10 Most Affordable Online DNP Programs in 2025

Many American universities offer online DNP programs to give experienced nurses the chance to further their education and qualify for advanced roles. Some pursue the DNP degree after years of experience as a registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). We'll show you how to obtain a terminal degree in the nursing field through more affordable online degree programs.

What Is a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

DNP online programs train advanced nurses in evidence-based practices, informatics, healthcare policy, systems leadership, advanced healthcare delivery, and other important elements of nursing leadership. These programs go beyond the basic or intermediate aspects of nursing practice, emphasizing the senior-management responsibilities at diverse healthcare systems. This is a credential that prospective nurse leaders earn after completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and/or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Can I Earn a DNP Online?

Yes, there are plenty of online DNP options for distance learners and busy professionals. Some programs allow you to go from BSN to DNP, whereas there are also online MSN to DNP programs, depending on which school you attend. These programs may be about 80% online, with about 20% of coursework devoted to in-person clinical training.

How Much Does an Online DNP Program Cost?

The cost of pursuing DNP programs online varies depending on which university you attend. Many private schools and northeastern universities charge substantially more for enrollment compared to most public colleges. Students should look into their scholarship and grant opportunities to reduce total costs.

Some DNP programs may cost less than $20,000, while others could have a total tuition bill over $100,000. We'll identify the most affordable doctoral options and highlight financial aid resources to reduce the tuition burden.

Cheapest DNP Programs Online

Consider one of these affordable online DNP programs if you wish to open new nursing career opportunities. These schools hold respected academic accreditations and cost less than $1,000 per credit hour for enrollment.

1. University of North Carolina - Charlotte

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte's College of Nursing focuses on evidence-based practices for its online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. It also trains DNP students in clinical inquiry, scholarship, and transformational leadership. This post-master's program requires applicants to have earned at least a 3.5 GPA in their MSN program to qualify for admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $309.59 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students may qualify for institutional scholarships, external scholarships, loans, or graduate assistantships.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has one of the most affordable tuition rates for DNP students anywhere in the country. Applicants must possess an MSN or APRN certification prior to enrollment. All coursework is online, except for one practicum at the end of the degree program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $480 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The University of Alabama awards a range of grants and scholarships for nursing doctoral students.
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Liberty University

Liberty University's online DNP program introduces students to ground-breaking research methods and clinical research. The program involves eight-week sessions, designed to be convenient for full-time or part-time students. Applicants must submit official transcripts, proof of APRN certification (if applicable), and a writing sample for program admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Military veterans pay only $375 per credit hour, and other students can pursue Liberty's scholarship opportunities to pay for nursing education.
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University's 32-credit DNP program takes only 24 hours to complete for students who have already taken prerequisite courses or leverage transfer credits. Aside from a two-day orientation, this university does not require any in-person requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $625 per credit hour
• Financial aid: There are four ways to get funding: grants, loans, university scholarships, and outside scholarships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University has one of the fastest online DNP programs, requiring only 18 months to graduate. Faculty members devote significant time as program mentors for this fast-paced and challenging curriculum. The admissions application is free, but students must hold a current RN license and have at least a 3.0 GPA in all previous coursework.

• Estimated tuition cost: $630 per credit hour
• Financial aid: St. Thomas University encourages applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive consideration for scholarships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

6. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is an online college with several nursing credentials, including a DNP, APRN certification, and family nurse practitioner (FNP) certification. It includes courses like Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Clinical Prevention and Population Health, and a DNP Applied Project. It takes 31 credits to graduate with 11 core courses in nursing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $810 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students should complete the FAFSA to become eligible for federal grants and loans.
• Accreditation: CCNE

7. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University's DNP program is fully online except for an in-person practicum supervised by a nurse preceptor. This program includes a BSN-to-DNP option for those who do not possess a master's degree. There are also several specialization options for fields like leadership, healthcare informatics, and population health.

• Estimated tuition cost: $830 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This college offers work-study opportunities, scholarships, federal grants, state grants, and tuition assistance through its educational healthcare partners.
• Accreditation: CCNE

8. Capella University

Capella University offers a DNP program online at a flexible pace thanks to its ''FlexPath'' platform. This CCNE-accredited degree program features eight core courses and five doctoral projects for a total of 52 credit hours for graduation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $850 per credit
• Financial aid: Capella University has a tuition cap and offers scholarships, progress rewards, and grants.
• Accreditation: CCNE

9. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University has several variations of its DNP program, including a fast-track option to complete the curriculum within just five semesters. Its coursework focuses on advanced nursing topics like leadership, epidemiology, health policy, and biostatistics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $868.00 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university offers agency scholarships, grants, and other financial aid programs.
• Accreditation: CCNE

10. Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University uses a ''7-1-7'' system for its DNP program, where students get a one-week break in between seven-week sessions. The program takes about 20 months to complete fully online. Spring Arbor also grants online advanced certificates for prospective APRNs, FNPs, and mental health nurse practitioners.

• Estimated tuition cost: $892 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Eligible students can apply for Graduate PLUS loans and grants after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

This section shows how Learn.org ranks DNP programs. We consider three important criteria: accreditation, affordability, and program reputation.

• Accreditation: These institutions receive accreditation from nursing accreditors like CCNE.
• Affordability: Schools must have tuition rates below $1,000 per credit hour and offer financial aid.
• Program reputation: Faculty members possess DNPs or other doctorates along with years of experience in clinical practice.

What To Expect From an Online DNP Program

A reputable DNP curriculum will prepare students for nursing leadership roles by exposing them to in-depth coursework in topics such as patient care, population health, gerontology, acute care, quality improvement in clinical settings, improving health outcomes, hospital administration, and more. You can take most core courses and electives online, but many nursing colleges require at least one or two devoted to a clinical practicum.

FAQs About the Cheapest and Best Online DNP Programs

Here are four frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to DNP degrees. These address whether these programs are viable, affordable, and have difficult admission requirements.

Is an Online DNP Program Worth It?

Yes, many DNP graduates report being satisfied with their experiences in graduate school. While the tuition costs are high at some colleges, there are ways to reduce those expenses and take courses either full-time or part-time. An online Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers decent flexibility and awards the same reputable degree whether you take classes online or on campus.

Are Online DNP Programs Respected?

Yes, this is a well-respected post-master's credential, according to healthcare professionals and members of academia. Once you apply for new positions and submit your DNP diploma, prospective employers will not know whether you completed the degree online or at an in-person school of nursing.

What Is the Easiest School To Get a DNP?

There is no ''easy'' way to earn a DNP, master's degree, or RN license, but some institutions offer more flexible formats than others. We recommend the schools on our list because they have reasonable admission requirements, you can enroll during multiple start dates each year, and the degree programs are still CCNE-accredited. Just remember that these programs may still require you to complete significant clinical hours and/or finish a DNP project before graduating.

What Is the Cheapest Online DNP Program?

The cheapest online DNP programs are the ones closer to the top of our list, which is ranked from cheapest to most expensive. It's difficult to find DNP programs that charge less than $500 per credit hour, but you can still offset the costs by securing funding through scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships.

Discover Online Doctoral Programs

We invite you to explore Learn.org to discover even more about online doctoral degrees, master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, APRN certificate programs, and other nursing licensure programs. Our website can help you find the most suitable online programs for any credential.