Pennsylvania Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

The following guide contains information about and profiles on the nursing programs offered in Pennsylvania. The state’s colleges and universities feature a diverse menu of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs with concentrations in nurse education, nurse administration, family nurse practice, adult gerontology, and acute care, among many others. In addition to traditional nursing programs, prospective students may be interested in an online bachelor’s or master’s in nursing program.

Quick Facts

• 131 schools with nursing programs in Pennsylvania are in our database (see below).
• 84 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.¹
• 63 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.¹
• 42 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.¹
• 3 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.²
• 5 schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.³
• 13 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.⁴
• 8 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.⁴

Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania

Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

• Pennsylvania State University-University Park (#51 in-state, #58 out-of-state)
• Temple University (#91 in-state, #83 out-of-state)
• University of Pittsburgh (#43 in-state, #32 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

• Drexel University
• Duquesne University
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pennsylvania
• Villanova University

US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

• University of Pennsylvania (#4)
• University of Pittsburgh (#7)
• Pennsylvania State University-University Park (#26 tie)
• Villanova University (#46 tie)
• Duquesne University (#72 tie)
• Thomas Jefferson University (#85 tie)
• University of Scranton (#98 tie)
• Drexel University (#113 tie)
• Widener University (#131 tie)
• Robert Morris University (#155 tie)
• Gwynedd Mercy University (#160 tie)
• Messiah College (#190 tie)
• La Salle University (#197 tie)

US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

• University of Pittsburgh (#5 tie)
• Villanova University (#32 tie)
• Pennsylvania State University-University Park (#35)
• Duquesne University (#86 tie)
• Thomas Jefferson University (#109 tie)
• Drexel University (#128 tie)
• Widener University (#135 tie)
• Robert Morris University (#152 tie)

Following you will find more in-depth information about nursing degrees offered in Pennsylvania.

NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Pennsylvania nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx).

*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.^5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016.⁷ You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016.⁷ You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

Schools in Pennsylvania with Nursing Degrees

Associate’s in Nursing Programs

Harcum College
Harcum College’s Associate of Science in Nursing degree program is designed to prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become competent professional registered nurses. The admissions process is competitive and is based on such factors as completion of prerequisite courses, an acceptable score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), and appropriate background and medical clearances. Once accepted into the program, the degree requires 66 credits to complete. Fundamental courses include Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Nursing, Nursing Care of the Adult, and Holistic Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan. The AS in Nursing at Harcum College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Pennsylvania College of Technology
The Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program that provides two tracks of study, a practical nursing emphasis that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-PN and become practical nurses and a registered nursing emphasis that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and become registered nurses. The nursing faculty at PCT are master’s- and doctorally-prepared nurse educators with deep expertise in clinical practice. PCT also offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) which can be completed on two tracks: a traditional four-year program for those who are new to nursing and a “two plus two” program for those who have already earned an associate’s degree in nursing. The “two plus two” BSN completion program for currently working registered nurses can be completed online.

Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers an RN to BSN degree program that takes a leadership and health policy focus. Students also have the option to add in-depth study in other areas of healthcare through practicums. The 100% online RN to BSN program can be completed in as little as 18 months with full-time study; a part-time option is also available. Students complete courses in seven-week sessions that are designed to provide flexibility to working professionals. The program’s cohort model encourages students to build relationships and network with their peers as well as with Harrisburg University’s expert nursing faculty. In addition to 10 core courses, students will complete five experiential learning courses that provide hands-on learning, helping students apply nursing theory to real-world practice. In addition to earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduates of the program will be well-prepared for graduate study.

West Chester University
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at West Chester University have the necessary qualifications to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Eighty percent of graduates of the BSN program pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. Students take general college requirements and basic nursing courses in the freshmen and sophomore years of the four-year program before predominately focusing on nursing courses in the junior and senior years. Courses include labs and clinical practicums to allow for hands-on experience in a supervised setting, such as nursing homes, schools, and hospitals.

Temple University
Nursing majors at Temple University must complete 122 credits, generally over a four-year period, to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). General college coursework is typically completed in the first two years with the final two years predominately concentrated on the nursing curriculum. Courses focus on genetics and genomics, community home, primary and secondary care of the family, and perspectives on health. Academically eligible nursing majors may apply for the Nurse Scholars Program, which allows graduates to earn both a BSN and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in an adult nurse practitioner or a family nurse practitioner concentration. Current registered nurses, who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing, may want to opt for the nursing department’s RN to BSN program.

Master’s in Nursing Programs

Penn State University
Graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Penn State University choose from one of three concentrations: nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Graduates of the nurse practitioner track are generally eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners exams. Students may fulfill degree requirements on a full-time or a part-time basis. All graduate students, regardless of the track, complete nine core courses and a scholarly paper in addition to concentration-specific coursework.

