Indiana has 14 universities offering nurse practitioner programs across six NP specialties: family (FNP), psychiatric mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), pediatric primary care (PNP-PC), and neonatal (NNP). Students can enter through MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways, and Indiana Wesleyan admits associate-degree nurses through an ASN-to-MSN. Family practice dominates: all 14 schools offer FNP, and eight offer nothing else.
Jump to: FNP (14) PMHNP (5) AGPCNP (2) AGACNP (3) PNP-PC (2) NNP (1)
Indiana University (IU), Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) each offer four specialties, in different combinations: IU pairs adult acute care with pediatrics, Purdue pairs adult primary care with pediatrics, and UIndy covers both adult populations plus neonatal care. No Indiana school offers pediatric acute care. Resident per-credit rates run from under $500 at Indiana State, Ball State, and IU’s regional campuses to $995 at Saint Mary’s College, and campus, cost, and placement rules often change by specialty within the same university.
Compare Indiana Nurse Practitioner Programs
| School | Specialties | Degrees | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis | FNP PMHNP AGACNP PNP-PC | DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| Purdue University West Lafayette | FNP PMHNP AGPCNP PNP-PC | MS • DNP • Certificate | Hybrid |
| University of Indianapolis (UIndy) Indianapolis | FNP AGPCNP AGACNP NNP | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) Evansville | FNP PMHNP AGACNP | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| Indiana State University Terre Haute | FNP PMHNP | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Online |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) Marion | FNP PMHNP | ASN-to-MSN • MSN • DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Ball State University Muncie | FNP | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Goshen College Goshen | FNP | MSN | Campus |
| Marian University Indianapolis | FNP | DNP | Hybrid |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary-of-the-Woods | FNP | MSN • Certificate | Online |
| Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame | FNP | DNP | Mostly Online |
| Trine University Angola | FNP | MSN | Online |
| University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne | FNP | MSN • Certificate | Varies by program |
| Valparaiso University Valparaiso | FNP | DNP | Mostly Online |
Schools are listed by number of NP specialties offered, then alphabetically. Specialties show programs identified in our Indiana specialty research, and not every degree is available in every specialty. IU’s FNP master’s is offered through four regional campuses rather than IU Indianapolis.
“Varies” marks real differences within one school. IU’s FNP master’s is mostly online, while its AGACNP and pediatric doctorates hold in-person labs in Indianapolis. UIndy’s AGACNP includes scheduled campus simulation that its FNP and AGPCNP tracks do not. At Saint Francis, the MSN has no campus visits, but the certificate adds two intensives per semester.
NP Programs by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
All 14 Indiana NP schools offer FNP preparation, and eight offer no other NP specialty.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Ball State | Asynchronous coursework with one campus clinical day and three start terms |
| Goshen | Weekly face-to-face class; faculty help arrange clinical sites |
| Indiana State | MSN, DNP, and certificate with no campus visits |
| IU | Lowest resident MSN (about $21K) through four regional campuses |
| Indiana Wesleyan | Only ASN-to-MSN entry; requires 800 documented patient encounters |
| Marian | Doctorate only, with administrator-assisted placement |
| Purdue | Lowest resident BSN-to-DNP ($37K) and certificate (from about $3K) |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods | Each class can be attended in person, live online, or by recording |
| Saint Mary’s | Only MSN-to-DNP that adds FNP; the college pays preceptor stipends |
| Trine | Fully online MSN launched in 2026; FNP accreditation still pending |
| UIndy | Part-time MSN; enrolls residents of five states only |
| Saint Francis | Online MSN, with clinicals allowed at your own workplace |
| USI | Online out-of-state students pay only $50 more per credit |
| Valparaiso | Doctorate only, with two campus intensives across the program |
- Cost: Resident MSN tuition runs from about $21K at IU’s regional campuses and $22K at Purdue to $39K at Goshen and $41K for Indiana Wesleyan’s ASN-to-MSN.
- Doctorate only: Marian, Saint Mary’s, and Valparaiso offer no FNP master’s.
- Clinical hours: MSN totals range from 576 (Trine) to 850 (Indiana Wesleyan).
