1 In-State School • 1 Mostly Online • 2 Online Options Compared
Idaho has one acute care nurse practitioner program, at Boise State University in Boise. It offers a single AG-ACNP pathway, a 70-credit BSN-to-DNP, delivered Mostly Online with two summer intensives on campus. Estimated tuition runs $57K–$63K, and full-time students finish in about three years.
Because there is only one in-state option, we added two online programs, Walden University and Purdue Global, to every comparison table below. Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Options
| School | Track | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University (in-state) | AG-ACNP | Mostly Online | Two summer intensives | $820–$895 + up to $1,100 per clinical course | BSN-to-DNP | BSN nurses without acute care experience who want a doctorate |
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | Online | Virtual skills lab | $785 per quarter credit | RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate | Nurses who need an MSN, certificate, or RN-to-MSN entry |
| Purdue Global (online option) | AG-ACNP | Online | VR headset skills lab | $420 per quarter credit + $295/term fee | BSN-to-MSN, MSN-DNP Path, Post-Graduate Certificate | Experienced acute care RNs seeking the lowest MSN tuition compared here |
Idaho eligibility: Walden’s AG-ACNP practicum restrictions and Purdue Global’s blocked-jurisdiction lists do not include Idaho. Boise State’s licensure disclosure lists Idaho among the 21 states where the program meets APRN requirements.
Idaho ACNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state (Boise State), plus 2 online options compared (Walden, Purdue Global)
- Adult-gerontology acute care: Yes, at all three schools
- Pediatric acute care: Not offered in-state or by either online option
- MSN: Not offered in-state; Walden and Purdue Global offer BSN entry, and Walden adds RN-to-MSN
- DNP: BSN entry in-state; Walden offers BSN and MSN entry
- Certificate: Not offered in-state; Walden and Purdue Global offer one
- Format: Mostly Online in-state; both online options are Online
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $57K (BSN-to-DNP, the only in-state pathway)
Choosing an ACNP Program in Idaho
Doctorate With No Experience Gate: Boise State
Boise State admits BSN nurses with no RN or acute care experience requirement, at application or before clinicals. Its 780 clinical hours run across three 180-hour rotations and a 240-hour practicum. Students find their own preceptors and sites, and the placement team completes the paperwork once a site is secured. Boise State does not arrange placements, so students who cannot find a local acute care preceptor should expect clinical delays. It offers no MSN or certificate, and the only campus time is two summer intensives in Boise.
Most Entry Points: Walden
Walden covers the entry points Boise State lacks: RN-to-MSN for diploma and associate-degree nurses, a BSN-to-MSN, MSN-to-DNP, and a shortened certificate for certified FNPs. It publishes no campus visits, no acute care or ICU requirement, and quarterly starts. Students identify their own site and preceptor, with Practicum Pledge support but no guarantee.
Lowest MSN Tuition: Purdue Global
Purdue Global has the lowest MSN and standard certificate tuition compared here. It is the only option requiring acute care experience: one year (2,000 hours) of recent full-time acute care RN practice, plus ACLS before enrollment. It publishes no clinical clock-hour total, and students lead their own preceptor search. Skills training runs through a required VR headset lab rather than a campus visit.
Idaho RN-to-MSN ACNP Programs
No Idaho program offers an RN-to-MSN AG-ACNP pathway, and Purdue Global requires a BSN. Walden is the only option compared here that admits diploma nurses, associate-degree nurses, and nurses holding a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | $59K | About 2.5 years | 640 hrs |
- Bridge pricing: Walden — 26 undergraduate foundation credits bill at $435 rather than $785, though the block does not equal a BSN.
- Experience requirement: Walden — no acute care or ICU experience required at any stage.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN AG-ACNP programs
Idaho BSN-to-MSN ACNP Programs
No Idaho program offers a BSN-to-MSN AG-ACNP pathway. Boise State’s Master of Nursing AGNP no longer accepts applications; the BSN-to-DNP replaced it. Walden and Purdue Global both offer online MSNs with quarterly starts.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | $48K | About 2 years | 640 hrs |
| Purdue Global (online option) | AG-ACNP | $37K | About 2.25 years | Not published |
| Purdue Global (MSN-DNP Path) | AG-ACNP | $37K | About 2.25 years | Not published |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Purdue Global — $37K, plus a $295 resource fee each term.
- Experience requirement: Purdue Global — one year of acute care RN practice plus ACLS; Walden requires neither.
