RN-to-MSN Programs in New Hampshire – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
RN-to-MSN programs in New Hampshire are a unique window of opportunity for RNs with associate degrees looking for more professional respect and a higher salary. These streamlined programs combine bachelor’s and master’s nursing education into a single track that takes much less time to complete than either of these degrees separately. As an RN with a master’s degree, you’ll make $127,410 a year on average, and the need for your professional services will increase by 51 percent over the next 10 years. This hybrid degree is an ideal option for any ADN seeking career advancement. More information about the best RN-to-MSN programs in New Hampshire can be found in the guide below.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE(ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best RN-to-MSN Programs in New Hampshire (Online & Campus) for 2026.1. Southern New Hampshire University - Manchester
Specialties Offered: Nursing Education, Population Healthcare, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Quality & Safety, and Nurse Executive Leadership
Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse with an associate degree who is now considering earning a master’s and transitioning your career to an advanced practice role? If so, it is important to research what schools and programs are available. For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers an accelerated RN-to-MSN program with five specialty options. If you want to become involved in nursing education, population healthcare, nursing leadership, healthcare quality and safety, SNHU has a program for you. Additionally, the school offers a Family Nurse Practitioner pathway for students aiming for an advanced practice clinical role.
The program, which is one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in New Hampshire, allows you to take graduate courses while earning your BSN. Once all undergraduate coursework is completed, you can smoothly transition to the MSN program, declaring your specialty and completing the remainder of the required coursework. The program is structured so that the BSN coursework you complete in your study plan allows you to reduce the total number of credits you need by six or nine credits, depending on your chosen concentration.
All students in the RN-to-MSN program begin by taking general education courses, including Cultural Awareness & Online Learning, Self, Society, & the Humanities, Ethics in Global Society, and Social Issues & Decision-Making. Once general education courses are completed, you will begin concentration-specific courses. The curriculum plans require 36 to 51 credits, depending on the specialty you choose to pursue. The Family Nurse Practitioner pathway includes a minimum of 750 clinical hours. All other RN-to-MSN pathways require students to complete at least 135 practicum hours.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you must have a BSN conferred from an accredited nursing program and have an active, unencumbered RN license. The application process at SNHU is quite simple. You are required to complete an online application. In addition to your application, you must provide transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Southern New Hampshire University RN-to-MSN Students
• As a nurse educator, I urge prospective students to carefully consider program options before committing to a school. Finding a school with a good reputation and history of student success is important. For instance, SNHU has been included among U.S. News & World Report’s Most Innovative Universities in the North nine times. The school has also received the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology from the United States Distance Learning Association.• If you are looking for an RN-to-MSN program with flexibility, SNHU could be the place for you. Asynchronous, online coursework and multiple start dates throughout the year mean you can begin earning your degree at a time that fits with your personal schedule and goals and have the option to choose when and where you study.
• At Southern New Hampshire University, the RN-to-MSN program is taught by doctorally prepared faculty who deliver real-world experience to the classroom.
• SNHU offers access to academic advisors, tutoring, career support, and an online library with more than 600,000 resources. The library also offers 24/7 librarian assistance. These are just a few of the measures the school offers to support and promote your success.
2. Franklin Pierce University - Manchester
Specialties Offered: Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership
Program Details: Franklin Pierce University offers an RN-to-MSN pathway designed for registered nurses hoping to advance from an associate degree or nursing diploma to a Master of Science in Nursing without having to navigate two separate degree programs. The online pathway allows RNs to complete bachelor's-level nursing coursework and progress into graduate nursing education, with options to specialize in either Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership.
The program is especially attractive to working nurses because of the flexible online format, which allows you to balance school with professional and personal responsibilities. The program offers rolling admission and allows you to choose whether to earn your degree full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 36 months.
Students in the RN-to-MSN program complete baccalaureate core courses followed by graduate core courses. The baccalaureate portion of the program includes classes such as Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing, Community Health Nursing: Individual & Family Clients, and Health Promotion Across the Lifespan. Core MSN courses include Inferential Statistics, Health Policy & Population Health, and Nursing Science in Practice. Additionally, you will complete six courses relevant to your chosen specialty. Clinical and practice-based learning is incorporated into each concentration’s study plan and the required Capstone Experience.
Admission Requirements: The RN-to-MSN program in New Hampshire at Franklin Pierce University offers admission options to RNs with or without a bachelor’s degree in nursing. You must meet the minimum admission requirements, which include having an associate degree in nursing and holding a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse. All candidates must submit an online application, a professional resume, a Statement of Professional Goals, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities you previously attended. A minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 is required.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Franklin Pierce University RN-to-MSN Students
• Based on survey responses, graduates of the RN-to-MSN program at Franklin Pierce University have a nearly 100% employment rate following the program’s completion.• As a nurse educator, I encourage nursing students and licensed nurses alike to take advantage of each opportunity to learn new skills, expand their scope of practice, and gain new certifications. One of the highlights of the RN-to-MSN program at Franklin Pierce University is that students in the Nursing Leadership track can opt to pursue a graduate certificate in Healthcare Administration.
• Franklin Pierce University also offers a dual MSN/MBA degree option. This program allows students who have completed the baccalaureate component of the RN-to-MSN program to transition to the MSN program while also completing a Master of Business Administration.
• At Franklin Pierce University, you will find the help you need to succeed in the RN-to-MSN program along with other areas of your life and career. The Student Success Center offers academic coaching, workshops, and career-readiness advising. The school also offers prep tools and video workshops.
Nearby States