Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Indiana

Whether you’re a working nurse based in large cities such as Indianapolis or South Bend, or you’re servicing smaller communities within Indiana’s idyllic countryside, there couldn’t be a better state to search for nurse practitioner programs to leverage your current role into a higher-paying and more rewarding career. In the sections below, we’ll go over the best nurse practitioner programs in the state, including the fastest and cheapest options and the programs that allow you to enter an NP specialization. Jump to program listings.

2025 - Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Indiana

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Rankings of the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Indiana! Our rankings help future nurse practitioners find the top online programs in the state. We assess each program based on essential factors like completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty expertise. For a closer look at our ranking criteria, visit our methodology page.

1.

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, IN

The University of Southern Indiana's College of Nursing and Health Professions offers highly acclaimed nurse practitioner programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. These programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and provide students with hands-on clinical experience at various healthcare facilities. The nursing department prides itself on its state-of-the-art simulation labs and strong partnerships with local healthcare organizations, providing students with a well-rounded education and preparation for their future careers.

DNP Programs

• Doctor of Nursing Practice Online/Hybrid

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Online/Hybrid
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) Online/Hybrid
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNR) Online/Hybrid
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid
• Nursing Education (NED) Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH) Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Online/Hybrid
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) Online/Hybrid
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid
• Nursing Education (NED) Online/Hybrid
• Nursing Management and Leadership (NML) Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH) Online/Hybrid

2.

Indiana University

Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University offers highly competitive nurse practitioner programs within its School of Nursing, including the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. These programs provide hands-on clinical experiences, innovative research opportunities, and a diverse student body. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art simulation labs and partnerships with prestigious healthcare institutions.

MSN Programs

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Online/Hybrid
• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Nursing Education Online/Hybrid
• Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Online/Hybrid
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Online/Hybrid
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lifespan Online/Hybrid

3.

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary's College offers highly acclaimed nurse practitioner programs through their esteemed nursing department. The programs, including Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, are offered on the main campus and provide students with hands-on clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings, preparing them for successful careers in the ever-evolving field of nursing.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

DNP Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are dozens of perfectly adequate nurse practitioner programs based in Indiana, but if you’re already working as a registered nurse, you likely have very little time or funds to invest in either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. Fortunately, there are still plenty of options for cheap and fast programs in the state if you know where to look.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

If you already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) you will likely be over halfway to your new career, especially if you’re open to taking advantage of online learning or summer school, both of which shorten the length of your nurse practitioner programs. Ideally, you’ll want to look for MSN programs which are the shortest traditional nurse practitioner pathway following a BSN program. In most cases, you’ll be looking at a timeline of 2-6 years depending on if you’re enrolled full-time or part-time, however, you may be able to find some programs that allow you to graduate in even less time! Here are a few of the shortest MSN programs in the state:

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

To some students, the price of a nurse practitioner program is just as important as the speed in which they graduate. These two factors are also directly related — if you are enrolled for a shorter amount of time, you will likely be paying less on tuition fees. Therefore, it’s usually true that MSN programs are not only the fastest nurse practitioner programs but they’re also the most affordable. This of course will depend on where in Indiana the program is located, the size of the program, and if you are a resident of the state or not, and if your prospective program has differing rates based on residency. Below are a few affordable options for MSN programs in Indiana:

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

In your research of nurse practitioner programs, you’ve likely noticed that many of them come in a variety of specialized programs that allow nurse practitioners to focus their practice in a specific medical field such as gerontology or midwifery. In fact more nurses practitoner programs than not offer specialization, especially DNP programs. Here are a few you can find in Indiana:

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

As we’ve reviewed previously, the two most common routes to becoming a nurse practitioner are the MSN and DNP tracks. But if you meet certain educational and licensure requirements, you may be eligible to enroll in alternative nurse practitioner programs that could allow you to graduate faster and for less money.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs usually take between two and six years to complete. To enroll, you’ll need a BSN degree and an RN license. Here are a few examples available in the State of Indiana:

• Indiana University – Bloomington, IN
• St. Mary’s College – Notre Dame, IN

RN to NP Programs

To enroll in an RN to NP program (also known as an RN to MSN or an ADN/ASN to MSN program) you’ll need to have an associates degree in nursing and an RN license. These types of bridge programs allow students to essentially skip the first two years of the BSN program which in turn provides a much shorter and affordable graduation timeline. Currently there is only one RN to MSN program located in Indiana:

• Indiana Wesleyan University – Marian, IN

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

The highest level of education you can accomplish as a nurse practitioner is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These programs take four to six years of full-time study to complete and will allow you to apply to some of the most advanced and highest-paying nurse practitioner positions on the job market. Here are a few you can find in Indiana:

• Indiana University – Bloomington, IN
• Perdue University – Laffayette, IN

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

If you’re already working as a nurse practitioner, you can go back to school for just a year (or less) to get certified in a new or dual specialization without having to complete a new graduate degree. These types of programs are called Post-Master's Nursing Certificates, and you can find them at:

• Ball State University – Muncie, IN
• Indiana State University – Terre Haute, IN

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Some students may have a bachelor’s degree but not in nursing. If this describes your educational background,, you don’t nessecarily need to get a whole new bachelor’s degree before applying for MSN programs. Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) programs, also called direct-entry or accelerated MSN programs, allow non-nurses with a bachelor's degree in any subject to enter directly into an MSN program. These programs essentially combine BSN and MSN coursework into one rigorous program. As of 2024, there is only one of these types of programs available in Indiana:

• St. Mary’s College – Notre Dame, IN

General Admissions Requirements

Every nurse practitioner program will have different admissions requirements. In general, you’ll need to have the following:

• BSN from an accredited school
• Transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
• Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
• Resume or CV

Indiana NP License and Certification Requirements

To become a licensed nurse practitioner in Indiana, candidates must meet several important requirements to ensure they are well-prepared to provide advanced nursing care. Key eligibility criteria include:

• Indiana RN License: Applicants are required to have a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license issued by the state of Indiana.
• Educational Background: Candidates must complete a nurse practitioner program accredited by a recognized institution. These programs typically involve both didactic and clinical training in an NP specialty area.

Once these core requirements are met, applicants must provide documentation, such as transcripts from their accredited NP program and proof of their active Indiana RN license. After gathering this paperwork, the next step is to complete the application form and submit it, along with a processing fee that usually hovers around $50. Detailed instructions, including timelines and submission methods, can be found on the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s website.

Nurse practitioners in Indiana must also achieve certification in their specialty through a recognized body, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Certification requirements typically include holding a valid RN license and completing a graduate-level program relevant to the NP’s chosen area of focus. In many cases, a certification exam is required to confirm proficiency in the specialty.

Indiana, as of 2024, operates under a reduced practice model for NPs. This means that while NPs can perform many functions independently, they must still work in collaboration with a physician, especially when it comes to prescriptive authority and certain complex medical decisions. However, Indiana’s professional organizations, like the Indiana State Nurses Association (ISNA), actively support NPs and provide resources for continued professional growth and education.

List of NP Programs in Indiana