- 1 In-State School, Mostly Online format, plus 2 online options compared
Utah has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Its Mostly Online DNP offers Primary Care, Acute Care, or a dual track covering both.
With no second in-state choice, every table below also compares two online programs that enroll Utah residents: Maryville University and UT Arlington.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Primary Care + Acute Care; Dual (PC/AC) | Mostly Online | 1–3 day Salt Lake City immersion each semester | $847 | DNP, Certificate | Full-time students who want both PNP credentials |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Working nurses who need part-time study |
| UT Arlington (online) | Primary Care + Acute Care | Online | None | $654 | MSN, Certificate | Experienced RNs, including ADN nurses, seeking the lowest cost |
Utah eligibility: Maryville’s June 2026 licensure grids list Utah as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP, and certificate. UTA’s state authorization map lists Utah for its online PNP programs. UTA’s dual PC/AC MSN is campus-only in Arlington, so it is not included here.
Utah PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at the University of Utah; also online at Maryville and UTA
- Acute Care: Yes, at the University of Utah (DNP and certificate); also online at UTA (MSN and certificate)
- MSN: Online only; UTA admits ADN or BSN nurses, Maryville BSN nurses
- DNP: In-state at the University of Utah, BSN entry; online at Maryville, BSN or MSN entry
- Certificate: In-state at the University of Utah for current APRNs; online at Maryville and UTA
- Format: The University of Utah is Mostly Online with a campus immersion each semester; neither online option requires campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $63K for a single-population DNP (resident rate)
Choosing a PNP Program in Utah
Three Population Paths and Arranged Placements: U of Utah
The University of Utah offers Primary Care, Acute Care, and a dual PC/AC DNP. The dual track adds one semester and about $9K for both credentials. The college arranges every Utah clinical site, and no PNP track lists an RN experience minimum. The limits: full-time only, one fall intake, and an active Utah RN license before starting.
Part-Time Study With No Campus Trips: Maryville
Maryville fills the University of Utah’s biggest scheduling gaps. It offers part-time plans, admits six times a year, and requires no travel. It also offers an MSN, a credential no Utah school awards. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience, Primary Care only, and no published clinical hour total or placement commitment.
ADN Entry and Online Acute Care: UTA
UTA admits associate-degree nurses through an RN-to-MSN and offers both populations fully online at $654 per credit. Its MSN costs less than half of a University of Utah DNP. Students find their own preceptors, and BSN entry requires two years of RN experience. Acute Care adds two years in pediatric acute care within the past five years.
Utah RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
The University of Utah admits only BSN- or MSN-prepared nurses, so no Utah school offers RN entry. UTA is the only program in this guide that does. Its fast track moves associate-degree nurses through an online RN-to-BSN and straight into a Primary Care or Acute Care MSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Arlington (online) | Primary Care | $35K (nursing courses only) | 42+ months | ~720 (est.) |
| UT Arlington (online) | Acute Care | $38K (nursing courses only) | 42+ months | ~720 (est.) |
- Experience requirement: The Acute Care MSN phase requires two years of pediatric acute care RN experience within five years. The fast track itself lists no separate gate.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Utah BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Utah school offers a PNP master’s degree; BSN nurses at the University of Utah enter the DNP. Both online options offer an MSN with no campus visits. Maryville covers Primary Care. UTA covers Primary Care and Acute Care.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months full-time | Not clearly stated |
| UT Arlington (online) | Primary Care | $27K | 29–33 months | ~720 (est.) |
| UT Arlington (online) | Acute Care | $29K | 31–33 months | ~720 (est.) |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UTA’s Primary Care MSN, at $27K.
- Shortest completion: Maryville, about 20 months full-time.
- Experience requirement: UTA requires two years of RN experience; Maryville requires one.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Utah BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
The University of Utah’s BSN-to-DNP is the state’s only PNP degree. All three tracks share four semesters of coursework, then split. Maryville offers a fully online Primary Care BSN-to-DNP with part-time pacing. UTA offers no doctorate.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Primary Care | $63K | 8 semesters full-time | 780 |
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Acute Care | $63K | 8 semesters full-time | 780 |
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Dual (PC/AC) | $72K | 9 semesters full-time | 1,080 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: The University of Utah’s single-population DNPs, at $63K.
- Only Acute Care option: The University of Utah, which publishes no PICU experience requirement. Its Acute Care and dual tracks admitted their first cohorts in fall 2026.
- Campus requirement: The University of Utah holds a 1–3 day immersion every semester.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Utah MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
The University of Utah publishes no separate MSN-entry PNP doctorate. Maryville’s online DNP-NP lets MSN-prepared nurses add Primary Care PNP preparation and a doctorate in one program. APRN board certification is not required to apply.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience and a 3.25 MSN GPA.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Utah Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
The University of Utah offers Primary Care and Acute Care certificates, open only to nationally certified APRNs. UTA offers both populations online, with each plan set by gap analysis. Maryville’s online Primary Care certificate admits any MSN holder, including nurses without an NP credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Primary Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| U of Utah Salt Lake City | Acute Care | $35K (est.) | 2–4 semesters | 500 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $32K | 24 months part-time | Not clearly stated |
| UT Arlington (online) | Primary Care | $13K–$21K | ~12 months (est.) | ~720 (est.) |
| UT Arlington (online) | Acute Care | $16K–$24K | ~14 months (est.) | ~720 (est.) |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UTA’s Primary Care certificate, from $13K.
- Experience requirement: UTA’s Acute Care certificate requires two years of high-acuity direct patient care within five years.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Utah?
One. The University of Utah offers a BSN-to-DNP in Primary Care, Acute Care, or dual PC/AC, plus post-graduate certificates in each population.
Does Utah offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. The University of Utah offers an Acute Care DNP, a dual PC/AC DNP, and an Acute Care certificate. UTA adds an online Acute Care MSN and certificate for experienced pediatric acute care nurses.
Are any programs fully online?
Maryville and UTA require no campus visits. The University of Utah teaches coursework online but requires a 1–3 day immersion in Salt Lake City every semester.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, the University of Utah’s Primary Care and Acute Care DNPs cost about $63K for residents. Among the online options, UTA is lowest: $27K for its Primary Care MSN and from $13K for its certificate.
Which schools offer a DNP?
The University of Utah and Maryville. The University of Utah admits BSN nurses only. Maryville accepts BSN or MSN entry. UTA’s PNP programs end at the MSN.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Yes. The University of Utah guarantees and arranges all clinical sites within Utah. Maryville and UTA students complete clinicals where they live but generally secure their own preceptors; UTA’s department assists students who have difficulty.
Can I become a PNP in Utah without a BSN?
Not through the University of Utah. UTA’s online RN-to-MSN admits associate-degree nurses and leads to Primary Care or Acute Care certification eligibility.