The Most Affordable Online Psychiatric NP Programs
Explore accredited and affordable online PMHNP programs that let you pursue a career in mental health nursing for less.
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- Affordability Factors
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- Cutting Costs
With an increasing number of patients seeking counseling and other mental health services, mental health professionals have never been in higher demand. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) work closely with primary care physicians to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
There are various paths you can take to become a PMHNP, and one of the best is through affordable, convenient, and accredited online degree programs. This guide will help you discover the top online programs that won’t break the bank, and we’ll help you learn about other ways to minimize the costs of getting a graduate degree while going to an affordable school. Get started by reading on to discover which schools made our list.
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, Ohio
Public
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
Private
What Makes an Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Affordable?
A school’s tuition rate certainly matters when choosing a school, but other elements also make a huge difference in the ultimate cost of your online education. The following discusses some of those factors.
How much financial aid you can get for your online psychiatric nurse practitioner program
Financial aid comes in many forms, including scholarships, grants, and loans. The first two are the best option for students to save money because they don’t have to be paid back. On the other hand, students should be more cautious when taking out loans because students will ultimately have to pay back the money. Fortunately, most loans come with deferred interest and students won’t have to start making payments until they’ve graduated.
If the psychiatric NP program has a class schedule that allows you to continue working
Many PMHNP programs are part-time. Since a lot of students are already practicing registered nurses, the ability to work while in school provides the income necessary to pay tuition and other costs.
How expensive application fees are
If you plan on applying to many schools, prepare to pay roughly $60 per application. To limit the amount of money spent on application fees, search for programs that have lower fees and prioritize where you really want to apply.
Whether you live in-state or-out-of-state
Residency is usually important regardless of the type of institution you attend, especially if a program requires you to attend campus for immersive classes or orientation. Depending on how far away you live, these on-campus visits can cost you more than just travel time. Additionally, many schools charge higher tuition for out-of-state residence.
How much of the NP program coursework is offered online
Some programs hold in-person learning or clinicals at approved sites close to where you live or work while others hold at least some classroom learning on campus. For students who commute, having in-person components can significantly impact the cost.
If the psychiatric NP program is offered by a private or public college
Generally speaking, private schools have higher tuition rates than public schools. At the same time, out-of-state tuition rates can rival or exceed the cost of attending a private institution. Keep these in mind when determining the overall cost.
How to Lower the Cost of Your Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Degree
With the more notable factors affecting online PMHNP program cost in mind, take time to consider how to lower the cost of your degree. The advice below provides a great starting point.
- Search for scholarships and grants designed specifically for psychiatric NP students.
Scholarships and grants are gift-based assistance that doesn’t need to be paid back, making them the most desirable forms of financial aid and highly competitive. To increase your chances of winning an award, focus on scholarships and grants specifically intended for nurse practitioners looking to work in psychiatric or mental health fields. To get an idea of what’s available, check out our list of scholarships for nurse practitioner students.
- Ask about employer tuition reimbursement
There are some employers willing to cover a portion or all of their employees’ tuition to help them pursue higher education. You should check with your benefits coordinator to see if this is an option for you. But remember, some employers may require you to work for them for a set time after graduation to qualify.
- Check for student discounts
Some schools apply discounts directly tied to tuition. This can include discounts for students from states with reciprocity agreements with their school or students with veteran status. Other discounts, such as ones for laptops from computer companies and scrubs from specialty clothing stores, are also available. Discover more discounts by visiting our nursing students discount page.
