How long is nurse practitioner school?
Nurse practitioner school takes about 2 years for an MSN after a BSN: Arkansas State University and Texas State University list their online family nurse practitioner MSNs at as few as 24 months, with 41 and 43 credits.[s_astate][s_txst] BLS says nurse practitioners must earn at least a master's degree in an advanced practice role, and a doctorate (DNP) is an option that takes longer.[ooh_aprn]
| Program | Length | Total tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University (AR) | as few as 24 months, 41 credits | $15,580 | Online MSN-FNP total tuition, fees included |
| Texas State University (TX) | as few as 24 months, 43 credits | $21,084 | Online MSN-FNP total tuition |
Both prices are the universities' own online-program figures and may change each year. They do not include the national certification exam, books, travel for on-campus sessions or the cost of finding clinical preceptors.
How to become a nurse practitioner: requirements
Nurse practitioner programs require an active RN license and, for MSN entry, usually a BSN; BLS describes the NP as an advanced practice registered nurse who needs at least a master's degree in the role.[ooh_aprn] After graduating, NPs pass a national certification exam in their population focus, such as family or psychiatric-mental health, and apply for an APRN license in their state. Unlike RN and LPN licenses, the advanced practice license is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so NPs need a license in each state where they practice.[nlc_faq]
RN to NP: what changes in pay
Moving from RN to NP raises median pay from $97,550 to $132,300, and even the 25th percentile for NPs, $117,990, is above the RN 75th percentile of $112,350.[onet_np][onet_rn] BLS counted 323,040 NP jobs in May 2025 and projects 41% employment growth from 2025 to 2035.[oews_api][ooh_aprn] State figures are on nurse practitioner salary.
Does nurse practitioner school pay off?
Nurse practitioner school at a public online price pays back in roughly 7 years in our example, and most of the cost is pay given up, not tuition: an RN at the national median who keeps 60% of that pay while studying for 24 months and starts as an NP at the 25th percentile recovers the cost in about 6.5 years at the Arkansas State price and 6.9 years at the Texas State price.[s_astate][s_txst][onet_np][onet_rn][irs]
| Program | Tuition | Pay given up | After-tax raise per year | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State FNP | $15,580 | $78,040 | $14,380 | 6.5 |
| Texas State FNP | $21,084 | $78,040 | $14,380 | 6.9 |
Paying for NP school: 2026 federal loan limits
Since July 1, 2026, MSN and DNP programs are not "professional" degrees for federal student loans, so NP students can borrow at most $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total in Direct Unsubsidized loans, instead of the professional limits of $50,000 and $200,000.[fr_rule] Graduate unsubsidized loans first disbursed between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 carry 8.07% interest.[fr_rates] The two public programs above cost less than two years of the annual cap, but higher-priced private programs may leave a gap.
The higher-paid advanced practice route is nurse anesthesia, which takes at least three full-time years after a year of ICU work; compare it on CRNA school. Every route's timeline is on how long is nursing school, and RN pay by state on nurse salary by state.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a nurse practitioner?
Become a registered nurse, earn a BSN, complete an accredited MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program (about 2 years or more), pass a national NP certification exam and get an APRN license in your state.
How long is nurse practitioner school?
About 2 years for an MSN after a BSN; two public online FNP programs list as few as 24 months. A DNP takes longer.
How much does nurse practitioner school cost?
Arkansas State University lists $15,580 and Texas State University $21,084 in total tuition for their online FNP MSNs. Prices vary widely between schools.
Can you go straight from RN to NP?
Yes, with a BSN you can enter an MSN or DNP program; some programs ask for RN work experience first. RNs without a BSN can look for RN-to-MSN programs.
Is a DNP required to be a nurse practitioner?
No. BLS says nurse practitioners need at least a master’s degree; the DNP is optional.
Sources
- Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (41 credits, $15,580 total tuition)
- Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (43 credits, $21,084 total tuition)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
- NLC FAQs and Nurses & the NLC (multistate license, primary state of residence, noncompact states)
- Local Wages: 29-1171.00 Nurse Practitioners (state and metro percentiles)
- Local Wages: 29-1141.00 Registered Nurses (state and metro percentiles)
- OEWS May 2025 employment and median wage series (OEUN/OEUS), Public Data API v2
- IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
- Reimagining and Improving Student Education: Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations (professional degree definition; graduate loan limits)
- Annual Notice of Interest Rates for Fixed-Rate Federal Student Loans (loans first disbursed July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)