3 Schools • 0 Fully Online • 3 Mostly Online
Three Idaho universities offer four Family Nurse Practitioner tracks: an MSN, two BSN-DNP programs, and a post-master’s DNP for certified FNPs. No Idaho school offers a post-graduate certificate. All three deliver coursework online with required campus time. Estimated resident tuition ranges from about $26,000 to $65,000. Completion takes roughly 1.3 to 3 years, depending on entry point.
Highlights include:
- Boise State University runs its DNP project alongside the clinical sequence, keeping the BSN-DNP at three years
- Boise State University adds a summer course in primary care procedures and diagnostics
- Idaho State University’s BSN-DNP includes a course on research and practice in rural and global communities
- Northwest Nazarene University offers Idaho’s only FNP MSN, designed for completion in 24 months
Compare Idaho Family NP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Boise State University | Mostly Online | Two summer intensives total | $895 | BSN-DNP | Infrequent campus travel |
| Idaho State University | Mostly Online | 2–4 days per semester | $613 | BSN-DNP, post-master’s DNP | Idaho-arranged placements |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Mostly Online | Competency labs in four clinical courses | $865 | MSN | A master’s instead of a DNP |
CPC is derived and inclusive of mandatory per-credit fees at Idaho resident rates, rounded to the nearest dollar; Boise State charges one rate in all approved states, and Idaho State’s $3,090 per-semester professional fee and Northwest Nazarene’s $150 per-semester technology fee are not included. Full rate breakdowns are on each school profile.
What’s the Best FNP Program for You?
Best for a Master’s Instead of a Doctorate
Northwest Nazarene University’s 47-credit MSN takes about 24 months, roughly a year less than either Idaho BSN-DNP.
Best Flat-Rate Pricing
Boise State University bills $895 per credit in every approved state, with no separate non-resident tier.
Best for Infrequent Campus Travel
Boise State requires two trips to Boise over three years, a better fit for nurses who live far from campus.
Best Coordinated Placements
Idaho State University’s placement coordinator arranges clinical sites for students living in Idaho.
Best for Certified FNPs
Idaho State’s post-master’s DNP drops every specialty course and is the only Idaho route built for nurses who already hold FNP certification.
Best for Nurses Outside the West
Idaho State’s approved-state list includes Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Vermont, where Boise State cannot enroll students.
Idaho MSN FNP Programs
Northwest Nazarene University is the only Idaho school offering an FNP MSN. Its 47-credit program runs asynchronously online, with on-campus competency labs in four clinical courses, and every course follows a fixed sequence. NNU does not publish a clinical-hour total or its placement policy.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Northwest Nazarene University (MSN) | $41.6K–$42.4K | 2 years | Not clearly stated |
- Shorter route: Northwest Nazarene University — about 24 months, versus about 3 years for either Idaho BSN-DNP
- Licensure limits: Northwest Nazarene University — the program does not meet APRN requirements in nine states, including Washington and Arizona
- Unpriced fees: Northwest Nazarene University — the estimate covers tuition and a $150 per-semester technology fee, but not its clinical course fees
Compare more master’s routes in our MSN FNP programs guide.
Idaho DNP FNP Programs
Among Idaho’s doctoral routes, the decision turns on campus travel, placement support, and approved-state rules. Boise State University starts full-time students in fall and part-time students in spring. Idaho State University admits fall only and gives preference to full-time applicants. Both programs hold CCNE accreditation and restrict enrollment to RNs in approved states. Idaho State’s post-master’s track requires national FNP certification for entry.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Idaho State University (Post-Master’s DNP) | $26K | 1.3 years | Varies |
| Boise State University (BSN-DNP) | $63K | 3 years | 780 hrs |
| Idaho State University (BSN-DNP) | $65K | 3 years | 1,008 hrs |
Neither school publishes DNP project hours within these totals; Idaho State’s 1,008 includes 144 health assessment lab hours, and Boise State’s 780 counts direct clinical rotations only.
- Lowest BSN-DNP tuition: Boise State University — $63K resident at the 2026–27 rate, before clinical course fees
- Most clinical hours: Idaho State University — 1,008 hrs in the BSN-DNP, the most in Idaho
- Shortest doctorate: Idaho State University — post-master’s DNP in about four semesters, before contracted clinical credits
See more doctoral routes in our BSN-DNP FNP programs and MSN-to-DNP FNP programs guides.
National Online FNP Options
Idaho’s three schools leave clear gaps: no post-graduate certificate, no ADN entry, and no option without campus travel. Boise State and Idaho State also limit enrollment to RNs in approved states, and Northwest Nazarene’s program does not meet licensure requirements in nine states. Boise State students find their own preceptors, as do Idaho State students living outside Idaho. Walden University and Purdue Global cover several of these gaps with online, CCNE-accredited programs, including MSN and post-master’s certificate tracks. Confirm Idaho enrollment eligibility with either school before applying.
| School | Online Format | FNP Pathways | Accreditation | Idaho Gap Filled |
| Walden University | Online | RN-MSN, BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, certificate | CCNE | ADN entry, certificate |
| Purdue Global | Online | BSN-MSN, MSN-DNP, certificate | CCNE | Certificate, continuous starts |
For master’s-level routes, browse our MSN FNP programs and FNP certificate programs guides.
FAQ
How many FNP programs are in Idaho?
Three schools offer FNP programs: Boise State University, Idaho State University, and Northwest Nazarene University. Together they run four tracks: an MSN at Northwest Nazarene and three DNP tracks.
Can I earn an FNP fully online in Idaho?
No. All three Idaho programs are mostly online, with coursework delivered online and required campus time.
Which Idaho FNP program costs the least?
Idaho State’s post-master’s DNP is lowest at about $26K, before contracted clinical credits, but it serves certified FNPs only. For BSN-prepared nurses, Northwest Nazarene’s MSN runs about $41.6K–$42.4K before clinical course fees. Among BSN-DNP programs, Boise State runs about $63K and Idaho State about $65K, though Boise State’s estimate excludes clinical course fees of up to $4,400.
Which Idaho schools offer a DNP FNP?
Two do. Boise State offers a BSN-DNP, and Idaho State offers a BSN-DNP plus a post-master’s DNP for certified FNPs. Northwest Nazarene offers an MSN only.
Do Idaho FNP programs require campus visits?
Yes. Boise State requires two summer intensives in Boise across the program. Idaho State requires an August orientation in Pocatello and 2 to 4 intensive days each semester, split between Pocatello and Meridian. Northwest Nazarene requires on-campus competency lab hours in each of its four clinical courses.
Can I complete clinicals close to home?
Yes, at all three schools. Boise State students recruit local preceptors, and its placement team handles agreements and site approvals. Idaho State arranges sites for Idaho residents, while out-of-state students find their own preceptors. Northwest Nazarene students complete clinicals in their home state, but NNU does not say who arranges preceptors.
Can out-of-state nurses enroll in an Idaho FNP program?
Yes, from approved states only. Boise State accepts RNs in 20 states at the same $895 rate. Idaho State accepts residents of 16 states, and its non-resident waiver for all-online enrollment brings eligible students to resident rates; confirm eligibility given the campus intensives. Northwest Nazarene’s program meets licensure requirements in 34 states plus DC but not in nine, including Washington and Arizona.