13 Schools • 1 Online • 10 Mostly Online • 2 Hybrid
Virginia has 13 schools offering 25 family nurse practitioner tracks across BSN-DNP, MSN, RN-to-MSN, and post-graduate certificate pathways. Ten schools are classified Mostly Online, two are Hybrid, and one is Online. Estimated resident tuition runs from about $21,000 to $123,000, and most tracks take 1.5 to 4 years to complete.
Highlights include:
- UVA guarantees practicum placements within Virginia for BSN-DNP students
- James Madison requires 780 practicum hours in both its MSN and BSN-DNP
- Liberty’s BSN-DNP requires no campus visits, only one virtual intensive
- South University’s RN-to-MSN admits ADN and diploma nurses
Compare Virginia Family NP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| ECPI University | Mostly Online | Two weekend residencies | $579 | MSN | Year-round accelerated MSN |
| George Mason University | Online | None for online MSN | $836–$885 | MSN, BSN-DNP | Out-of-state online MSN |
| George Washington University | Mostly Online | Three skills events | $1,710 | MSN, BSN-DNP, certificate | Spring MSN start |
| James Madison University | Hybrid | Every Wednesday | $694 | MSN, BSN-DNP | High clinical volume |
| Liberty University | Mostly Online | None | $630–$695 | BSN-DNP | DNP without campus trips |
| Mary Baldwin University | Mostly Online | Periodic intensives | $650 | MSN, certificate | Low-cost certificate |
| Marymount University | Mostly Online | One 5-day intensive | $1,362 | MSN, BSN-DNP, certificate | School-arranged placements |
| Old Dominion University | Mostly Online | About once per semester | $680 | MSN | Lowest-cost MSN |
| Radford University | Mostly Online | 2–3 intensives total | $624–$898 | MSN, BSN-DNP | Nurses staying in Virginia |
| Shenandoah University | Mostly Online | Two immersions | $1,045 | MSN, certificate | Current NPs adding FNP |
| South University | Mostly Online | Varies by campus | $660 | MSN, RN-to-MSN | Nurses without a BSN |
| University of Virginia | Mostly Online | About once a month | $942 | BSN-DNP, certificate | Guaranteed Virginia placement |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Hybrid | Set weekdays, 7 of 10 terms | $827 | BSN-DNP | Part-time doctorate |
CPC is derived and inclusive of mandatory per-credit fees at Virginia resident rates, rounded to the nearest dollar; several schools charge one rate regardless of residency, and South University bills by the quarter credit. Full rate breakdowns are on each school profile.
What’s the Best FNP Program for You?
Best for Guaranteed Placement
The University of Virginia guarantees BSN-DNP practicum sites within Virginia, drawing on health systems from Hampton Roads to Southwest Virginia.
Best Doctorate Without Campus Travel
Liberty University replaced its residential intensive with a virtual one, so its BSN-DNP requires no trips to Lynchburg, though most clinical courses meet live online.
Best for Out-of-State Nurses
George Mason’s online MSN charges every student the same $885 per credit with fees, less than half its out-of-state campus price, though seven states are excluded.
Best for Hands-On Skills Practice
Old Dominion schedules standardized-patient simulation every semester and ends with an in-person comprehensive exam at its Virginia Beach campus.
Best for Nurses Without a BSN
South University’s online RN-to-MSN takes ADN and diploma nurses through 48 undergraduate quarter credits before the FNP coursework.
Virginia DNP FNP Programs
Eight Virginia schools offer a BSN-DNP with an FNP focus. Resident tuition runs from about $49,000 to $123,000, and published timelines range from 3 to 4 years. The doctoral premium buys different things at each school: VCU and Marymount add hundreds of project hours, while UVA and Liberty pair their doctorates with stronger placement help than most MSN programs offer. Liberty also admits MSN holders into the same plan with transfer credit.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| George Mason University | $60K | Not clearly stated | 1,000+ hrs |
| George Washington University | $123K | 4 years | 1,100 hrs |
| James Madison University | $53K | 3 years | 1,000 hrs |
| Liberty University | $49K | 3 years | 1,050 hrs |
| Marymount University | $84K–$94K | 3.3 years | 1,000+ hrs |
| Radford University | $49K | Not clearly stated | 1,000 hrs |
| University of Virginia | $70K | 3 years | 750+ hrs |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $54K | 3.5 years | 1,350 hrs |
Most DNP totals include project, residency, or indirect practice hours on top of direct patient care; UVA’s figure counts direct care only.
- Lowest doctoral cost: Liberty University — $49K resident, within a few dollars of Radford at 2026–27 rates.
- Most direct-care hours: Virginia Commonwealth University — 810 hours with preceptors, plus 540 project hours.
- Earliest certification: Marymount University — awards the MSN mid-program, so students can certify before finishing.
- Same price as the MSN: Radford University — costs residents about $1,100 more than its own MSN.