- Doctoral add-on: Purdue Global MSN-DNP Path — requires a 3.0 GPA and feeds a separately priced DNP at $700 per quarter credit.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN AG-ACNP programs
Idaho BSN-to-DNP ACNP Programs
Boise State’s BSN-to-DNP is Idaho’s only in-state AG-ACNP pathway. Full-time students start in fall and finish in eight consecutive semesters, summers included; spring entry is part-time. Walden adds an online BSN-to-DNP with no campus visits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University (in-state) | AG-ACNP | $57K–$63K | About 3 years full-time | 780 hrs |
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | $79K | About 3.25 years | 1,000 hrs minimum |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Boise State — $57K–$63K, about $16K–$22K below Walden, before clinical course fees of up to $1,100 each.
- Same rate for every state: Boise State — Idaho residents and out-of-state RNs pay the same per-credit tuition.
- Slower part-time start: Boise State — spring entrants begin clinicals in the sixth semester instead of the fourth.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP AG-ACNP programs
Idaho MSN-to-DNP ACNP Programs
No Idaho program offers an MSN-to-DNP AG-ACNP pathway. Boise State’s 29-credit Post-Master’s DNP serves practicing APRNs and includes no AGACNP coursework. Walden admits MSN-prepared nurses into an online doctorate that includes the full AG-ACNP specialty sequence.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | $74K | About 3 years | 1,000 hrs minimum |
- Cost can rise: Walden — applicants with fewer than 600 verified clinical hours add up to 8 credits, as much as $7,680.
- In-state alternative: Boise State — master’s-prepared nurses can enter the BSN-to-DNP and may have courses waived after transcript review.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP AG-ACNP programs
Idaho Post-Graduate Certificate ACNP Programs
No Idaho program offers a post-graduate AG-ACNP certificate; Boise State does not offer one. Walden has a standard certificate and an APRN-entry version for certified FNPs. Purdue Global’s certificate is the same 57-quarter-credit specialty sequence as its MSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | AG-ACNP | $29K | About 1.5 years | 640 hrs |
| Walden University (APRN-entry) | AG-ACNP | $15K | About 1 year | 500 hrs |
| Purdue Global (online option) | AG-ACNP | $24K | About 1.5 years | Not published |
- Lowest for certified FNPs: Walden APRN-entry — $15K after transferring 17 credits.
- Lowest standard certificate: Purdue Global — $24K, about $5K below Walden’s standard certificate.
Compare more programs: See all AG-ACNP certificate programs
National Online ACNP Options
- Chamberlain University offers a Mostly Online AG-ACNP MSN and graduate certificate.
- South College offers an online AG-ACNP BSN-to-MSN and post-graduate certificate.
- Maryville University offers an online AG-ACNP MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate.
FAQ
How many ACNP programs are in Idaho?
One, at Boise State University: an AG-ACNP BSN-to-DNP. Neither Boise State nor the two online options compared here offers pediatric acute care.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in-state. Boise State requires two summer intensives in Boise, with travel, lodging, and meals at the student’s expense. Walden and Purdue Global publish no campus visits.
Which program has the lowest tuition?
Boise State’s BSN-to-DNP is the only in-state option, at $57K–$63K. Among the online options, Walden’s APRN-entry certificate is $15K for certified FNPs, and Purdue Global’s MSN is $37K.
Which schools offer a DNP?
Boise State offers BSN-to-DNP entry only. Walden offers BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP online. Purdue Global’s MSN-DNP Path awards an MSN first, then moves into a separately priced DNP.
Do I need ICU or acute care experience?
Not at Boise State or Walden, which set no RN experience minimum. Purdue Global requires one year (2,000 hours) of recent full-time acute care RN practice and current ACLS.
Can I complete clinicals in Idaho?
Yes, at all three schools, but each expects you to find the preceptor. Boise State completes the paperwork once you identify a site. Walden supports the search through its Practicum Pledge. Purdue Global names the student as the primary advocate for locating sites.
Can I do clinicals across the state line?
It depends on the school. Purdue Global requires clinicals in a state where it enrolls students, and it blocks Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Walden does not approve AG-ACNP practicum in Oregon, and its certificate is blocked in Washington. Boise State’s licensure disclosure covers Washington, Oregon, and Utah but does not address out-of-state clinical sites, so confirm before lining up a preceptor across the border.