Best RN to MSN Online Programs 2026
Explore the best RN to MSN online programs by reviewing accredited schools with the highest number of graduates in this field.
Key Takeaways:
- The University of Texas at Arlington ranks #1 with 933 program graduates in its RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track, reflecting sustained demand and a structured path for licensed RNs.
- Walden University stands out for accessibility, enrolling over 32,000 online students at the graduate level.
- Regis College leads in peer satisfaction, with a 4.14/5 student review rating, the highest in our analysis.
For more details about our ranking, check out our methodology. Below, Brian Clark (BSN, MSNA), the founder of United Medical Education, shares guidance about choosing the best online RN to MSN program.
Best RN to MSN Online Programs 2026
| Rank | School | Graduates | Annual Tuition | Median Salary | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 933 | $10,945 | $125,796 | 78% | |
| University of South Alabama | 806 | $9,486 | $120,778 | 86% | |
| Aspen University | 477 | $6,127 | N/A | 79% | |
| Drexel University | 280 | $28,350 | $123,047 | 89% | |
| Wilkes University | 229 | $21,049 | $122,887 | 80% | |
| Southern New Hampshire University Online | 222 | $19,110 | N/A | 69% | |
| DePaul University | 194 | $11,354 | $88,366 | 96% | |
| University of North Alabama | 137 | $17,850 | $83,165 | 83% | |
| University of San Francisco | 122 | $26,400 | $158,515 | 91% | |
| Bradley University | 117 | $30,520 | N/A | 96% | |
| Chamberlain University | 112 | $13,432 | $117,047 | N/A | |
| University of Alabama | 87 | $11,000 | $108,815 | 95% | |
| Spring Arbor University Online | 64 | $8,490 | N/A | 71% | |
| South University Online | 56 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $29,040 | $118,330 | N/A | |
| Stevenson University | 48 | 2 years, and the tuition per credit, which is ."> $10,477 | $112,191 | 90% |
Best RN to MSN Online Programs 2026 - Program Details
- Graduates: 933
- Annual Tuition: $10,945
- Median Salary: $125,796
- Recommendation: 78%
Why we like them: Ranked in our #1 spot, UTA graduated 933 RN-to-MSN FNP students most recently, which signals the kind of scale that directly benefits you through course availability, broad clinical connections, and a consistently run online experience. Popularity is a good indicator of quality. In this pathway, you can earn a BSN en route and double-count two graduate courses toward both the BSN and MSN.
- Graduates: 806
- Annual Tuition: $9,486
- Median Salary: $120,778
- Recommendation: 86%
Why we like them: USA targets licensed RNs who hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, giving you a direct bridge to the MSN without first completing a BSN. You can select from a broad slate of specialties, including Dual Role Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP, Dual Role Family NP/Emergency NP, Clinical Lipidology, Advanced Forensic Nursing, Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities, and Trauma-Informed Integrated Behavioral Healthcare.
- Graduates: 477
- Annual Tuition: $6,127
- Median Salary: N/A
- Recommendation: 79%
Why we like them: Aspen's RN to MSN bridge design lets you bypass a standalone BSN and progress directly to the MSN while maintaining CCNE accreditation. You choose among five tracks, including Forensic Nursing, an uncommon specialty that can differentiate your resume. Aspen has a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which is the lowest on our entire list. If you're looking for close, personalized mentorship, this school is likely a solid bet.
- Graduates: 280
- Annual Tuition: $28,350
- Median Salary: $123,047
- Recommendation: 89%
Why we like them: Drexel’s RN to MSN graduated 280 in the latest cycle. You complete a single, 4.5-quarter-credit bridge focused on genetics, genomics, and pharmacogenomics, then move directly into MSN coursework. And we appreciate that online lectures are delivered with a highly interactive, synchronous model, giving you real-time engagement that many online RN-to-MSN programs do not attempt.
