Ohio has three institutions offering Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs across ten tracks spanning MSN, DNP, post-graduate certificate, and a unique non-nurse entry pathway.
Resident tuition ranges from approximately $7,480 for Wright State’s acute care post-master’s certificate to $117,624 for Ohio State’s Graduate Entry MSN, with program completion spanning roughly 1 year to 3+ years depending on degree level and entry point.
Quick Overview Table
| School | Est. Cost — Resident (Rounded) | High-Level Program Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University | Traditional MSN: $54K–$74K BSN-to-DNP: $80K–$93K Graduate Entry MSN: $97K–$118K Post-Master’s Option: individualized | – core courses available online – PNP-PC specialty requires regular on-campus attendance in Columbus – 16–20 supervised hours per week during clinical semesters – placement office assists with site and preceptor identification; – offers a DNP-level PNP & Graduate Entry MSN for non-nurses |
| Case Western Reserve University | MSN PNP PC: $89K MSN PNP AC: $99K MSN PNP Dual PC+AC: $110K Post-Grad Certificate: $7K–$21K est. | – intensive courses delivered hybrid (online + short on-campus sessions); – clinical courses must be taken in the required sequence – approximately 600 clinical hours (PC); 600+ hours (AC); 800+ hours (Dual) – fastest MSN in Ohio at 18 months for the primary care track – only Ohio school offering dual AC/PC certification in a single program |
| Wright State University | MSN PNP PC: $33K MSN PNP AC: $37K Certificate PNP PC: $12K Certificate PNP AC: $7.5K | – primarily online with some synchronous requirements – three application windows per year – 560 clinical hours (PC MSN and PC certificate); 672 hours (AC MSN) – most affordable MSN and certificate options in Ohio at $680/credit |
Ohio PNP Program Summaries
Ohio State University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Columbus | $1,014 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Ohio State University College of Nursing offers the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty across four pathways — Traditional MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Graduate Entry MSN (for non-nurses), and a Post-Master's Study Option — making it one of the most comprehensive PNP program offerings at any single institution. The PNP-PC specialty is ranked #5 nationally and #1 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Clinical experiences are arranged near the student's home when possible, with preceptors across Ohio and authorized states, and the College of Nursing's placement office assists with securing sites. With core coursework available online and the PNP-PC specialty delivered on-campus in Columbus, this program is best suited for nurses who can commit to regular in-person attendance in Columbus for specialty coursework and weekly clinical rotations of 16 to 20 hours during clinical semesters...read more.
Case Western Reserve University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Cleveland | $2,384 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB) offers four Pediatric Nurse Practitioner pathways — MSN Primary Care, MSN Acute Care, a Dual PC+AC track, and a Post-Graduate Certificate — making it one of the few programs nationally offering both primary and acute care PNP preparation within a single MSN framework. FPB's MSN is ranked #15 nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2026). A standout feature is the program's distance-friendly hybrid format — most courses are offered online with short intensive on-campus sessions, making the program accessible to nurses who cannot relocate to Cleveland. The dual track requires only one additional course and 200 additional clinical hours beyond the primary care MSN — an unusually efficient pathway to dual PNP certification...read more.
Wright State University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Dayton | $680 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Wright State University offers four Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks: two MSN concentrations and two post-master's certificates, each split between primary care and acute care. Most coursework is delivered online, with clinical placements managed independently by students in their practice settings. The standout feature here is dual-degree flexibility — WSU allows students to combine the PNP-PC and PNP-AC tracks into a single dual degree, a rare option that sharpens both breadth and market competitiveness. Post-master's NPs can also re-enter through the certificate pathway, with credit requirements determined by individual gap analysis. ..read more.
Which Ohio PNP Program Is Right for You?
TLDR: Quick Summary
Choose Wright State University if you want the most affordable MSN or post-master’s certificate in Ohio — it offers the lowest per-credit rate in the state at $680/credit, separate primary care and acute care certificate tracks, and primarily online delivery with multiple application windows per year.
Choose Case Western Reserve University if you want the fastest MSN in Ohio (18 months for primary care), a dual AC/PC certification pathway, or an individualized post-graduate certificate built around a gap analysis of your existing credentials.
Choose Ohio State University if you need a DNP-level pathway, want the only program in Ohio designed for non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders, or want access to the largest clinical network in the state — bearing in mind that the PNP-PC specialty requires you to live in Columbus for in-person attendance.
Ohio PNP DNP Programs
Ohio State is the only in-state school offering a DNP-level PNP pathway. Its BSN-to-DNP is structured in two phases — the first completes the MSN and APRN certification eligibility, the second adds DNP scholarly project and immersion coursework — allowing students to enter practice as a certified PNP before finishing the terminal degree.
| School | Track | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | BSN-to-DNP PNP-PC | $80K–$93K | 3 years FT / 4 years PT | 16–20 hrs/week during clinical semesters | Hybrid (specialty on-campus) |
Ohio-based nurses who prefer a fully online DNP without Columbus residency requirements may consider national alternatives.
Maryville University offers both a BSN-to-DNP (~$74K–$77K, 40 months) and an MSN-to-DNP (~$68K–$71K, 36 months), both 100% online with 750 clinical hours and six start dates per year. Walden University offers a DNP PNP pathway (~$71K–$76K) with Practicum Pledge® placement support.
