Top Direct Entry MSN Programs by State

If you already have an undergraduate degree, you don’t have to start from scratch to become a nurse! Direct-entry MSN programs bridge the gap between your non-nursing education and a master's-level nursing degree. 

We’ve compiled this list of nursing schools that offer direct-entry MSN degrees in each state to help narrow your search. Read on to find a direct-entry MSN program near you!

Top Direct Entry MSN Programs by State

Alabama

1. University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $628 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,550 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 semesters
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Arizona

1. Arizona State University

• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $1,241 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,862 per credit hour
• Program Length: 16 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Alliant International University

• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Tuition: $48,044 per year
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Alverno College

• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 18 - 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

4. University of Arizona

• Location: Tucson or Gilbert, AZ
• Gilbert Tuition: 
  • Resident: $48,114 total
  • Non-Resident: $68,406 total
• Tucson Tuition:
  • Resident: $49,284 total
  • Non-Resident: $83,165 total
• Program Length: 15-18 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Arkansas

1. Harding University

• Location: Searcy, AR
• Tuition: $900 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

California

1. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Tuition: $47,700 total
• Program Length: 12 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

2. San Francisco State University 

• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $35,781.74 per year
  • Non-Resident: $48,026.74 per year
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Administration, Public/Community Health
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

3. University of California - Irvine

• Location: Irvine, CA
• Tuition: $700 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Concentration in Community and Population Health
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

4. University of California - Davis

• Location: Sacramento, CA
• Tuition: $131,451 total
• Program Length: 18 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No 

5. University of San Diego

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Tuition: $124,250 total
• Program Length: 18 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No 

Colorado

1. Herzing University

• Location: Colorado
• Tuition: Varies
• Program Length: 20-24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Yes

2. Regis University

• Location: Colorado
• Tuition: $149,930
• Program Length: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Yes 

Connecticut

1. Fairfield University

• Location: Fairfield, CT
• Tuition: $1,030 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

2. Yale University

• Location: New Haven, CT
• Tuition: $72,623 total
• Program Length: 3 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

Delaware

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Delaware.

Florida

1. University of West Florida

• Location: Pensacola, FL
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $418.77 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,078.41 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Jacksonville University

• Location: Jacksonville, FL
• Tuition: $750 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

3. Miami Regional University

• Location: Miami Springs, FL
• Tuition: $670 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 - 28 months
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

Georgia

1. Emory University 

• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Tuition: $2,017 per credit hour
• Program Length: 15 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

2. Augusta University

• Location: Augusta, GA
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $513 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,312 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

3. Brenau University

• Location: North Atlanta, GA
• Tuition: $885 per credit hour
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

Hawaii

1. University of Hawai’i at Manoa

• Location: Honolulu, HI
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $1,001 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,896 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 - 4 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Nursing Education & Leadership, Online Advanced Population Health Nursing
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

Idaho

1. Eagle Gate College

• Location: Boise, ID
• Tuition: Varies per student
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Illinois

1. Rush University 

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Tuition: $1,436 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 -3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Bradley University

• Location: Peoria, IL
• Tuition: $1,135 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2- 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nursing Administration, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Elmhurst University

• Location: Elmhurst, IL
• Tuition: $845.07 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Indiana

1. Saint Mary’s  College 

• Location: Notre Dame, IN
• Tuition: $1,095 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

2. Herzing University

• Location: Indiana
• Tuition: Varies
• Program Length: 20 - 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Iowa

1. The University of Iowa

• Location: Iowa City, IA
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $64,600
  • Non-Resident: $111,756
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No 

Kansas

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Kansas.

Kentucky

1. Western Kentucky University

• Location: Bowling Green, KY
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $607 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $917 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No 

Louisiana

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Louisiana.

Maine

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Maine.

Maryland

1. Johns Hopkins University

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Tuition: $1,995 per credit hour
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

2. Towson University

• Location: Towson, MD
• Tuition: $739 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

Massachusetts

1. Simmons University 

• Location:  Boston, MA
• Tuition: $1,400 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

2. MGH Institute of Health Professions

• Location:  Boston, MA
• Tuition: $1,400 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Salem State University

• Location:  Salem, MA
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $478.30 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $576.20 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

4. Northeastern University

• Location:  Boston, MA
• Tuition: $2,031 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Neonatal NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

5. Boston College

• Location:  Chestnut Hill, MA
• Tuition: $1,876 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, Women’s Health NP
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Michigan

1. University of Detroit Mercy

• Location:  Detroit, MI
• Tuition: $978 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Minnesota

1. Metro State University 

• Location:  Saint Paul, MN
• Tuition: $555.28 per credit hour
• Program Length: 7 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

2. St. Catherine University

• Location:  Saint Paul, MN
• Tuition: $48,755 total
• Program Length: 23 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Mississippi

1. Mississippi State University

• Location:  Mississippi State, MS
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $439.92 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,195.42 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Missouri

1. Saint Louis University

• Location:  St. Louis, MO
• Tuition: $1,330 per credit hour
• Program Length: 21 months 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Montana

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Montana.

Nebraska

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Nebraska.