Compare all Indiana FNP programs →
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
Five schools offer PMHNP preparation, and only three offer a master’s.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Indiana State | Certificate only; credits up to 250 hours of prior APRN clinical experience |
| IU | Doctorate only; reports a 98% three-year ANCC pass rate |
| Indiana Wesleyan | ASN-to-MSN entry; per-credit rate locked at enrollment |
| Purdue | Lowest certificate cost (about $5,900 for residents); hybrid format |
| USI | No scheduled campus visits; accepts any unencumbered U.S. RN license |
- Master’s options: Indiana Wesleyan, Purdue, and USI. IU offers the PMHNP only as a BSN-to-DNP, and Indiana State only as a certificate.
- Accreditation: Indiana State holds ACEN accreditation, currently with conditions; the other four hold CCNE.
Compare all Indiana PMHNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs
Only Purdue and UIndy offer AGPCNP preparation, and their degree options overlap only at the doctorate.
- Purdue: BSN-to-DNP only, at about $36K for Indiana residents, with a six-day summer campus week.
- UIndy: the state’s only AGPCNP master’s and certificate, plus a part-time BSN-to-DNP, with staff help securing local clinical sites.
Compare all Indiana AGPCNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs
Three schools offer AGACNP preparation, and all three offer a post-master’s certificate.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| IU | Doctoral entry; requires 1,800 hours of adult ICU, ED, or PCU experience |
| UIndy | MSN with scheduled campus procedure simulation; staff help secure sites |
| USI | Only option with no campus visits and no required RN experience |
- Pathways: USI is the only school offering AGACNP at the MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and certificate levels.
- Experience timing: IU’s BSN-to-DNP applicants can finish their critical care hours after admission; certificate applicants cannot.
Compare all Indiana AGACNP programs →
Pediatric Primary Care NP Programs
IU and Purdue both prepare pediatric NPs for primary care only. No Indiana school offers pediatric acute care or a dual pediatric track.
- IU: BSN-to-DNP and certificate. It requires a year of pediatric or NICU experience before clinicals and reports a 100% three-year certification pass rate.
- Purdue: Indiana’s only pediatric NP master’s (MS), plus a BSN-to-DNP and certificate. It secures every placement through more than 100 clinical contracts.
Compare all Indiana PNP programs →
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
The University of Indianapolis is the only Indiana school offering neonatal NP preparation.
- MSN: 53 credits over three years part-time, with 750 clinical hours and new cohorts each fall.
- BSN-to-DNP: a 68-credit doctorate is also listed.
- Format and clinicals: online coursework with synchronous classes and an on-campus clinical intensive; clinical training takes place in Indiana NICUs, including Level IV units at Riley Children’s and St. Vincent.
Which Indiana NP School Fits Your Goals?
Widest Specialty Selection
Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis each offer four NP specialties. Choose IU for adult acute care with pediatrics, Purdue for adult primary care with pediatrics, or UIndy for both adult populations plus neonatal care.
Adult Primary and Acute Care at One School
The University of Indianapolis is the only Indiana school offering both AGPCNP and AGACNP, along with FNP. Its clinical NP tracks enroll only residents of Indiana and four neighboring states.
Best for ADN-Prepared Nurses
Indiana Wesleyan’s ASN-to-MSN, in FNP or PMHNP, is the only associate-degree entry point in the state. No BSN is awarded along the way.
Lowest Resident Cost
IU’s regional FNP master’s costs Indiana residents about $21K in tuition. Purdue has the lowest FNP doctorate ($37K) and certificate (from about $3K), but non-residents pay close to three times as much at both.
No Campus Travel
Indiana State lists no required campus visits in its FNP MSN, DNP, and certificate or its PMHNP certificate. Trine’s FNP MSN, Saint Francis’s FNP MSN, and USI’s AGACNP are also campus-free.
Strongest Documented Placement Support
Purdue secures every pediatric primary care placement, and Goshen faculty arrange FNP sites alongside students. Saint Mary’s College pays a stipend to every DNP student’s preceptor.
Indiana NP Programs by Entry Pathway
ADN or RN to NP Programs
Indiana Wesleyan is the only school in this comparison that admits associate-degree nurses. Its ASN-to-MSN covers FNP and PMHNP and adds 17 bridge credits billed at the lower undergraduate rate. No Indiana program identified here admits RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
BSN to MSN NP Programs
Eleven schools offer an NP master’s, but availability drops sharply outside FNP:
- FNP: 11 schools
- PMHNP: Indiana Wesleyan, Purdue, USI
- AGACNP: UIndy, USI
- AGPCNP: UIndy
- PNP-PC: Purdue
- NNP: UIndy
Marian, Saint Mary’s, and Valparaiso offer no NP master’s. IU’s only NP master’s is its regional FNP.