Find even more doctoral options in our BSN-to-DNP FNP programs guide.
Virginia MSN FNP Programs
Ten schools offer an MSN-level FNP, making it Virginia’s most common entry point. Resident tuition ranges from about $30,000 to $82,000. Clinical hours span 540 at Radford to 780 at James Madison, and placement models vary just as widely: ECPI and George Washington leave the preceptor search to students, while Marymount and Shenandoah select sites themselves. George Mason offers the same curriculum online or on its Fairfax campus.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| ECPI University | $33K | 1.8 years | 720 hrs |
| George Mason University (Online) | $43K | 2.5 years | 600 hrs |
| George Mason University (Campus) | $41K | 2–3 years | 600 hrs |
| George Washington University | $82K | 2.7 years | 600 hrs |
| James Madison University | $34K | 2–3 years | 780 hrs |
| Mary Baldwin University | $31K | 1.7 years | 600 hrs |
| Marymount University | $60K | 2.3 years | 750 hrs |
| Old Dominion University | $30K | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| Radford University | $48K | Not clearly stated | 540 hrs |
| Shenandoah University | $55K–$57K | 2.5 years | 600 hrs |
| South University | $41K | 1.5 years | 750 hrs |
| South University (RN-to-MSN) | $53K | 2.3 years | 750 hrs |
- Lowest MSN cost: Old Dominion University — $30K resident, based on Fall 2026 rates.
- Fastest finish: South University — about 80 weeks, with ECPI close behind at 22 months.
- Most clinical hours: James Madison University — 780 practicum hours, with a coordinator assisting placement.
- Most start terms: Mary Baldwin University — fall, spring, and summer entry at about $31K.
Find even more master’s options in our MSN FNP programs guide.
Virginia Post-Graduate Certificate FNP Programs
Five Virginia schools list a post-graduate FNP certificate, though George Washington is not currently admitting. UVA and George Washington accept only practicing NPs, while Mary Baldwin, Marymount, and Shenandoah also take MSN-prepared nurses without NP certification. Every certificate includes some campus time, and none reduces clinical hours for prior NP practice. UVA certificate students cannot use university scholarships or student loans.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| George Washington University | $29K | 1.5 years | 500 hrs |
| Mary Baldwin University | $21K | 1.7 years | 600 hrs |
| Marymount University | $40K | 1.7 years | 700+ hrs |
| Shenandoah University (Current NPs) | $31K–$32K | 1.5 years | 600 hrs |
| Shenandoah University (Non-NP MSN) | $48K–$50K | 2.5 years | 600 hrs |
| University of Virginia | $35K | 2 years | 750+ hrs |
- Lowest certificate cost: Mary Baldwin University — $21K resident, open to NPs and non-NP MSN holders.
- Shortest route for current NPs: Shenandoah University — 25 credits in about 1.5 years.
- Highest clinical volume: University of Virginia — over 750 hours, matching its doctoral practicum.
Find even more certificate options in our FNP certificate programs guide.
National Online FNP Options
Virginia’s programs leave a few gaps. Every certificate requires campus time, George Mason’s online MSN excludes seven states, Liberty bars practicum in California, New York, Washington, and DC, and Radford confirms licensure eligibility in Virginia only. Most schools also assist with placement rather than arranging it. Nurses who need a different pathway, start date, or delivery model can compare national online programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global alongside the in-state options.
FAQ
How many FNP programs are in Virginia?
Thirteen schools offer 25 FNP tracks. Ten schools offer an MSN, eight offer a BSN-DNP, and five list a post-graduate certificate, one of which is paused.
Are any Virginia FNP programs fully online?
George Mason’s online MSN is the only program classified Online. Liberty’s BSN-DNP requires no campus visits but includes one virtual intensive and frequent live online sessions.
Which Virginia FNP program has the lowest tuition?
Mary Baldwin’s certificate is lowest at about $21,000 for resident students. Among degrees, Old Dominion’s MSN runs about $30,000, and Liberty and Radford tie for the lowest DNP at about $49,000.
Which Virginia schools offer an FNP DNP?
George Mason, George Washington, James Madison, Liberty, Marymount, Radford, UVA, and VCU all offer a BSN-DNP with an FNP concentration.
How often will I need to visit campus?
It ranges widely. James Madison meets every Wednesday and VCU holds weekday sessions in 7 of 10 semesters, while most other schools require a handful of intensives, simulation events, or residencies.
Can I complete clinicals near home?
Usually, but placement support varies. UVA guarantees sites within Virginia, Marymount and Shenandoah select sites for students, and VCU matches preceptors each semester, while ECPI and George Washington expect students to find their own.
Can out-of-state nurses enroll in Virginia FNP programs?
Many can. George Mason’s online MSN, Liberty, Mary Baldwin, Marymount, Shenandoah, and George Washington charge one rate regardless of residency, though George Washington does not admit Alabama or Louisiana residents and Radford confirms licensure eligibility in Virginia only.