20 Most Affordable Private Colleges for Master’s in Nursing Administration Online Degree Programs

Southwest Baptist University offers the most affordable online master's in nursing administration degree program on our list. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate within one year of graduation and offers part-time (3 years), full-time (2 years), and accelerated full-time (18 months) completion tracks. All courses are taught by qualified instructors and include ethics and policy issues in advanced practice, health care finance, human resource management in health care, organizational analysis and innovation, and statistics and data analysis for nursing. All courses are in eight-week blocks with a mixture of hybrid and fully online formats. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as a top regional university in the Midwest.

Grantham University offers online MSN nursing administration and leadership programs like the online MSN with nursing management and organizational leadership specialization. This program is 100% online and does not require a bachelor's in nursing degree. If you are an RN and interested in the program, but only have an associate's degree, an online RN to MSN option is available. Courses begin frequently and are taught by qualified instructors. These courses include concepts of healthcare informatics, diverse populations and healthcare, leadership in healthcare organizations, legal and ethical issues of advanced practice nursing, and nursing research and evidence-based practice.

One of the most affordable online MSN nursing administration degree programs on our list is offered by Lubbock Christian University. The school offers a 35-hour, non-thesis MSN with a blended leadership and education focus. Courses are delivered online and taught by the same instructors who teach on campus. These courses include applying best practices in community health care, management of health care resources, nursing theory, and research and statistical methods. Admission requirements include RN licensure, a BSN from an accredited program and school, official transcripts, and a strong GPA or GRE scores. Criminal background checks are required prior to enrollment. Lubbock Christian is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 76th best regional university in the West.

The online master's in nursing administration from Saint Joseph's College is an online graduate nursing program designed for experienced or working registered nurses. The nursing administration track requires 45 credits, which can be combined with the MHA or the leadership MBA as a dual degree. Graduates become qualified to sit for the national nurse administration certification exam. All classes are delivered online and include contemporary issues in nursing administration, financial management, quality performance, and strategic planning. A BSN to MSN and RN to MSN fast-track option are both available. St. Joseph's College is accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the North.

Northwest Nazarene University's online MSN nursing administration degree is a CCNE-accredited program that allows nurses to earn a master's in nursing degree with an emphasis in leadership and education. The program is open to nurses with either an associate's or bachelor's degree, although the completion time varies between two and three years depending on which degree the student holds. Admission requires an accredited college degree, current RN licensure, current employment as a registered nurse or experience, and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. Northwest Nazarene is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 44th best regional university in the West and 25th best value school. Also, the online graduate nursing programs have received recognition.

McKendree University offers an online MSN nursing administration degree program designed for part-time or full-time students. Classes are delivered online and taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These courses include human behavior in organizations, management of fiscal systems, nursing informatics, and theories and principles of nursing management. A scholarly project or thesis is also required. The master's program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) – a premiere governing body. McKendree is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 74th best regional university in the Midwest and 35th best value school. Also, the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #81 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report.

Lenoir-Rhyne University's online MSN nursing leadership program offers a 33-credit hour nursing administration track designed to prepare nurses as leaders in their field. The program is CCNE-accredited and designed with the working adult in mind. Part-time and full-time options are available, and any clinical requirements can be completed close to the student's geographic location for added convenience. Courses offered include advanced nursing leadership, introduction to advanced nursing administration/leadership, nursing informatics, nursing research and evidence-based practice, organizational behavior, and theories for advanced nursing practice. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 56th best regional university in the South and 16th best value institution.

Clarkson College's online MSN nursing administration program is designed to offer rigorous and patient-focused preparation for students interested in obtaining advanced practice nursing roles. Classes are delivered online and taught by qualified faculty. These courses include application and evaluation of theory in nursing, essentials of scholarly writing, health care economics, health care leadership, health care strategic planning and marketing, and human resources and organizational behavior. All but nine hours in the core courses must be completed at Clarkson College. Clarkson is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top institution, and its online graduate nursing programs are ranked #39 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

One of the most affordable online master's in nursing administration and leadership programs on our list is the online MSN from Grand Canyon University. The degree program offers an emphasis in leadership in health care systems and can be completed entirely online. Courses include ethics and policy in the health care systems, health care research analysis and utilization, leading as a general manager, organizational development and change, and theoretical foundations for nursing roles and practice. A total of 36 credits are required for the completion of the degree. Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree from an accredited college with a 2.8 GPA or higher. If you do not meet the GPA requirements, the GRE must be taken and satisfactory scores received. Grand Canyon is recognized by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top national university.

One of the most affordable online MSN nursing leadership and administration programs on our list is the online MSN – nurse administrator program at Queens University of Charlotte. This is a CCNE-accredited program designed for working nurses. Coursework is delivered entirely online and set up with eight week classes. Students take one course at a time until requirements are met. Some of the courses include data interpretations, health policy, management of clinical outcomes, leadership principles and practices, management of the care environment, and professionalism and ethics in clinical leadership. Queens University is a regionally ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 22nd best regional university in the South. Also, the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #102 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.