Is a FNP degree worth it?
Written by: Gayle Morris BSN, MSN, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Published: January 22, 2025
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) degree may be worth the time and effort if you want an advanced clinical role, a higher salary, and job flexibility in primary care. Explore what you can expect from FNP programs.
What is an FNP degree?
An FNP program confers an advanced nursing degree focusing on primary care in people across the lifespan. Students can expect coursework in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. They must complete supervised clinical practicums in family medicine.
Programs typically take two to three years to complete and often require you to hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) for admission. Students must master skills in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and patient education.
Schools work to prepare graduates for national certification and licensure so they can provide comprehensive care in diverse health settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and private practice.
Benefits of an FNP degree
Earning an FNP degree can help you:
- Qualify for FNP board certification and NP state licensure.
- Gain independent practice and prescriptive privileges in many states.
- Earn a median annual salary of $126,260, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Access a fast-growing field with 135,500 jobs projected to be added from 2023-33 per the BLS.
How much does a FNP degree cost?
The cost of an FNP program varies widely and depends on location, residency status, and institution type. Make sure you also budget for expenses not covered by tuition, including textbooks, clinical attire, exam fees, and transportation.
To finance your degree, you can explore federal loans, grants, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance programs. You may opt for loan forgiveness programs such as the one through the National Health Service Corps, especially if you plan to work in underserved or rural areas after graduation. Each of these options can help offset costs.
Does an FNP degree have a good ROI?
An FNP degree generally offers a strong return on investment (ROI).
Per the BLS, nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $129,480 as of 2023. This is significantly higher than the 2032 median annual salary of $86,070 for registered nurses. It's also far higher than the average for all workers in 2023, which was $48,060. Location, experience, specialty, and employer may influence your salary range.
Your salary potential can rise further if you live in high-demand areas, especially in states with independent practice laws. This improves your return on investment, which includes long-term career stability and high earning potential.
Are graduates of a FNP program in demand?
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, FNPs make up 70% of nurse practitioners (NPs) — who have some of the strongest career outlooks in the U.S. The BLS projects a 46% job growth rate for NPs from 2023-33. NPs have the third highest growth rate and salary among all U.S. occupations. The Bureau also projects that 135,500 jobs will open for NPs across the decade.
Factors that drive this demand include a national shortage of primary care providers and an aging population with increasing healthcare needs. FNPs commonly work in primary care settings, including outpatient clinics, community health centers, and private practices. They deliver essential services as they diagnose, treat, and manage acute and chronic conditions.