Connecticut has 10 universities offering nurse practitioner programs across six NP specialties. Students can choose MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways, plus RN-to-MSN and non-nurse entry routes, with tuition running from about $605 to $2,175 per graduate credit.
Jump to: FNP (7) PMHNP (7) AGPCNP (4) AGACNP (4) PNP-PC (1) PNP-AC (1)
Yale University offers all six specialties and is the state’s only pediatric NP provider, but its MSN programs exceed $100,000. Quinnipiac University offers four specialties, all mostly online. Cost, campus travel, and clinical placement support separate the remaining schools more than specialty choice does.
Compare Connecticut Nurse Practitioner Programs
| School | FNP | PMHNP | AGPCNP | AGACNP | PNP-PC | PNP-AC | Degrees | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield University | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | MSN • DNP | Campus |
| Goodwin University | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Post University | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | MSN | Online |
| Quinnipiac University | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Sacred Heart University | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | RN-MSN • MSN • DNP • Certificate | Varies by track |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — | — | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| University of Saint Joseph (USJ) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Hybrid |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | MSN • Certificate | Hybrid |
| Yale University | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
A dash means no program was identified for that specialty.
- UConn: FNP is fully online. AGACNP requires a Storrs intensive.
- Sacred Heart: FNP formats range from no stated residency (certificate) to about six campus classes per semester (BSN-to-DNP). PMHNP requires one annual residency.
- Yale: PMHNP offers a live-online part-time track. The other five specialties are campus-based. Yale’s DNP is an AGPCNP track opening Fall 2027.
NP Programs by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Seven universities offer FNP programs, tied with PMHNP for the most in the state.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Goodwin | Bridge for ADN nurses with a non-nursing bachelor’s; Connecticut residents only |
| Quinnipiac | Most clinical hours (780); arranges placements for Connecticut students |
| Sacred Heart | Widest entry range, including RN-to-MSN and BSN-to-DNP |
| SCSU | Lowest FNP per-credit rate, same for all residencies |
| UConn | Only fully online FNP, including an online BSN-to-DNP |
| USJ | One fixed weekday evening class per week; BSN-to-DNP available |
| Yale | Arranges every placement; admits non-nurses; campus-only |
- Three schools offer FNP BSN-to-DNP, more doctoral options than any other specialty.
- MSN tuition clusters between about $40K and $61K. Yale is the exception at about $109K.
- Outside Yale and Quinnipiac’s in-state placements, FNP students generally secure their own preceptors.
Compare all Connecticut FNP programs →
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
Seven universities offer PMHNP programs. Fairfield is the only school in the state that offers PMHNP alone.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Fairfield | Only BSN-to-DNP PMHNP; fully campus-based |
| Goodwin | Connecticut residents only; two immersion weekends |
| Quinnipiac | Seven-week online courses; DNP transition for MSN graduates |
| Sacred Heart | Leanest MSN at 42 credits; one start date per year |
| USJ | Three certificates priced by prior credential, plus a post-master’s DNP |
| WCSU | Lowest-cost PMHNP MSN |
| Yale | Choice of live-online part-time track or residential program |
- No PMHNP program is fully online. Goodwin and Sacred Heart require the least campus travel.
- Five schools offer PMHNP certificates.
Compare all Connecticut PMHNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs
Four universities offer AGPCNP programs, and each targets a different student.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Post | No campus visits; students find their own preceptors |
| Quinnipiac | Arranges clinical sites for Connecticut students |
| WCSU | State’s only AGPCNP post-master’s certificate; part-time only |
| Yale | Only AGPCNP DNP (Fall 2027) and non-nurse entry |
Clinical hours split into two tiers: 780 at Quinnipiac and Yale, 540 at Post and WCSU.
Compare all Connecticut AGPCNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs
Four universities offer AGACNP programs, with the widest spread in experience requirements of any specialty.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Quinnipiac | Four one-week immersions; only spring start |
| UConn | Only acute care DNP in the state; same rate for all residencies |
| WCSU | No acute or critical care experience required; lowest cost |
| Yale | Arranges every placement; adult track admits RNs without ICU experience |
- Experience requirements: UConn requires 2,080 acute care hours within the past two years. Quinnipiac requires one year of acute care.
- Clinical hours: Yale’s adult track requires 848–932 clinical hours, the most of any Connecticut master’s program.
Compare all Connecticut AGACNP programs →
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Yale is Connecticut’s only pediatric NP provider, offering both PNP-PC and PNP-AC. Each is available as an MSN or a post-master’s certificate.
- Format: Both tracks are in-person and full-time, with faculty-arranged placements.
- Cost: MSN tuition exceeds $100,000.
- Non-nurse entry: Both PNP-PC and PNP-AC also accept non-nurses through Yale’s GEPN pathway.
Compare all Connecticut PNP programs →
Which Connecticut NP School Fits Your Goals?
Widest Specialty Selection: Yale offers all six specialties, including the state’s only pediatric programs. Quinnipiac follows with four, all mostly online.
