Are There Any 100% Online MSN Degree Programs?

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Yes, there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to online MSN degree programs. Many online programs have brief residency requirements, though there are many that do not require their students to visit campus for any amount of time. Online MSN degree programs provide the schedule flexibility that allows practicing Registered Nurses (RNs) to maintain their current employment while working towards an MSN degree that will increase their career options and expected salary. While there are many benefits to an online format, there are some aspects of an on-campus program that cannot be replicated online, so prospective online degree students should be familiar with the Pros and Cons of Online College and University Programs. If you have decided that your schedule would work best with an online degree program, the next step will be to find the program that best meets your academic and professional qualifications. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of The Top 25 Online Master’s in Nursing Programs. The methodology for our list is based on the school’s tuition, program quality, classes offered, and faculty. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the best options that can be completed entirely online.

The University of Saint Francis-Joliet

The University of Saint Francis is a private university that was founded in 1920 and has its main campus located in Joliet, Illinois. The university’s Leach College of Nursing offers prospective students who have not had any prior amount of college to enroll in their RN to BS to MSN degree program, which streamlines their academic career to help them save time and money. MSN students can choose from one of four specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner, which prepares students to become primary care physicians; Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, which trains students to provide care for patients with psychiatric complications; Nursing Administration, which teaches students how to organize and manage a nursing department; or Nursing Educator, which teaches students to train prospective RNs. All of the specializations are only offered online and do not require students to visit campus at any point throughout the program. Tuition is $13,950 per academic year, making it a great deal for prospective MSN students.


Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a private Roman Catholic university that was established in 1887 and is located in Lisle, which is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The university offers an online MSN degree program that allows students to choose from one of two concentrations. The Nurse Educator Concentration prepares students to provide training for prospective RNs. The Nurse Executive Leader Concentration prepares students to manage nursing departments in both hospital and clinical medical settings. The program can be completed entirely online and does not require students to visit campus for any amount of time. Graduate tuition at Benedictine University came out to $19,181 per year. Prospective online students who are looking for a break on tuition by earning an academic scholarship should be sure to check out our list of the 50 Best Scholarships for Online College Students.