York College of Pennsylvania
York College of Pennsylvania confers the Master of Science (MS) in Nursing in one of four concentrations: adult gerontology nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist, and nurse educator. The program prepares graduates for advanced nursing positions. The adult gerontology nurse practitioner track consists of 44 credits and more than 700 hours in clinical practicums. Students can fulfill degree requirements within two or three years on a part-time basis. The nurse anesthetist track requires 94 credits and 2,000 hours of clinical experience with students completing the program on a full-time basis over 32 months. The nurse educator track is part-time with students taking 39 credits and 224 clinical hours over a three-year period.

University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing offers several undergraduate degrees for students who want to pursue a nursing career. Students, who do not hold a bachelor’s degree, can opt for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nursing majors can minor in one of several areas, including multicultural global healthcare, health communications, health services management, and nutrition. The program also allows undergraduates to pursue dual degrees in economics or engineering. Incoming students, who already have a bachelor’s degree in another specialty, may choose between the BSN Second Degree Program or the BSN to MSN, the latter of which results in both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing. The BSN Second Degree Program features an accelerated format, which allows students to apply for the MSN program following their first clinical experience. Graduates of the BSN will have the necessary qualifications to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), resulting in earning status as a registered nurse. Penn also offers a Direct Entry BSN to MSN program. Students can complete the BSN components, gain licensure, and work part-time as a registered nurse while completing the MSN in one of more than a dozen areas, including family nurse practitioner, pediatric critical care nurse practitioner, and women’s health care nurse practitioner.

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Drexel University
3141 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
https://drexel.edu/

Student Review: “I attended Drexel University from 2007 till 2013. I enjoyed the program there very much. Drexel has two campuses, the medical one being further downtown than the University City location. First-year students live on campus and the student housing dorms are all in University City so the commute to the medical campus was not expected when I was a Freshman. Yes, my core courses were all on the main campus but anything within the medical school is on the other campus. After freshman year, I moved to a more appropriate location for my class schedule. Nobody told me this in advance, that is why I mention it now in this review. Otherwise, Drexel was a great school. It was demanding and really pushed me to be the best I can be. The nursing students really stick together because it is such different academic program then design or engineering (both very popular programs at Drexel). Their whole intern program opens doors to career paths for students and really helps you learn what kind of nurse you want to be. Drexel’s nursing program is a very tough one but well worth the work. My degree from such a well-known institution opens doors for me in my career all the time.” – Student at Drexel University

Franklin County Career and Technology Center
2463 Loop Rd
Chambersburg, PA 17202
https://www.franklinctc.com/

Student Review: “The Franklin County Vocational Technical School – Practical Nursing Program was one of the best, yet toughest experiences of my life. It was a very challenging program to complete. However, it did prepare me for my lifelong career as well as to enable me to apply the many experiences that I had while attending nursing school. My instructors were extremely knowledgeable and helpful with whatever situation was at hand. At the time of my graduation, we had been instructed and taught as much information as the registered nursing program. Our school was ranked in the top 10 in the United States. Our program consisted of 3 levels. Level one was all classroom and lab work. Level two was half classroom and half hospital experience and level three was half classroom and half nursing home experience. During level two, we had the chance to rotate throughout the various departments within the hospital, such as the Emergency room, Operating room, Labor & Delivery, etc. Overall, this was a great experience for me.” – Student at Franklin County Vocational Technical School

Indiana University of Pennsylvania
1011 South Dr
Indiana, PA 15705
https://www.iup.edu/

Student Review: “I graduated with a BS in Nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and it prepared me for a career as a registered nurse. This was a state school, I go a well-rounded education. The first year was the easiest since all my classes were liberal studies. My sophomore year is when my clinical started. The one thing I disliked was I had to drive from Indiana to Pittsburgh twice a week for my clinical. This is costly for a college person with no extra income. Throughout the last six semesters, clinical experiences in patient care are provided in acute and long-term care facilities as well as community settings.” – Student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University
700 S High St
West Chester, PA 19382
https://www.wcupa.edu/

Student Review: “The Nursing Department at West Chester University provided the students with a very challenging, but also extremely rewarding program. This program was known to be one of the most difficult majors at the university, with important tests that required extensive studying combined with proper judgment and decision-making abilities, semester-long involvement in writing the intimidating term papers, and of course the clinical rotations. However, nothing stands out more than the clinical experiences you have as a nursing student. The valuable hands-on experience that you get to experience at different sites and specialties (such as pediatrics, maternity/labor & delivery, developmentally disabled schools, geriatrics, etc) was a great way to use the knowledge we worked so hard to learn in lectures, and consequently make a difference to our very first patients.” – Student at West Chester University

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/Board-Approved-Nursing-Education-Programs.aspx