Compare Kansas FNP programs by cost, format, clinical hours, and outcomes to find your best fit.
Kansas’s primary-care workforce shortage is most acute in its rural counties, and nurse practitioners, particularly family nurse practitioners, are the fastest-growing solution. Six ranked schools now deliver MSN‑FNP and BSN‑to‑DNP FNP pathways across the state, with formats ranging from hybrid doctorates to fully online certificates.
Tuition, clinical placement responsibilities, and board certification pass rates differ sharply between programs, making direct comparison essential. With Kansas NP salaries running above the national median and loan forgiveness tied to underserved practice, financial and geographic decisions carry weight that lasts well beyond graduation.
Our ranking puts affordability first, weighing net price and financial aid data alongside program results. The Kansas schools listed here combine manageable tuition with strong certification pass rates and flexible study formats, so you can grow your career without overloading on debt.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | Rural nurses in Kansas and High Plains | |
Fort Hays State University delivers a fully online, CCNE-accredited BSN-to-DNP path for family nurse practitioners, shaped around the needs of rural and frontier Kansas. In-state tuition runs about $4,949 per year, and the program reports a 100% first-time national certification pass rate. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of 47.7%, and a supportive 4:1 student-faculty ratio guides capstone DNP projects. The cohort-based format starts each summer, making it a strong fit for nurses in western Kansas and neighboring Nebraska and Oklahoma.
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| #2 | Washburn University | Topeka, KS | $15,000/yr | RNs seeking both FNP and PMHNP training | |
Washburn University offers both family and psychiatric mental health NP training through its DNP, BSN-to-DNP, and graduate certificate options. In-state tuition is $10,787; schools offering this program have graduation rates of 53%. The online and hybrid formats with synchronous and asynchronous classes appeal to working RNs, and the FNP track requires 1,000 clinical hours. A 94% certification pass rate on the PMHNP exam and a median FNP salary of $120,610 underscore strong employment outcomes.
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| #3 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS | $16,000/yr (net price) | BSN-prepared nurses in southern Kansas | |
Pittsburg State University’s BSN-to-DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration serves southeast Kansas and nearby regions. In-state tuition is $9,470, and schools offering this program have graduation rates of 56.6%. The hybrid design combines online work with campus visits, gearing start dates toward summer with applications accepted from August to October. Graduates regularly land roles with salaries above $100,000, and the CCNE-accredited curriculum builds leadership and education skills alongside clinical expertise.
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| #4 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | $13,000/yr | ||
Wichita State University provides a campus-based Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration that extends clinical training into primary care, emergency, and rural health settings. In-state tuition is $7,986 per year, and schools offering this program have graduation rates of 51%. The program offers three NP specializations, adult-gerontology acute care, family, and psychiatric/mental health, giving students room to tailor their focus. Hands-on experiences with community partners reinforce the emphasis on physical assessment, diagnosis, and health promotion across the lifespan.
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| #5 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | $12,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
The University of Kansas stands out with a high 68.8% graduation rate among schools offering these programs and a hybrid DNP FNP track alongside post-graduate certificates for FNPs and PMHNPs. In-state tuition is $11,971, and the DNP requires 67 credits with 1,000 clinical hours. On-campus intensives at the KU Medical Center and standardized patient exams draw nurses from across the Kansas City region. The FNP certificate offers a 16-credit route for current APRNs seeking to add family practice, while the PMHNP certificate runs online every other year.
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| #6 | University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth, KS | ~$23,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of Saint Mary, a private Catholic institution, offers a hybrid Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration. Tuition is $775 per credit, totaling around $41,075 for the 53-credit program; grants and aid can lower the net price from the $22,519 average. Schools offering this program have graduation rates of 47.8%. Over 700 clinical hours and just two on-campus intensives keep the program accessible for working nurses, with a holistic, lifespan-focused curriculum preparing graduates for mental health advanced practice roles across Kansas.
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The table below compares costs and key program details for family nurse practitioner programs in Kansas. Sticker tuition figures are annual graduate rates for in-state and out-of-state students, while the net price column reflects the average amount students actually paid after grants and scholarships. Total credits and clinical hours indicate program depth; every listed program meets or exceeds the Kansas Board of Nursing’s minimum of 750 clinical practice hours.
| School & Program | Degree Type | Format | Total Credits | Clinical Hours | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University: BSN-DNP FNP | BSN to DNP | Hybrid | 75 | Meets state minimum (750 hrs) | $4,949 | $12,745 | $12,569 |
| University of Kansas Medical Center: FNP DNP | DNP | Not specified | 67 | 1,000 hrs | $11,971 | $27,146 | $18,059 |
| University of Kansas Medical Center: FNP Certificate | Post-Master's Certificate | Hybrid | 16 | 10 clinical credits | $11,971 | $27,146 | $18,059 |
| Wichita State University: FNP DNP | DNP | Campus | Not specified | Not specified | $7,986 | $16,873 | $13,194 |
| Pittsburg State University: BSN to DNP FNP | BSN to DNP | Hybrid | Not specified | Not specified | $9,470 | $20,302 | $15,784 |
What does the label "online" actually mean for nurse practitioner programs in Kansas, and who is responsible for arranging clinical rotations?