Nevada

1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Location: Las Vegas, NV
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $344 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $517 per credit hour 
• Program Length: 2 - 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

New Hampshire

1. University of New Hampshire

• Location: Durham, NH
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $14,170 per year
  • Non-Resident: $27,810 per year
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Franklin Pierce University

• Location: Manchester, NH
• Tuition: $43,195 per year
• Program Length: 18 months
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

New Jersey

1. Georgian Court University

• Location: Lakewood, NJ
• Tuition: $985 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

New Mexico

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in New Mexico.

New York

1. Columbia University

• Location: New York, NY
• Tuition: $150,471 total
• Program Length: 15 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

2. University of Rochester

• Location: Rochester, NY
• Tuition: $115,200  total
• Program Length: 16 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. New York University 

• Location: New York, NY
• Tuition: $2,400 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

North Carolina

1. UNC Greensboro

• Location: Greensboro, NC
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $443.83 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,294.78 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

2. Duke University

• Location: Durham, NC
• Tuition: $118,816 total
• Program Length: 4 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

North Dakota

1. University of Jamestown

• Location: Fargo, ND
• Tuition: $733 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

Ohio

1. Ohio State University

• Location: Columbus, OH
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $9,682 per semester
  • Non-Resident: $22,982 per semester
• Program Length: 36 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN  - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal NP, Women’s Health NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

2. Xavier University

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Tuition: $722 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Lourdes University

• Location: Sylvania, OH
• Tuition: $730 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Oklahoma

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Oklahoma.

Oregon

1. Linfield University 

• Location: Portland and McMinnville, OR
• Tuition: $29,888 per semester
• Program Length: 15 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Pennsylvania

1. La Roche University 

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Tuition: $801 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

• Location: Gwynedd Valley, PA 
• Tuition: $830 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Saint Vincent College 

• Location: Latrobe, PA 
• Tuition: $970 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

4. University of Pennsylvania

• Location: Philadelphia, PA 
• Tuition: $142,749 total
• Program Length: 15 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No

5. West Chester University

• Location: West Chester, PA 
• Tuition: $704.20 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

Rhode Island

1. The University of Rhode Island

• Location: South Kingstown, RI
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $918 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,788 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

South Carolina

1. University of South Carolina

• Location: Columbia, SC
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $44,455 total
  • Non-Resident: $86,020 total
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? No

South Dakota

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in South Dakota.

Tennessee

1. Vanderbilt University

• Location: Nashville, TN
• Tuition: $2,057 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Texas

1. The University of Texas, Austin

• Location: Austin, TX
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $12,427 annually
  • Non-resident: $22,713 annually
• Program Length: 3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Leadership in Diverse Settings
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Utah

1. Eagle Gate College

• Location: Murray, UT
• Tuition: Varies
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Vermont

1. University of Vermont

• Location: Murray, UT
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $692 per credit thought
  • Non-Resident: $1,200 per credit hour
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Virginia

1. University of Virginia

• Location: Charlottesville, VA
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $30,228 per year
  • Non-Resident: $49,464 per year
• Program Length: 24 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Washington

1. Pacific Lutheran University

• Location: Tacoma, WA
• Tuition: 
  • Pre-licensure: $855 per credit hour
  • MSN portion: $1,160 per credit hour
• Program Length: 27 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader, Certified Nurse Leader
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

West Virginia

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in West Virginia.

Wisconsin

1. Carroll University

• Location: Waukesha, WI
• Tuition: $990 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? No 

2. Marquette University

• Location: Pleasant Prairie or Milwaukee, WI
• Tuition: $67,000 total
• Program Length: 5-8 semesters 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

3. Alverno College

• Location: Milwaukee, WI
• Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
• Program Length: 18 - 20 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

4. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Location: Milwaukee, WI
• Tuition: 
  • Resident: $1,041.31 per credit hour
  • Non-Resident: $1,880.75 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Public
• Online Options Available? Hybrid 

Wyoming

Currently, there are no direct-entry MSN programs in Wyoming

Washington, DC

1. Georgetown University

• Location: Washington, D.C. 
• Tuition: $1,525 per credit hour
• Program Length: 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN 
• School Type: Private
• Online Options Available? Hybrid

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How to Choose a Direct-Entry MSN Program Near You

The first thing you want to consider when choosing a direct-entry MSN program is ensuring the program is nationally accredited. The two main nursing school accreditation bodies in the US are as follows:

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Other things to consider when choosing an MSN program include:

• Cost
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Attrition rate
• Certification exam pass rate
• Program offerings 
• Clinical requirements
• Online vs. in-person

FAQs

• Is a direct-entry MSN worth it?
  

  • Direct-entry MSN programs are worth it because they are an excellent time and cost-saving option for non-nurses with bachelor’s degrees to transition into nursing.

• How much do direct-entry MSN programs cost?
  

  • Direct entry MSN programs generally cost between  $45,000 and $150,000. The tuition varies depending on the program outcomes, public vs. private institutions, and other contributing factors.

• What are the benefits of a direct-entry MSN program?
  

  • Direct-entry MSN programs streamline the education process by delivering accelerated courses directly related to nursing. Their primary benefits include saving money and time, allowing students to start their nursing careers sooner.

MSN