Ohio PNP MSN Programs
All three Ohio schools offer MSN-level PNP programs. Wright State is the lowest-cost option at roughly a third of CWRU’s price per credit. CWRU’s 18-month primary care MSN is the fastest in the state. OSU’s Graduate Entry MSN is the only pathway in Ohio for non-nurses entering the profession and advancing directly to PNP in a single program.
| School | Track | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | MSN PNP – Primary Care | ~$33K | – | 560 hrs | Primarily online |
| Wright State | MSN PNP – Acute Care | ~$37K | – | 672 hrs | Primarily online |
| Ohio State | Traditional MSN PNP-PC | $54K–$74K | 2 years FT / 3 years PT | 16–20 hrs/week (clinical semesters) | Hybrid (specialty on-campus) |
| Ohio State | Graduate Entry MSN PNP-PC | $97K–$118K | 3 years FT | 16–20 hrs/week (clinical semesters) | On-campus (Columbus residency required) |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Primary Care | ~$89K | 18 months FT | ~600 hrs | Hybrid |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Acute Care | ~$99K | ~2 years FT | 600+ hrs | Hybrid |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Dual PC+AC | ~$110K | ~2 years FT | 800+ hrs | Hybrid |
Wright State’s AC MSN logs the most clinical hours of any Ohio MSN at 672 — 72 more than CWRU’s AC track — at less than half the price. CWRU’s Dual PC+AC track is worth a closer look for nurses who want both certifications: adding just one additional course and 200 clinical hours to the AC curriculum qualifies graduates for both PNCB exams, making it one of the most efficient dual-certification designs in the country.
For nurses who prefer a fully online MSN option, Maryville University (~$42K, 750 hours, 6 start dates/year) and Walden University (~$45K, Practicum Pledge® support) are both CCNE-accredited national alternatives.
Ohio PNP Certificate Programs
Ohio has two schools offering post-master’s certificates, and their approaches differ significantly. Wright State publishes defined credit totals and clinical hour counts for both its primary care and acute care certificates.
CWRU’s certificate is built entirely around an individualized gap analysis — it can be as few as one to three courses for some nurses, making it potentially the most targeted (and cost-efficient) option for APRNs who already hold significant relevant graduate coursework.
| School | Track | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | Certificate PNP – Acute Care | ~$7.5K | ~1 year | 336 hrs |
| Wright State | Certificate PNP – Primary Care | ~$12K | ~1 year | 560 hrs |
| CWRU | Post-Graduate Certificate PNP (PC or AC) | $7K–$21K est. | Varies | Individualized |
Wright State’s AC certificate at ~$7,480 is the lowest-cost PNP credential in Ohio. The caveat for both Wright State certificates: if gap analysis pushes total hours above 22 credits, the program is reclassified as a second master’s degree — something to clarify upfront with the program director before applying.
For nurses who prefer a national online certificate with published clinical hour counts, Maryville University (~$32K, 750 hours) and Rasmussen University (~$29K, competency-based pacing, Title IV aid eligible) are CCNE-accredited alternatives.
Clinical Placements and Preceptor Support
All three Ohio schools offer some level of placement support, but the depth and structure vary considerably.
Ohio State University has a dedicated placement office that assists students in identifying clinical sites and preceptors across Ohio and authorized states. Clinical experiences are arranged near the student’s home when possible. All sites must be approved, and on-campus PNP-PC students complete placements in Ohio. The 16–20 hours per week of required precepted practice during clinical semesters is one of the most clearly structured clinical load expectations among Ohio programs.
Case Western Reserve University places students in settings including private practice, primary care clinics, community health centers, and hospital settings for PC students, and ICUs, EDs, inpatient specialty units, and acute care hospitals for AC and Dual students. Specific placement coordination details are not published — clinical courses must be taken in the published sequence and availability is enrollment-based. Contact admissions for current placement support details.
Wright State University does not publish specific placement coordination details for its MSN tracks. Students are precepted by pediatricians or PNPs across a range of primary care and acute care settings. Certificate applicants complete an interview with the Program Director before admission, which can be an opportunity to discuss placement expectations. PC settings include specialty pediatric clinics (cardiology, dermatology, GI); AC settings include ICUs, EDs, and acute care units.
For Ohio nurses who want the most proactive hands-off placement support, Walden University’s Practicum Pledge® escalates to a dedicated field placement team if a student cannot self-secure a match. Rasmussen University assigns a dedicated practicum coordinator to every student.
Admissions at a Glance
| School | Program | Min. GPA | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSU | Traditional MSN PNP-PC | 3.0 | Two rounds; confirm at nursing.osu.edu |
| OSU | BSN-to-DNP PNP-PC | 3.0 | Two rounds; confirm at nursing.osu.edu |
| OSU | Graduate Entry MSN PNP-PC | 3.0 | Autumn 2027 opens Aug. 3, 2026; confirm summer 2027 entry deadlines |
| OSU | Post-Master’s Study Option PNP-PC | 3.0 | Two rounds; confirm at nursing.osu.edu |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Primary Care | 3.0 | March 15 (Fall); spring/summer — contact admissions |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Acute Care | 3.0 | March 15 (Fall); contact admissions for other starts |
| CWRU | MSN PNP – Dual PC+AC | 3.0 | March 15 (Fall); contact admissions for other starts |
| CWRU | Post-Graduate Certificate PNP | 3.0 (APRN core 2.5) | Contact admissionsfpb@case.edu |
| Wright State | MSN PNP – PC or AC | 3.0 | Dec. 1 (Spring) / Apr. 1 (Summer) / Jul. 31 (Fall) |
| Wright State | Certificate PNP – PC or AC | Not specified | Contact program |
No Ohio PNP program requires a GRE. OSU is the only school requiring a recorded video interview (HireVue) as part of the application — this is mandatory for all four of its pathways and must be completed before the deadline. Wright State offers the most scheduling flexibility with three application windows per year, making it the easiest to reach on a rolling basis. CWRU’s rolling admissions (September through May) offer ongoing access throughout the academic year but carry a firm March 15 fall deadline. Nurses applying to CWRU’s AC or Dual tracks should account for the one-year acute care pediatric experience requirement — this is a hard prerequisite, not a preference.