- 1 In-State School, Hybrid format, plus 2 online options compared
Iowa has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program: the University of Iowa. It offers Primary Care, Acute Care, and dual PC/AC tracks in a hybrid format, with one campus day a week in Iowa City.
Because there is only one in-state option, we added two online programs, Maryville University and Walden University, to every comparison table below.
Compare Iowa PNP Options
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Primary Care + Acute Care | Hybrid | One on-site class day a week in Iowa City | $1,227 (DNP); $687 (certificates) | BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate | Iowa residents who want a doctorate, Acute Care or dual PC/AC, and college-arranged placements |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate | Experienced RNs who want an online MSN and a start date within weeks |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit | RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate | ADN-prepared RNs and nurses without pediatric experience who need an online route |
Iowa eligibility: Walden’s restricted-states list, updated September 2026, restricts only its MSN/MBA dual degree in Iowa, not any PNP pathway. Maryville’s June 2026 licensure grids list its Pediatric Primary Care MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP, and certificate as meeting Iowa’s educational requirements.
Iowa PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state (University of Iowa), plus 2 online options compared (Maryville, Walden)
- Primary Care: Yes
- Acute Care: Yes, in-state only, plus a dual PC/AC plan
- MSN: Online options only; the University of Iowa has no MSN exit. RN-to-MSN through Walden; BSN-to-MSN through Maryville and Walden
- DNP: Yes, BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP in-state; both online options offer both entry points in Primary Care
- Certificate: Yes, Primary Care and Acute Care in-state (current APRNs only); Primary Care through both online options
- Format: Hybrid in-state; both online options are Online
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $14K (post-graduate certificate, Primary Care or Acute Care)
Choosing a PNP Program in Iowa
Arranged Placements and Acute Care: University of Iowa
The University of Iowa arranges every clinical site and preceptor, and it is the only program here with Acute Care or a dual PC/AC plan. It fits Iowa residents who want a doctorate. The trade-offs are a weekly Iowa City class day, Iowa-only clinicals, and one fall start with a Feb. 1 deadline.
An Online MSN and Six Starts a Year: Maryville
Maryville fills Iowa’s two biggest gaps: it offers an MSN, and it runs fully online with six start dates a year. It requires one year of nursing experience. Maryville does not publish a clinical hour total or state that it secures clinical sites, and it offers Primary Care only.
More Entry Points and No Experience Minimum: Walden
Walden accepts diploma and ADN-prepared RNs through its RN-to-MSN, and it publishes no RN experience requirement for any pathway. It requires no campus visits. Students start the preceptor search themselves, and Walden’s team helps only after documented attempts fail. Walden offers Primary Care only.
Iowa RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Iowa school offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway, and Maryville does not offer one either. Walden’s online RN-to-MSN is the only option in this comparison. It accepts nurses with a hospital diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s and leads directly to Primary Care NP preparation.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | About 28 months | 640 |
- Experience requirement: none published, so new RNs can apply.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Iowa BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
The University of Iowa offers no MSN, so BSN-prepared Iowa nurses who want a master’s degree must study online. Maryville and Walden both offer a Primary Care BSN-to-MSN with no campus visits and multiple starts per year. Neither offers an Acute Care MSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | About 24 months | 640 |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, before its $775-per-semester technology fee.
- Shortest completion: Maryville, at 20 months full-time.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of nursing experience; Walden publishes none.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Iowa BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
The BSN-to-DNP is the University of Iowa’s main entry point, with Primary Care, Acute Care, and a four-year dual PC/AC plan. All three run hybrid with college-arranged Iowa placements. Maryville and Walden each offer an online Primary Care BSN-to-DNP.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Primary Care | $80K–$92K | 3 years (4 part-time) | 1,000 (630 direct practicum) |
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Acute Care | $83K–$93K | 3 years (4 part-time) | 1,090 (720 direct practicum) |
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Dual (PC/AC) | $107K–$108K (est.) | 4 years | 1,080–1,350 direct practicum (est.), plus DNP project hours |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | About 3.25 years | 1,000 minimum post-baccalaureate |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, about $10K below Iowa’s resident Primary Care estimate.