- Graduates: 229
- Annual Tuition: $21,049
- Median Salary: $122,887
- Recommendation: 80%
Why we like them: Wilkes hosts a purpose-built ADN-to-MSN bridge that skips the pass-through BSN to compress both time and cost. The RN-to-MSN-FNP is cheaper and faster than completing RN-to-BSN plus MSN separately. You benefit from embedded certification prep integrated into the curriculum, with 2023 pass rates that outpaced national benchmarks across tracks.
The Best RN-to-MSN Programs: What Data Tells Us About the Student Experience
An online RN-to-MSN is a structured bridge that can take you from bedside practice into advanced roles like nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, educator, or executive. Most of the programs in our list are designed for working RNs with an ADN, diploma, or sometimes a non-nursing bachelor’s, and they combine online coursework with supervised clinical hours you complete in your community.
What makes one RN-to-MSN program the very best isn’t a single number, but we ranked it by graduate count to show the strongest options. High graduate volume usually means:
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The program has been refined over multiple cohorts.
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Courses run regularly, with fewer cancellations or bottlenecks.
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Clinical placement processes are well-tested.
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You’ll join a substantial alumni network in your specialty.
Below, we continue to look at themes across different data metrics to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing your RN to MSN degree online.
Earnings and Career ROI From Our List of Online RN to MSN Degrees
In our dataset, MSN graduate earnings are tied to specific programs, which gives a clearer picture of how these RN-to-MSN pathways are performing in the labor market. The salary data is for four years after graduation.
At the high end, USF’s RN-to-MSN graduates report median earnings around $158,515, placing them in roughly the top 10% nationally for MSN-level income. That kind of figure suggests strong positioning for leadership and advanced clinical roles in high-paying markets.
Several other programs cluster in a strong salary band:
UTA graduates earn about $125,796, showing the value of the FNP pathway.
Drexel and Wilkes University both sit in the $122k-$123k range, aligning with their emphasis on advanced roles (like leadership, quality, and NP practice) and strong certification outcomes.
South Alabama and South University are also in the high $110k-$120k band, suggesting solid returns for their NP and specialty-focused tracks.
UA lands around $108,815, still a strong salary outcome, especially when paired with its top-tier graduation and retention rates.
Do Students Actually Finish — and Would They Do It Again?
Several programs stand out for completion and persistence:
Drexel reports a 77% graduation rate and 90% retention, putting it among the top performers.
The University of Alabama is similarly impressive with a 74% graduation rate and 86% retention — both very strong signals that students are supported all the way through.
Similarly, Bradley University posts a 72% graduation rate and 84% retention.
On the student satisfaction side, recommendation rates — derived from over 90,000 student surveys — give you a helpful gut check based on firsthand experience.
Bradley (100%), DePaul (96%), UA (95%), USF (91%), Stevenson (90%), and Drexel (89%) form a top tier where nearly everyone would recommend their school.
UTA (77%), UNA (83%), Wilkes (79%), and Aspen (80%) also show solid satisfaction.
For prospective RN-to-MSN students, the combination of strong completion rates and high recommendation scores is one of the clearest indicators of a supportive, high-quality program.
If you’re looking for the safest bet on finishing your RN to MSN online with a consistently positive student experience, programs at Bradley, UA, DePaul, Drexel, USF, and Stevenson stand out for their strong persistence metrics and enthusiastic alumni feedback.
If, on the other hand, you prefer the advantages that come with large-scale institutions — such as extensive online communities, abundant course offerings, and well-developed digital infrastructures — schools like UTA, SNHU, Chamberlain, and South University provide large virtual ecosystems with thousands of distance learners.
Expert Advice About Choosing the Best Online RN to MSN Degrees
CRNA, Emergency Medical Services Instructor
"Anesthesia became my way in after being motivated by a desire to be able to work as I continued to earn qualifications, which would create a pathway to an education. I was forced to develop a methodical approach to evaluating schools/programs.
