6 Best West Virginia FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
FNP programs in West Virginia are an excellent opportunity for any Mountain State RN who wants to level up their nursing game. West Virginia’s family nurse practitioners play a vital role in providing primary care services, particularly in rural areas throughout the state. FNPs can diagnose, manage, and treat chronic and acute illnesses in collaboration with a supervising physician. FNPs in the Mountain State make competitive salaries: On average, they earn $112,580 a year. Demand for their services is getting higher all the time; within the next decade, employment opportunities for West Virginia FNPs will rise by 52 percent. Could this be your next career move? Read our guide to the 6 best FNP programs in West Virginia and decide.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 6 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 6 best campus-based and online FNP programs in West Virginia.)
1. Marshall University - Huntington
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: Marshall University's Master's of Science (MSN)/Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program provides the kind of invaluable hands-on training and knowledge prioritized by West Virginia's Rural Health Initiative. This 41-credit FNP program in West Virginia has two components: an MSN core curriculum with courses like "Theoretical Foundations in Nursing" and "Advanced Nursing Research" that focuses on advanced practice nursing theory, and an FNP competency curriculum with classes like "Advanced Family Practice I & II." Students must also complete either a thesis or additional coursework in nursing education, healthcare organizational dynamics, or a topic of special professional interest.
While Marshall University's MSN/FMP track mainly relies upon distance learning, you may be required to make a few visits to the university's campus in Huntington. You'll also participate in 500 hours of supervised patient care in person.
The university accepts new applicants into this MSN/FNP track in the spring and fall. Full-time students can expect to complete the curriculum in a single year. This program is only open to applicants who've earned a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program and have a valid RN license. Preference is given to students with at least two years of full-time professional nursing experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Marshall University also offers a 33-credit post-graduate FNP certificate program to a limited number of qualified MSN-educated students.• Students who enroll in Marshall University's MSN/FNP program part-time have up to seven years to finish their degree.
2. Wheeling University - Wheeling
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Wheeling University's RN-to-MSN/FNP program was inspired by the significant shortage of primary healthcare providers throughout West Virginia. It is one of two FNP programs in West Virginia designed to fast-track the process by which RNs with Associate Nursing Degrees (ADNs) or hospital diplomas can become frontline healthcare clinicians.
The 63-credit curriculum, which full-time students can complete in three years, consists of four courses that confer both BSN and MSN credit, five core MSN classes, and eight FNP-specific courses (including four practicums). You have the option of earning a nursing bachelor's degree if you choose to enter the RN-to-BSN track before beginning your nursing master's.
Students in the RN-to-MSN/FNP track will take core nursing master's courses like "Evidence Based Nursing Research and Informatics," "Health Care Delivery and Economics," and "Nursing Leadership and Management." Coursework is 100 percent online. The curriculum includes 672 clinical hours as well, which you'll accomplish at a clinic, community health agency, or other primary healthcare facility in your own hometown. Wheeling University accepts new students into this accelerated track in the spring and fall.
MSN Program Details: Wheeling University's 52-credit (672 clinical hours) MSN/FNP curriculum is identical to the university's RN-to-MSN/FNP track but without the four BSN courses. Most full-time students complete this nursing master's pathway in 20 to 30 months, taking approximately nine credits each semester, but if you're working and need a more flexible schedule, you have up to seven years to complete your degree. All courses can be accessed via a distance learning platform.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: While you don't have to have APRN certification to enroll in Wheeling University's 24-credit (672 clinical hours) post-master's FNP certificate, you will be required to have completed prerequisites in advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pathophysiology, and these courses are typically part of the APRN curriculum. This certificate track will take you 20 months to complete.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Wheeling University is a Roman Catholic school associated with the Jesuit order. The university supports religious freedom, and its nursing curriculum does not explicitly reflect Catholic tenets. However, Wheeling University's educational philosophy embodies the Jesuit commitment to holistic development, which recognizes the importance of spirituality and faith.• Applying to Wheeling University is free.
3. West Virginia Wesleyan College - Buckhannon
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
RN-to-MSN Program Details: In 2015, when the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) lobbied forcefully for 80 percent of American RNs to have BSN degrees by 2020, West Virginia Wesleyan College was listening! Its 68-credit RN-to-MSN/FNP track was designed to comply with the AACN's recommendation by offering RNs with ADNs or hospital diplomas a fast way to attain high-level nursing degrees.
