Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Arkansas (Online & Campus) – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
FOLLOWING ARE THE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARKANSAS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Arkansas.)
1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Little Rock
Programs Offered: MNSc, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate
MNSc Specialties Offered: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Acute/Primary Dual Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
MNSc Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse who loves working with infants and children? Do you want a job with more autonomy, an opportunity to have a greater impact on patient outcomes? If so, I recommend considering the path of becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. There are several pathways available for RNs aspiring to become PNPs. For example, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers a Master of Nursing Science program with the option to specialize as an Acute Care or Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
The MNSc program admits new students twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters. The program is designed to be completed part-time, making it a good option for students who wish to continue working while in school or have other obligations. Additionally, the program combines online didactic instruction with some campus-based intensives and skills activities, along with clinical practicums in various settings specific to the acute or primary pediatric role.
Both the Primary Care and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MNSc pathways require students to complete 48 credits. Both pathways have shared courses such as Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing, and Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning. After completing core master’s courses, you will transition to specialty courses tailored to the acute care or primary care track. Students in both programs complete a minimum of 770 precepted clinical hours.
MNSc Admission Requirements: The MNSc program is open to applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited nursing program and a current, unencumbered Arkansas state or Compact State RN license. You must provide two letters of recommendation and transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities. A minimum GPA of 2.85 is required for regular admission. Students with a GPA of 2.5-2.84 may be considered for conditional admission. If you have previously attended any graduate program, you must provide a letter of good standing from that school. You may be asked to submit an admission essay and to participate in an interview with program faculty.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers a pathway for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and to specialize in acute or primary pediatric care in preparation for certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The program is available in a three- or four-year plan, allowing you to choose a schedule that best meets your needs. This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Arkansas admits students once per year in the fall semester.
The BSN-to-DNP program features a blended learning format combining online didactic coursework, asynchronous lectures, modules and assignments, virtual discussions, and case-based learning, along with mandatory on-campus clinical skills intensives and clinical rotations. As a student in the post-baccalaureate DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, you can choose to pursue one of three pathways: Acute Care PNP, Primary Care PNP, or Dual Acute/Primary Care PNP. The Acute Care and Primary Care PNP pathways each require 72 credit hours and 1,120 clinical hours. The Dual Acute/Primary PNP program requires a minimum of 78 credits and 1,500 practicum hours.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, you must have proof of an earned baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the ACEN or CCNE and have a current Arkansas or Compact State RN license. You need to complete a College of Nursing application and provide two letters of recommendation, proof of CPR certification through the American Heart Association, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools you attended. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you have already earned a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and are interested in gaining pediatric nurse practitioner certification, the Post-Graduate Certificate program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is a great option to consider. The program starts in the fall semester each year and takes an average of 18 months to complete on a part-time basis. The hybrid learning format combines online didactic instruction, campus-based intensives, and face-to-face clinicals.
Both the Acute Care and Primary Care NP Post-Graduate Certificate pathways feature an 18-credit curriculum plan that includes a minimum of 420 practicum hours. However, a GAP analysis is conducted for each student upon admission to determine if additional coursework or clinical hours are needed to complete the certificate. Once the GAP analysis is completed, your academic advisor will create an individualized plan for you, if needed.
Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the Post-Graduate Certificate program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, you must have a master’s or doctorate in nursing from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nursing program and have a current, unencumbered Arkansas RN license. Along with your application, you are required to submit a resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, a copy of your American Heart Association CPR certification, and transcripts from all colleges or universities you previously attended. Your transcripts should reflect a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, you may be asked to submit an admission essay and interview with program faculty.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• One of the most important parts of your nursing education experience will be your clinical experience. As a nurse educator, I encourage you to carefully consider prospective nursing schools by researching the types of clinical opportunities they offer. For instance, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences assures clinical placements for all students in its Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs. The school recruits clinical sites and preceptors, utilizing formal preceptor arrangements and contracts to ensure you have a broad range of learning opportunities with the most qualified pediatric providers.• The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is an academic health sciences university with a College of Nursing integrated into its broader medical education and health systems environment. This medical academic environment is especially appealing to prospective students seeking advanced practice in a clinically focused setting.
• One of the best ways to gauge the quality of a nursing program is by how well graduates perform following graduation. For example, all graduates of pediatric nurse practitioner programs must take and pass the PNP national certification exam before they can legally practice as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences reports a 100% pass rate for graduates of its Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in its most recent published data.
• In reviewing the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner pathways the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers, I was pleased to find entry points for nurses with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, and options to pursue a master’s, doctorate, or post-graduate certificate. Further, you can choose a Primary Care or Acute Care pathway if you pursue the Master of Nursing Science or Post-Graduate Certificate pathway. The DNP pathway offers both those pathways as well as a dual Primary/Acute Care PNP option.
