |
23 | Arkansas Tech University | (AR) | $14,761.50 $26,149.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | New Mexico State University | (NM) | $14,814.00 $9,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
25 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $15,156.00 $32,112.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $15,188.25 $24,362.25 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | (TX) | $15,196.68 $29,560.68 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | Marshall University | (WV) | $15,219.00 | All Students |
29 | Ohio University | (OH) | $15,360.00 $15,930.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
30 | Delaware State University | (DE) | $15,475.00 | All Students |
31 | Wheeling University | (WV) | $15,635.00 | All Students |
32 | East Carolina University | (NC) | $15,718.92 $42,789.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | (OK) | $15,736.05 $35,892.45 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | Bushnell University | (OR) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
35 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | (NY) | $16,272.96 $19,374.96 | In-State Out-of-State |
36 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $16,387.60 | All Students |
37 | Bethel University - IN | (IN) | $16,415.00 | All Students |
38 | Granite State College (part of University of New Hampshire) Master of Science in Nursing / Health Care Leadership 14 | (NH) | $16,480.00 $18,040.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
39 | The University of Texas at El Paso | (TX) | $16,500.00 $20,460.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
40 | Empire State University | (NY) | $16,539.10 $19,641.10 | In-State Out-of-State |
41 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $16,575.00 | All Students |
42 | Frostburg State University | (MD) | $16,812.00 $21,363.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
43 |  Western Governors University | (UT) | $16,890.00 | All Students |
44 | Kennesaw State University | (GA) | $17,095.00 | All Students |
45 | University of Iowa | (IA) | $17,126.00 | All Students |
46 | The University of Texas Medical Branch | (TX) | $17,165.92 $32,822.84 | In-State Out-of-State |
47 | Ball State University | (IN) | $17,239.50 $24,871.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
48 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center - School of Professional Studies | (NY) | $17,355.00 | All Students |
49 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $17,768.00 $11,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
50 | McKendree University | (IL) | $18,315.00 | All Students |
51 | University of Mount Olive | (NC) | $18,425.00 | All Students |
52 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $18,525.00 $7,488.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
53 | Ottawa University | (KS) | $18,599.00 | All Students |
54 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute | (NY) | $18,681.30 $22,347.30 | In-State Out-of-State |
55 | Northern Kentucky University | (KY) | $18,695.00 | All Students |
56 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | (WI) | $18,734.00 | All Students |
57 | Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $18,768.00 $19,428.00 $15,258.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
58 | Gardner-Webb University | (NC) | $18,960.00 | All Students |
58 | Cleveland State University | (OH) | $18,960.00 $19,280.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
60 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | (WI) | $18,986.55 $38,528.10 | In-State Out-of-State |
61 | Kent State University | (OH) | $19,180.00 $19,530.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
62 | University of Kansas | (KS) | $19,282.55 | All Students |
63 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | (OH) | $19,326.00 | All Students |
64 | Baker University | (KS) | $19,355.00 | All Students |
65 | Mayville State University | (ND) | $19,425.00 | All Students |
66 | University of Indianapolis | (IN) | $19,444.00 | All Students |
67 | Oklahoma City University | (OK) | $19,470.00 | All Students |
68 | Jacksonville University | (FL) | $19,500.00 | All Students |
69 | Lincoln Memorial University | (TN) | $19,530.00 | All Students |
70 | Galen College of Nursing | (KY) | $19,650.00 | All Students |
71 | Wilson College | (PA) | $19,680.00 | All Students |
72 | Midway University | (KY) | $19,884.00 | All Students |
73 | The University of Texas Medical Branch | (TX) | $19,989.70 $38,185.58 | In-State Out-of-State |
74 | Research College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing / Executive Practice & Healthcare Leadership CCNE,14 | (MO) | $20,500.00 | All Students |
75 | AdventHealth University | (FL) | $20,565.00 | All Students |
76 | National University | (CA) | $20,760.00 $15,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
77 | Bryan College of Health Sciences | (NE) | $20,875.00 | All Students |
78 | MidAmerica Nazarene University | (KS) | $21,015.00 | All Students |
79 | Queens University of Charlotte | (NC) | $21,164.00 | All Students |
80 | Nebraska Methodist College | (NE) | $21,230.00 | All Students |
81 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $21,236.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
82 | D'Youville College | (NY) | $21,320.00 | All Students |
83 | Post University | (CT) | $21,345.00 $11,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
84 | Stony Brook University | (NY) | $21,404.88 $24,788.88 | In-State Out-of-State |
85 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | (NC) | $21,450.00 | All Students |
86 | Mercyhurst University | (PA) | $21,600.00 | All Students |
87 | University of Saint Mary | (KS) | $21,625.00 | All Students |
88 | Texas Woman's University | (TX) | $21,759.22 $38,937.22 | In-State Out-of-State |
89 | Morningside College | (IA) | $21,762.00 | All Students |
90 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $21,842.00 | All Students |
91 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $21,901.50 | All Students |
92 | Franklin University | (OH) | $22,195.00 $17,773.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
93 | Regis University | (CO) | $22,200.00 | All Students |
94 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | (SC) | $22,227.50 $47,602.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
95 | Quinnipiac University | (CT) | $22,365.00 | All Students |
96 | University of South Alabama | (AL) | $22,477.00 | All Students |
97 | Stevenson University | (MD) | $22,500.00 | All Students |
98 |  King University | (TN) | $22,630.00 | All Students |
99 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $22,766.00 $35,876.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
