What is the fastest track to become an NP?

The fastest way to become an NP is through an accelerated NP program, which requires a bachelor of science in nursing degree and can be completed in 12 months. Direct-entry master of science in nursing programs may be a good fit for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and typically take 2-3 years to complete. They also have to sit for the NCLEX-RN after the first year of the program.

How long are most NP programs?

The typical nurse practitioner program takes 2-3 years to complete. In an online accelerated program, you could become an NP in just 12 months, depending on your prior qualifications and whether you attend part or full time.

What type of NP gets paid the most?

Technically, the highest paid NP is a certified registered nurse anesthetist, with a mean annual wage of $231,700. However, these nurses hold additional licensure, setting them apart from typical NPs. The next highest paid NP is an aesthetic nurse practitioner, making an average annual salary of $130,300 per year.

What degree is best for a nurse practitioner?

The degree that's best for an NP depends largely on your preferences, career goals, financial situation, and available time to commit to studying. If your priority is to become an NP as quickly as possible, then an accelerated online NP program might be best.

Best Accelerated Online NP Programs Ranked

The best online accelerated nurse practitioner (NP)programs offer flexibility and an expedited timeline to licensure. While the complete path to NP status can take 3-6 years, full-time students can complete an online accelerated NP program in just one year.

Online learners can take classes wherever there is internet access. This flexibility allows you to arrange your schedule and coursework in the way that best suits you.

This guide ranks top program options, explains how online NP programs work, and offers advice to help you select the best program for your career goals.

Learn About the Best Accelerated Online NP Programs and Schools for 2026

How We Choose Schools

At NurseJournal.org, we use a data-driven methodology to identify deserving nursing programs around the country, making it easy for you to find a program that meets your needs. Our lists are informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that evaluates data for accuracy.

Each school in this list is awarded a superlative based on metrics that we believe matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, career outcomes, accessibility, inclusivity, and individual program offerings, among other factors. Since many programs share similar offerings, our goal is to simplify your decision-making by highlighting features that are most relevant to your needs. We reserve the right to exclude schools that lack sufficient data for accurate calculations.

All data was verified in October 2025.

Using Our Rankings: What to Look for in an Online Accelerated NP Degree Program

When exploring online accelerated NP programs, keep in mind the metrics listed below — factors that also shape our rankings.

Admission Requirements

It's important to understand and then meet the for any degree program that interests you. Admission requirements give you an idea about the average student accepted into a nursing program, including their academic background, work history, and clinical experience.

Specializations

Taking an accelerated NP program online gives you specialized training in areas of healthcare, such as family NP, pediatrics NP, psychiatric mental health NP, or women's health NP. The selection of specializations varies by school.

Program Curriculum

Most accelerated online NP programs offer similar advanced theoretical and clinical nursing curricula, but electives and specializations vary. For instance, one accelerated online NP program may focus on primary care management, while another emphasizes leadership in nursing.

Clinical Experience

Clinical hours are a core element of every accelerated online NP program. You can expect to complete in-person clinical hours. Some programs offer free clinical placement services and advisors, a process that can be otherwise time-consuming. Most programs, however, require students to find their own clinical placements.

Accreditation

You want your accelerated online NP program to have accreditation because it offers a distinction recognized by your peers and future employers. Accreditation also ensures that an accelerated online NP program meets the clinical and educational requirements for certification and licensure.

Program Length

Consider how much time you have available to devote to earning a higher degree. Completing the average accelerated NP program online takes about 24 months, but some programs only take 12 months. Alternatively, nurses can study part time and graduate in about 28 months.

School Graduation Rate

A school's graduation rate provides clues about how well a program and its faculty prepare students to achieve their career goals. You can get an idea about how long it takes the average student to earn a degree by looking at the graduation rate.

Online Learning Format and Requirements

Accelerated online NP programs operate virtually, but how students access lectures and materials differs. Students may prefer mostly asynchronous courses with no set class times or live courses that offer face-to-face interaction.

Why Is Accelerated Online NP Program Accreditation Important?

There are three major agencies that accredit nursing schools: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). One of these agencies reviews a nursing program and ensures it meets the standards for education and clinical practice training.

Choosing a non-accredited program could seriously limit your options:

No financial aid. You usually need to be enrolled in an accredited program to be eligible for federal financial aid and many scholarships.
You might not be eligible for state NP licensure. Many states require graduation from an accredited program to sit for the NP licensure exam.
Issues transferring license. If you move states, you might need proof of graduating from an accredited nursing program to transfer the license.
Tough time transferring credits. If you choose to pursue further education down the road, your completed coursework might not be accepted if the program wasn't properly accredited.
Employers may require it. Some employers prefer or require nurses to have graduated from an accredited program.

How to check accreditation? Visit the program's website and look for accreditation info, often listed on the "About Us" page. You can also check on the ACEN or CCNE agencies' website by searching for the school's name in their directory.

How Online Accelerated NP Programs Work

Some accelerated NP programs have no set class times. Students can take classes at their own pace, but they may have to meet certain deadlines. Other programs require students to attend class at a specific time. In this case, students may access lecture recordings.

Regardless of whether coursework occurs in person or online, students must physically attend clinical rotations. Some programs help students find facilities where they can complete their clinical hours, while in others, students must find facilities on their own.

Instead of the usual 15-week courses, online accelerated NP programs often offer courses that last 4-6 weeks. Due to the pace, full-time students usually can't work while in school. Part-time learning options take longer but allow more time for work.

Applying to an Accelerated Online NP Program

Your application is the admissions department's first impression of you. Make it count by following the directions carefully and submitting everything by the deadline. Although some programs may ask you for materials unique to their needs, expect to provide the following information:

Admission Requirements: Bachelor's in nursing degree from an accredited college, at least two years of nursing experience, valid RN license
Admission Materials: Criminal background check before clinical placement, official college transcripts, three recommendation letters, personal essay
GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate studies
Prerequisite Courses: College-level statistics, microbiology, chemistry for nurses , anatomy and physiology

Paying for Accelerated Online NP Programs

Accelerated online NP programs are often fast-paced, leaving little room for full-time employment. However, many people cannot afford to stop working. Financial aid options can help offset expenses and make your education more affordable.

Loans — both private and federal — provide financial aid to nursing students for tuition and books. Federal loans generally have lower interest rates and more lenient repayment plans than private loans. However, recent federal rule changes introduced a $100,000 borrowing cap for many graduate degrees, including NP programs.

You can also explore nursing scholarships and grants, which do not need to be repaid. Employers may also help with education costs.

What Can You Do as a Nurse Practitioner?

An NP's advanced education allows them to perform assessments, make diagnoses, and prescribe medication. NPs may collaborate with physicians or work independently. Each state regulates NP practice authority and determines whether NPs work in full practice, reduced practice, or restricted practice.

NP Specialties and Workplaces
NP Specialties	Workplace
Family practice	Physician's offices, primary care clinics, and community health centers, urgent clinics, retail clinics
Women's health	OBGYN clinics, private physician's offices, and women's health centers
Neonatal nursing	Hospitals, neonatal intensive care units (NICU), delivery rooms, clinics, and community/home care settings
Pediatrics	Hospitals, doctor's office, and primary care clinics
Psychiatric mental health	Hospitals, behavioral health centers, and private practices

The pay for NPs exceeds what RNs earn. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2025, RNs make a median annual salary of $97,550, while NPs earn a median annual wage of $132,300. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 40% growth in employment for nurse practitioners from 2024 to 2034.