In addition to developing this process, running United Medical Education also required me to apply that same methodical process to developing online ACLS, PALS, and BLS training for students who could rely upon the quality of our training and never had to set foot inside a classroom... [The] best programs demonstrate their competency through the structural elements of a program (transparency, measurable outcomes), rather than marketing jargon.
The greatest benefit for students is to seek out programs that have published graduation rates, employer placement statistics, and the average number of hours per week students will be expected to work.
The best clinical systems function through predictable processes, and similarly, the best online programs will have established similar structures, as a well-managed program will establish clear expectations for student/faculty interaction, response time, and assessment methodologies.
I assist both students and hospitals each year as they look for a reliable pipeline of trained individuals, and the consistent top performers are programs that utilize a combination of stable faculty, structured curriculum maps, and support staff that can meet the needs of working students at the speed at which they need assistance."
EXPERT TIP
"A degree has value only if its design is sufficient to maintain the momentum of a working adult from the day of enrollment until the day of employment without interruption."
FAQs About RN to MSN Online Programs
What Is an RN to MSN Program?
An online RN to MSN program helps nurses advance their careers to higher paying and fulfilling nursing careers. It's considered a bridge program — a degree pathway new and experienced nurses take to advance in their careers, usually catering to RNs without a BSN. Typically requiring 2-3 years to complete, these programs emphasize evidence-based practice, policy development, and advanced clinical competencies.
RN to MSN degree programs are designed to grant a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree to registered nurses (RNs) who have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Students who successfully complete an RN to MSN program receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) along the path to their MSN. It typically takes less time to earn an MSN this way than it would if you enrolled in separate BSN and MSN programs.
As an RN to MSN student, you can expect material covering increasingly advanced medical and patient care concepts. A typical program features courses on healthcare policy, patient assessment, and quality outcomes and informatics.
RN to MSN degree programs often allow or require you to choose a specialized concentration such as nursing education, administration, or adult-gerontology care.
Most online nursing master's degrees feature asynchronous classes without live meetings. Instead, you sign in to a learning management system to watch recorded lectures, complete virtual software modules, and submit assignments.
You must complete at least one clinical field experience, sometimes called a practicum, to graduate from an RN to MSN program. You'll work under an experienced nurse supervisor for a number of hours set by your state's nursing board. Even if you attend classes online, your clinical hours will take place in a working healthcare facility in your community. This might be your place of employment if you have a nursing job.
RN to MSN programs offer an accelerated path to getting a nursing master's degree for those without a nursing bachelor's degree. Students learn advanced skills in patient assessment, public health, data-driven decision-making, and healthcare policy analysis. Most programs feature the chance to specialize in a particular area of nursing.
OnlineU provides a number of college planning resources to help you understand your online education options. Our Guide to Starting Your Online Education can then walk you through the application process once you're sure what and how you want to study.
What Are the Admission Requirements and Graduation Expectations for RN-to-MSN Programs?
You must have an active RN designation and hold an ADN in order to apply for an RN to MSN program. Your application will include proof of each, including official transcripts from any college you've attended. You typically also need two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement on your education and career goals. These requirements are similar to those needed for RN to BSN programs, but RN to MSN admissions officers typically expect a higher GPA on your ADN coursework (3.0-3.25).
To graduate, you'll need to complete 36-45 credit hours of coursework and several hundred practicum hours. This might take three years with a full-time course schedule or four years at a part-time pace.
What Courses Do You Take in an RN-to-MSN Program?
RN to MSN degree programs commonly let students specialize in a focused area of nursing practice. But these programs often have a similar general nursing core, so we've listed a few typical courses below.
- Ethics in the Nursing Profession: Students in this class learn about and discuss the values of nurses and their professional associations. Topics might include public advocacy, triage, patient quality of life, and systemic healthcare inequity.
- Nursing Informatics: Faculty aim to teach data literacy for nursing purposes. This can involve lessons on software tools, evidence-based decision-making, record keeping, and policy planning using quality outcomes.