100 | Olivet Nazarene University | (IL) | $22,770.00 | All Students |
101 | Northwest Nazarene University | (ID) | $22,870.00 | All Students |
102 | South Dakota State University | (SD) | $22,879.55 $28,513.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
103 | Lander University | (SC) | $22,998.00 | All Students |
104 | University of South Alabama | (AL) | $23,071.00 | All Students |
105 | Eastern Mennonite University | (VA) | $23,089.00 | All Students |
106 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | (SC) | $23,107.50 $43,140.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
107 | Minnesota State University-Moorhead | (MN) | $23,313.01 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $23,544.00 | All Students | |
Cumberland University | (TN) | $23,745.00 | All Students | |
Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $24,067.00 | All Students | |
 Benedictine University | (IL) | $24,120.00 | All Students | |
Franklin Pierce University | (NH) | $24,140.00 | All Students | |
Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $24,346.00 | All Students | |
Waynesburg University | (PA) | $24,480.00 | All Students | |
Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $24,490.00 | All Students | |
Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $24,603.00 $18,480.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Walden University | (MN) | $24,810.00 $21,232.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Rivier University | (NH) | $24,910.00 | All Students | |
Thomas University | (GA) | $25,040.00 | All Students | |
Florida National University | (FL) | $25,172.00 | All Students | |
Union University | (TN) | $25,740.00 | All Students | |
Wright State University | (OH) | $25,740.00 $43,875.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
West Coast University | (CA) | $25,860.00 $22,440.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mercy College of Ohio | (OH) | $25,882.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $25,884.00 | All Students | |
University of Mobile | (AL) | $25,960.00 | All Students | |
 Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $26,040.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $26,100.00 | All Students | |
Siena Heights University | (MI) | $26,116.00 | All Students | |
Excelsior University | (NY) | $26,325.00 $13,025.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | (IL) | $26,330.00 | All Students | |
Chamberlain University | (IL) | $26,370.00 $22,770.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
South Dakota State University | (SD) | $26,569.80 $33,112.80 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Messiah University | (PA) | $26,980.00 | All Students | |
East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $27,045.00 $36,045.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
American International College | (MA) | $27,220.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $27,322.00 | All Students | |
Saint Xavier University | (IL) | $27,325.00 | All Students | |
Robert Morris University | (PA) | $27,360.00 | All Students | |
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | (CA) | $27,643.00 | All Students | |
Clarkson College | (NE) | $27,652.00 | All Students | |
University of Connecticut | (CT) | $27,750.00 | All Students | |
La Roche University | (PA) | $28,505.00 | All Students | |
University of Kentucky | (KY) | $28,538.00 | All Students | |
Baker College | (MI) | $28,660.00 $16,852.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | (MA) | $28,718.00 $57,883.50 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $28,725.00 | All Students | |
Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | (IL) | $29,450.00 | All Students | |
Walden University | (MN) | $29,470.00 $25,217.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Azusa Pacific University | (CA) | $29,493.00 | All Students | |
Saint Xavier University | (IL) | $29,575.00 | All Students | |
Gonzaga University | (WA) | $29,730.00 | All Students | |
Lewis University | (IL) | $29,770.00 | All Students | |
Saint Joseph's College of Maine | (ME) | $29,910.00 | All Students | |
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | (PA) | $30,300.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (School Merged) Master of Science in Nursing / Administration CCNE,14 | (PA) | $30,464.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University New Orleans | (LA) | $30,659.00 | All Students | |
Edgewood College | (WI) | $30,960.00 | All Students | |
Norwich University | (VT) | $31,200.00 | All Students | |
Allen College | (IA) | $31,870.00 | All Students | |
Madonna University | (MI) | $32,740.00 | All Students | |
South College Master of Science in Nursing / Nurse Executive 14 | (TN) | $33,200.00 | All Students | |
La Roche University | (PA) | $33,255.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $33,264.00 | All Students | |
University of Maryland-Baltimore | (MD) | $33,587.00 $57,780.84 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Roberts Wesleyan University | (NY) | $34,035.00 | All Students | |
University of Detroit Mercy | (MI) | $35,301.00 | All Students | |
Mercy College | (NY) | $35,472.00 | All Students | |
Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $38,349.00 $78,363.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Rush University | (IL) | $43,142.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University Chicago | (IL) | $43,540.00 | All Students | |
Creighton University | (NE) | $45,111.00 | All Students | |
Duquesne University | (PA) | $45,270.00 | All Students | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $46,170.00 $38,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Pittsburgh | (PA) | $47,624.00 | All Students | |
Ohio State University | (OH) | $49,012.00 $50,012.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $50,360.00 | All Students | |
Thomas Jefferson University | (PA) | $50,732.00 | All Students | |
Texas Christian University | (TX) | $60,500.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $61,330.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
ACEN Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
CCNE Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Spring 2021 review of regionally accredited online MSN programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for a master’s in nursing administration online may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online MSN programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MSN Programs
If you are an experienced professional working as a registered nurse, or any other type of nursing or healthcare career, a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) with a concentration in nursing administration may be perfect for you.
