Indiana has three schools offering AGACNP programs across MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate tracks.
Estimated program costs range from ~$13,817 (USI Post-Master’s Certificate) to ~$48,631 (USI BSN-DNP), with completion timelines spanning 1.5 to 5 years depending on your entry point and pace.
Click on any of the links below for one page summaries of each school.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University | BSN-DNP: $33K Post-MSN DNP: $19K+ Certificate: Varies | – Hybrid format with online coursework plus – Required in-person lab and simulation days in Indianapolis – BSN-DNP includes 1,005 clinical hours in high-acuity settings – Graduates reportedly score above the national average |
| University of Indianapolis | MSN: $41K | – Hybrid program with asynchronous online coursework – About eight in-person simulation sessions on campus – Includes 750 supervised clinical hours with staff support – Strong acute care procedural training in simulation labs – Full-time completion in about 2 years and 7 months – Fall and spring entry points available |
| University of Southern Indiana | MSN: $24K BSN-DNP: $49K Certificate: $14K | – Fully online delivery across all three AGACNP pathways – Offers MSN, BSN-DNP, and post-master’s certificate entry points – Clinical placements are completed in the student’s home area – Some campus visits may be required to validate clinical competency |
ACNP Program Summaries for Indiana
Chamberlain University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $760 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain University's AGACNP tracks offer Indiana nurses a flexible way to earn an advanced acute care credential while working. Students complete online coursework, attend hands-on immersions, and train in supervised practicum settings to build confidence caring for acutely ill adults and older adults. The MSN and graduate certificate pathways both provide structured preparation for AGACNP board certification.
Indiana University ACNP Programs
Bloomington | 434.95 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Indiana University School of Nursing prepares Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners through three distinct pathways: a BSN-to-DNP track for registered nurses entering at the bachelor's level, a Post-MSN DNP for experienced advanced practice nurses, and a Post-Master's Certificate for those seeking AGACNP specialty certification. All programs are rooted in IU's century-long reputation for nursing education in Indiana, combining online coursework with hands-on simulation at the state-of-the-art Fairbanks Hall Simulation Center. The BSN-DNP track is the most structured option, offering a defined 3-year, 66-credit-hour path with one annual fall cohort and 1,005 required clinical hours. Certificate and Post-MSN DNP pathways offer greater flexibility, with individualized plans of study tailored to prior graduate coursework and clinical hours...read more.
Maryville University ACNP Programs
St Louis | $863 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Maryville University delivers Indiana nurses a convenient way to earn an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree completely online through its MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks. Students complete clinicals within Indiana healthcare settings while benefiting from no GRE or campus visit requirements. The program’s focus on leadership, clinical practice, and compassionate patient care aligns with Indiana’s growing demand for advanced practice nurses in acute and intensive care.
Purdue Global ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $420 cpc | Certificate
The Purdue Global AGAC-NP Postgraduate Certificate, available to residents in Indiana, requires applicants to have a master's in nursing, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and at least one year of full-time RN acute care experience (2,000 hours). The comprehensive curriculum spans 12 core courses, covering management of complex acute and unstable conditions in adult and geriatric patients. Although the program is available in Indiana, some states may require additional clinical hours beyond the standard 57 credits.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
For BSN-prepared nurses in Indiana, the South College MSN AGACNP track offers a 79-credit curriculum that can be completed in approximately 21 months. The program includes a specialized residency practicum where Indiana students practice independent decision-making and resource coordination in high-stakes healthcare settings. Asynchronous learning allows professionals to balance their current shifts while mastering advanced health assessment and diagnostic procedures.
University of Indianapolis ACNP Programs
Indianapolis | 828 cpc | MSN
The University of Indianapolis offers one AGACNP pathway: a hybrid Master of Science in Nursing with an Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track, completing in eight consecutive semesters across 44 credit hours and 750 clinical hours. The hybrid format pairs asynchronous online coursework with approximately eight required on-campus simulation sessions at UIndy's state-of-the-art simulation facility, where students master advanced acute care skills including intubation, central line placement, and chest tube placement. Clinical placements are concentrated in central Indiana, with staff assistance provided to help students identify and secure clinical sites. Program availability is limited to students in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky...read more.
University of Southern Indiana ACNP Programs
Evansville | 497 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
The University of Southern Indiana's Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions offers three AGACNP pathways: an MSN for BSN-prepared nurses, a BSN-to-DNP for those seeking a doctorate directly from a bachelor's degree, and a Post-Master's Certificate for MSN-prepared nurses adding a specialty. All three programs are 100% online and ranked among the nation's best online graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report, with clinical hours completed in students' own geographic areas through faculty-coordinated preceptor placements. The MSN track can be completed in 2.5–3 years at 42 credit hours, while the BSN-DNP runs 78 credit hours over 4–5 years; both require a grade of B or better in all coursework. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Walden University’s CCNE-accredited AGACNP programs are available to nurses in Indiana via its DNP, MSN, and Post-Master's Certificate tracks, providing multiple entry points to acute care specialization. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and technology, preparing Indiana graduates to lead quality improvement initiatives, especially those choosing the practice-focused DNP track. Students can also opt for the competency-based Tempo Learning® format for the MSN, allowing them to potentially reduce the program's overall time and cost based on prior experience and demonstrated mastery.
