Key Information:
- DNP-prepared nurses are becoming increasingly common as employers shift expectations, with the percentage of NPs holding a DNP rising to 17.6% in 2024.
- While both MSN and DNP degrees prepare nurses for advanced practice, the DNP offers expanded leadership, systems-level, and evidence-based practice roles with higher long-term salary potential.
- The MSN remains the fastest and most affordable pathway to advanced practice, but growing industry trends and policy changes suggest a future preference—though not yet a requirement—for DNP-level preparation.
- Choosing between an MSN and a DNP depends on career goals: MSN suits nurses seeking quicker advancement, while the DNP is ideal for those pursuing executive leadership, policy influence, or top-tier clinical roles.
There’s a nationwide shift toward higher nursing credentials, especially for DNP-prepared nurses. The numbers prove it, too, particularly the shifting expectations among employers.
In 2024, these statistics rang true in the United States:
- About 17.6% of nurse practitioners have a DNP. This is an increase from 15.7% in 2022.
- RNs who listed DNP as their highest nursing credentials increased to 2.6%. It was only 0.6% in 2015.
So, which one is the better choice: A master’s or doctorate in nursing? Both are good choices because they prepare for advanced practice nursing.
The difference between MSN and DNP can determine your career trajectory, too. Their focus, scope, and long-term career outcomes differ.
Are you interested in an in-depth MSN vs DNP 2026 comparison? Read on to know which degree might best align with your goals. The changing 2026 healthcare landscape demands a proactive approach.
Related:
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- How Non-Nursing Majors Can Prepare for Accelerated Nursing Education
- Accelerated DNP Specialty Tracks in Mental Health Nursing
- Advancing Your Nursing Career After an Accelerated Degree
MSN Overview: Roles & Salary
Here, we’ll discuss the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and its aspects. We’ll cover its core functions and typical career outcomes.
What Is an MSN Degree?
An MSN degree is among the advanced nursing degrees – it’s a graduate-level nursing degree. Every MSN program has its unique features.
However, these programs also share many similarities, as follows:
- Eligibility and admission requirements. Most programs require a BSN degree and an active RN license for admission purposes. Direct-entry MSN programs for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees are available.
- Full-time and part-time options available. Full-time students can earn it in 2-3 years. Part-time students can take longer – up to 5 years.
- Specialized or advanced nursing courses. The curriculum also includes completion of supervised clinical hours based on specialty. The hours can range between 500 and 1,000 hours. Candidates may also complete a thesis or capstone project as a culminating requirement. Primarily, MSN candidates tackle courses that go beyond foundational nursing knowledge, like advanced classes in:
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Informatics
- Healthcare policy
- Evidence-based practice
The core focus in MSN programs is in these three key areas:
- Advanced practice
- Leadership
- Education
MSN candidates can choose from these tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
MSN Roles and Work Settings
Nurses with an MSN degree usually go into practice-focused roles. These roles involve direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, and community health.
Common examples of these roles are:
- Nurse managers, nurse practitioners, and clinical specialists in hospitals
- FNPs in clinics and outpatient centers
Many also go into non-clinical roles in teaching, case management, and administrative leadership. Popular examples include:
- Nurse educators in academic settings
- Nurse managers overseeing patient services and care plans
- Nurse administrators managing staff, budgets, and operations
MSN Salary & Job Growth
Here’s a look at the MSN salary 2026 for these three major roles and their job growth projection.
| Role | Median Salary (BLS 2026 Projection) | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,000 | +38% |
| Nurse Educator | $85,000 | +18% |
| Nurse Administrator | $103,000 | +25% |
Suffice it to say that MSN degree holders can enjoy well-paying jobs. But in an MSN vs DNP salary comparison, those with a DNP degree earn higher pay.
DNP Overview: Leadership, Clinical Practice
Here, we’ll discuss how the DNP extends beyond the MSN in many aspects. These include scope, authority, and evidence-based practice.
What Is a DNP Degree?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a terminal professional degree. Programs offering it emphasize clinical expertise, systems leadership, and policy advocacy.
Every DNP program has its unique features, too. However, these programs share many similarities, including:
- There is intensive and advanced nursing education and training. DNP programs usually require candidates to complete:
- A capstone project that translates evidence-based research into practice.
- A systems-level leadership training program aligned with AACN Essentials.
- A series of courses that emphasizes population and community health.
- Many programs also require completion of courses in advanced informatics.
- Aside from the didactic courses, DNP programs also feature expanded clinical hours (1,000-1,500 hours).
