Pennsylvania Nursing Schools And Programs

Pennsylvania pairs a deep bench of nursing programs with one of the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates in the country. This guide walks through the strongest programs, how to get licensed, and what nurses earn here.

The Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania hosts many of the state's top nursing programs, with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees plus a dual-degree option and several post-master's certificates. Most MSN tracks require a minimum of 12 courses, with a five-year limit to finish.

• Program(s): MSN, including eight specialty nurse practitioner tracks, nurse-midwifery, health leadership, and nursing and healthcare administration
• Campus: Philadelphia, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): CCNE, ACME, COA
• Tuition: $52,508 per year
• Admission Requirements: BSN from an accredited institution with a statistics course; minimum 3.0 GPA; no GRE required; prior RN work specific to each clinical area of study
• Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.8%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $109,193 for master's graduates (College Scorecard)

Messiah University, a private Christian school, runs an online RN-to-BSN program built for working RNs with an associate degree. Clinical requirements can be met at the student's place of employment. The course load runs nine credits of prerequisites, 30 core credits, 53 transfer credits, and 28 adult general education credits.

• Program(s): RN-to-BSN
• Campus: Mechanicsburg, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $51,050 per year
• Admission Requirements: Official transcripts; ADN from an accredited program with minimum 2.5 GPA; active, unencumbered RN license
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,631 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

York College of Pennsylvania, two hours from both Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, offers BSN and MSN tracks. Students can earn up to 51 credits for prior nursing knowledge and experience and transfer up to 75 credits from an ADN program. Credits can also come from CLEP exams.

• Program(s): BSN
• Campus: York, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $19,415 per year
• Admission Requirements: Cumulative 3.0 GPA; 2.8 GPA in science courses; 2.0 GPA in nursing prerequisites
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $67,954 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Geneva College, a private Christian college, runs a dual-degree program where students earn an associate of nursing from the Community College of Beaver County and a BSN from Geneva.

• Program(s): RN-to-BSN
• Campus: Beaver Falls, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): NLN CNEA
• Tuition: $41,840 per year
• Admission Requirements: High school transcripts and standardized testing (SAT, ACT)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82%

The University of Pittsburgh offers a DNP with part- and full-time tracks for clinical nurse specialist, health systems, executive leadership, nurse anesthesia, nurse-midwife, and nurse practitioner, alongside MSN, RN-to-BSN, BSN, and second-degree BSN.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, RN-to-BSN, DNP, certificates
• Campus: Pittsburgh, PA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: DNP $33,558 per year in-state; $38,618 per year out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: DNP requires GRE scores, three recommendation letters, a personal essay, a current CV or resume, and complete graduate and undergraduate transcripts
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,790 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Chatham University runs a Pathways to Nursing program with UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, including BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, and BSN-to-DNP tracks. Its MSN is fully online and built for working nurses, with eleven 15-week courses.

• Program(s): BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, BSN-to-DNP
• Campus: Pittsburgh, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $27,126 per year
• Admission Requirements: 3.0 undergraduate GPA, official transcripts, current resume or CV, current RN license, admissions essay
• On-Campus Requirements: None
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,471 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

The University of Scranton offers baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. Of the current faculty, 88% hold terminal degrees, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.

• Program(s): BSN, MSN, DNP
• Campus: Scranton, PA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $48,062 per year for undergraduates
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.5%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $90,769 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Penn State Beaver offers an RN-to-BSN in partnership with Penn State Shenango, with part- or full-time scheduling, hybrid and online instruction, and evening courses. Applicants can submit a portfolio for up to 33 credits of professional experience. MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are also available.

• Program(s): RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, APRN certificate
• Campus: Monaca, PA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $25,974 per year in-state; $34,836 per year non-resident
• On-Campus Requirements: Optional
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,419 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Penn State Abington runs a hybrid RN-to-BSN with seven-week accelerated courses and evening classes for those who work during the day.

• Program(s): RN-to-BSN
• Campus: Abington, PA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): CCNE
• Tuition: $592 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements: 2.0 GPA; diploma or ADN
• On-Campus Requirements: Hybrid
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,419 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Somerset County Technology Center runs a one-year practical nursing program covering care across the lifespan in a range of settings.

• Program(s): Practical nursing
• Campus: Somerset, PA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Middle States Association, Commission on Secondary Schools
• Admission Requirements: 18 years or older; graduate of an accredited high school or GED program; passing TEAS score; complete application and references
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Pennsylvania

Weigh tuition and total cost, the school's NCLEX-RN pass rate (a strong proxy for how well it prepares students), program logistics, clinical placement options, graduation rate, and acceptance rate. Every program in this guide is accredited.

Why Become a Nurse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania programs post the eighth highest first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 91.7%, against a national rate of 86.6%. That gap is a good sign these programs prepare students well for entry-level practice. Pennsylvania is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a license here works as a multistate license.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Pennsylvania

As of 2020, RNs in Pennsylvania earned a median $72,970, slightly under the national median of $75,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nurse practitioners earned a median $104,020, compared with $111,680 nationally. The lowest 10% of RNs earned about $53,910 and the top 10% about $99,870. Experience, education, setting, responsibilities, certifications, and geography all move the number.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Pennsylvania

Every state's license requires a nursing degree, a passing NCLEX-RN, and a background check. Graduate from a Pennsylvania program and you apply for a license by examination. Graduate from out of state and you apply by endorsement.

RN Requirements

First, graduate from an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). An ADN takes about two years and a BSN about four. The BSN is the more versatile credential: many employers require or prefer it for higher-level roles, and it sets you up for an MSN to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

After graduating, apply to the state board of nursing and register for the NCLEX-RN. If you attended a Pennsylvania program, your application should include the state criminal history record check (CHRC); if not, submit it separately. You also need at least three credit hours in recognizing and reporting child abuse from an approved provider.

APRN Requirements

APRNs include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. You need an MSN or a DNP, a passing score on the applicable board certification exam, a completed CHRC, and a license from the state board of nursing. The requirements also include at least three credit hours in recognizing and reporting child abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Pennsylvania

An ADN takes about two years and a BSN about four. A new Pennsylvania license can take up to 12 weeks to process, though the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing publishes guidance on speeding it up.

As of 2020, the median RN salary was $72,970, with the lowest 10% near $53,910 and the top 10% near $99,870, according to the BLS.

Pennsylvania joined the NLC in July 2021. A Pennsylvania license now works as a multistate license across the more than 40 states and territories in the compact, and nurses from member states can practice in Pennsylvania.

Financial aid includes scholarships, grants, and loans. Commit to work in a designated underserved area after graduation and you may qualify for scholarships or loan forgiveness. Working Pennsylvania nurses are also eligible for some assistance programs.