Comparing Indiana ACNP Programs
Based on the main features of each program, what school is the best fit for you?
TLDR: Which Indiana AGACNP Program Is Right for You?
Choose Indiana University if you want the most affordable BSN-DNP or Post-MSN DNP pathway with faculty-coordinated placements in Level I trauma centers and advanced simulation training on the Indianapolis campus.
Choose University of Southern Indiana if you want a fully online program with the lowest MSN and certificate costs in the state and preceptor support across multiple U.S. states.
Choose University of Indianapolis if you want a hybrid MSN with staff-assisted preceptor placement, two annual intake windows, and structured on-campus simulation days in central Indiana.
Comparing Indiana MSN-AGACNP Programs
Two schools offer MSN-level entry. USI is the clear cost leader at ~$24,351 for a fully online 42-credit program.
UIndy’s hybrid format runs ~$41,288 — a premium that comes with staff-assisted preceptor placement and approximately eight on-campus simulation days focused on intubation, central line insertion, and chest tube placement.
| School | Format | Credits | Est. Cost | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USI | 100% Online | 42 | ~$24,351 | 2.5–3 years |
| UIndy | Hybrid | 44 | ~$41,288 | ~2.5 years |
Comparing Indiana DNP-AGACNP Programs
IU offers two DNP entry points and leads on cost at both levels.
Its Post-MSN DNP Advanced Clinical Track (~$19,137 for 37+ credits) is the most affordable DNP option in the state by a significant margin.
Its BSN-DNP (~$33,273 for 66 credits) undercuts USI’s BSN-DNP (~$48,631 for 78 credits) while also completing faster at 3 years versus 4–5 years — though USI’s program is 100% online for students who cannot commute to Indianapolis.
| School | Entry Point | Format | Credits | Est. Cost | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IU | MSN | Hybrid | 37+ | ~$19,137+ | Varies |
| IU | BSN | Hybrid | 66 | ~$33,273 | 3 years |
| USI | BSN | 100% Online | 78 | ~$48,631 | 4–5 years |
Comparing Indiana Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Both certificate options target MSN-prepared nurses seeking AGACNP specialty certification. USI’s 24-credit program (~$13,817) is the most affordable and most defined, with a structured specialty course block and transfer credit eligibility for the 3 P’s (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Health Assessment).
IU’s certificate is individualized — credit hours and cost are determined after admission based on your prior graduate coursework, making it impossible to estimate upfront but potentially shorter and cheaper depending on your background.
| School | Credits | Est. Cost | Format | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USI | 24 | ~$13,817 | 100% Online | Lowest cost; transfer credit eligible for 3 P’s |
| IU | Varies | Varies | Hybrid | Individualized plan of study; finalized post-admission |
Clinical Placements and Preceptor Support
Securing clinical placements is one of the biggest concerns for AGACNP students. Here’s how each school handles it:
Indiana University: Faculty coordinate placements directly in high-acuity central Indiana settings, including Level I trauma centers, cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, and transplant services. Advanced procedural skills (intubation, central line, chest tube) are trained at the Fairbanks Hall Simulation Center on the Indianapolis campus.
University of Indianapolis: School of Nursing staff actively assist students in locating and securing central Indiana preceptor sites. The hybrid format includes approximately eight on-campus simulation days reinforcing advanced procedural skills throughout the program.
University of Southern Indiana: A dedicated clinical liaison supports preceptor identification across numerous U.S. states, making this the strongest option for students outside central Indiana. All sites and preceptors require written USI approval before hours begin; faculty validate competency through virtual sessions and site visits.
Admissions Snapshot
All three schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA. IU’s BSN-DNP is the only track with a formally published multi-cycle application window; the others offer rolling or multi-term entry.
| School | Track | Min. GPA | Application Deadline / Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| IU | BSN-DNP | 3.0 | Cycle I: Oct 15 | Cycle II: Jan 15 | Cycle III: Mar 15 (fall start) |
| IU | Post-MSN DNP | 3.0 | Contact program |
| IU | Certificate | N/A (individualized) | Contact program |
| UIndy | MSN (Hybrid) | 3.0 | Fall and Spring intakes (contact for dates) |
| USI | MSN | 3.0 | Fall, Spring, Summer (contact for dates) |
| USI | BSN-DNP | 3.0 | July 1, 2026 (Aug 2026 start) |
| USI | Certificate | 3.0 (MSN required) | July 1, 2026 (Aug 2026 start) |