- 2 In-State Schools, Mostly Online and Hybrid formats, plus 2 online options compared
Kentucky has two in-state PNP programs. The University of Kentucky offers Primary Care and Acute Care in a mostly online format. The University of Louisville offers Acute Care only in a hybrid format.
Neither school offers a fully online option or an MSN in primary care, so this guide adds two online programs to every comparison table below: Walden University and Maryville University.
Compare Kentucky Pediatric NP Options
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK (in-state) | Primary Care + Acute Care | Mostly Online | 1–6 Lexington days per specialty semester | $1,103 | BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Certificate | Choosing either pediatric population at the doctoral level |
| UofL (in-state) | Acute Care | Hybrid | On-campus instruction and simulation in Louisville | $761 | BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Certificate | Acute care at the MSN level with a school-provided preceptor |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 (quarter credit) | RN-MSN, BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP | ADN nurses and those who cannot travel to campus |
| Maryville (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 master’s; $995 doctoral | BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Certificate | Primary care MSN or certificate with six starts a year |
Kentucky eligibility: Walden enrolls Kentucky residents in its MSN, RN-to-MSN, and DNP PNP tracks, but its PNP Post-Master’s Certificate is not available in Kentucky. Maryville lists its PNP MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate as meeting Kentucky licensure requirements.
Kentucky PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 2 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes (UK in-state; Walden and Maryville online)
- Acute Care: Yes (UK and UofL in-state only)
- MSN: BSN-to-MSN in-state at UofL (Acute Care); RN-to-MSN online only (Walden)
- DNP: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP in-state at UK and UofL, and online at Walden and Maryville
- Certificate: Yes in-state (UK, UofL); online at Maryville
- Format: UK Mostly Online, UofL Hybrid; Walden and Maryville Online
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $17K (UofL certificate, est.); $39K for a full degree (UofL MSN)
Choosing a PNP Program in Kentucky
Both Populations at Every Entry Point: UK
UK is the only Kentucky school with pediatric primary care, and it offers acute care too. Every route carries 780 direct-care clinical hours. The trade-offs are a doctorate-only path for BSN nurses and up to six Lexington days each specialty semester.
Acute Care With Preceptors Provided: UofL
UofL provides a clinical preceptor for every APRN student, which removes the hardest step in acute care training. It is also the only Kentucky school with an MSN-level PNP. It offers no primary care track, and clinicals require a Kentucky or compact-state RN license.
No Campus Travel and an RN-to-MSN: Walden
Walden fills two Kentucky gaps: fully online delivery and a primary care MSN, including an RN-to-MSN for associate-degree nurses. The trade-off is placement. Students search for their own preceptor first, and Walden’s field placement team assists only after documented attempts fail.
Online Primary Care Certificate for Kentucky: Maryville
Maryville offers the online primary care certificate that Walden cannot offer Kentucky residents, plus six start dates a year. It requires one year of RN experience. It does not publish a clinical hour total or state that it secures clinical sites.
Kentucky RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
Neither Kentucky school offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway. Walden University is the only option in this comparison, with an online primary care track open to nurses with a diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. It adds 26 credits of foundation coursework to the BSN-entry MSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | ~28 months | 640 |
- Experience requirement: Walden University publishes no minimum RN experience for this track.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Kentucky BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
The University of Louisville is the only Kentucky school with a master’s-level PNP, and it is acute care only. BSN nurses who want primary care at the MSN level must go online. Walden University and Maryville both offer online primary care MSNs that Kentucky residents can use.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UofL (in-state) | Acute Care | $39K | 2 years (full-time) | 672 direct care + 84 role |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville (online option) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Only Acute Care option: UofL, which also requires one year of acute care RN experience before clinical courses begin.
- Shortest completion: Maryville, at about 20 months full-time.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Kentucky BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Both Kentucky schools offer a BSN-to-DNP. UK lets students choose primary care or acute care, while UofL is acute care only and full-time only. Walden University and Maryville add online primary care doctorates with no campus visits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK (in-state) | Primary Care | $70K–$82K | 3–5 years | 780 direct care (1,020 total) |
| UK (in-state) | Acute Care | $70K–$82K | 3–5 years | 780 direct care (1,020 total) |
| UofL (in-state) | Acute Care | $59K | 3 years (full-time only) | 672 direct care (1,086 total) |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 post-baccalaureate (minimum) |
| Maryville (online option) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UofL, though only for acute care.
- Campus requirement: UK requires up to six Lexington days per specialty semester; UofL requires on-campus instruction and simulation.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Kentucky MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
Both Kentucky schools let MSN-prepared nurses add pediatrics within a DNP. UK offers either population; UofL’s pediatric version applies to MSN holders who are not yet APRNs or who are adding acute care. Walden University and Maryville offer online primary care versions.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK (in-state) | Primary Care | $55K–$56K | 2–3 years | 780 direct care (1,020 total) |
| UK (in-state) | Acute Care | $55K–$56K | 2–3 years | 780 direct care (1,020 total) |
| UofL (in-state) | Acute Care | $43K–$49K (est.) | 3 years (est.) | 1,000 post-baccalaureate (including MSN hours) |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 post-baccalaureate (minimum) |
| Maryville (online option) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UofL, before any courses waived by transcript review.
- Experience requirement: Maryville does not require APRN certification for its DNP-NP.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Kentucky Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
Both Kentucky schools offer a post-graduate certificate set by transcript gap analysis. UK offers primary care or acute care; UofL offers acute care only. Maryville is the online option here, because Walden University’s PNP certificate is not available to Kentucky residents.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK (in-state) | Primary Care | $25K–$35K | About 2.5 years (est.) | 780 |
| UK (in-state) | Acute Care | $25K–$35K | About 2.5 years (est.) | 780 |
| UofL (in-state) | Acute Care | $17K–$31K (est.) | 1.5–2 years (est.) | 504–756, by prior certification |
| Maryville (online option) | Primary Care | $32K | ~24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UofL, for certified APRNs whose gap analysis waives the most courses.
- Shortest completion: UofL, at an estimated 1.5 to 2 years.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Kentucky Nurses
Rasmussen University also offers an online pediatric primary care MSN and post-graduate certificate, with one required campus weekend before practicums.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Kentucky?
Two: the University of Kentucky in Lexington and the University of Louisville. Both are CCNE accredited.
Does Kentucky offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes, at both schools. UK offers acute care at the BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and certificate levels. UofL offers only acute care, including the state’s only MSN-level PNP. Neither online option in this guide offers acute care.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in Kentucky. UK requires one to six Lexington days per specialty semester, and UofL requires on-campus instruction and simulation. Walden University and Maryville publish no campus visits for any PNP pathway.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, UofL’s MSN is the lowest-cost degree at about $39K, and its certificate starts at about $17K (est.). Online, Maryville’s MSN is about $42K and Walden’s is about $45K after scholarship.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All four. UK offers primary care or acute care DNPs, UofL offers acute care, and Walden University and Maryville offer online primary care DNPs with BSN or MSN entry.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
UofL provides a preceptor for every APRN student and requires a Kentucky or compact-state RN license for clinicals. Walden University and Maryville place clinicals where the student lives, but students begin the site search themselves. UK does not state who arranges clinical sites.
Can I become a PNP in Kentucky without a BSN?
Not through an in-state program. Walden University’s online RN-to-MSN accepts nurses with a diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.