BSN to DNP NP Programs
Ten schools offer direct doctoral entry from a BSN:
- IU: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC
- Purdue: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC
- USI: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP
- UIndy: FNP, AGPCNP, NNP
- Indiana Wesleyan: FNP, PMHNP
- Ball State, Indiana State, Marian, Saint Mary’s, Valparaiso: FNP
Full-time doctorates run about three years at IU, Purdue, Marian, Saint Mary’s, and Valparaiso, but four to five years at USI.
MSN to DNP Programs
Saint Mary’s College is the only Indiana school with an MSN-to-DNP that adds NP preparation. Its 62-credit FNP track admits nurses with a non-NP master’s and keeps the full clinical sequence. Ball State’s MSN-to-DNP serves nurses who already completed NP clinical training, and IU’s and Valparaiso’s post-master’s DNPs do not add a population focus.
Post-Graduate NP Certificates
Certificates are the main way for master’s-prepared nurses to add a specialty, and most set credits by reviewing prior coursework.
| Specialty | Schools | Key Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| FNP | 9 schools | Ball State offers a shorter 390-hour route for adult-gerontology NPs; UIndy prices only after gap analysis |
| PMHNP | Indiana State, Indiana Wesleyan, Purdue, USI | Indiana State credits up to 250 prior APRN clinical hours |
| AGACNP | IU, UIndy, USI | IU requires 1,800 critical care hours at application; no federal loans |
| PNP-PC | IU, Purdue | IU admits only APRN graduates with pediatric or NICU experience |
| AGPCNP | UIndy | 3.5 MSN GPA required |
IU certificates are not eligible for federal student loans, so confirm funding before comparing prices.
What Do NP Programs Cost in Indiana?
| School | Published Tuition Rate | Important Cost Context |
|---|---|---|
| Purdue | $347.85/credit (1–7 credits); $4,996 flat per full-time semester | Resident rates, fees included; non-residents pay about 3x; Indiana RN license required |
| Indiana State | $462/credit (resident) | Eligible out-of-state online students pay $610; FNP and PMHNP |
| IU | $466/credit MSN; $735 DNP; $650.25 certificate | MSN and certificate rates rise sharply for non-residents; verify DNP rate |
| Ball State | $489/credit | FNP only |
| USI | $547–$597/credit (resident, fee-inclusive) | Online non-residents pay $50/credit more; three specialties |
| Trine | $575/credit | FNP MSN only |
| Indiana Wesleyan | $675 MSN; $859 DNP | One rate nationwide, locked at enrollment; $455 bridge credits |
| Saint Francis | $682/credit | FNP only |
| Valparaiso | $715/credit | FNP DNP only |
| Goshen | $765/credit | FNP MSN only |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods | $775/credit | FNP only |
| Marian | $805/credit | FNP DNP only |
| UIndy | $828/credit | One rate for all residencies; five-state enrollment |
| Saint Mary’s | $995/credit | Includes program fee; locked for the cohort |
Compare equivalent pathways, not just per-credit rates:
- MSN: IU’s regional FNP (about $21K), Purdue (about $22K), and USI (about $24K) are the lowest for residents. Trine’s online MSN runs about $25K.
- BSN-to-DNP: Purdue’s FNP and AGPCNP doctorates (about $36K to $37K) are the lowest for residents, followed by Ball State ($39K) and Indiana State ($40K). Saint Mary’s runs about $75K.
- Certificates: Purdue’s FNP (from about $3.5K) and PMHNP (about $5.9K) are the lowest, but final cost depends on the credits a gap analysis requires.
The lowest per-credit school may not be the cheapest route to your goal. Residency status changes the order at Purdue, IU, and Indiana State, while Indiana Wesleyan and UIndy charge everyone the same rate.
Online NP Programs in Indiana
Attendance rules differ by specialty and by credential, even within one school.