No Campus Travel: UConn’s FNP (MS, BSN-to-DNP, and certificate) and Post’s AGPCNP MSN require no campus visits.
Lowest-Cost MSN: WCSU offers the lowest-cost MSN in PMHNP, AGPCNP, and AGACNP. For FNP, SCSU has the lowest per-credit rate, and Sacred Heart has the lowest headline MSN tuition before fees.
ADN-Prepared Nurses: Sacred Heart’s RN-to-MSN FNP admits ADN and diploma nurses without a bachelor’s. Goodwin’s FNP bridge serves ADN nurses who hold a bachelor’s in another field.
Strongest Clinical Placement Support: Yale arranges placements for every student in its campus-based programs. Hybrid PMHNP students share responsibility for securing sites.
Career Changers: Yale’s GEPN is the only route into NP education for bachelor’s graduates without a nursing background.
Connecticut NP Programs by Entry Pathway
Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Entry
Yale’s GEPN pathway starts with an accelerated prelicensure year and leads to:
- FNP: MSN
- AGPCNP: MSN or DNP (DNP opens Fall 2027)
- PMHNP: MSN (residential)
- PNP-PC: MSN
- PNP-AC: MSN
ADN or RN to NP Programs
Every documented ADN route in Connecticut leads to FNP, except Yale’s AGPCNP:
- ADN or diploma RN, no bachelor’s: Sacred Heart RN-to-MSN (FNP)
- ADN RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s: Goodwin FNP bridge (up to five online bridge courses)
- ADN RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s: Yale FNP and AGPCNP
BSN to MSN NP Programs
All 10 universities offer BSN-entry MSN programs. Admission gates are the main differences:
- Connecticut residency or license: Goodwin admits residents only. SCSU and Yale require a Connecticut RN license.
- Experience: UConn requires 2,080 RN hours, and Goodwin two years of bedside practice.
- Entry exams: Post requires passing the APEA 3P exam before specialization.
BSN to DNP NP Programs
Five universities offer direct doctoral entry:
- Fairfield: PMHNP, campus-based
- Sacred Heart: FNP, hybrid
- UConn: FNP (fully online) and AGACNP
- USJ: FNP, one weekday evening per week
- Yale: AGPCNP RN-to-DNP, opening Fall 2027
UConn is the only school offering a fully online DNP and the only one with doctoral entry in two specialties.
MSN to DNP Programs
Not every post-master’s DNP adds NP preparation:
- UConn: MSN-to-DNP in adult-gerontology acute care
- USJ: 18-credit DNP completion for master’s graduates returning within three years
- Quinnipiac and Yale: Post-master’s DNPs that add no NP credential
Post-Graduate NP Certificates
| Specialty | Schools Offering Certificates |
|---|---|
| FNP | Goodwin, Sacred Heart, SCSU, UConn, USJ, Yale |
| PMHNP | Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, USJ, WCSU, Yale |
| AGACNP | UConn, WCSU, Yale |
| AGPCNP | WCSU |
| PNP-PC | Yale |
| PNP-AC | Yale |
Certificate prices usually depend on prior coursework:
- USJ, UConn, and Yale: Use gap analysis or credential-based pricing.
- SCSU and WCSU: Price by how many prerequisite courses transfer.
What Do NP Programs Cost in Connecticut?
| School | Published Rate (per credit) | Important Cost Context |
|---|---|---|
| Post | $605–$620 | AGPCNP only; includes mandatory fees |
| WCSU | $671–$732 (verify current rate) | Three specialties; part-time rate |
| SCSU | $880 | FNP; all-in, same for all residencies |
| Goodwin | $949 | FNP and PMHNP; added clinical and semester fees |
| Sacred Heart | $955–$1,015 (verify current rate) | Clinical and lab fees add 20–35% on FNP tracks |
| Quinnipiac | $995–$1,135 (verify current rate) | Rate differs across specialty sources |
| Fairfield | $1,030–$1,175 | PMHNP MSN and BSN-to-DNP |
| USJ | $1,111 | FNP and PMHNP; PMHNP adds clinical fees |
| UConn | $1,200 | FNP and AGACNP; same rate for all residencies |
| Yale | $2,175 | Certificates and hybrid PMHNP; full-time MSN billed at a flat $27,168 per term |
MSN totals fall into three tiers:
- About $40K or less: WCSU (three specialties), Post AGPCNP, Sacred Heart (FNP and PMHNP, before fees), SCSU FNP
- About $45K–$61K: Goodwin, USJ, UConn, Quinnipiac, Fairfield
- Above $100K: Yale, all specialties
BSN-to-DNP pricing is closer across schools:
| Program | Estimated Tuition | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart FNP | $70K (plus about $12K in fees) | Hybrid |
| USJ FNP | $72K | Hybrid |
| UConn AGACNP | $77K–$84K | Mostly Online |
| Fairfield PMHNP | $92K | Campus |
| UConn FNP | $94K–$96K | Online |
Sacred Heart’s HRSA-funded APNURSE grants provide up to $25,000 for eligible DNP students committed to underserved or rural care.
