3 Schools • 2 Mostly Online • 1 Campus
Three Washington schools offer six family nurse practitioner tracks, and every route ends in a doctorate or a post-doctoral credential. Pathways include BSN-to-DNP, post-master’s DNP, direct-entry DNP for non-nurses, and a post-doctoral certificate. Two programs are mostly online and one is campus-based. Resident doctoral tuition runs from about $70,000 to $170,000. Most tracks take three to four years, and all three schools arrange clinical placements.
Highlights include:
- Seattle University’s APNI-DNP admits non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in any field
- The University of Washington charges residents and non-residents the same per-credit rate
- Washington State University places clinicals across Washington, north Idaho, and northern Oregon
Compare Washington Family NP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Seattle University | Campus | Full-time in person | $1,002 | Direct-entry DNP, BSN-DNP, certificate | Career changers |
| University of Washington | Mostly Online | Up to one intensive per quarter | $1,097 | BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP | Pediatric-heavy coursework |
| Washington State University | Mostly Online | 5–7 lab visits, one semester | $1,257 | BSN-DNP, post-master’s DNP | Lowest doctoral cost |
CPC is derived and inclusive of mandatory per-credit fees at Washington resident rates, rounded to the nearest dollar; Seattle University bills per quarter credit, and the University of Washington charges one rate regardless of residency. Full rate breakdowns are on each school profile.
What’s the Best FNP Program for You?
Best Doctoral Value
Washington State University bills its 74-credit BSN-DNP as 56 credits on the 3-year plan, because fall and spring terms of 10 to 18 credits cost one flat rate.
Best for Career Changers
Seattle University’s APNI-DNP moves a bachelor’s graduate from any field through RN licensure and the FNP doctorate under one admission in about four years.
Best for Pediatric and Reproductive Health
The University of Washington devotes about 11 credits to pediatric, growth, reproductive, and childbearing content, nearly double its adult management coursework.
Best for Structured Clinical Supervision
Seattle University pairs each student with a 1:1 advanced practice preceptor and holds weekly faculty clinical seminars across 1,000 supervised hours.
Best for Working Nurses
Washington State University offers a 4-year plan, its clinical terms average about 8 hours a week, and students may log hours at their employer outside their own unit.
Washington DNP FNP Programs
All three Washington schools offer the FNP at the doctoral level, and each arranges direct-care clinical placements. Published practicum totals range from 750 hours at the University of Washington to 1,080 at Washington State University. Seattle University runs the only in-person program and the only direct-entry option for non-nurses. Every program is CCNE-accredited.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Seattle University (APNI-DNP) | $163K–$170K | 4 years | 1,000 hrs |
| Seattle University (RN-DNP) | $106K–$113K | 3 years | 1,000 hrs |
| University of Washington | $105K | 3–4 years | 750 hrs |
| Washington State University (BSN-DNP) | $70K–$93K | 3–4 years | 1,080 hrs |
| Washington State University (Post-Master’s DNP) | $73K–$87K | 3–4 years | 1,080 hrs |
Washington State University’s 1,080 hours include 480 leadership and DNP project hours; its direct-care requirement is 600 hours.
- Lowest doctoral cost: Washington State University — $70K resident on the 3-year BSN-DNP, estimated from 2026–27 rates.
- Highest doctoral cost: Seattle University (APNI-DNP) — $163K–$170K resident, covering prelicensure and doctoral training.
- Compressed full-time plan: University of Washington — about 2.5 calendar years of enrollment on the 3-year grid.
- Post-master’s entry: Washington State University — 69 credits, with no reduction in the 600 direct-care hours.
Find even more doctoral options in our guides to BSN-to-DNP FNP programs and MSN-to-DNP FNP programs.
Washington Post-Graduate Certificate FNP Programs
Seattle University offers Washington’s only post-graduate FNP certificate, and it is open only to nurses who already hold a doctorate. Each plan of study comes from a gap analysis of prior coursework, so credits, cost, and length vary. A DNP-prepared NP in another population focus may need little beyond the FNP management and practicum sequence. Coursework is campus-based in Seattle.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Seattle University (Post-Doctoral Certificate) | $15K–$55K | Up to 3 years | Not clearly stated |
- Cost basis: Seattle University — $15K–$55K resident, set by individual gap analysis.
- Clinical hours: Seattle University — total not published; the catalog lists four practicum courses.
- Master’s-prepared nurses: Washington State University — no certificate; applicants complete the full post-master’s DNP.
Find even more certificate options in our guide to post-graduate FNP certificate programs.
National Online FNP Options
Washington’s programs leave clear gaps. None offers an MSN FNP, and none is fully online. Master’s-prepared nurses without a doctorate have no in-state certificate route. Clinicals at all three schools stay inside Washington or WSU’s border catchment, and licensure rules tie most tracks to Washington. Nurses who want an MSN FNP program or a post-master’s certificate can compare national online programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global, which both list CCNE-accredited FNP pathways at those levels. Confirm clinical placement support and Washington authorization with any national school before applying.
FAQ
How many FNP programs are in Washington?
Three schools offer six FNP tracks: Seattle University, the University of Washington, and Washington State University.
Are any Washington FNP programs fully online?
No. The University of Washington and Washington State University are mostly online with limited campus visits. Seattle University is campus-based.
Which Washington FNP program has the lowest tuition?
Washington State University’s BSN-DNP, at about $70,000 for residents on the 3-year plan. Lighter terms on the 4-year plan lose the flat-rate saving and raise the cost, so pace matters as much as credit count.
Which Washington schools offer a DNP for FNPs?
All three. Every Washington FNP track is part of a CCNE-accredited DNP or a post-doctoral certificate, and no school in the state offers an MSN FNP.
How often do I need to visit campus?
The University of Washington requires up to one 2–4 day intensive per quarter, plus weekday daytime live online sessions. Washington State University requires 5 to 7 lab visits during one fall semester. Seattle University classes meet in person in Seattle on a full-time schedule. At UW, some courses taken outside the School of Nursing may also meet on campus.
Can I complete clinicals near home?
Only within each school’s region. All three arrange placements. UW sites are in Washington, Seattle University sites are within 150 miles of campus, and WSU sites span Washington plus north Idaho or northern Oregon, depending on campus. Out-of-state clinical hours are not permitted at any of the three, so nurses living outside these regions should plan to relocate for the clinical phase.
Can out-of-state nurses enroll?
Yes, with limits. UW charges one rate regardless of residency but requires a Washington or compact license and Washington clinicals. WSU extends in-state tuition to residents of 16 western states and territories through WRGP in terms of 9 or more credits. Seattle University requires a Washington RN license before the RN-DNP starts. Oregon residents in designated border counties may also qualify for resident tuition at WSU Vancouver or Tri-Cities in terms of 8 or fewer credits.