By MSN Staff
Pursuing an affordable nursing administration degree can help you achieve your career goals without incurring excessive student debt. By performing a little due diligence regarding the available nursing administration degree programs, you can make a more informed decision regarding the right school for your needs.
Nurse administrators serve as leaders and managers in the healthcare environment. These dedicated professionals are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations regarding patient confidentiality and medical practices. They may also be called upon to set up work schedules, to manage patient billing and to ensure accurate record keeping. Duties may be performed in hospitals, clinics, private medical practices or in assisted living facilities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, available nursing administration jobs will increase by 23 percent between 2012 and 2022. This added demand bodes well for students pursuing a master of science in nursing administration in the next few years.
Methodology
To compile this ranking, we consulted information available from the National Center for Education Statistics to determine the most affordable programs currently available. There were 187 programs in our initial search. We then ranked these degree programs based on the costs of in-state tuition and fees and created this resource to help you find the right high-value nursing administration programs for your needs.
30. Winona State University
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
Winona, Michigan
Winona State University offers a variety of MSN programs through its Rochester, Minnesota, campus that provide the leadership training necessary for success as a nurse administrator. Two-year and three-year programs of study offer maximum flexibility for students at Winona State University-Rochester. Human resources, financial accountability and project management are covered in-depth; organizational management is also a focus point for this nursing curriculum. Coursework can be completed online, in the traditional classroom setting or through a combination of both types of classes.
29. West Virginia Wesleyan College
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
Buckhannon, West Virginia
A private Methodist college that typically serves more than 50 graduate nursing students each year, West Virginia Wesleyan College offers real value in the educational marketplace. Students seeking a nursing administration master’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College must complete 36 credit hours of coursework along with a capstone project intended to demonstrate their grasp of the principles of management, finance and human resources in the medical environment. Ethics, law and business are also discussed during the course of this innovative degree program.
28. Indiana University-Purdue University
Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Leadership in Health Systems
Indianapolis, Indiana
A unique joint effort between Indiana University and Purdue University, this Indianapolis research institution offers an unparalleled range of degree programs for its students. The nursing leadership degree program offered by Indiana University-Purdue University has achieved high marks in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report rankings list. Students typically take two to three years to complete this program, which includes 42 credit hours and 135 supervised practicum hours. Most classes can be completed online, but on-campus attendance may be required for some coursework.
27. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Master of Science in Nursing Administration Management
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
One of the top medical education and research facilities in the U.S., the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center delivers outstanding training programs for aspiring nurses. The Master of Science in Nursing Administration Management program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center focuses primarily on leadership and management skills to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the real world. Part-time and full-time programs are available; each requires the successful completion of 33 credit hours online or on campus.
26. Excelsior College
Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems
Albany, New York
Tuition and fees: $25,795
From 2016-2021 the Excelsior College School of Nursing will hold the distinction of being a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. It has earned this honor from the National League for Nursing in recognition for its achievements creating a fertile learning environment with outstanding professional development. That includes Excelsior’s 38-credit online MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems. While the GRE is not required for admission, applicants must have a BSN and active RN license. Founded in 1971, Excelsior College is proud to be a not-for-profit institution, and among the first in the nation to pioneer the delivery of education online.
25. Southwest Baptist University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Bolivar, Missouri
Southwest Baptist University provides a Christian education for students in the Midwest and offers degree programs in over 80 areas of study.The most affordable nursing administration program on our list is also one of the most versatile. Southwest Baptist University offers online, traditional and hybrid classes to allow students to manage their coursework more effectively. Core classes include organizational analysis, leadership and administration, healthcare finance and human resource management; a comprehensive examination and practicum are also required to complete this degree.
24. Union University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Jackson, Tennessee
A private Christian university established in 1823, Union University is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. With both part-time and full-time nursing administration programs available, Union University offers exceptional flexibility and affordability for its students. Coursework requirements include theory and ethics, statistics, collaborative strategies, informatics, legal background classes and leadership training. Successful applicants to this program must have completed a bachelor of science degree and must have an unencumbered RN license.
23. University of Houston
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Victoria, Texas
A top-notch research university serving more than 40,000 students each year, the University of Houston has much to offer nursing administration students. The bustling metropolis of Houston, Texas, sets the scene for students interested in obtaining a high-value nursing administration degree from the School of Nursing at the University of Houston. Full-time and part-time programs are available and include coursework in leadership, healthcare delivery systems, finance and informatics, human resources and economics in the medical environment.
22. Ferris State University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Big Rapids, Michigan
Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and offers a diverse learning environment for students in all fields of endeavor. Students enrolled in the Ferris State University nursing administration program must complete 37 credit hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Project management, sustainable development, performance evaluation metrics and the principles of quality improvement are among the most important focal points for the MSN curriculum and provide a solid foundation for future achievements in this fast-growing field.