- It usually takes 3-4 years to complete: Candidates should be enrolled full-time to earn the degree within this timeframe. Time-to-completion also depends on your degree:
- With a BSN – Usually 3-4 years full-time
- With an MSN – Often 1-2 years full-time
- The focus is on translating research into practice and improving health outcomes. As such, the key areas of emphasis are:
- Evidence-based practice implementation
- Healthcare policy and advocacy
- Organizational and system-level leadership
- Choice between clinical and non-clinical roles: Professionals with a DNP degree can also choose between the following:
- Practice-focused roles, such as nurse practitioners or clinical specialists
- Non-clinical and DNP leadership roles in management or education
It is important to make the right choice in a specialty early on.
DNP Leadership & Clinical Pathways
DNP-prepared nurses have two main career pathways to choose from.
Leadership pathways are for nurses aiming for executive, administrative, and policy roles. Increasingly, DNP programs with a leadership focus emphasize health informatics and data analytics. Common job titles include:
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
- Director of Nursing
- Healthcare policy advisor
Clinical pathways are for professionals who want to work in direct patient care. Common job titles include:
- DNP Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)
In a DNP vs MSN nurse practitioner comparison, there’s one significant difference. An MSN-prepared NP focuses more on clinical practice. A DNP-prepared NP focuses more on leadership and systems improvement.
DNP Salary & Growth
The DNP salary 2026 reflects the higher value placed on the terminal degree:
| Role | Median Salary (2026 Projection) | Growth Outlook |
| DNP Nurse Practitioner | $135,000 to $145,000 | +38% |
| CNO/ Nurse Executive | $150,000 to $180,000 | +28% |
| DNP Educator/ Researcher | $110,000 | +20% |
For example, between MSN- and DNP-prepared NPs, their salary difference ranges from 5.5% to 13.3%.
Which Degree Will Be Required by 2026?
Is a DNP required to be a nurse practitioner? This is at the center of the debate about whether it will become the entry-level degree for APRNs.
The short answer: No. A DNP isn’t a current requirement to become an NP. The MSN is still the entry-level degree in all US states.
However, the discussion around MSN vs DNP 2026 requirements remains. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Historical Context
In 2004, the AACN recommended that the DNP degree become the terminal degree for APRNs. This was intended to ensure APRNs have the highest level of preparation for the job.
Again, the MSN degree is still the widely accepted entry-level degree. But there have been transition trends that favor the AACN recommendation.
2026 Trends and Policy Landscape
The foremost transition trends and policy changes are as follows:
- More schools are converting MSN programs to DNP pathways. The increase in BSN-to-DPN programs exceeds the growth in MSN-to-DPN programs, too.
- State nursing boards and employers increasingly prefer DNP-prepared NPs. This is true for hiring and promotion purposes.
- Certain advanced practice nursing specialties already require doctoral education. For example, CRNAs must have a DNP or DNAP degree starting in 2025. This is based on a Council on Accreditation (COA) mandate.
Indeed, the future of advanced nursing degrees is one of wider acceptance.
Implications for Prospective Students
If you’re a prospective student, go for an MSN if it fits with your goals. The MSN degree is still valid and licensure-eligible across most states.
However, if you want to future-proof your career, consider a DNP degree. With the healthcare industry’s increasing preference for it, it makes sense.
Both advanced nursing degrees in 2026, nonetheless, give good returns on investment.
Career Outcomes Comparison
From the above discussion, you’re likely asking, “Which nursing degree should I choose?” You’ll want to make an informed choice because of the significant time and cost commitment.
Here, we’ll provide an MSN vs DNP career outcomes comparison.
MSN vs DNP Comparison (2026 Snapshot)
| Category | MSN | DNP |
| Education Level | Master’s (2-3 years) | Doctorate (3-4 years) |
| Primary Focus | Clinical practice and leadership | Evidence-based practice and systems change |
| Typical Roles | NP, nurse educator, manager | NP, CNO, policy leader |
| Salary Range (2026) | $85,000 to $130,000 | $110,000 to $180,000 |
| Growth Outlook | +25% to +35% | +35% to +40% |
| Online Availability | Widely available | Increasing rapidly |
| Licensure | NP licensure eligible | NP licensure eligible; preferred for some roles |
| Best For | Quick advancement, affordability | Leadership, policy, and academic achievement |
In an MSN vs DNP salary comparison, a DNP degree wins. But consider their costs, too. An MSN degree costs $15,000-$80,000 total. A DNP degree costs $20,000-$150,000+ total.
Choosing the Right Path
Use this straightforward guide to choose the right one based on your career goals.
- Choose MSN if you want a faster, affordable entry into advanced practice.
- Choose DNP leadership and clinical roles.
If you’re a working nurse, consider online and hybrid programs. You’ll enjoy greater flexibility and convenient access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both MSN and DNP degrees lead to rewarding, high-growth nursing careers. But the DNP offers long-term leadership and policy advantages. Meanwhile, the MSN remains a flexible, cost-efficient route into advanced practice.
So, explore accredited MSN and DNP programs to find the path that best matches your 2026 career goals.