Best Nursing Programs And Schools In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania graduates strong nurses and employs a lot of them. From 2023 to 2024, 94 percent of the state's registered nursing students passed the NCLEX on the first try, per the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing, and Pennsylvania ranks among the top 10 states for active RN licenses. This guide covers the leading graduate nursing programs in the state, what to look for in a program, and how to qualify.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania

The schools below are accredited and offer MSN and doctoral pathways. Verify current tuition and program details directly with each school, since this list was last reviewed before 2025.

Pennsylvania State University, College of Nursing

Penn State enrolls more nursing students than any other school in the state, with more than 2,500 students a year across its campuses. It houses the John A. Hartford Center, a mark of excellence in geriatric nursing, and has a long record of high pass rates in its nurse practitioner programs. Funding support is available to many students depending on circumstances.

• Campus: University Park, plus Abington, Altoona, Erie, Harrisburg, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Worthington Scranton, and others
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN, CCNE
• Tuition: Available on request
• Financial aid and scholarships: Available
• Time: About 650 clinical hours and 45 credit hours
• Online: No
• Requirements: Baccalaureate degree, license to practice in Pennsylvania
• Programs: ADN, BS, MSN, PhD, DNP

Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions

A Philadelphia program offering MSN tracks since 1890, including Acute Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, Family, and Pediatrics, plus a dual Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care option. The college emphasizes technology, and many courses run online for students who can't travel to campus.

• Campus: Philadelphia
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: Available on request
• Financial aid: Available if you take more than one course per semester
• Scholarships: Yes
• Time: 800 clinical hours and 57 credit hours, completed within seven years
• Online: Yes
• Requirements: Baccalaureate nursing major from an accredited program
• Programs: MSN, nurse anesthesia, NP

Carlow University

A private Catholic university serving students from many backgrounds, from career-starters to doctoral candidates. The MSN offers generalized or specialized tracks based on student preference and sets up further study toward a doctorate.

• Campus: Greensburg, Cranberry, and Oakland
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $900 per credit
• Financial aid and scholarships: Yes
• Time: 50 credit hours and 600 clinical hours
• Online: Yes
• Requirements: BSN and a current nursing license
• Programs: MSN, MSN-MBA, DNP

PennWest Clarion (formerly Clarion University)

A mostly online MSN, with the classroom coursework delivered electronically so students can work around their schedules. Clinical placements or internships supply the required hands-on credits. The program has posted consistently high pass rates and has been recognized for online education by national rankings.

• Campus: Online
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: In line with Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education rates
• Financial aid and scholarships: Available
• Time: Coursework available on demand; clinical hours required
• Online: Most coursework is online
• Requirements: Current Pennsylvania nursing license
• Programs: ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP

Duquesne University, School of Nursing

A Pittsburgh program with online graduate MSN tracks. Some require a short campus stay, but most theory and coursework can be done from home, with clinical placements for the practical hours. Courses run full or part time.

• Campus: Pittsburgh
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: 30 percent discount available to practicing nurses
• Financial aid: Yes, including the Nurse Faculty Loan Program
• Scholarships: Yes
• Time: Completed within five years
• Online: Yes
• Requirements: Baccalaureate degree and a current nursing license
• Programs: MSN, PhD, DNP

Applying to a Nursing Program

The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing issues RN licenses to graduates of board-approved programs, and the schools above are board-approved. Specific requirements vary by school and degree, but expect the following.

• Admission materials: Official high school or college transcripts, completed prerequisites, standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and a personal statement
• GPA: 3.0 for undergraduate RN applicants; 2.0 to 2.5 for RNs pursuing advanced degrees
• Other: For graduate programs, at least one year of nursing experience plus proof of an active RN license and nursing degree

Why Accreditation Matters

Pennsylvania's board does not require RN students to attend a nationally accredited school to sit for the NCLEX, but accreditation still carries real weight. It signals that a program meets the standards of bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Accredited programs improve your odds of passing the boards, make you eligible for financial aid, and let you transfer credits to other accredited schools. Every program in this guide is accredited.

Common Questions

You can become an RN in Pennsylvania with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), which takes about two years, or a BSN, which takes about four. The ADN is the fastest route, though part-time enrollment or retaken classes can extend it. After graduation you apply for licensure immediately. A BSN costs more time but opens more career options. The right degree depends on your goals.