The RN-to-MSN/FNP track begins with 20 credits of BSN bridge coursework. Once that's complete, you'll join one of the cohorts that enter West Virginia Wesleyan College's traditional MSN/FNP track each fall. Coursework is primarily delivered online using asynchronous technology, but you will have to visit the university's campus in Buckhannon four times for immersive skills intensives, one or two days in length. The curriculum includes a minimum of 600 practicum hours, which can be scheduled at a healthcare facility in the community where you live. The program begins in the fall and takes 10 semesters (40 months) to complete.
MSN Program Details: West Virginia Wesleyan College's traditional MSN/FNP track consists of 12 core MSN credits, 13 APRN credits, and 23 FNP concentration credits for a total of 48 credits. Full-time students can complete this FNP program in West Virginia in seven semesters (28 months), but the school also offers part-time enrollment and gives part-time students up to five years to graduate.
You'll take classes like "Advanced Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice," "Advanced Leadership and Health Policy in Complex Health Systems," and "Human Diversity and Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nursing." For the most part, coursework uses asynchronous distance learning delivery, but a handful of brief campus residencies are required to evaluate hands-on skills. Additionally, you'll participate in 600 practicum hours in person at a health center near your home. You'll enter this program in the fall.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you're interested in teaching other nurses or becoming a leader in the clinical workplace, you may be most interested in West Virginia Wesleyan College's BSN-to-DNP/FNP track. This 73- to 76-credit program includes 15 credits of DNP core classes, 25 credits of foundational APRN coursework, 23 credits of FNP-specific courses, and a 10- to 13-hour combination practicum and capstone.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: Interested in adding a new clinical concentration to your existing MSN training? You can graduate from West Virginia Wesleyan College's Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program in just two years. You'll complete between 23 and 32 credits, depending upon whether you've previously taken APRN-level assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology coursework. In your last two semesters, you'll also take part in 600 clinical hours. This program is only open to MSN- or DNP-educated RNs who hold valid licenses in the states where they plan to complete their clinical rotations.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though West Virginia Wesleyan College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it accepts students from all faith backgrounds, and Christian principles don't play a significant role in the nursing education it offers.• West Virginia Wesleyan College cannot accept students from Alabama, California, Louisiana, New York, Tennessee, or Washington State into any of its FNP programs.
4. West Virginia University - Morgantown
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
MSN Program Details: The flexibility of West Virginia University's MSN/Family Nurse Practitioner track makes it one of the best FNP programs in West Virginia for RNs who don't want to give up their jobs to go back to school. Apart from two brief campus residencies for hands-on skills practice and assessment demonstration, the 47-credit (600 clinical hours) program is offered online, blending asynchronous and synchronous distance education formats. West Virginia University also offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options. Full-time students can complete this study course in five semesters (20 months), and part-time students in eight semesters (32 months).
Courses like "Theory and Disciplined Reasoning" and "Leadership/Policy/Ethics" lay a solid foundation for your advanced practice coursework. Students work with the university's clinical coordinators to identify appropriate preceptors and sites, but you may end up having to travel outside your own local area to complete your clinical rotations. This program uses a rolling application process, so if it's one of your top choices, apply early. A new cohort enters the MSN/FNP track each fall.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: If you're already an advanced practice nurse and you've completed advanced coursework in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment, West Virginia University's post-graduate FNP certificate is 19 credits; if you haven't, it's 25. All courses, except practicums, are offered online. This certificate requires 600 clinical hours; however, the university will perform a gap analysis when you are first admitted to see if any clinical hours from your nursing master's degree are transferable. You'll be able to complete your clinical rotations in the state where you live.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• West Virginia University offers a 57-credit MSN/Master's of Business Administration (MBA) concurrent degree that will take you 10 semesters (40 months) to complete.• West Virginia University MSN/FNP students are required to complete Substance Use Disorder modules worth 2 percent of their total grade in accordance with the university's Providers Clinical Support System grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
5. Shepherd University - Shepherdstown
Programs Offered: DNP (BSN-to-DNP & MSN-to-DNP) and Post Graduate Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you pursue Shepherd University's BSN-to-DNP/FNP program full-time, you can expect to graduate in three years. The program comprises 84 credits and 1,080 clinical hours—of these the last 360 hours are practicums done in conjunction with your three-semester DNP project.
