A dual MSN/MBA at the University of Maryland, Baltimore runs 66 to 72 credits over hybrid coursework; Stevenson University's Population-Based Care Coordination track finishes fully online in 36. That gap in credit load, format, and time to completion defines the real choice facing Maryland nurses this year: a research-heavy program near Johns Hopkins and NIH, or a leaner online track built for working RNs.
Maryland's clinical density, federal health agencies, academic medical centers, and community hospital systems keep demand for MSN-prepared nurses high across family nurse practitioner programs in Maryland, informatics, education, and leadership roles. Eight schools statewide now offer online or hybrid delivery.
The tension is admissions competitiveness against tuition and state funding programs like NSP II, which don't apply evenly across every nursing degree level or specialty.
Best Online MSN Schools in Maryland: Ranked
Maryland's online MSN options run from nursing informatics and nursing education tracks to nurse practitioner and dual-degree leadership paths, taught at public and private schools across Baltimore, Frederick, Takoma Park, and western Maryland. Every school below offers graduate nursing coursework that can be completed fully online or in a hybrid blend built for working nurses. Here is how they compare on cost, outcomes, format, and concentration choices.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Program-level post-completion earnings
- Online and hybrid delivery availability
- Concentration and pathway variety
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Maryland, Baltimore
#1Baltimore, MD · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Nurses moving into nursing informatics
Maryland's public academic health sciences campus in Baltimore, the University of Maryland, Baltimore pairs online coursework with hybrid practicum structure through its School of Nursing. Its online Nursing Informatics MSN runs about 36 credits, while the hybrid Community/Public Health track and a dual MSN/MBA with the University of Baltimore serve nurses aiming at leadership. A Maryland-focused Academic Common Market pathway can let eligible applicants from participating states pay in-state rates for the online informatics option.
- Dual degree awarded with the University of Baltimore
- 66-72 credits, part-time over up to seven years
- Nursing Leadership and Management concentration
- Business courses taken at the University of Baltimore
- BSN with 3.0 GPA plus active RN license required
- Prepares graduates for senior healthcare roles
- 36 credit hours, completable in as little as two years
- Online format with 500 practicum hours required
- In-state tuition $926 per credit; out-of-state $1,643
- Full-time and part-time study plans available
- RN-to-MSN accelerated path available
- Free ANCC exam preparation workshops
- Hybrid format: five online and five face-to-face courses
- 38 credits with 315 practicum hours included
- As little as two years to complete
- Focus on population health and social justice
- Optional dual MSN/MPH degree available
- RN-to-MSN accelerated path saves credits
Stevenson University
#2Owings Mills, MD · $8,000/yr
Best for: ADN-prepared nurses pursuing RN-to-MSN
Stevenson University Online delivers its nursing master's degrees fully online, with six eight-week start points a year built around working nurses. Offerings include an RN-to-MS pathway that awards both the BSN and MSN, plus Population-Based Care Coordination and Forensic Nursing concentrations. The university holds tuition agreements with a long list of Maryland health systems, which can lower costs for nurses employed by partner organizations.
- 36 credit hours delivered 100% online
- Six 8-week sessions offered each year
- Capstone project applies skills in real-world settings
- Focus on vulnerable populations and care coordination
- CCNE accredited
- Bachelor's degree in nursing and current RN license required
- 36 total credit hours
- Six start dates per year in fall, spring, and summer
- Course in Expert Witness Preparation and Practice
- Forensic Nursing Practicum included
- Focus on trauma: sexual assault, domestic violence, elder and child abuse
- CCNE accredited
- Designed for working students, with faculty and success coaches
- Earns both the BSN and MSN; 120 total credit hours
- Four concentrations include Nursing Education and Forensic Nursing
- No entrance exam required; 45 clinical hours
- Six start dates per year in 8-week online sessions
- $505 per credit; first graduate course billed at undergraduate rate
- 3.0 GPA minimum with financial aid available
Notre Dame of Maryland University
#3Baltimore, MD · $13,000/yr
Best for: Clinicians who thrive in cohort settings
Notre Dame of Maryland University is a private Baltimore campus whose MSN tracks blend online coursework with in-person sessions. The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track runs 47 credits over about 27 months, and the Leadership in Nursing Administration track can be finished in under two years, both structured around a cohort model with fall starts. Small classes and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio keep the format structured for practicing nurses.