21. Mount Mercy University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Tuition and Fees: $22,968
Founded by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy in 1928, Mount Mercy University has evolved a great deal from its humble beginnings as a nursing and teaching academy. The nursing administration degree offered by Mount Mercy University is designed to allow students to progress more quickly through the required coursework. Most students complete the program in 18 months. Five-week course schedules and small class sizes contribute to the fast pace of learning at this private Catholic university. Evening classes are also available to provide added flexibility for working adults interested in furthering their careers.
20. University of South Alabama
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Mobile, Alabama
Founded in 1963, the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, offers almost 100 degree programs for students of this public institution of higher learning. The College of Nursing at the University of South Alabama offers a number of options for students interested in an affordable master of science in nursing administration. The Executive Nursing Administration MSN program requires 180 hours of nursing administration field study and a 240-hour nursing administration internship. Finance and healthcare policy issues are primary focus points for classroom instruction.
19. Texas Woman’s University
Master of Science in Nursing Health Systems Management
Denton, Texas
Texas Woman’s University serves approximately 15,000 students each year and offers an extensive array of online and on-campus degree programs for aspiring nurses. The nursing health systems management degree program at Texas Woman’s University can be completed 100 percent online or through a number of hybrid programs that split on-campus class time and online coursework on a fifty-fifty basis. Students must also accrue 270 hours of practical experience in fiscal assessment, outcomes and organizational assessment in real-world healthcare environments.
18. Weber State University
Master of Science in Nurse Executiv3e
Ogden, Utah
A publicly supported liberal arts institution of higher learning, Weber State University was established in 1889 and has been part of the Ogden, Utah, community for more than 125 years. The nursing administration master’s degree program available from Weber State University is specifically designed to prepare students for the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification Examination. The competency-based curriculum focuses on teamwork, collaboration, quality management and improvement, informatics and evidence-based practice to ensure the most positive outcomes for patients in the healthcare setting.
17. Gardner-Webb University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Boling Springs, North Carolina
Gardner-Webb University is based in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and is one of the leading private Christian universities in the U.S. The affordable MSN degree program available through Gardner-Webb University is a joint initiative of the Hunt School of Nursing and the Godbold School of Business. By combining the financial and medical aspects of nurse administration, this private university provides students with a clear picture of the balancing act inherent in this fast-growing healthcare profession.
16. Colorado Technical University
Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Administration
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Offering online education options since 1995, the online MSN in Nursing Administration at Colorado Technical University stands on the shoulders of experience. Students can graduate in as soon as 18 months and it’s possible to earn practicum hours through employment. 2020 marked the second year in a row CTU’s MSN programs have been ranked among the top of their kind nationwide by U.S. News and World Report. With three start dates throughout the year, this 48-credit degree includes 120 hours of practicum experience. Admission requirements include a BSN and active RN license. Since its founding by an Air Force flight engineer CTU has prided itself on being a friendly school to all students, especially veterans.
15. Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi
Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership in Nursing Systems
Corpus Christi, Texas
Known as the Island University, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi is located on its own tropical island in the Texas Gulf Coast and provides a unique backdrop for academic studies and extracurricular activities. The Leadership in Nursing Systems MSN degree program offered by Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi requires the successful completion of 37 credit hours of coursework, including a capstone course. Key areas of study include nursing informatics, healthcare financial management, health policy and economics, law and ethics, organizational behavior and design and the study of leadership theories in the nursing environment.
14. The University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio
Master of Science in Nursing – Administrative Management
San Antonio, Texas
Founded in 1959, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers more than 68 health-related degrees and pre- and post-baccalaureate certificate programs. The administrative management MSN program of the School of Nursing at the Health Science Center is available to students on both a part-time and a full-time basis. Complex systems leadership for quality and safety, organizational strategies for customized, accountable care, and a strong focus on resource and financial management are among the most important topics covered in the 36 to 38 credit hours and 420 or less practicum hours required to graduate from this program.
13. Western Governors University
Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership and Management
Salt Lake City, Utah
Western Governors University is an online-only institution of higher learning designed to provide cost-effective learning options for students across the U.S. An innovative and affordable nursing administration master’s degree program from Western Governors University can provide flexible educational opportunities for nurses already in the medical field. The institution accepts transfer credits from those who have already earned their RN license and features a competency-based approach to learning through online coursework and a required capstone project.
12. The University of Texas at El Paso
Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Management
El Paso, Texas
Consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the U.S., the University of Texas at El Paso offers more than 76 master’s degree programs for students across the country and around the world. The UTEP School of Nursing is one of the most prestigious options for students seeking an affordable nursing administration program. Students can pursue an MSN in Nursing Systems Management without ever setting foot on campus thanks to the innovative 100 percent online program. Most students can complete their degrees in 24 months, making this a fast-track option for working adults.
11. Lubbock Christian University
Master of Science in Nursing Education/Leadership
Lubbock, Texas
Small classes and a strong focus on Christian values make Lubbock Christian University a popular choice among Texas students. No thesis is required for the nursing administration degree program offered by Lubbock Christian University. The curriculum consists of 35 credit hours in finance, research, education, management and a range of other related topics. Most courses are available online or through a combination of online and in-class learning experiences, allowing greater flexibility for working adults.
