Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Good pediatric nurse practitioner programs are essential for helping nurse practitioners that want to specialize in providing preventive, acute, and chronic care to infants, children, and adolescents of all ages in physician’s offices, clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities that specialize in children’s healthcare.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the expected job growth rate for all nurse practitioners, including pediatric nurse practitioners, is 31 percent through 2026, or ‘much faster than average.’ According to PayScale, the average pediatric nurse salary for entry-level roles is $50,585.

Pediatric nurse practitioners, who are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), provide a variety of medical care and services to pediatric patients, including diagnosing and treating episodic, acute, or chronic illnesses or medical conditions. They possibly order or perform diagnostic tests or procedures, or interpret results of tests and procedures performed on pediatric patients.

Pediatric nurse practitioners have the potential responsibility of administering medications and treatments if working in a hospital setting. Some pediatric nurse practitioners work independently or as part of a healthcare team in a variety of settings. 

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) explains in a May 2019 press release that there is an anticipated critical shortage of pediatric nurse practitioners over the next ten years. The NAPNAP considers pediatric nurse practitioners ‘essential’ to the delivery of health care in the pediatric patient population.

Discover the value of working as a pediatric nurse practitioner and working with children and their families in this highly in-demand field. Students sit for the Pediatric Nursing Credentialing Board (PNCB) exam. The PNCB exams are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

These best pediatric nurse practitioner programs include on-campus and online programs. Unless otherwise specified, tuition rates are for in-state residents. If you reside outside the state where you wish to attend for your pediatric nurse practitioner program, check with the school for non-resident tuition rates. Some schools, including many online programs, charge all students the in-state tuition rates.

List of the Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in 2024

1. University of Pennsylvania – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The University of Pennsylvania Pediatric Acute Nurse Practitioner program is unique in the fact that it offers students their choice of three concentrations. Students choose the oncology concentration, the acute/chronic care concentration, or the critical care concentration. The university houses all three of the concentrations within the Pediatric Acute Care program.

Students prepare to provide comprehensive care to children and adolescents of all ages with a variety of complex health conditions.
The program prepares students to become leaders in their field, with expertise in assessments, clinical decision-making skills, providing culturally sensitive family-focused health care, along with other skills, including integrating health care policy.

Students have the opportunity to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.

• Tuition: est. $2,378.40
• Program length: 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

2. University of California San Francisco – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

The University of California San Francisco offers the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) for students seeking to specialize in Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing. The school prepares students for having expertise in primary health care pediatric settings, and for caring for children with chronic illnesses in a variety of health care settings. 

The program strongly emphasizes addressing disparities within the pediatric health care system and prepares PNP students for working in diverse environments, with vulnerable, at-risk and underserved pediatric and adolescent populations.

Program requirements include coursework and clinical residency, with focus on child development, adolescent development, family development and theory, advanced pediatric health assessments, clinical management of pediatric patients in primary care and chronic care environments, professional role development, along with other knowledge and skills development.

• Tuition: $3,814 per semester
• Program length: 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Florida International University – Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate – Advanced Child Nursing

Achieve your fullest potential at Florida International University by completing the Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificate in Advanced Child Nursing program. The program consists of 28 total credits, allowing students the opportunity to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Build upon your existing MSN degree and enhance your existing skills and knowledge to provide health care for pediatric patients in a variety of health care settings. 

• Tuition: $6,379 per semester
• Program length: 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of South Alabama – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Alabama prepares students for advanced level nursing practice, and for doctoral study. 

Students prepare for a career working in a pediatric primary care environment, through completion of common core courses, specialty courses, and clinical experience. The program allows students the opportunity to complete the clinical requirement with a preceptor in their own community.

Function as a leader in pediatric nursing practice, applying advanced theories, knowledge, and research while contributing to the advancement of the pediatric nursing profession. The school explains that the online program requires a mandatory orientation during the fall semester of the first practicum course.

• Tuition: approx. $5,670 per semester
• Program length: 9 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Duke University – MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care

Duke University offers the MSN in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care program for students that wish to pursue advanced studies as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Provide comprehensive care to children of all ages in this program, which focuses on prevention, maintenance, management of both common and critical illnesses in children. The program also provides students with knowledge about family education and family-centered culturally sensitive health care. The state-of-the-art simulation laboratory helps students gain the skills necessary for working as a pediatric nurse practitioner.

• Tuition: $11,028 per semester
• Program length: approx. 5 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

6. Northwestern State University of Louisiana – Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides students in the pediatric nurse practitioner program with an opportunity to build upon their BSN education while preparing to function in a variety of advanced pediatric nursing roles.

Develop the advanced knowledge, skills, and clinical competence to excel as a pediatric nurse practitioner after graduation from this MSN Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

• Tuition: $7,125 per semester
• Program length: approx. 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE 

7. Old Dominion University – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online

The Old Dominion Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online degree program prepares students for a career providing comprehensive primary nursing care for children from infancy through young adulthood. 

Gain essential skills and knowledge through this 49 credit hour program that focuses on wellness health promotion, health maintenance, and health care for healthy children, along with at-risk children and children that are critically ill.

Old Dominion University requires that students travel to the ODU School of Nursing at Virginia Beach for scheduled training or testing at critical points of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner online program. The school allows students to complete their clinical experiences near their home.

• Tuition: approx. $6,564 per semester
• Program length: approx. 9 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

8. University of Texas at Arlington – MSN Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online

The 100 percent online pediatric nurse practitioner program at the University of Texas at Arlington offers a unique opportunity for students that prefer an online format. 

Learn the skills and knowledge necessary for working with children in a variety of pediatric health care environments, develop the expertise necessary for providing nursing care to acutely ill children, and collaborate with other professionals to coordinate the health care of pediatric patients.
Practice implementing and using research and knowledge that reduce risk factors and complications, and restores health to the child.

This is an accelerated program for experienced pediatric nurses that currently hold a BSN, that wish to advance their education and career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Students that enroll and complete the program without interruption lock in the tuition rate for courses within their major.

• Tuition: $9,810 per semester
• Program length: 9 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

9. Ohio State University – BSN to DNP Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Ohio State University prepares students in the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program for advanced-level pediatric nursing care of ‘unstable, acutely ill’ children. Students learn to provide care to children in both outpatient and inpatient hospital settings, which includes the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Department.

The Ohio State University hospital has several branch locations in and around Columbus, Ohio, providing a variety of potential settings for clinical experiences. Students will acquire the skills, knowledge, and values required of pediatric nurse practitioners through coursework, clinical training and experience, and evidence-based practices.

• Tuition: $10,837.50
• Program length: 8 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

10. Rush University – Doctor of Nursing Practice Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Rush University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PC PNP) program prepares students to become pediatric nurse practitioners by placing focus on clinical practice, and evidence-based initiatives leading to improved health care outcomes for pediatric patient populations. 

Students learn to place emphasis on preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices, including wellness exams for children and adolescents. The curriculum includes instruction that focuses on the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic medical conditions in pediatric populations. This Rush University online program consists of part-time and full-time study, with expected graduation within an average of three years.

• Tuition: approx. $13,320 per semester
• Program length: approx. 10 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

11. University of Pittsburgh – MSN to DNP Pediatric Primary Care

Students at the University of Pittsburgh have the option of enrolling in the on-campus or online format for the MSN to DNP Pediatric Primary Care program. The program prepares students to become a principal provider of primary health care to infants, young children and adolescents as they emerge into young adulthood. 

Students will discover the program emphasizes developmental and health assessments, along with the diagnosis and management of healthy, acutely ill and chronically ill children and adolescents.

Graduates become a Primary Care PNP with the responsibility of promoting, maintaining, and restoring health in pediatric patients. The school provides a sample program plan for full-time study on its site, along with a statement that, depending on coursework completed in the previous degree program, additional coursework may be required of some students. Check with the school for details specific to your education.

The University of Pittsburgh began charging the same tuition for in-state and non-residents pursuing an online degree program in 2017, meaning that you pay the same tuition whether you enroll in the on-campus or online MSN to DNP Pediatric Primary Care program.

• Tuition: $11,423 per semester
• Program length: 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

12. University of Pittsburgh – BSN to DNP Pediatric Primary Care

The University of Pittsburgh offers the Pediatric Care BSN to DNP program for students that want to provide primary health care to children from birth through young adulthood. The on-campus program consists of 87 credit hours, with 71 didactic credits and 17 clinical credits. Students deliver comprehensive, supervised care to pediatric patients during their clinical experiences, in a variety of primary care and sub-specialty health care settings.

• Tuition: $11,423 per semester
• Program length: 8 semesters
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Ranking Methodology

We selected each pediatric nurse practitioner school by assigning a score for specific criteria, which included tuition and program length. We do our best to be honest, fair, and accurate in our representation of each of the schools. 

No school can pay us for higher rankings. Any supported school is listed separately and labeled as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition or other specific program information since these things sometimes change. Check with each school to verify current information. It is the responsibility of the student to verify tuition and other information. If you would like to have your school included in our rankings, please contact us.