- 27-month program totaling 47 credit hours
- Hybrid blend of online and in-person classes
- Cohort-based structure with small class sizes
- Part-time format designed for working nurses
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares graduates to manage acute and chronic conditions
- Completable in under two years
- Hybrid online and campus format with evening and weekend classes
- Leadership in Nursing Administration concentration
- Covers policy analysis, finance, and strategic planning
- Fall start once per year
- 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Hood College
#4Frederick, MD · ~$9,000/yr (est.)
Hood College in Frederick offers a fully online MSN in nursing education for nurses who want to teach in academic or clinical settings. The 31-credit curriculum covers instructional design, curriculum development, assessment strategies, and educational technology, with three specialized tracks and a part-time option. Tuition is billed per credit, and financial aid is available.
- 31 total credit hours at $1,050 per credit
- $32,550 total program tuition
- Three specialized MSN tracks available
- 100% online coursework
- Covers instructional design, curriculum development, and assessment
- Part-time study option with financial aid available
Morgan State University
#5Baltimore, MD · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Morgan State University, a public institution in Baltimore, offers a hybrid MSN with a Nurse Educator concentration that students can attend in person or join virtually. The 43-credit curriculum follows AACN graduate standards, requires a 3.0 GPA, and emphasizes serving underserved populations. No thesis or capstone is required, and conditional admission is available for applicants who need it.
- 43 total credit hours
- Hybrid face-to-face and virtual attendance options
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus three letters of recommendation
- Two years of RN experience recommended
- No thesis or capstone required
- CCNE accredited and aligned with AACN graduate standards
- Focus on serving underserved populations
- Conditional admission available
Frostburg State University
#6Frostburg, MD · $11,000 – $14,000/yr
Frostburg State University's MSN is a blended program that combines online coursework with on-campus sessions in western Maryland. The Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks prepare experienced RNs for advanced practice, with a stated emphasis on rural and underserved communities. Small class sizes and a new health sciences building support hands-on clinical learning.
- Blended delivery: online coursework plus on-campus sessions
- Prepares graduates for primary care across the lifespan
- Designed for experienced RNs with current licensure
- Emphasis on rural health and underserved communities
- Small class sizes with hands-on clinical experience
- CCNE accredited and aligned with AACN Essentials
- Blended hybrid format for experienced registered nurses
- Psychiatric mental health specialization
- Aligns with national NP education standards
- Focus on underserved communities
- Small class sizes with access to modern facilities
- Thesis and public seminar required for completion
Washington Adventist University
#7Takoma Park, MD · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park offers a fully online MS in Nursing Education for registered nurses moving into teaching and curriculum work. The 45-credit curriculum includes advanced health assessment and pharmacology, a direct patient care practicum, a teaching practicum, and a research thesis or project. Admission requires a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, and an active RN license.
- 45 credit hours delivered online
- 27 core curriculum hours
- Advanced health assessment and pharmacology courses
- Includes direct patient care and teaching practicums
- Major research thesis or project required
- BSN with 3.0 GPA and active RN license required
- Two recommendation letters, resume, and career objectives statement
- CCNE accredited
University of Baltimore
#8Baltimore, MD · $17,000 – $23,000/yr
The University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business partners with the University of Maryland, Baltimore on a dual MS in Nursing and MBA. The hybrid program blends healthcare leadership coursework with business management training for nurses targeting executive and administrative roles. Multiple application deadlines across the year suit working adults returning to graduate study.
- Dual degree offered with the University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Hybrid format designed for working adults
- Combines nursing leadership and business management coursework
- Prepares graduates for healthcare administration roles
- Small class sizes in an AACSB-accredited business school
- Multiple application deadlines throughout the year
- Bachelor's degree and professional experience required
MSN Pathways Explained: RN-To-MSN, BSN-To-MSN, and Direct Entry
Choosing an MSN pathway usually comes down to how much nursing education you already have and how quickly you can commit to full-time study. The route that saves time for an experienced ADN nurse may not fit someone making a career change to nursing with a bachelor's degree in another field, so it helps to match the pathway to your starting point.
ADN-to-MSN and RN-to-MSN Bridges
These programs serve working RNs who hold an associate degree or diploma. RN-to-MSN programs in MD often let qualified associate-degree nurses complete accelerated baccalaureate and master's coursework together. The University of Maryland School of Nursing's RN-to-MSN track accepts ADN-prepared nurses and offers concentrations such as Nursing Informatics, Nursing Leadership and Management, and Community/Public Health Nursing. Many Maryland RN-to-MSN bridges run about 36 months full-time, and admission commonly requires an active RN license, a 2.75 to 3.0 GPA, and about one year of clinical experience. UMSON allows up to six years for completion, so RN-to-MSN Maryland applicants should confirm pacing and exact credits.
BSN-to-MSN
For nurses who already hold a BSN, the BSN-to-MSN is the standard graduate entry point. Because the undergraduate nursing foundation is already complete, this path is generally shorter than an ADN-to-MSN bridge. Credit requirements vary by specialty and delivery format, so working nurses should compare full-time, part-time, online, and hybrid options before applying.
Direct-Entry MSN for Non-Nursing Majors
Yes, there are Direct Entry MSN Programs for non nursing majors in Maryland. The University of Maryland School of Nursing's MSN Entry-into-Nursing (MSN-E) is a full-time five-semester track for non-nursing bachelor's holders, typically requiring a 3.0 GPA and prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy and physiology I and II, and microbiology. Towson University's Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMS) is another full-time option for non-nursing bachelor's holders and began admitting students in fall 2022. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing's Entry into Nursing MSN requires 65 credits and 855 clinical hours across five to six semesters. These tracks are intensive and generally assume full-time study.
Post-Master's Certificates
Post-master's certificates are for nurses who already hold an MSN degree and want to add a specialty. Because core graduate nursing courses are already complete, certificate paths are usually shorter than a full MSN.
MSN Pathway Comparison at a Glance
Maryland nurses can pursue an MSN through several distinct pathways depending on their current education and clinical background. Below is a side-by-side look at three common routes, so you can quickly identify which one fits your situation.
Program Cost and ROI Comparison
The table below consolidates tuition, estimated net price, median debt, and post-graduation earnings for every ranked MSN program in Maryland. Net price figures reflect the institution-wide average after financial aid, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education, and should be treated as approximate rather than a guaranteed individual quote. Program-level earnings data are not yet reported for these MSN programs, so the institution-level median earnings (measured at 10 years after enrollment) are included for broader context. All financial figures are drawn from IPEDS and College Scorecard (2024).
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Estimated Net Price (After Aid) | Median Debt at Graduation | Institution-Level Median Earnings (10 Yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg State University | $11,498 | $14,036 | $16,715 | $21,105 | $55,493 |
| Morgan State University | $9,981 | $18,207 | $14,985 | $27,250 | $50,698 |
| Hood College | $9,470 | $9,470 | $20,873 | $25,000 | $57,089 |
| Stevenson University | $8,460 | $8,460 | $26,505 | $26,000 | $62,079 |
| Washington Adventist University | $11,525 | $11,525 | $18,526 | $30,500 | $64,249 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | $12,731 | $12,731 | $19,169 | $22,666 | $65,344 |
| University of Baltimore (MSN/MBA Dual Degree) | $16,574 | $23,468 | $13,868 | $23,250 | $61,335 |
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Fastest and Most Affordable Online MSN Programs in Maryland
Maryland's MSN landscape, including nurse practitioner programs in Maryland, now favors nurses who want a defined finish line rather than an open-ended part-time slog, and the data show a real gap between the quickest tracks and the rest of the field.