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN ARKANSAS?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARKANSAS EXPECT?
| Hourly | $45.39 |
| Weekly | $1,816 |
| Monthly | $7,870 |
| Annual | $94,410 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN ARKANSAS EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $45.39 | $1,816 | $7,870 | $94,410 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.85 | $2,114 | $9,160 | $109,920 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $59.25 | $2,370 | $10,270 | $123,250 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $70.18 | $2,807 | $12,170 | $145,980 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $78.12 | $3,125 | $13,540 | $162,490 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS?
| Hourly | $61.50 |
| Weekly | $2,460 |
| Monthly | $10,660 |
| Annual | $127,910 |
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF ARKANSAS?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $61.63 | $2,465 | $10,680 | $128,180 |
| Fort Smith | $63.10 | $2,524 | $10,940 | $131,240 |
| Hot Springs | $63.53 | $2,541 | $11,010 | $132,140 |
| Jonesboro | $61.37 | $2,455 | $10,640 | $127,640 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $64.03 | $2,561 | $11,100 | $133,190 |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS VS. OTHER SALARIES
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Arkansas Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Average National Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $127,910 | $134,825 | -$6,915 | -5.13% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $173,570 | -$45,660 | -26.31% |
| Oregon | $152,970 | -$25,060 | -16.38% |
| New Jersey | $152,940 | -$25,030 | -16.37% |
| New York | $151,130 | -$23,220 | -15.36% |
| Massachusetts | $149,570 | -$21,660 | -14.48% |
| Washington | $149,440 | -$21,530 | -14.41% |
| Alaska | $146,430 | -$18,520 | -12.65% |
| District of Columbia | $143,830 | -$15,920 | -11.07% |
| New Mexico | $140,920 | -$13,010 | -9.23% |
| Rhode Island | $140,570 | -$12,660 | -9.01% |
| Hawaii | $140,330 | -$12,420 | -8.85% |
| Connecticut | $139,770 | -$11,860 | -8.49% |
| Arizona | $138,070 | -$10,160 | -7.36% |
| Vermont | $136,890 | -$8,980 | -6.56% |
| New Hampshire | $135,580 | -$7,670 | -5.66% |
| Nevada | $134,930 | -$7,020 | -5.20% |
| Utah | $134,590 | -$6,680 | -4.96% |
| Iowa | $134,470 | -$6,560 | -4.88% |
| Minnesota | $133,440 | -$5,530 | -4.14% |
| Montana | $132,850 | -$4,940 | -3.72% |
| Wisconsin | $132,720 | -$4,810 | -3.62% |
| Maine | $131,790 | -$3,880 | -2.94% |
| Oklahoma | $131,780 | -$3,870 | -2.94% |
| Idaho | $131,010 | -$3,100 | -2.37% |
| Maryland | $130,960 | -$3,050 | -2.33% |
| Delaware | $130,500 | -$2,590 | -1.98% |
| Michigan | $130,400 | -$2,490 | -1.91% |
| Wyoming | $130,290 | -$2,380 | -1.83% |
| Colorado | $130,150 | -$2,240 | -1.72% |
| Pennsylvania | $129,690 | -$1,780 | -1.37% |
| Nebraska | $129,340 | -$1,430 | -1.11% |
| Texas | $129,050 | -$1,140 | -0.88% |
| Missouri | $128,610 | -$700 | -0.54% |
| Illinois | $128,580 | -$670 | -0.52% |
| North Carolina | $128,510 | -$600 | -0.47% |
| Florida | $128,060 | -$150 | -0.12% |
| Arkansas | $127,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Virginia | $126,730 | +$1,180 | +0.93% |
| Georgia | $126,480 | +$1,430 | +1.13% |
| Kansas | $125,630 | +$2,280 | +1.81% |
| West Virginia | $124,490 | +$3,420 | +2.75% |
| Louisiana | $124,350 | +$3,560 | +2.86% |
| Indiana | $124,320 | +$3,590 | +2.89% |
| North Dakota | $124,090 | +$3,820 | +3.08% |
| Mississippi | $123,080 | +$4,830 | +3.92% |
| South Dakota | $122,900 | +$5,010 | +4.08% |
| Kentucky | $122,760 | +$5,150 | +4.20% |
| South Carolina | $121,930 | +$5,980 | +4.90% |
| Ohio | $120,690 | +$7,220 | +5.98% |
| Tennessee | $113,430 | +$14,480 | +12.77% |
| Alabama | $108,970 | +$18,940 | +17.38% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN ARKANSAS
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $198,540 | -$70,630 | -35.57% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $127,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,520 | +$46,390 | +56.91% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $67,790 | +$60,120 | +88.69% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $55,690 | +$72,220 | +129.68% |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,970 | +$93,940 | +276.54% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN ARKANSAS VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN ARKANSAS
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | 174,280 | -$46,370 | -26.61% |
| Pharmacist | 135,780 | -$7,870 | -5.80% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $127,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Optometrist | 125,460 | +$2,450 | +1.95% |
| Physician Assistant | 118,430 | +$9,480 | +8.00% |
| Veterinarian | 108,100 | +$19,810 | +18.33% |
| Occupational Therapist | 104,940 | +$22,970 | +21.89% |
| Audiologist | 101,580 | +$26,330 | +25.92% |
| Physical Therapist | 98,120 | +$29,790 | +30.36% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | 90,490 | +$37,420 | +41.35% |
| Radiation Therapist | 90,030 | +$37,880 | +42.07% |
| Dental Hygienist | 85,660 | +$42,250 | +49.32% |
| Chiropractor | 76,900 | +$51,010 | +66.33% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs In Arkansas?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Arkansas?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Hour In Arkansas?
| $61.50 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Week In Arkansas?
| $2,460 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Month In Arkansas?
| $10,660 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Year In Arkansas?
| $127,910 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners In Arkansas?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +61.33% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a seasoned nurse, educator, and healthcare writer whose career spans nearly three decades of clinical practice, academic instruction, curriculum development, and student mentorship. Based in Louisiana, Darby has always sought to bring the warmth, resilience, and cultural richness of her home state into every aspect of her work—whether teaching future nurses, supporting families through vulnerable moments, guiding students toward success on the NCLEX, or providing insight about top nursing programs and tips for success.
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