Per-credit rates alone can mislead. Fees, credit loads, and scholarships shift the real price, so compare MSN to MSN and DNP to DNP.
Online NP Programs in Connecticut
Two Connecticut programs require no campus attendance. Travel for the rest ranges from one residency to weekly classes.
No required campus attendance
- UConn — FNP (MS, BSN-to-DNP, certificate)
- Post University — AGPCNP
- Sacred Heart — FNP certificate (school states no residency)
Limited campus attendance
- Goodwin — FNP: orientation plus immersion weekends
- Goodwin — PMHNP: two immersion weekends
- Sacred Heart — PMHNP: one residency per year
- Sacred Heart — FNP MSN: residencies
- Quinnipiac — FNP, PMHNP, and AGPCNP: three one-week immersions
- Quinnipiac — AGACNP: four one-week immersions plus an assessment lab residency
- SCSU — FNP: 2–3 campus visits per semester in the final year
- UConn — AGACNP: Storrs intensive; length not published
- Yale — PMHNP part-time track: live online classes plus three 3–4 day immersions
Recurring or full campus attendance
- USJ — FNP and PMHNP: one weekday evening class per week
- WCSU — all specialties: on-campus evening classes; frequency not published
- Sacred Heart — FNP BSN-to-DNP: about six campus classes per semester
- Fairfield — PMHNP: campus-based
- Yale — FNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC, and residential PMHNP
Format often changes by specialty at the same school. A UConn nurse choosing between FNP and AGACNP, or a Sacred Heart nurse choosing between FNP tracks, faces very different travel demands.
Clinical Placement and Practicum Requirements
| School | Placement Approach | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Yale | University-arranged for campus programs; shared in the hybrid PMHNP | Campus study required, except the hybrid PMHNP |
| Fairfield | University-arranged (PMHNP) | Campus-based program |
| USJ | University-arranged in Connecticut (PMHNP); not clearly stated (FNP) | Policy differs by specialty |
| Quinnipiac | University-arranged for Connecticut students | Out-of-state students find their own sites |
| SCSU | Student-secured, with coordination office support | Connecticut RN license required |
| Goodwin | Student-secured (FNP) | All clinicals in Connecticut; progression stops without a site |
| Sacred Heart | Student-secured (FNP) | Travel to sites may be significant |
| Post | Student-secured | Only in approved states where the student holds an RN license |
| UConn | Student-secured (AGACNP); not published (FNP) | Policy differs by specialty |
| WCSU | Student-secured (AGPCNP); no guarantee published (AGACNP) | Faculty site visits favor sites near Danbury |
Master’s clinical hours range from 540 at Post, Sacred Heart, and WCSU to 780 at Quinnipiac and up to 932 at Yale. BSN-to-DNP programs at Fairfield and UConn require 1,000 hours.
Choosing an NP Program in Connecticut
- Start with specialty. Pediatric care means Yale. FNP and PMHNP offer seven options each.
- Check eligibility early. Residency, licensure, and experience rules at Goodwin, SCSU, Quinnipiac, UConn, and Yale can remove schools before cost matters.
- Match the pathway before the price. ADN routes exist only in FNP and Yale’s AGPCNP. BSN-to-DNP exists in three specialties.
- Weigh placement support against tuition. Most lower-cost programs expect students to recruit their own preceptors.
- Count the campus trips. Only UConn’s FNP and Post’s AGPCNP are fully online. Weekly classes at USJ, WCSU, Fairfield, and Yale suit commuters.
FAQ
How many nurse practitioner schools are in Connecticut?
Ten universities offer NP programs: Fairfield University, Goodwin University, Post University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Southern Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Saint Joseph, Western Connecticut State University, and Yale University.
Which school offers the most NP specialties?
Yale offers all six: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, and PNP-AC. Quinnipiac follows with four.
Are there online NP programs in Connecticut?
Yes. UConn’s FNP and Post’s AGPCNP require no campus visits. Goodwin, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, SCSU, and Yale’s part-time PMHNP track are mostly online, with required immersions or campus visits.
Can I become an NP in Connecticut with an ADN?
Yes. Sacred Heart’s RN-to-MSN FNP admits ADN and diploma nurses without a bachelor’s. Goodwin’s FNP bridge and Yale’s FNP and AGPCNP programs admit ADN nurses who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s.
Can I become an NP without a nursing degree?
Yes, through Yale’s GEPN pathway. It leads to FNP, AGPCNP, residential PMHNP, PNP-PC, or PNP-AC after an accelerated prelicensure year.
Which Connecticut schools offer BSN-to-DNP NP programs?
Fairfield (PMHNP), Sacred Heart (FNP), UConn (FNP and AGACNP), and USJ (FNP). Yale adds an AGPCNP RN-to-DNP in Fall 2027.
What are the lowest-cost NP options in Connecticut?
WCSU offers the lowest-cost MSN in PMHNP, AGPCNP, and AGACNP, and Post’s AGPCNP is similar. For FNP, SCSU has the lowest per-credit rate ($880), while Sacred Heart has the lowest headline MSN tuition before fees.