Where speed comes from
The University of Maryland School of Nursing's RN-to-MSN pathway, built for associate-degree RNs, is among the fastest verified routes in the state: candidates can complete it in as little as 24 months, though the university allows up to six years for nurses who need to pace coursework around work and family. Its online MSN in Nursing Informatics, a BSN-to-MSN specialty, runs 36 credits across five semesters, also landing near the two-year mark. By contrast, the school's Nursing Leadership and Management track, taken part-time, averages closer to 42 months, a reminder that specialty choice affects timeline as much as enrollment status does.
Affordability in the mix
On net price, Morgan State University, Frostburg State University, and the University of Baltimore currently post some of the lowest published costs among Maryland MSN options, making them worth a look for nurses prioritizing budget over speed. None publish a completion timeline as short as the University of Maryland School of Nursing's RN-to-MSN track, so the fastest and cheapest paths aren't always the same program.
What accelerated enrollment actually changes
Year-round terms and generous transfer credit for prior graduate or RN coursework are what shrink these timelines, not lighter course loads. Accelerated formats, common in accelerated BSN programs, often compress clinical placement windows, meaning students may need to line up preceptors and rotation hours further in advance and carry two or three courses simultaneously rather than one. Anyone weighing a shortened track should ask directly how many transfer credits will be honored and how clinical scheduling works before enrolling.
Online, Hybrid, and Campus Format Breakdown
Maryland MSN programs fall into three delivery buckets, and the label matters when you are planning around a job, a family, or a long commute to Baltimore.
Fully Online Options
Stevenson University runs its Population-Based Care Coordination MSN 100% online in six eight-week sessions per year. Hood College delivers its Nursing Education MSN online across 31 credits, and Washington Adventist University offers a 45-credit online MS in Nursing Education. The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) delivers its Nursing Informatics MSN (36 credits, 500 practicum hours) and its Health Services Leadership and Management track online.
Hybrid and Blended Programs
Notre Dame of Maryland University's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP and Family NP (FNP) tracks are blended: most coursework is online, with limited on-campus labs and simulations in Baltimore. Frostburg State's FNP delivers didactic content online but expects clinical work in the region. Morgan State's Nurse Educator MSN uses a mix of face-to-face and virtual sessions, and the UMB MSN/MBA and UBalt MSN/MBA dual degrees are hybrid by design, a format common in Dual MSN/MBA Degree Programs Online & Campus. UMSON's Community/Public Health MSN (38 credits, 315 practicum hours) is hybrid with in-person clinical rotations across Maryland.
Clinicals and Travel
No Maryland MSN is truly zero-travel if it includes direct patient care. Non-clinical tracks (informatics, leadership, education) still require a practicum, generally 250 to 500 hours, that you complete at an approved site. FNP programs require far more: 750 hours at NDMU (plus 1,000 prior RN direct-care hours before NUR 635), 765 at Frostburg, and up to 1,085 in UMSON's DNP-FNP, one of the Best DNP Programs in Maryland. NDMU requires clinicals in Maryland or an approved compact state (Washington, DC does not qualify) and assigns preceptors that students schedule with directly. Frostburg students typically place in their local community with faculty approval. Plan for occasional campus visits for orientations, labs, or intensives even in "online" tracks.
MSN Specializations Available in Maryland
Maryland's MSN programs span a broad range of specializations, from primary care nurse practitioner tracks to leadership and education concentrations. The state's unique proximity to federal health agencies such as the NIH, FDA, and HRSA in the greater Washington, D.C., corridor drives strong employer demand for nurses trained in informatics, leadership, and population health. Below is a specialty-by-specialty breakdown so you can quickly identify which schools align with your career goals.
