Top MSN-FNP Programs That Accept Transfer Credits 2026

If you have nursing experience and want to switch your specialization to family nursing, you can do so by obtaining the right credentials. Even with a registered nurse (RN) license, you may wish to pursue a family nurse practitioner (FNP) certification by enrolling in an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. We'll help you find MSN-FNP programs that accept transfer credits so you won't have to redo any difficult nursing courses.

What Is an MSN-FNP Program?

An MSN-FNP program allows you to apply your skills, experience, and education toward obtaining an FNP certification faster than traditional programs. It lets you take advantage of your RN coursework and apply certain courses toward finishing an FNP. There are several online FNP programs that accept transfer credits, making the certification process proceed much faster.

How Do Transfer Credits Work in MSN-FNP Programs?

Many FNP programs will permit transfer credits as long as you attended an accredited nursing program for your other RN credentials. The specific transfer credit policies depend on your intended institution, but you stand the best chance of transferring credits if you choose an MSN-to-FNP bridge program, specifically designed to let MSN graduates utilize their previous education.

Best MSN-FNP Programs That Accept Transfer Credits

Here is a list of reputable MSN-FNP transfer programs you should consider if you wish to specialize in family nursing. We list each school with a program description, estimated tuition costs, financial aid options, and nursing accreditation.

1. Franklin University

Franklin University offers an MSN-to-FNP program, which students can finish within 24 months. The curriculum consists of didactic coursework, patient-care simulations, clinical rotations, and internship opportunities. This school accepts transfer credits if you've taken nursing courses within the last three to five years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $670 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Franklin University offers scholarships, grants, and other financial aid resources.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. University of North Carolina - Greensboro

The University of North Carolina - Greensboro (UNCG) accepts transfer credits for its MSN-FNP program. It also permits part-time enrollment options for certification completion. Most of the coursework uses a hybrid format, whereas some online-only courses do not require any scheduled class meetings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $597.22 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UNCG offers scholarships, graduate assistantships, and research fellowships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University's MSN-FNP program accepts six credit hours of transfer credits from other RN programs. The nursing school only allows transfer credits for core courses, and students must earn at least a ''B'' or higher for eligibility. Many program graduates finish this FNP certification in less than three years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $735 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Chamberlain University has an ''Extraordinary Grant,'' which reduces the tuition rate by 15%.
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida accepts up to nine credit hours for its 45-credit MSN-FNP program. This family nursing specialization takes between 27 and 30 months to complete, with courses in either eight-week or 16-week sessions. West Florida's program is also fully online except for clinical training.

• Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university offers funding through loans, grants, scholarships, and federal work-study.
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. George Mason University

George Mason University allows graduate nursing students to transfer a maximum of nine semester hours from other universities. Specific courses must receive a review from the nursing school on a case-by-case basis. Its MSN-FNP program takes about two years to complete.

• Estimated tuition cost: $850 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Nursing students can qualify for financial resources after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Accreditation: CCNE

6. Texas State University

Texas State University accepts transfer credits from accredited nursing programs and has reduced its total credit hour requirements from 48 to 43. The nursing school offers eight FNP specialty courses and practicums, including topics like integrative primary care, adolescent primary care, and geriatric primary care.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,147 per year
• Financial aid: Texas State offers scholarships and military discounts among other financial aid options.
• Accreditation: CCNE

7. United States University

United States University (USU) mentions transfer credits, but does not set specific eligibility requirements. The MSN-FNP program consists of five core courses, three advanced nursing requirements, and eight family nursing specialization requirements. USU also offers a post-MSN-FNP credential for even more continuing education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $640 per credit hour
• Financial aid: This university offers loans, grants, scholarships, and monthly payment plans.
• Accreditation: CCNE

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has an MSN-FNP program with a total of 17 courses, which students complete through 10-week sessions. SNHU emphasizes transfer credits for all of its graduate and undergraduate degree programs, including its MSN-FNP certification. Core nursing courses receive transfer consideration after undergoing an evaluation process.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Nursing students may qualify for federal loans, grants, private loans, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

9. University of North Carolina - Wilmington

The University of North Carolina - Wilmington (UNCW) permits incoming MSN-FNP students to transfer six credit hours, pending approval by the nursing school coordinator. The FNP program requires 46 credit hours altogether. This includes the completion of either a master's thesis or an evidence-based research project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $231.32 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The financial aid website mentions scholarships, loans, assistantships, and student employment.
• Accreditation: CCNE

10. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri offers a 50-credit MSN-FNP program, which you can shorten by transferring a limited number of credits from other RN programs. It involves a combination of online and in-person coursework for FNP specialization and practicums. This certification also requires about 780 clinical hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $630 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Eligible students can receive grants, loans, scholarships, and military benefits.
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

These are the ranking criteria we used to select the best MSN-FNP programs. Universities must possess nursing accreditation, accept transfer credits, offer affordable tuition, and have an excellent reputation in the nursing field.

• Accreditation: Each school earns accreditation through a nursing review board, such as CCNE.
• Transfer credit policy: MSN-FNP programs must honor transfer credits.
• Affordability: We chose schools with more affordable tuition rates.
• Reputation: These nursing schools have a strong reputation in the academic community and throughout the nursing profession.

FAQs About MSN-FNP Programs That Accept Transfer Credits

Check out a few other frequently asked questions (FAQs) for nursing programs and transfer credits. The five questions focus on program costs, degree difficulty, degree duration, and more.

How Fast Can I Complete an MSN-FNP Program?

Most MSN-FNP programs take between 12 and 18 months to complete. The advantage of enrolling in a bridge program with previous education is that the degree process should go faster than traditional FNP programs.

How Many Transfer Credits Can I Apply to an MSN-FNP Program?

The exact answer will vary depending on the institution you select. Some MSN-FNP programs have a small list of eligible courses, whereas others may permit you to transfer up to 25% of the certification program.

How Much Does an MSN-FNP Program Cost?

Some FNP programs may cost about $20,000 altogether, while others charge as much as $100,000. The tuition figures are considerably higher if you enroll in a private university. Although nursing education is rarely cheap, we tried to select the most affordable options for our rankings list.

How Much Does an FNP Make?

FNPs typically enter employment roles such as nursing anesthesia, midwifery, and other practitioner positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those job categories lead to an annual median salary of about $132,000 per year. Even though the tuition rates are rather high, it could be a worthy investment � especially if you take advantage of the transferable nursing credits from your previous nursing education to make degree completion faster.

Which FNP Certification Is the Easiest?

FNP certifications are rarely easy, but if you wish to get an idea of the difficulty level, you can explore each program's website for course information. You may recognize some course topics, which include classes in advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and several clinical rotations. If you have a firm grasp of these topics, then FNP certification should be challenging, but not impossible.

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