Maryland has two in-state pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) programs, both based in Baltimore and both consistently top-ranked: the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
Both are doctoral-entry only — neither offers a terminal MSN — so a nurse who wants a master’s-level PNP in Maryland has to look online.
Two factors decide most applications here.
First, cost: Johns Hopkins is private and charges a flat ~$156K–$159K regardless of residency, while University of Maryland runs about $92,858 at the resident rate — and reclassifies out-of-state students as in-state after one year, sharply limiting the premium.
Second, care focus and structure: Hopkins offers primary care or a combined primary/acute dual track on a fixed three-year full-time cohort; Maryland offers separate acute or primary tracks with flexible three-, four-, or five-year plans.
Weigh these in order: cost, care focus (standalone acute vs. dual certification), schedule flexibility (full-time cohort vs. part-time options), and entry point (BSN vs. already-graduate).
Quick Overview
| School | Est. Cost (Rounded) | High-Level Program Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins | DNP Primary Care: ~$156K DNP Dual Primary/Acute: ~$159K | – Online with required onsite immersions; – 3-year full-time cohort (no part-time option) – Doctoral entry only; – Private flat rate whether in-state or out-of-state – 1,000 practice hours (primary) / ~1,120 (dual) – placements via a Clinical Placement Team; – top-ranked |
| University of Maryland | BSN-DNP (acute or primary): $93K Post-Master’s DNP: $45K Postdoctoral Certificate: $40K (est.) | – Blended face-to-face plus online; – flexible 3-, 4-, or 5-year plans – Doctoral entry; – Resident rate ~$926/credit; – 1,080 clinical hours (855 direct patient care + 225 other) – Placements at children’s hospitals across MD, DC, PA, and DE |
Best Maryland PNP Programs by Goal
Best Overall Program: University of Maryland — comparable ranking and the same CCNE accreditation as Hopkins at roughly 60% of the cost, with flexible scheduling and a named children’s-hospital placement network. Johns Hopkins remains the stronger pick if brand prestige or dual certification is the priority.
Best Value: University of Maryland — about $92,858 resident versus Hopkins’ ~$156K, and out-of-state students drop to the resident rate after year one.
Best Pediatric Acute Care Option: University of Maryland — the only school offering a standalone acute care DNP track. Hopkins prepares acute care only within its dual track.
Best Pediatric Primary Care Option: Both offer it — University of Maryland for value and scheduling flexibility, Johns Hopkins for the cohort model and brand.
Best Dual Acute + Primary Care: Johns Hopkins — the only Maryland program with a combined primary/acute track leading to both certifications.
Best for Working Nurses: University of Maryland — three-, four-, or five-year plans (about 45% of students take the five-year route). Hopkins is full-time only, with no part-time option.
Best for Already-Graduate Nurses: University of Maryland — offers a Post-Master’s DNP and a postdoctoral certificate. Hopkins has no completion path for master’s-prepared nurses.
Best Clinical Placement Support: University of Maryland — individually tailored placements at named children’s hospitals in four states. Hopkins coordinates through a placement team but cannot place clinicals in Louisiana or New York.
DNP Programs in Maryland for Pediatric Nurses
Both in-state schools are doctoral programs, so this is where most of the decision happens. Hopkins splits into primary care and a dual track; Maryland splits into separate acute and primary tracks and adds a post-master’s completion route.
| School | DNP Program | Care Focus | Credits / Duration | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins | DNP, Primary Care | Primary care | 74.5 cr / 3 yr FT | ~$156K (flat) |
| Johns Hopkins | DNP, Dual Primary/Acute | Primary + acute | 76 cr / 3 yr FT | ~$159K (flat) |
| University of Maryland | BSN-DNP, Acute Care | Acute care | ≤80 cr / 3–5 yr | ~$92,858 (resident) |
| University of Maryland | BSN-DNP, Primary Care | Primary care | ≤80 cr / 3–5 yr | ~$92,858 (resident) |
| University of Maryland | Post-Master’s DNP Option | Doctoral completion | Gap analysis / ~4 yr | ~$44,451 (resident) |
Online DNP options (pediatric primary care):
- Maryville University — BSN-DNP (~$73,630–$76,615) and DNP-NP for MSN-prepared nurses (~$67,660–$70,645), 100% online with local clinicals.
- Walden University — DNP primary care with BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP entry (~$71,180–$76,415 with scholarship), with Practicum Pledge placement support.
MSN Programs in Maryland for Pediatric Nurses
Neither Johns Hopkins nor University of Maryland offers a terminal MSN PNP — both require doctoral entry. Maryland nurses who want a master’s-level credential, or a lower-cost and faster route, will need an online program.
Online MSN options:
- University of Texas at Arlington — online MSN PNP in primary care (~$26,814) or acute care (~$29,430) at a flat $654/credit, with multiple start dates. The lowest-cost MSN route and the only online option here with an acute care track.
- Walden University — MSN PNP primary care (~$45,295), ~2 years full-time.
- Maryville University — MSN PNP primary care (~$42,300), 20–32 months, six start dates per year.
Certificate Programs in Maryland for Pediatric Nurses
University of Maryland offers a postdoctoral certificate in pediatric acute or primary care; Johns Hopkins offers no certificate.
Note:This is a postdoctoral credential — applicants must already hold both a graduate nursing degree and a doctorate, which makes it narrower than a typical post-master’s certificate.
| School | Certificate | Care Focus | Credits / Duration | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland | Postdoctoral Certificate (requires existing doctorate) | Acute or primary care | 43 cr / individualized | ~$40K (est.) |
For master’s-prepared nurses who want a standard post-master’s certificate, online options are the practical route:
- University of Texas at Arlington — Post-Master’s Certificate in primary care (~$11,772–$13,080) or acute care (~$15,696), online with multiple start dates; final cost set by gap analysis.
- Walden University — Post-Master’s PNP Certificate (~$35,690), ~1.5 years.
- Maryville University — Post-Master’s PNP Certificate (~$31,500), 12–24 months.
Bottom Line
Choose University of Maryland if cost, scheduling flexibility, a standalone acute care track, or an already-graduate completion path matters — it delivers top-ranked, CCNE-accredited training at well under Hopkins’ price, with part-time plans and tailored hospital placements.
Choose Johns Hopkins if you want the dual primary/acute credential, the cohort experience, and the Hopkins brand — and the flat private tuition and full-time-only structure fit your situation.
Look to online programs like UTA, Walden, or Maryville when you want a master’s-level PNP (which neither Maryland school offers), a lower price, or more frequent start dates — UTA in particular offers an online acute care MSN that no in-state school matches. Rasmussen is not an option for Maryland residents due to state licensure rules.