Intro – Answer First
If you’re wondering how much an NP preceptor costs in 2025, the short answer is: most nurse practitioner students pay between $1,500 and $2,000 per clinical rotation, depending on specialty, location, and demand. That works out to roughly $12.50–$17.50 per hour of supervision for a 125–160 hour rotation.
At Preceptor Tree, we’ve worked with thousands of NP students and tracked real-world rates across the U.S. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Why Preceptor Costs Exist
In an ideal world, NP students could find placements for free. But in reality:
- Clinics are often fully booked.
- Preceptors sacrifice billable patient time to teach.
- Administrative work (onboarding, evaluations, coordination) adds hours to their workload.
Fair compensation helps keep preceptors willing and available—ensuring students can graduate on time.
Current NP Preceptor Cost Ranges (2025)
| Specialty | Typical Cost Per Rotation | Hourly Equivalent (125–160 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $1,500 – $1,600 | ~$12.50–$12.80/hour |
| Pediatrics | $1,600 – $1,800 | ~$12.80–$14.40/hour |
| OBGYN | $1,600 – $1,800 | ~$12.80–$14.40/hour |
| Psychiatry | $1,800 – $2,000 | ~$14.40–$16.00/hour |
💡 Tip: Psych and OBGYN rotations remain the most competitive specialties—expect higher rates and limited availability. Sites needed for Walden students are especially challenging.
Factors That Affect NP Preceptor Cost
- Specialty Demand – Scarcer specialties like Psych cost more.
- Location – Densely populated NP program areas often see higher prices.
- Semester Timing – Peak start dates = peak rates.
- Preceptor Experience – Highly experienced educators may charge more.
What’s Included in the Cost
When booking through a vetted service like Preceptor Tree, the fee usually covers:
- Guaranteed placement for the full rotation hours
- Direct supervision during patient care
- Completion of all required evaluations and forms
- Administrative coordination between the clinic and your school
Bottom Line
In 2025, NP preceptor cost will remain a significant but necessary investment for many students. Expect to pay $1,500–$2,000 per 125–160 hour rotation, and budget more for in-demand specialties like Psych or OBGYN.
Need a placement?
Preceptor Tree has helped over 2,000 NP students secure vetted preceptors nationwide. Get started here.