- Patient Health Assessment: This course covers some of the most important skills needed for any nursing specialty. Enrollees study physical and mental health assessment, how to take patient histories, clinical interviewing, and electronic health records research.
- Public Health: MSN-level professors hope to train nurses to think about the broader health context when treating patients. In this course, they discuss epidemiology, local health concerns, global health trends, and environmental disaster preparedness.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Nursing Degree?
MSN-prepared nurses can continue their education, secure a higher level role than they had before, or both. Below, we examine some of the potential pathways you might take after finishing your RN to MSN program.
Further Education
The nursing field is subject to credentialism, or the need to complete higher levels of education to get jobs that used to be available at lower levels. An MSN might open many doors in your career, but there are a couple of options for continuing your education.
- Graduate certificates are shorter programs for nurses who want to add a skill or focus to their professional toolkits. These programs often last 9-15 months and are similar to concentrations in degree programs. Some popular certificate options include nurse midwifery, pediatric nursing, adult-gerontological nursing, and psychiatric mental health nursing. Some certificates might require that you graduated from a nurse practitioner degree program and hold an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) designation — see Nursing Careers for more information about APRNs.
- Doctoral degrees in nursing include the PhD in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). PhDs are geared toward students who want to be academic researchers and professors. The DNP is a professional doctorate for nurses who want to keep work at a high level in the field. For years, there has been a push to make a DNP the for nurse practitioners instead of an MSN.
Nursing Careers
Holding an MSN might qualify you for many types of nursing careers. This degree can lead to great variety even among people in the same graduating class. For example, you might become a gerontology nurse in a residential care facility while your classmate finds work as an acute care neonatal specialist at a children's hospital.
median yearly wages of $93,600 per year and can expect 5% growth in their profession during this decade. It's still possible in many states to become a with an MSN. This group makes median annual salaries of $132,050 and is experiencing a very fast 35% rate of job growth.
How Can You Go From RN to MSN?
There are two ways to progress to an MSN once you have an RN. You can enroll in an RN to BSN program that leads to a bachelor's degree. Alternatively, you can sign up for an RN to MSN program. These programs last a bit longer but they end with an MSN and grant you a BSN along the way.
How Long Is an RN to MSN Program?
RN to MSN programs are usually designed to last about three years for students with a full-time course load. Many schools offer part-time options because RN to MSN tracks are usually full of working nurses with families and other responsibilities. Part-time programs may take a year or two longer to complete.
How Can You Go From RN to MSN Without BSN?
RN to MSN program faculty make sure that students learn everything they would in both a BSN and MSN program. Just because the goal is an MSN doesn't mean that students skip learning bachelor's-level nursing skills and knowledge.
Can You Get a Master's in Nursing Online?
Colleges across the country offer online master's degrees in nursing. These include RN to MSN programs but also master's-entry options for candidates who already hold BSNs. You may find a degree program with fully online courses, but remember that you'll need to complete your practicum experience in person at a healthcare facility.
Student Reviews of Online RN to MSN Programs
The experience I have had with all the members of Chamberlain University is amazing. They encourage questions and clarification from me and answer my questions openly and honestly. While this is the beginning of my relationship with Chamberlain University, I am so excited about finishing this degree and becoming a Chamberlain graduate!
Review Date: 3/12/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I’ve never been terribly impressed with any online courses including this one. I definitely prefer a classroom setting with a live teacher. However, there are resources available when needed, and I am grateful for the opportunity to complete this degree.
Review Date: 1/15/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Would like to continue with a DNP with UOPX! I think that the program is fair and allows students with resources and assistance for whatever issues that may arise. I also appreciate that i can change my mind and receive guidance and go back. They really listen to what I say. They connect with teachers and at the end if the day, they want you to succeed in the program. Should have done the program in my 20's. Thanks you guys!
