Top Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Programs 2024
A women's health nurse practitioner (WHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in women's comprehensive care throughout the lifespan. Although WHNP school lasts 1-2 years, becoming a WHNP can take 8 total years. However, the rewarding career, salary expectations, and growth opportunities make it well worth your time.
In this article, we'll rank the top 10 women's health nurse practitioner programs by tuition costs, graduation and acceptance rates, accreditation, and more to curate your best options. We've included in-person, online, and hybrid options to accommodate all lifestyles.
Read on to find your WHNP program!
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Women's Health NP Program Ranking Methodology
Our ranking algorithm uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. We consider factors such as graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program focus, and more to help you find the best WHNP program for you.
Top Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
1. University of Pennsylvania
Earning an NP degree from an Ivy League school opens many doors for students. This program focuses on women's primary healthcare needs from adolescence through the advanced years but also includes gender-related studies.
All students in the Women’s Health/Gender Related graduate programs can elect courses with experiences in Thailand or Honduras.
Students also have the unique opportunity to participate in “Mountains of Hope” as part of a cancer prevention coalition, and students and faculty from Penn’s Women’s Health Care Studies Program provide education, care, and services in West Virginia.
- Total Tuition: $98,644
- Online Options: Hybrid Options Available
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (215) 898-4271
- Email: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu
2. Duke University
Duke University offers the only women’s health NP program in North Carolina and also offers short-term clinical placement at various international clinical sites.
With two possible start dates, one in the fall and the other in the spring, this program is almost entirely online. However, there are on-campus intensive group learning experiences each semester to complement online learning and clinical practicum experiences.
- Semesterly Tuition: $14,525
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 2.5 Years
- Contact Information: (919) 684-3786
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3. Vanderbilt University
This highly competitive program only admits 15 students per year in order to provide top-notch education to students. This program is offered via a modified distance learning module so that students do not have to relocate to Nashville or give up employment.
However, students in the Nashville area will have access to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is one of the nation’s top academic medical centers in the country.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,939
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Program Length: Full time: 12 Months
- Contact Information:
- Phone: 615-322-3800
- Email: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu
4. Emory University
Emory’s Women’s Health NP program is primarily online. However, students must attend campus once or twice a semester for simulations, skills labs, and competency validations. Online content delivery allows schedules to be tailored to meet students' individual needs.
- Semesterly Tuition: $24,986
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE and SACSCOC
- Program Length: 4 semesters (approximately 16 months)
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (404) 727-7980
- Email: nursingquestions@emory.edu
5. Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University’s women’s health NP program is globally recognized for its leadership in nursing, education, and nursing research. Case Western Reserve is one of the best nursing schools in the country, and its WHNP program is ranked 10th among U.S. nursing schools in NIH-funded research.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,263
- Online Options: Hybrid options available
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 4 semesters (12 months)
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (216) 368-5981
- Email: admissionsfpb@case.edu
6. Loyola University Chicago
The women's health NP program at Loyola University Chicago is a hybrid learning format with both online and in-person instruction. Clinical placements for students in these programs are in the Chicago area, and students must have an RN license in the state of Illinois before they begin the clinical portion of the program.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,130
- Online Options: Hybrid options available
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 4 semesters
- Program Contact: Sandi Tenfelde, Program Track Director
- Email: stenfelde@luc.edu
7. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus*
Unlike some Women’s Health NP programs, the University of Cincinnati’s WHNP program is entirely online. There are no on-campus requirements, and the only in-person requirements are clinical hours.
Unfortunately, the University of Cincinnati’s online graduate nursing program is not currently available to students located in Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Tennessee.
- Semesterly Tuition: Resident - $8,922 | Nonresident - $9,072
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 24 months
- Contact Information: (833) 556-7400
8. Carlow University
Carlow University offers the only WHNP graduate program in Western Pennsylvania. Students have the ability to enroll part-time or full-time in this program, and it is offered at three different locations, including Oakland, Greensburg, and Cranberry.
- Tuition Per Credit: $918
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 28 months
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (412) 578-6059
- Email: admissions@carlow.edu
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9. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is the only academic medical center in Brooklyn and boasts that more than 70% of its nursing students are members of minority groups.
Nursing students collaborate with other experts: physicians at University Hospital, practitioners from our School of Health Professions, and researchers seeking breakthroughs at our School of Graduate Studies as well as access to an eight-bed Simulation Center
- Semesterly Tuition: Resident - $5,655 | Nonresident - $11,895
- Online Options: No
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 24 months
- Contact Information: (718) 270-1000
10. Frontier Nursing University
With a distance education model approach, the Women’s Health NP program at Frontier Nursing University allows students to study from anywhere in the country. Furthermore, the flexible program offers classes in 11-week semesters with multiple start dates throughout the year.
- Total Tuition: $32,585
- Online Options: Yes
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Program Length: 24 months
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (859) 279-0890
- Email: FNUadmissions@frontier.edu
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner FAQs
How to Become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner >> | The Complete Guide to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner >> | Highest Paying Nurse Practitioner Specialities >> |
Where to Find Additional Information About Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
- American Medical Women’s Association
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