Most Affordable MSN Online Degrees
Would you like to learn more about where to find the Most Affordable MSN Online Degrees? If so this article is for you! Earning an online master’s in nursing can make a big difference in your career.
For one thing, earning a master’s degree, online or otherwise, increases your career potential. Some nursing jobs require an MSN. These jobs are the highest-paying jobs in the industry.
For example, you’ll need at least an MSN if you want to become a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are qualified to write prescriptions and provide other types of medical care. They can also specialize in certain areas like gerontology, pediatrics, and family medicine.
Other possible MSN careers include:
- Clinical nurse researcher
- Nurse educator
- Nursing informatics specialist
- Legal nurse consultant
Now, why choose an online degree for nursing instead of an on-campus degree? Because an online master’s in nursing can provide a lot of conveniences. The online option will let you learn from your own home, your local library, a coffee shop, or anywhere else that has an internet connection. An online degree for nursing may also fit into your schedule more easily than an on-campus degree.
Methodology: Ranking The Most Affordable Online MSN Programs
For ODProf’s ranking of the most affordable Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, editors focus on accredited and trusted programs in the United States. Programs are ranked in order of tuition rate. Data comes from IPEDS and Niche.
1. McNeese State University
McNeese State University offers an online MSN degree program for students who are ready to complete their nursing education. This degree offers management and leadership skills the student will need as they continue to move forward with their careers. Students are able to take on more responsibility and work in more advanced management roles. Earning an online Masters in nursing can open many doors for advancement long before they graduate with their degree.
McNeese State University has over 75 years of experience providing students with quality degree programs they can use to build a solid career path. Quality degree programs taken over an online learning platform allow students to take advantage of all the school’s resources. They also have access to faculty members who have many years of experience. The flexibility and convenience of an online degree program make it much easier for a student to finish their education and keep working.
2. University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler provides the best online MSN degree programs for students who want to explore management options within the nursing field. A Master’s program provides many of the more advanced skills a nursing student will require to become a leader in their field. Pursuing an online Master’s in nursing degree gives students a chance to explore a new career direction or take on more responsibility in their current position. Going to school online allows you to go after the jobs you want much earlier than before.
The University of Texas at Tyler has been offering students quality degree programs for over 50 years. Through the online learning platform used by the school, students are able to not only access the advanced degree program, but also the resources that are offered by the school. In addition to the in-depth degree programs, students receive the guidance and support offered by experienced faculty members who have many years of experience.
3. University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso offers the best online MSN degree programs for nurses who want to return to school but don’t want to quit their full-time jobs. Online degree programs provide the same advanced education that is offered in a more traditional classroom setting. Earning an online Master’s in nursing degree can provide students with everything they need to excel in their chosen career field. Students can use those skills to accept new opportunities and advance their position into management roles.
The University of Texas at El Paso has been offering nurses advanced nursing degree programs they can rely on to provide them with what they need to make a career. Award-winning degree programs are offered over an online platform that is easy to use and accessible from almost any location. Students work hand in hand with faculty members who use their years of experience to provide valuable insight into facing challenges and obstacles associated with the career field.
4. University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia offers an online degree for nursing students who want to advance into a management role or move into a nursing specialization. Taking on a specialization allows you to focus your nursing career in a specific direction, like pediatrics, surgery, trauma, or any other type of unique form of medical care. With an online MSN degree, you are able to maintain a full work schedule and still complete your education and work towards a brighter future.
The University of West Georgia is one of the more popular smaller schools in the state. With a 19 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, students are able to receive the attention they need if problems or obstacles arise. Faculty members are highly experienced and able to provide insight into different aspects of the nursing industry. Students who choose the university often do so because of its focused reputation for providing quality education to all of its students.
5. University of Arkansas Grantham
The University of Arkansas Grantham provides the best online degree for nursing students who are wanting to earn their Master’s. Degree programs offer leadership and management skills that students who are ready for the next step can count on to enhance their future. Students who enroll in an online Master’s in nursing can expect to get the knowledge they need to become more proficient at their duties and accept promotions while still working in their current role.
The University of Arkansas Grantham has offered the highest quality nursing programs for over 70 years. Students are able to explore their career paths and enjoy having access to experienced faculty members and advanced degree programs. Students who pursue their degree programs online at the university are able to focus on their careers and continue to maintain their current employment. The resources offered by the university provide students with anything they might need to succeed as a nurse.
6. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University offers an online degree for nursing students who are ready to explore new opportunities within their chosen career path. A master’s degree in nursing provides management skills as well as other skills that may be unique to a certain specialization. Being able to learn these skills over an online learning platform makes it possible for a student who wants to advance their career without leaving their current position. With an online MSN degree, students can gain the resources and skills they need to take on new challenges.
Appalachian State University has been ranked as one of the top schools in the country when it comes to both academics and innovation. Faculty members provide support and guidance based on their many years of experience, offering students a unique perspective. With the advanced technology of the online learning platform, students can pursue their education from almost any location. The university blends the best of both worlds into one academically advanced online degree program giving students the flexibility they couldn’t get in a classroom.
7. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University offers the best online MSN degree program that offers both flexibility and convenience that is unrivaled in a classroom setting. The nursing programs provide students with the necessary skills that will be needed if they choose to move upwards into an administrative or supervisory role. The online nature of the degree program allows students to continue working during the time they are attending their classes. With an online Master’s in nursing, students have many more options to choose from.
Florida Atlantic University offers degree programs for students at any level of their education. The degree programs are academically advanced and capable of providing the skills and abilities a nursing student will need as they move upward throughout their careers. Students can look to their faculty members for the guidance they need to take on new challenges and solve any problems they may have as they advance their careers.
8. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida provides an online degree in nursing for students who are interested in working within the medical field. A Master’s in nursing that is completed online gives students access to the information and skills they need while they are still gainfully employed as an RN or other nursing-related occupation. Earning an online MSN degree gives students an opportunity to broaden their horizons and take on new challenges.
Established in 1963, the University of Central Florida is one of the most well-respected schools in the state of Florida when it comes to advanced online degree programs. Combining the advanced degree programs with experienced faculty members gives students a winning combination they can count on to help them advance their careers. Students who choose to attend the university can rest assured they will receive the guidance and encouragement that is needed to achieve their career goals.
9. Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers an online MSN degree program that allows nursing students to take advantage of every possible career opportunity that is made available to them. The nursing programs offered by the university include skills and information that enable students to choose a traditional nursing career or focus on a specialization that allows them to expand on their career options. With an online Master’s in nursing, students can enjoy a flexible schedule that allows them to continue working while they attend class.
Fort Hays State University is a military-friendly school that allows students to take advantage of the most advanced nursing programs available. They can complete their education while serving their country or supporting a spouse who is on active duty. With experienced faculty members to provide guidance, students are able to excel in an online learning environment. They are able to work toward their goals and build a solid nursing career they can be proud of.
10. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers the best online MSN degree programs for students who want to move forward with their education while continuing to work within the nursing field. By providing the necessary skills and abilities a nursing student will need if they are trying to advance into a managerial or supervisory role, the university makes it possible for students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. With an online degree for nursing students, the university offers flexibility that is needed when juggling a career and an education.
The University of Arizona is well-known for its online degree programs that give nursing students an edge over the competition. Students have access to faculty members with both experience and a commitment to helping others succeed. Every student who enrolls at the university receives a quality education that allows them to maintain their job while continuing their education.
How is an MSN Different from a BSN?
MSN stands for Master of Science in Nursing, while BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The MSN is a higher level of education.
Both an MSN and a BSN will let you work as a registered nurse. However, the MSN degree will open up more career possibilities.
The MSN option also has a more challenging curriculum than a BSN, and it covers additional topics that BSNs don’t cover. While a BSN mostly covers hands-on nursing practices, an MSN includes topics such as business, ethics, and nursing education.
Is a Master’s in Nursing Worth It?
Is a master’s degree worth your time? It is if it can help you achieve your goals.
Again, some nursing jobs require a master’s degree. If you want to pursue one of these jobs, then you’ll need to earn your MSN at one point or another.
By earning your MSN, you’ll gain a lot of job growth potential, too. Advanced nursing practices, like nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, are experiencing a 45% job growth rate. For reference, any job growth rate above 8% is higher than average.
An MSN degree is also worth it if you want to focus on the research and administrative side of nursing. If you want to work directly with patients, then an associate’s degree or BSN may serve you just as well. However, MSN degrees look at the “behind the scenes” aspects of nursing. As a result, your MSN can prepare you for those positions.
Even if you want to stick to the hands-on side of nursing, an MSN can still be worth it, especially if you want to specialize. A master’s degree can let you focus on a particular area of healthcare.
Finally, it’s important to note that you may increase your salary by earning an MSN. On average, nurses who hold an MSN make a lot more money than nurses who don’t.
How Much Can I Make With a Master’s in Nursing?
As an MSN holder, your potential salary can increase by a lot of money.
The median salary for registered nurses is $75,330 per year. That number is higher than the average salary in the United States, but it’s not as high as the average MSN salary. Nurses with an MSN make an average of $17,670 per year. That’s partly because MSN nurses have a broader career scope. MSN nurses qualify for more challenging jobs, and those jobs come with a higher salary potential.
Now, the numbers above reflect the median pay, which means that those numbers sit in the middle. In other words, about half of MSN-trained nurses make less than $117,670, and half make more.
Those who make more money are often nurses with a lot of experience in the field. Just like with any career, nursing careers reward experience. A nurse with 20 years of experience or more can make much more money than a recently-graduated nurse.
Furthermore, nursing salaries depend a lot on location. Some states pay their nurses better salaries than other states. As you look into your potential salary, keep in mind where you want to work.
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