Review Date: 12/22/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I was so scared going back to school with a 2 year old and working two jobs. Chamberlain turned my fears into dreams and provided me with a faculty that have supported me from day one. I professor I have had has went above and beyond in making sure I not only pass, but succeed in my classes. I am truly forever grateful for their daily encouragement as well as kindness and grace!
Review Date: 3/22/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I was really excited when I found Aspen University because of the cost, flexibility of online courses, and various payment options. I am currently in my first class. It is pretty typical of most online classes. I like my instructor. She provides good feedback and participates in our discussion posts. My greatest disappointment just arrived via email today. I cannot enroll in further classes because Aspen is no longer authorized by my state (MN). I don't know what happened. There is no firm date for... Read More
Review Date: 8/24/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The instructors are simply incredible, and the resources they provide, along with those available at the library, are truly great. Moreover, the program is financially affordable, making it a wonderful opportunity for all. The admission process was a breeze, thanks to the dedicated admission advisor who helped me every step of the way. The online technology has made my journey towards success even smoother and more seamless. I have taken the opportunity to sign up for a doctoral degree after completing... Read More
Review Date: 2/21/2024
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Purdue University Global is extremely full time work and family oriented. I was able to work full time, go through some rough family deaths and almost losing my husband from an I’ll was without missing a beat because the faculty/professors were accommodating and the work load was not overwhelming as long as you work on things daily. I have recommended Purdue to several colleagues as well as my own daughter. Purdue has been such a wonderful experience that I’m seriously thinking about going back to... Read More
Review Date: 4/26/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Graduated Walden’s RN- MSN PMHNP in august 2023. I enjoyed the school and passed my PMHNP boards 6 weeks later. The curriculum was relevant and prepared me to pass my boards. I have 2 job offers that pay very well. I also was accepted into a California University for DNP and several of the professors there also went to Walden for MSN. I highly recommend. You will have to study, actually read what they are asking and in terms of finding practicum sites and deadlines. If you can do that, you will graduate... Read More
Review Date: 11/20/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
This school took my money, enrolling me in a course that I never intended to enroll in. I filled out the application for the FNP program, and they registered me in the MSN program. Two years later, once I graduated, I had to start again on the FNP; however, they offered me the acute care program, which seemed to be faster. Six months before graduation, I had no clinical site. I found placement at a local ER, which was not suitable for the program. The school didn't help me find a clinical site. On... Read More
Review Date: 3/20/2025
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The availability of online classes for working people, people with children and busy schedules is a huge plus. Great program for a self motivated, independent person. The people you meet in this program will become your lifelong friends as well. Definitely consider this as an option.
Review Date: 3/6/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This school is expensive but the online program has been great and interactive. I love being able to see people on the screen and make friends with people from all over the country. The professors are very knowledgeable. I feel like I have a great foundation to advance my career.
Review Date: 3/6/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am currently attending Chamberlain for my MSN in the specialty track of Nurse Executive. I have to stay I was a little intimidated by complete online learning but so far Chamberlain has made this transition smooth. The course work is very challenging but the professors have been very helpful. The assignments have been thought out very well and the length of each class makes work and school manageable. Chamberlain is a great place to advance your education and ultimately your career.
Review Date: 12/5/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I came upon this site just after starting the MSN-FNP program at Walden University in Jan 2019. After reading all the negative reviews, I wondered if enrolling was a mistake. Prior to enrolling, several friends of mine encouraged me to attend Walden’s MSN-FNP program, as a result of their positive experiences in the program.
There is one negative aspect of the program at the time I attended, that is, finding preceptors. Very little, if any help was offered, and students are left to fend for themselves.... Read More
I have discovered that Online learning is extremely demanding. One must be focused, committed, and not have a tendency toward procrastination. The latter will wipe you out.
The professors in all my classes were top-notch experts, and actively working in their fields, while teaching. One of my professors is the Dean of Nursing at a brick and mortar university in Nevada as well. Reading the latter you may think how can a dean of nursing have time for online students? Well, this awesome professor did, and made it apparent by providing a direct contact number, and answering calls, or quickly calling back. I was blown away by the faculty, and their commitment to student success. The live “rounds” class was incredible. Real-life patient scenarios, seen in daily practice really added to the depth of my learning.
Wrapping up…my experience at Walden was incredible, but very demanding and difficult. The work is difficult, period. The expectation of the student is high. And the latter is required to produce competent providers. I would absolutely choose Walden to obtain my DNP, but I have not done so, I am trying to make up for the lost time with family right now.
If you wonder about preceptors, that part of the program receives ONE STAR. I paid a preceptor finder fee to an online company just to prevent from adding 6 months to my program. These companies realize that many online schools don’t help students with this part of their program, thus they are making a fortune. Using such a service came with a large price tag, I was placed with an OB/GYN doc that also teaches UC Irvine and UCLA med students, so it was worth it. I Learned an incredible amount on that rotation. With all said, Walden University now has a promise to students, and they are now guaranteeing placement with a preceptor. I wish that was in place during my time on the program.
Master’s level education is not a cakewalk, you won’t be hand-fed, and lots of sweat and maybe some tears will be shed working toward your goal. Walden is an excellent university, I believe it was not the right fit for some in this review section.
Oh, and I passed the national board exam first attempt in 40 minutes. FYI, Three hours is allotted for this certification. Thank you Walden University!
Good luck!
Review Date: 9/26/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Professors are aimed at helping you to achieve success. I was able to contact the dean each semester to take double the course load. I was able to graduate with my BSN in 9 months, will have completed the MSN in 12 months, and beginning my DNP in September. The professors ensure that the content is understood and information is not being lost. I recommend Chamberlain to everyone after a poor experience within the ADN program at another school. Thankful for the professors to understand that we are... Read More
Review Date: 5/15/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I've been an on/off student through Purdue Global for several years. I would like to thank all of the patient instructors who have encouraged me to "be better". I hope to work for Purdue Global online sometime in the future. I am blessed by this education and strive to be as wonderful as the instructors that have gotten me through. Lori
Review Date: 8/21/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am frustrated with Purdue Global University, and sadly it seems the school is on autopilot. I had no problem completing my core requirements but it is a challenge to do my internship. I am in the New York area and the course advisor for the internship is of no help. You can never get to talk to her on the phone. They promised they would me find a site for my internship and this never happened. I should have done my internship in May and I am still waiting with bated breath. There is a long form... Read More
Review Date: 7/11/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Duke has been a great disappointment. The program is wholly unorganized. Clinical rotations are NOT guaranteed as they advertise, and the online course structure is a mess. Overall, the program needs an overhaul, communication is clearly lacking among many departments. If I could choose differently all over again, I would.
Review Date: 1/17/2020
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
A lot of run around. If you've ever called Chamberlain, you will hear the message or person you speak with tell you the call is being recorded for quality assurance. I'm in week three of my studies and have heard this message no less than 50 times. The amount of communication just to get started is over-the-top. Once, someone from Chamberlain called me, said the message was being recorded, then asked me for personal information. This was NOT someone returning a call, yet they were baffled that I... Read More
Review Date: 5/20/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I attended South for my BSN and it was a great experience. The college of nursing was still located on Springhill when I graduated in 2004. I did not study for my NCLEX and had no difficulty passing the first time. When I started work I was much more prepared than other new nurses who went to other local colleges, except Springhill. It was a lot of work and it was hard but I'm glad I was at South. In 2017, I went back for my MSN, FNP online through South and had a really good experience. The writing... Read More
Review Date: 2/2/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
What happened to GU? I hear all these wonderful things, but wow.... The new Dean and Graduate Dean apparently have no clue whats going on, they don’t have answers and neither of them are nurse practitioners. How can they run this program? If it were not for the faculty trying to make the program work, these two would certainly run it in to the ground. Avoid, avoid, avoid!!!!!
Review Date: 11/14/2019
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No