Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
Advanced practice nurses who diagnose, prescribe, and manage care. One of the fastest-growing high-paying healthcare roles.
high-payhigh-growthhelping-people
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$105k
$125k
$160k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+45%
+45% (Much faster than avg)
Open positions
30,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Degree Hybrid
MSN or DNP (after RN+BSN)
Time
6–8 years total
Cost
$35,000 – $95,000
Often pursued after working as RN.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown
What are the odds
you actually get there?
Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.
77
Composite
Attainability Score
Data-backed
- Educational difficultyHow hard the required schooling is to complete5520%
- Licensing & examsPass rates and difficulty of required exams8515%
- Entry-job competitionHow many applicants per open entry-level role8520%
- Career stay-rateInverse of early-career attrition / industry exit7815%
- Market demandOpenings vs available workforce9515%
- Alternative pathsHow many viable ways exist to enter the field7015%
Recommended schools
Schools known for this path
Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Nurse Practitioner. Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →
WGU
Online, competency-based
Tuition
~$4,005 / 6-month term
Flat-rate. Finish faster, pay less.
Programs for Nurse Practitioner
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Avg B.S. completion 2.5 yrs
Total cost
$20,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
8 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$916,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
UF Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$111.92 / credit (in-state)
Same UF diploma, online delivery. $129.18/cr with required fees.
Programs for Nurse Practitioner
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $129/cr (in-state) ≈ $15.5K
Total cost
$18,000
Starting pay
$65,000
Registered Nurse
Break-even
7 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$918,000
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
6–8 years total
You'd spend (avg)
$65,000
Starting salary
$105,000
Mid-career
$125,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · AANP