10. The University of Texas at Tyler
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Tyler, Texas
The University of Texas at Tyler is located in the heart of East Texas and comprises more than 250 acres of land surrounded by the iconic oak and pine forests characteristic of this area. The Department of Graduate Nursing at the University of Texas at Tyler offers an innovative 100-percent online nursing administration degree. Students must complete a thesis or scholarly project as well as undertaking a 112.5-hour clinical practicum. This hands-on experience combined with the convenience of online coursework ensures that this affordable nursing administration master’s program meets the needs of working adults.
9. University of West Georgia
Master of Science in Nursing – Health Systems Leadership
Carrollton, Georgia
Named as one of the best Southeastern colleges and a top bargain by the Princeton Review, the University of West Georgia is on the cutting edge of online education for U.S. nursing students. The University of West Georgia offers 100 percent online graduate degree programs for nursing students, making it one of the most convenient choices for nurses already working in the healthcare environment. The program requires 36 credit hours of coursework and can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time students may be able to graduate in as little as four semesters; part-time students typically take six semesters to finish the course.
8. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Edinburg, Texas
Students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley enjoy a truly multicultural educational experience thanks to the proximity of this educational institution to the U.S.-Mexico border. The MSN program at the University of Texas – Brownsville is designed to provide leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of the financial, regulatory and organizational challenges facing healthcare institutions today. The program comprises 37 credit hours and is available in both thesis and non-thesis varieties to suit the preferences of nursing students.
7. The University of Texas Health Science Center
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
Houston, Texas
Ranked in the top five percent of graduate nursing programs, the University of Texas Health Science Center offers an exceptional educational experience for its students. Students can expect a combination of online and face-to-face coursework when pursuing a degree in nursing leadership at the University of Texas Health Science Center. The program is designed to allow completion in five semesters and in 38 credit hours. Students must have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average in previous college work and may be required to complete a statistics course if they have not done so previously.
6. Marshall University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Huntington, West Virigina
Established in 1837, Marshall University is named after Chief Justice John Marshall and is one of the great historic campuses in the Appalachian region. All coursework for the high-value MSN degree program offered by Marshall University can be completed online, making it one of the most convenient choices for those already employed in the medical field. The curriculum comprises 36 credit hours, 18 of which deal directly with nursing management, financial administration and organizational dynamics in the healthcare environment.
5. Prairie View A&M University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Prairie View, Texas
As the second oldest public university and one of only nine historically black colleges in Texas, Prairie View A&M University has a proud heritage of achievement in the Lone Star State. The nursing administration programs at Prairie View A&M University are available in thesis and research capstone project options. Required coursework focuses primarily on statistics, organizational theory, health informatics and economics, financial management and practical experience as a nurse administrator. Some degree options may also incorporate training in proposal writing for nursing students.
4. Arkansas Tech University
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Russellville, Arkansas
Located in Russellville, Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University offers quality educational programs in a warm and welcoming small-town environment for graduate nursing students. Students must complete 39 credit hours and a thesis or final project to earn an MSN from Arkansas Tech University. The nursing administration concentration area also incorporates six hours of practicum experience. The curriculum includes coursework in fiscal management, ethics, law and policy, research design, organizational behavior and epidemiology in the modern healthcare environment.
3. Grantham University
Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership
Lanexa, Kansas
All of the degree programs available from Grantham University are available online and are designed to provide improved accessibility to higher education for busy working adults. As a 100 percent online university, Grantham University delivers convenient options for nurses looking for added flexibility when seeking their degrees. The nursing management and organizational leadership MSN program requires the completion of 37 credit hours as well as a major applied research paper that demonstrates the principles conveyed through online coursework and independent study.
2. Missouri Western State University
Master of Science in Nursing – Healthcare Leadership and Education
St. Joseph, Missouri
Founded in 1915, Missouri Western State University is currently celebrating its centennial in the small Missouri city of St. Joseph. The health care leadership MSN program at Missouri Western State University is designed to provide a thorough grounding in organizational dynamics, human resource management, complexity, finances, informatics and policy. Students must complete 32 credit hours and perform an internship to put their skills to the test in real-world situations and scenarios.
1. Texas A&M University – Texarkana
Master of Science in Nursing Administration
Texarkana, Texas
Texas A&M University Texarkana is centrally located to serve Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas with top-quality graduate programs and low student-faculty ratios to ensure optimal face time for those who attend this elite institution. Students who are accepted to the Texas A&M University Texarkana nursing administration MSN program must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours, including an administrative practicum and a research project or thesis. Ethics, economics, administrative techniques and organizational management are among the most important elements of the coursework required to achieve this prestigious MSN.
These universities offer a range of programs designed to help students pursue their career goals in the nursing field. This list is intended to provide a solid starting point for those looking for an affordable nursing administration degree in the higher education environment.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator