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Online Master's in Nursing
Updated June 7, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want advanced training. Programs may emphasize specialized practice areas, leadership, or advanced clinical methods depending on the school. MSN graduates earn a median of $107,358 one year after graduation, rising to $119,619 by year five (College Scorecard).
This page explains how master’s programs are structured, what coursework typically includes, and what to compare across schools.
$107,358Median Earnings (1yr)College Scorecard
$119,619Median Earnings (5yr)College Scorecard
$44,576Median DebtCollege Scorecard
Figures shown are medians from the cited public data sources (such as the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and reflect previously reported outcomes. They are estimates, not a guarantee of future earnings, debt, cost, or results. Individual outcomes vary by program, institution, location, enrollment status, and personal circumstances.
Quick answers
What is an online master’s in nursing?
An MSN is a graduate-level program that builds advanced nursing knowledge through online coursework, clinical practicum hours, and specialized concentration tracks.
What degree titles are common?
The most common title is Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Some schools offer MS in Nursing or specialized titles based on the concentration track.
What types of master’s-level nursing programs are common?
Common options include nurse practitioner tracks (FNP, AGACNP, PMHNP), nurse educator programs, nursing leadership/administration, and nursing informatics.
What is typically included in the curriculum?
Most programs include a shared core in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment before electives or concentrations, plus a capstone or thesis option.
What do admissions requirements usually include?
Most programs require a completed BSN from a CCNE or ACEN accredited program, an active RN license, transcripts, a resume, and written statements.
What online formats and pacing options are common?
Programs may use standard term schedules, accelerated shorter terms, or part-time options with lighter course loads. Clinical practicum hours are completed in person.
At a Glance
Degree type: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Typical duration: 2-3 years full-time
Credits: ~36-48 semester hours
Online availability: 52.9% of programs offered online (College Scorecard)
Accreditation: CCNE or ACEN programmatic accreditation
Median earnings (1yr): $107,358 (College Scorecard)
Median debt: $44,576 (College Scorecard)
MSN programs lead to advanced practice roles. Nurse practitioners earned a median of $132,300, nurse anesthetists earned $236,590, and nurse midwives earned $134,040 in May 2025 (BLS, May 2025). Verify that your MSN program holds CCNE or ACEN accreditation and meets your state’s advanced practice licensure requirements.
Schools to compare
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
Average net price (lower is better) 20%
Retention rate 15%
Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
BOC
Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.
Identify the program type (nurse practitioner, educator, leadership, informatics).
Review core curriculum and capstone requirements.
Check concentrations and electives that fit your interests.
Confirm admissions expectations and prerequisites.
Compare online format and pacing options.
Verify CCNE or ACEN accreditation before applying.
Admissions requirements
Requirements vary by school, but most programs require a completed BSN from an accredited program and an active RN license. Common elements include transcripts, a resume, and written statements. Some programs may request clinical experience or prerequisite coursework.
Data verified: June 7, 2026.
Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
