Virginia has two in-state schools offering pediatric nurse practitioner programs: Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia. Together they cover both primary care and acute care preparation, with MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways available.
Estimated tuition spans roughly $29K to $109K depending on school, degree level, and residency status. Compare each school’s track options, online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Virginia PNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Old Dominion University Virginia Beach | Mostly Online | Once per semester | $672 cpc | MSN (primary care) | Lowest-cost, master’s-level route to CPNP-PC |
| University of Virginia Charlottesville | Hybrid | Once a month | $914 cpc | DNP, Certificate (primary & acute) | Acute care, a doctorate, or guaranteed in-state placement |
Which PNP Program Is the Better Fit?
Only In-State Acute Care Option
UVA is the only Virginia school with a PNP acute care track, offered at both the DNP and certificate level. ODU is primary care only and does not lead to CPNP-AC eligibility. If you intend to practice in a PICU, pediatric ED, or inpatient subspecialty, UVA is the only in-state path.
Better Fit for MSN Students
ODU is the state’s only master’s-level PNP program. UVA offers no MSN PNP pathway — its entry option is a BSN-to-DNP. Nurses who do not want a doctorate as their next step have one in-state choice.
Lower Estimated Tuition
ODU’s published per-credit rate is well below UVA’s, and its 44-credit program is roughly half the credit load of UVA’s DNP. Out-of-state applicants see the widest gap: ODU charges non-Virginia students $10 less per credit, while UVA’s non-resident rate is substantially higher than its resident rate.
Stronger Clinical Placement Support
UVA guarantees practicum placement inside Virginia and names its acute care rotation sites across six children’s hospitals in Virginia and Washington, D.C. ODU uses a middle-ground model: students identify sites, and a staffed coordinator secures the affiliation agreements. Neither guarantees out-of-state placement.
Virginia MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
One Virginia school offers a master’s-level PNP program. Old Dominion University’s MSN prepares graduates for the CPNP-PC exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. The program is delivered mostly online, with required campus attendance in Virginia Beach for simulation testing and a final comprehensive exam. No acute care option exists at the master’s level in Virginia.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Old Dominion University | Primary Care | $29K–$30K | Not clearly stated | 560 minimum |
Virginia DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
The University of Virginia is the only Virginia school offering a doctoral PNP pathway, with separate BSN-to-DNP tracks in primary care and acute care. Both share a 29-credit DNP core, nine elective credits, and 14 practicum credits; only the specialty sequence differs. Classes meet in Charlottesville about once a month, making this a regional program in practice.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Virginia | Primary Care | ~$67K in-state | 33 months full-time; 5–6 years part-time | 750 |
| University of Virginia | Acute Care | ~$67K in-state | 33 months full-time; 5–6 years part-time | 750 |
Virginia Post-Graduate Certificate PNP Programs
UVA offers post-professional certificates in both primary care and acute care. These are APRN-to-APRN programs: applicants must already hold advanced practice licensure and certification, plus graduate coursework in pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology. Delivery is executive hybrid, with students on Grounds roughly monthly. UVA does not publish credit totals for either certificate.
Other Online Options
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Maryville University offers 100% online PNP options for Virginia nurses across MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP-NP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks with six start dates per year. Built with no GRE requirement and local clinical placement flexibility, the programs require 750 clinical hours focused on health promotion, well-child visits, and pediatric condition management. Billed at $900 to $995 per credit hour, Maryville equips Virginia graduates for high national board certification pass rates while delivering master's or doctoral-level advanced practice training.
Purdue University PNP Programs
West Lafayette | $500 to $600 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / BSN to MSN
Purdue University’s School of Nursing invites Virginia registered nurses to enroll in its distance-friendly MS, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate Primary Care PNP tracks. Featuring affordable estimated tuition between $15,000 and $30,000, the programs pair online and hybrid coursework with 630 to 1,000+ supervised clinical hours spanning infant to young adult care. Virginia practitioners receive comprehensive preparation in pediatric pharmacotherapeutics, diagnostics, and system leadership while completing required clinical preceptorships in approved settings.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $915 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
Rasmussen University provides an MSN-NP and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) practice through an online competency-based format accessible to Virginia nurses. The curriculum combines online coursework in child health promotion and complex pediatric management with four local community-based practicums and a single on-campus weekend residency. Spanning 21 to 27 months with total estimated tuition and fees of $29,087 to $51,130, these CCNE-accredited tracks allow Virginia healthcare professionals to advance their credentials with no weekly deadlines.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / BSN to MSN
Walden University offers online DNP, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) practice designed to accommodate registered nurses living in Virginia. Delivered in a flexible quarter-credit format, the programs incorporate virtual skills labs, case-based reviews, and Practicum Pledge® support to assist Virginia students with field placement matching. With estimated total tuition ranging from ~$35,690 for the certificate to ~$76,415 for the DNP, Virginia RNs can gain specialized clinical training in child development, acute/chronic disease management, and advanced primary care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are in Virginia?
Two schools offer pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Virginia. Old Dominion University offers one MSN primary care track. The University of Virginia offers four: BSN-to-DNP primary care, BSN-to-DNP acute care, and post-professional certificates in each.
Does Virginia have an acute care PNP program?
Yes. The University of Virginia is the only in-state school with acute care tracks, available at both the DNP and post-professional certificate level. Graduates are prepared for the CPNP-AC exam through PNCB. ODU offers no acute care option.
Are any Virginia PNP programs fully online?
No. ODU is mostly online but requires Virginia Beach campus visits about once per semester plus an on-campus final comprehensive exam. UVA is hybrid, with in-person class in Charlottesville roughly monthly. Neither eliminates campus attendance.
Which Virginia school has the lowest estimated tuition?
Old Dominion University, at an estimated $29K–$30K for the MSN. UVA’s DNP tracks run approximately $67K in-state and $109K out-of-state. UVA certificate totals cannot be estimated because credit counts are unpublished ⚠️.
Which Virginia schools offer a DNP?
Only the University of Virginia offers a PNP doctorate, through BSN-to-DNP entry in primary care or acute care. ODU offers a post-master’s Advanced Practice DNP as a progression option, but intent must be declared before the final MSN semester.
Are campus visits required?
Yes at both schools. ODU requires simulation testing about once per semester and a proctored final exam in Virginia Beach. UVA requires monthly Charlottesville class days for DNP and certificate students. Budget for travel and lodging at either school.
Can students complete clinical hours locally?
Partly. ODU prefers sites in the student’s home community but does not guarantee placement. UVA guarantees placement inside Virginia only; out-of-state placement requires state authorization and faculty approval and is never guaranteed ⚠️. Out-of-state applicants should verify authorization before applying.