Online MSN programs expand your knowledge of the nursing profession, molding you into a top-notch leader for this growing industry. The world needs outstanding medical experts; it also needs motivated individuals to manage, organize, and lead these experts. An MSN in nursing administration will show you how.
Master’s of Science in Nursing: Nursing Administration
Online MSN programs which build on your previous nursing experience, prepare you for advanced leadership roles in clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. You’ll not only expand your understanding of nursing in general, you’ll have a better idea of how they operate from a managerial, financial, and organizational perspective.
When you complete one of the excellent master’s in nursing administration online programs, you’ll better understand fiscal responsibility and human-resource management, especially as it applies to medical facilities. You’ll know how to develop collaborative relationships between various medical disciplines while improving the health of individuals and communities. You’ll also have the tools and knowledge to create and manage nursing and care systems; you’ll know how to conceptualize and implement health care delivery methods that bring the best results for everyone, including patients and nurses.
The classes in a master’s in nursing management program will vary, but you can generally expect a set of core classes as well as classes that apply to your concentration in nursing administration and leadership.
Core classes will likely include health- and science-based courses, such as epidemiology and analytical approaches, as well as industry-specific classes that address topics such as advanced nursing roles, health policy, and legal issues for the healthcare industry.
Courses specific to your concentration will address leadership and management issues. They may include organizational theory, healthcare finances, human-resource management, and strategic planning in a healthcare setting.
Once complete, you’ll have the advanced skills you need to work in a variety of careers. While you may be qualified to work as a nurse practitioner or another type of advanced nursing profession, these online MSN programs prepare you for advanced leadership roles, including…
Chief Nursing Officer
- Median Salary: $104,690 (All executives)
- Job Growth: 4% (All executives)
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Training/Work Experience: 5 years experience
A chief nursing officer is responsible for managing and organizing teams of nurses. They are often the highest-ranking nurse manager at a facility, and may have hundreds, even thousands of nurses working under their leadership. A “CNO” is responsible for overseeing nursing activities, maintaining quality care at entire organizations, and evaluating the performance of nurses. The median pay for all top executives is $104,690, but it’s possible that CNOs could earn more because this is a highly demanding career.
While most top executives only need a bachelor’s, a master’s in nursing administration online would give you the right tools to excel in this profession.
Medical Services Manager
- Median Salary: $100,980
- Job Growth: 32%
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Training/Work Experience: 5 years experience
These highly-experienced professionals improve the efficiencies and quality of care at a healthcare facility. They serve many of the same roles as a CNO, but they are usually involved with a broader set of medical professionals, including physicians, surgeons, and administrative staff. They may manage an entire healthcare facility or clinical department, creating work schedules, developing goals, organizing records, collaborating with staff, and performing many essential roles.
Medical services managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s in nursing administration online makes you an attractive candidate for these careers.
Licensing & Other Requirements for Healthcare Leaders
While most medical and healthcare careers require certifications and licensing of some kind, leadership roles generally do not.
So if you are working as a CNO or a medical services manager, you may not need certification or state-issued licensing. You will, however, need experience. Both of these careers require at least five years of experience in the medical profession. This makes sense, as these leadership roles require a deep understanding of the industry. Working as an RN or medical professional of some kind (which does require certification) will be critical to your success.
However, if you transition into an advanced nursing position, such as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, you will need licensing.
A master’s in nursing administration online can prepare you for a rewarding career as a healthcare leader. You’ll know how to improve healthcare facilities and create more efficient organizations, all while enhancing the lives of people who visit your location.