| Specialization | Schools Offering It | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | Frostburg State University | Hybrid | FNP remains one of the most in-demand advanced practice roles statewide, especially in rural western Maryland communities where Frostburg focuses its clinical training. |
| Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGNP) | Notre Dame of Maryland University | Hybrid | A 27-month, 47-credit cohort program designed for working nurses. Addresses growing demand as Maryland's aging population expands. |
| Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) | Frostburg State University | Hybrid | Offered alongside the FNP track at Frostburg. Mental health provider shortages across Maryland make this one of the fastest-growing specialties in the state. |
| Nursing Leadership and Management (MSN/MBA) | University of Maryland, Baltimore (with University of Baltimore) | Hybrid | A dual MSN/MBA requiring 66 to 72 credits. Proximity to federal agencies and large health systems in Baltimore creates strong demand for nurse executives. |
| Nurse Education | Hood College, Morgan State University, Washington Adventist University, Frostburg State University | Online (Hood, WAU), Hybrid (Morgan State, Frostburg) | The most widely available concentration in the state. Maryland faces a persistent nursing faculty shortage, making this specialty a strategic career choice. |
| Population-Based Care Coordination | Stevenson University | Fully Online | A 36-credit program focused on vulnerable populations and healthcare system evaluation. Aligns with community and public health workforce needs. |
| Healthcare Administration (MBA focus) | University of Baltimore (dual degree with UMB) | Hybrid | The business side of the UMB dual-degree pathway. AACSB-accredited coursework prepares nurses for C-suite and policy roles near D.C.-area federal agencies. |
Admissions Requirements and Competitiveness
What GPA and experience do you actually need to get into a Maryland MSN program? Most programs set a baseline around a 3.0 GPA, an active and unencumbered RN license, and completed prerequisites in statistics and health assessment. RN-to-MSN and some clinical-track programs also expect a year or more of bedside experience, plus a personal essay, resume, and one to three professional recommendations depending on the school.
GRE Policies Vary and Are Shifting
Test requirements remain inconsistent across the state. Johns Hopkins still lists a GRE reporting code for its Entry into Nursing program, suggesting the exam may still factor into review for some applicants.1 Morgan State's graduate school does not issue blanket waivers, meaning MSN applicants there may need to petition the nursing department directly if they want the requirement dropped.2 Several other schools, including Salisbury, Stevenson, Notre Dame of Maryland, and Coppin State, have not published clear GRE language for their MSN pages, so applicants should confirm current policy directly with admissions before assuming it is waived.
Institutional Selectivity Isn't Program Selectivity
Overall admission rates at these universities range widely, with some schools admitting a majority of undergraduate applicants. That figure reflects the institution as a whole, not the MSN program specifically, which often has its own, more selective review process. Use campus-wide acceptance data as general context only.
Deadlines and Cohort Timing for 2026-2027
Admissions structures differ by school. The University of Maryland's Entry-into-Nursing MSN opens applications February 19, 2026, with a priority deadline of July 15, 2026, for a Spring 2027 cohort. Johns Hopkins uses multiple entry points, with fall applications due November 1 and January 15.1 Coppin State's fall deadline falls on April 15.3 Morgan State follows a general May 1 graduate deadline.2 A separate nursing-specific window runs February 1 through March 8, 2027, submitted through NursingCAS.4 Bowie State's MS in Nursing Program has paused new MSN admissions beginning Fall 2026, so prospective applicants should compare other Best Nursing Schools in Maryland for now.
What MSN-Prepared Nurses Earn in Maryland
Earning a Master of Science in Nursing unlocks roles with significantly higher compensation than the registered nurse baseline. In Maryland, nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary roughly $31,000 above that of staff RNs, while nursing faculty salaries vary widely depending on institution type and location. Metro areas such as Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. suburbs tend to offer the highest wages, whereas positions on the Eastern Shore and in rural western counties generally pay less due to lower cost of living and smaller employer pools.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Maryland | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 52,910 | $83,740 | $99,790 | $107,340 | $99,010 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 6,710 | $119,660 | $131,110 | $147,140 | $133,360 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers (Postsecondary) | 840 | $67,510 | $84,050 | $105,860 | $88,480 |
Median NP Salary in Maryland
Nurse Practitioners in Maryland earn a median annual salary of $131,110, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, well above the national NP median of roughly $126,260.
MSN by State
Northeast10
Southeast12
Midwest12
Southwest4
DC & Territories1
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