The program uses a hybrid format: Though many of your educational materials will be available online, you'll spend one day a week in a classroom at the university's campus in Shepherdstown. DNP core courses like "Research Methods for the Health Professional" and "Health Care Delivery Systems: Political, Social, and Economic Influences" will prepare you for teaching and leadership roles within the healthcare profession. Clinical rotations start at the beginning of Year 2, and Shepherd University will work closely with you to find the right clinical placement. Students complete their clinical rotations in West Virginia or an adjacent state.
New cohorts are accepted into this program in the fall semester. All applicants must have at least 1,800 hours of professional RN experience.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: When students enter Shepherd University's MSN-to-DNP/FNP track, the university evaluates their prior education and experience and develops an individualized study plan for them. Shepherd University's credit completion requirement for DNP students is 84 credits, but if MSN-to-DNP/FNP students have already taken an equivalent course during their MSN studies, they can transfer that credit over to the DNP track and will not have to repeat the class. If students have not completed at least 540 clinical hours pursuing their nursing master's, they will be required to make up the missing hours before they begin doctoral-level coursework.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: Are you an advanced practice RN who wants to add "Family Nurse Practitioner" to your resume? Shepherd University's post-graduate FNP certificate involves nine classes (for a total of 26 credits) and 540 clinical hours. Courses begin in the fall semester, and it will take you three semesters (12 months) to graduate.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• BSN-to-DNP students only have to attend classes one day a week. Class days are typically Tuesdays or Thursdays. Once you are assigned a class day, you will keep going to class on just that one day for the duration of your time at Shepherd University.• Shepherd University's curriculum and clinical focus are deliberately designed to emphasize healthcare delivery to medically vulnerable populations.
6. University of Charleston - Charleston
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: The University of Charleston's 42-credit MSN/FNP track holds significant advantages for working RNs. Courses are taught entirely online: No campus visits required! As a full-time student, you can graduate in just five semesters, but the university also accepts part-time students who graduate in seven semesters.
You'll take classes like "Advanced Practice Roles," "Advanced Leadership," and "Healthcare Policy." You'll also participate in a family nurse practitioner capstone project that will prepare you for your new advanced practice role by using the nursing theory you've learned to refine your critical thinking faculties. This FNP program in West Virginia involves 750 clinical hours, which you'll begin in the third semester of the program.
The University of Charleston's MSN/FNP program has start dates in the fall and spring semesters. Applicants must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• 91 percent of the University of Charleston's Family Nurse Practitioner graduates passed their national certification exams on their very first attempt.• 100 percent of the University of Charleston's FNP grads were employed in their field of choice within one year of completing their MSN/FNP program.
HOW MUCH DO FNP GRADUATES MAKE IN WEST VIRGINIA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF FNP PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $39.82 |
| Weekly | $1,593 |
| Monthly | $6,900 |
| Annual | $82,830 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF FNP PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $39.82 | $1,593 | $6,900 | $82,830 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $45.06 | $1,802 | $7,810 | $93,720 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $53.19 | $2,128 | $9,220 | $110,630 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $59.23 | $2,369 | $10,270 | $123,200 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $70.78 | $2,831 | $12,270 | $147,220 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA?