No required campus attendance
- Indiana State (FNP MSN, DNP, and certificate; PMHNP certificate)
- Trine (FNP MSN)
- Saint Francis (FNP MSN)
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (FNP; in-person attendance optional)
- USI (AGACNP)
Limited campus attendance
- Ball State FNP: one 8-hour campus clinical day
- Valparaiso FNP: two intensives across the program
- Indiana Wesleyan FNP and PMHNP: one residency weekend for FNP master’s tracks (the PMHNP MSN adds two intensives) and three or four for the DNP
- Saint Mary’s FNP: two immersions per year
- UIndy FNP and AGPCNP: periodic skills checkoffs, count not published
- USI FNP and PMHNP: possible competency checks, count not published
- UIndy NNP: an on-campus clinical intensive, schedule not published
- IU FNP MSN: synchronous sessions and home-campus labs; IU PMHNP: frequency not published
Recurring campus attendance
- Purdue (all four specialties): blended or classroom courses most terms, plus a six-day summer session in its doctorates
- Goshen FNP: one late-afternoon class each week
- Marian FNP: face-to-face and blended courses
- IU AGACNP, PNP-PC, and FNP DNP: in-person labs and simulation in Indianapolis
- UIndy AGACNP: regularly scheduled simulation sessions
- Saint Francis FNP certificate: two intensives per semester
Purdue keeps campus components because many Indiana facilities will not accept students from fully online programs. Nurses who live far from West Lafayette, Indianapolis, or Goshen will find most of their options in the first two groups.
Clinical Placement and Practicum Requirements
| School | Placement Approach | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Purdue | University-arranged (PNP-PC); not stated for other specialties | Indiana RN license required |
| Goshen | Faculty-coordinated (FNP) | Weekly campus class |
| Marian | Administrator-assisted (FNP) | Licensure determination for Indiana only |
| UIndy | Staff-assisted (FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP) | Enrolls residents of five states only |
| IU | Faculty-coordinated (DNP); faculty-assisted (regional MSN) | Out-of-state students may need Indiana clinicals |
| Saint Francis | Worksite placement allowed (FNP MSN) | Not clearly stated who secures other sites |
| Saint Mary’s | Preceptor stipend paid by the college | Enrollment closed in six states |
| Ball State, Indiana State, Indiana Wesleyan, USI | Student-secured (FNP) | USI limits enrollment to approved states |
Faculty assistance is not guaranteed placement. MSN clinical totals range from 576 hours at Trine to 850 at Indiana Wesleyan, which also requires 800 documented patient encounters.
Choosing an NP Program in Indiana
- Start with specialty. FNP students can choose from 14 schools; AGPCNP and pediatric students have two each, neonatal students have one, and pediatric acute care requires an out-of-state program.
- Decide on MSN or DNP early. IU offers its non-FNP specialties only as doctorates, and Marian, Saint Mary’s, and Valparaiso offer no master’s.
- Check residency before comparing prices. Purdue and IU charge non-residents far more, Indiana State charges eligible out-of-state online students $610 instead of $462, and Indiana Wesleyan and UIndy charge one rate.
- Map campus travel by specialty. IU and UIndy each run different formats in different tracks.
- Ask who finds preceptors. Policies range from school-secured to fully student-secured, sometimes within the same university.
- Confirm enrollment and licensure rules. UIndy enrolls five states, USI only approved states, and Purdue requires an Indiana RN license.
FAQ
How many nurse practitioner schools are in Indiana?
Fourteen Indiana universities offer NP programs. All 14 offer FNP, and eight offer FNP as their only identified specialty.
Which NP specialties are available in Indiana?
Six: FNP (14 schools), PMHNP (5), AGACNP (3), AGPCNP (2), pediatric primary care (2), and neonatal (1, at UIndy). No Indiana school offers pediatric acute care.
Which Indiana school offers the most NP specialties?
Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Indianapolis each offer four. USI follows with three.
Are there online NP programs in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana State lists no campus visits in its FNP programs or PMHNP certificate, and Trine, Saint Francis, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods offer campus-free FNP master’s. USI’s AGACNP also requires no visits.
Can I become an NP in Indiana with an ADN?
Yes, through Indiana Wesleyan’s ASN-to-MSN in FNP or PMHNP. It is the only associate-degree entry point in the state.
Can I earn a DNP in Indiana if I already have an MSN?
Yes. Saint Mary’s College offers an MSN-to-DNP that adds FNP for nurses with a non-NP master’s, and Ball State’s MSN-to-DNP serves nurses who already completed NP training.
What are the lowest-cost NP options?
For Indiana residents, IU’s regional FNP master’s (about $21K) and Purdue’s FNP doctorate ($37K) are the lowest. Indiana Wesleyan and UIndy charge the same rate regardless of residency.