Kansas FNP programs fall into three broad delivery formats. Wichita State University is the primary campus-based option, with most coursework delivered face-to-face in Wichita. The majority of other programs use a hybrid model that blends online didactic instruction with periodic on-campus requirements. The University of Kansas Medical Center, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, and MidAmerica Nazarene University all fall into this hybrid category. For instance, KU's FNP certificate includes clinical intensives and standardized patient exams on campus, while Fort Hays operates as a cohort-based online DNP with optional preparatory courses but still maintains in-person project components. Washburn University's FNP program, like many others, delivers theory online but necessitates some on-site activities.
No Kansas FNP program offers a full clinical placement service. Every program places the primary responsibility on you to identify and secure a preceptor, though all require faculty or program approval. Wichita State emphasizes a Kansas-centric approach, meaning students must hold a Kansas RN license and find preceptors within the state. KU Medical Center allows out-of-state placements with approval, and Fort Hays authorizes clinical rotations in specific states where it holds educational authorization. MidAmerica Nazarene also permits out-of-state clinicals in authorized states, while Pittsburg State and Washburn evaluate out-of-state requests on a case-by-case basis. Despite this, the school's clinical coordinator typically provides guidance and may maintain a list of potential sites, but you should be prepared to network and initiate contact.
Even when a program is labeled online, the clinical training cannot be done remotely. All FNP programs require 500 to 700 or more hours of directly supervised, in-person clinical experience in primary care settings. Online refers to the didactic coursework--lectures, discussions, and assignments--while the clinical practicum is always face-to-face with patients and preceptors. This means you will be traveling to clinical sites, so consider geography and travel time when choosing a program.
If you live outside the Kansas City, Lawrence, or Wichita metropolitan areas, a program with minimal on-campus obligations and flexible clinical placement policies will be less disruptive. Fort Hays State University, located in western Kansas, structures its DNP-FNP program specifically to accommodate students across the state and in neighboring states, with fully online didactic courses and out-of-state clinical authorization. Pittsburg State's hybrid model and KU Medical Center's hybrid certificate with limited intensives also serve students who can travel occasionally. Since you will still be managing in-person clinicals, proximity to potential preceptor sites in your region is equally important.
Kansas NP programs do not publicly report school-level FNP certification pass rates. For context, the national AANP FNP exam pass rate was 81% in 2025.
Many aspiring NPs discover two distinct calendars: programs like MidAmerica Nazarene offer term-specific entry points, while the majority of Kansas FNP programs, including those at KU Medical Center, Wichita State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, and Washburn, center their admissions around a single June 1 deadline for fall start. The choice between rolling flexibility and a defined cohort launch often shapes your application timeline.
Every accredited FNP program in Kansas requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution. You will also need an active, unencumbered registered nurse license. Across the board, the minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0. Many schools expect undergraduate coursework in statistics and pathophysiology, if your BSN transcript is missing either, plan to complete a standalone course before applying.
Kansas FNP programs uniformly ask for at least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse. This requirement is firm at all six schools covered here, no program waives it, though the setting (hospital, clinic, community health) can vary. The typical application packet also includes:
The GRE is universally waived, meaning your academic record and professional background carry the weight of your candidacy.
Most programs align with a June 1 deadline for fall entry and admit a single cohort each year. MidAmerica Nazarene is the outlier, with term-specific deadlines that open doors to multiple start dates annually. Cohort sizes are often modest, some programs cap enrollment to ensure quality clinical placements, so applying early in the cycle can be advantageous regardless of deadline structure.
Choosing between the MSN-FNP and BSN-to-DNP tracks comes down to your career timeline and ambitions. An MSN-FNP gets you into practice faster and with less upfront debt, while a BSN-to-DNP opens doors to leadership, policy, or academic roles and may boost long-term earning potential. Consider where you see yourself: purely clinical, or eyeing administration and teaching.
In 2024, nurse practitioners in Kansas earned a mean annual wage of $127,940. That figure places Kansas NP compensation comfortably above the national median, making the state an attractive option for both new graduates and experienced practitioners.
Kansas NP wages reflect strong demand across clinical settings. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes median data only at the national level, the Kansas mean of $127,940 offers a reliable benchmark. For additional context, national salary ranges provide a useful reference: the bottom 10% of NPs nationwide earned about $87,340, while the top 10% earned more than $165,240. Kansas wages typically fall within a similar spread, though rural and underserved areas may offer additional incentives such as loan repayment or signing bonuses.
The national median annual wage for nurse practitioners stood at $121,610 in 2022. Kansas's 2024 mean of $127,940 suggests that many NPs in the state earn above that nationwide midpoint. While cost of living varies by region, Kansas's lower-than-average living expenses mean an NP salary here often stretches further than in higher-cost states. The state's competitive pay, combined with strong projected job growth, makes it a stable market for advanced practice nurses.
Wage differences within Kansas are driven by facility type, patient volume, and local competition. Although 2024 metro-specific data is not yet published, historical patterns show that NPs in the Kansas City metropolitan area and the Wichita metro consistently earn above the state mean. Topeka and Lawrence markets trend slightly lower, though they remain competitive regionally. Rural counties frequently offer higher base pay and incentive packages to attract providers, especially in primary care and mental health roles.
Nationally, the NP profession is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, adding an estimated 32,700 new positions each year. Kansas mirrors this trend, with particularly strong demand in rural and medically underserved communities. An aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic disease, and expanding scope-of-practice laws all contribute to a robust hiring environment. State workforce initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare shortages in rural areas further bolster long-term career stability for NPs in Kansas.
Choosing the right nurse practitioner program in Kansas raises many questions. We’ve pulled together clear answers to the most common ones below, drawing on program data, state licensing rules, and recent salary figures to help you make an informed decision.