| Hourly | $54.13 |
| Weekly | $2,165 |
| Monthly | $9,380 |
| Annual | $112,580 |
HOW MUCH DO FNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF WEST VIRGINIA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Beckley | $53.72 | $2,149 | $9,310 | $111,740 |
| Charleston | $51.40 | $2,056 | $8,910 | $106,910 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $54.36 | $2,174 | $9,420 | $113,060 |
| Morgantown | $56.52 | $2,261 | $9,800 | $117,570 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $53.01 | $2,120 | $9,190 | $110,260 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $53.09 | $2,124 | $9,200 | $110,430 |
| Wheeling | $56.41 | $2,257 | $9,780 | $117,340 |
FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. OTHER SALARIES
FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. FNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average West Virginia FNP Annual Salary | Average National FNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $112,580 | $127,510 | -$14,930 | -11.71% |
FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. FNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $160,310 | -$47,730 | -29.77% |
| Nevada | $147,540 | -$34,960 | -23.70% |
| Washington | $144,290 | -$31,710 | -21.98% |
| New Jersey | $143,920 | -$31,340 | -21.78% |
| Oregon | $143,840 | -$31,260 | -21.73% |
| Massachusetts | $142,910 | -$30,330 | -21.22% |
| New York | $141,740 | -$29,160 | -20.57% |
| Connecticut | $135,940 | -$23,360 | -17.18% |
| New Mexico | $135,730 | -$23,150 | -17.06% |
| Minnesota | $133,980 | -$21,400 | -15.97% |
| District of Columbia | $133,820 | -$21,240 | -15.87% |
| Rhode Island | $132,440 | -$19,860 | -15.00% |
| Hawaii | $131,600 | -$19,020 | -14.45% |
| Arizona | $131,550 | -$18,970 | -14.42% |
| Delaware | $130,110 | -$17,530 | -13.47% |
| Iowa | $129,820 | -$17,240 | -13.28% |
| New Hampshire | $129,740 | -$17,160 | -13.23% |
| Texas | $129,020 | -$16,440 | -12.74% |
| Wisconsin | $127,350 | -$14,770 | -11.60% |
| Maryland | $127,010 | -$14,430 | -11.36% |
| Utah | $126,850 | -$14,270 | -11.25% |
| North Dakota | $126,790 | -$14,210 | -11.21% |
| Pennsylvania | $126,480 | -$13,900 | -10.99% |
| Illinois | $125,930 | -$13,350 | -10.60% |
| Alaska | $125,210 | -$12,630 | -10.09% |
| Vermont | $125,140 | -$12,560 | -10.04% |
| Montana | $123,690 | -$11,110 | -8.98% |
| Idaho | $123,600 | -$11,020 | -8.92% |
| Oklahoma | $123,380 | -$10,800 | -8.75% |
| Wyoming | $122,620 | -$10,040 | -8.19% |
| Indiana | $122,380 | -$9,800 | -8.01% |
| Maine | $122,000 | -$9,420 | -7.72% |
| Ohio | $121,930 | -$9,350 | -7.67% |
| Colorado | $121,060 | -$8,480 | -7.00% |
| Nebraska | $120,750 | -$8,170 | -6.77% |
| North Carolina | $120,660 | -$8,080 | -6.70% |
| Georgia | $120,230 | -$7,650 | -6.36% |
| South Dakota | $120,060 | -$7,480 | -6.23% |
| Virginia | $119,950 | -$7,370 | -6.14% |
| Michigan | $119,760 | -$7,180 | -6.00% |
| Florida | $118,800 | -$6,220 | -5.24% |
| Kansas | $118,360 | -$5,780 | -4.88% |
| Louisiana | $117,760 | -$5,180 | -4.40% |
| Mississippi | $116,590 | -$4,010 | -3.44% |
| South Carolina | $116,050 | -$3,470 | -2.99% |
| Missouri | $115,790 | -$3,210 | -2.77% |
| West Virginia | $112,580 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Arkansas | $112,550 | +$30 | +0.03% |
| Kentucky | $109,530 | +$3,050 | +2.78% |
| Alabama | $109,180 | +$3,400 | +3.11% |
| Tennessee | $102,930 | +$9,650 | +9.38% |
FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN WEST VIRGINIA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,410 | -$119,830 | -51.56% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $112,580 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $81,800 | +$30,780 | +37.63% |
| Registered Nurse | $75,990 | +$36,590 | +48.15% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $50,090 | +$62,490 | +124.76% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,340 | +$77,240 | +218.56% |
FNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $181,980 | -$69,400 | -38.14% |
| Optometrist | $135,680 | -$23,100 | -17.03% |
| Veterinarian | $128,570 | -$15,990 | -12.44% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,790 | -$9,210 | -7.56% |
| Pharmacist | $121,000 | -$8,420 | -6.96% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $112,580 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physical Therapist | $94,130 | +$18,450 | +19.60% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,460 | +$25,120 | +28.72% |
| Radiation Therapist | $80,660 | +$31,920 | +39.57% |
| Chiropractor | $79,660 | +$32,920 | +41.33% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,260 | +$37,320 | +49.59% |
| Audiologist | $73,010 | +$39,570 | +54.20% |
| Dental Hygienist | $68,820 | +$43,760 | +63.59% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits FNP Programs In West Virginia?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited FNP Schools Are There In West Virginia?
| 6 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Hour In West Virginia?
| $54.13 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Week In West Virginia?
| $2,165 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Month In West Virginia?
| $9,380 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Family NP Make Per Year In West Virginia?
| $112,580 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For FNPs In West Virginia?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +52.35% |
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPHPattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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