- Only Acute Care option: the University of Iowa, which requires one year of inpatient pediatric acute care RN experience.
- Campus requirement: only the University of Iowa, through a weekly Iowa City class day.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Iowa MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
The University of Iowa’s MSN-to-DNP serves MSN-prepared nurses who are not yet APRNs, in Primary Care or Acute Care. Final credits are set by transcript review. Maryville’s DNP-NP and Walden’s MSN-to-DNP offer the same route online, in Primary Care only.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Primary Care | $55K–$67K (est.) | 2–3 years (est.) | 1,000 DNP minimum; approved MSN hours may count |
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Acute Care | $55K–$67K (est.) | 2–3 years (est.) | 1,000 DNP minimum; approved MSN hours may count |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | About 3 years | 1,000 minimum post-baccalaureate, including verified prior hours |
- Lowest estimated tuition: the University of Iowa for Iowa residents.
- Only Acute Care option: the University of Iowa, with the same inpatient pediatric experience requirement as its BSN-to-DNP.
- Hidden cost risk: Walden adds up to 8 credits for applicants with fewer than 600 verified prior clinical hours.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Iowa Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
The University of Iowa offers post-graduate certificates in Primary Care and Acute Care, but only to current APRNs. A gap analysis sets each plan. Maryville and Walden offer online Primary Care certificates open to MSN-prepared nurses without an NP credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Primary Care | $14K | 1–2 years | About 630 (est.) |
| University of Iowa (in-state) | Acute Care | $14K | 1–2 years | About 720 (est.) |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $32K | About 24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $33K | About 5–7 quarters | 640 |
- Lowest estimated tuition: the University of Iowa, at less than half the online options’ cost.
- Only Acute Care option: the University of Iowa.
- Experience requirement: Iowa requires current APRN certification; Maryville and Walden do not.
Compare more programs: See all post-master’s certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Iowa Nurses
Rasmussen University also offers an online Primary Care MSN and post-graduate certificate. It requires one on-campus weekend before practicum courses begin. Current listings for Iowa appear below.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Maryville University’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs provide Iowa nurses with flexible, high-quality pathways to advance their careers entirely online. Whether pursuing the MSN PNP, BSN-to-DNP, DNP-NP, or Post-Master’s Certificate, Iowa students complete 750 clinical hours in local Iowa settings with no campus visits or GRE required. These programs combine strong academics, six annual start dates, and a 92% certification pass rate to help Iowa nurses excel in pediatric primary care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Iowa?
One school, the University of Iowa. It offers BSN-to-DNP in Primary Care, Acute Care, or both; an MSN-to-DNP; and post-graduate certificates in each population.
Does Iowa offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. The University of Iowa offers Acute Care at the DNP and certificate levels. Its DNP Acute Care tracks require one year of inpatient pediatric acute care RN experience. Neither online option offers Acute Care.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in Iowa. The University of Iowa holds NP classes on site in Iowa City one day a week, on Wednesdays during the clinical year. Maryville and Walden are fully online with no required campus visits.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, the University of Iowa’s post-graduate certificates, at about $14K, but only current APRNs qualify. Among the online options, Maryville’s certificate is about $32K, and its MSN is the lowest-cost degree at about $42K.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All three. The University of Iowa offers BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP in Primary Care and Acute Care. Maryville and Walden offer both entry points in Primary Care only.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
The University of Iowa places students in Iowa, sometimes up to 100 miles from home. Maryville and Walden students complete clinicals near home, but Walden expects students to start the preceptor search, and Maryville does not state that it secures sites.
Can I become a PNP in Iowa without a BSN?
Not through the in-state program. Diploma and ADN-prepared RNs can use Walden’s online RN-to-MSN.