Accelerated BSN Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)

2 accelerated BSN programs for Pennsylvania career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Pennsylvania ABSN students

  • 2 accelerated BSN programs in our Pennsylvania directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Pennsylvania: 11 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition: $45,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Pennsylvania earn $90,830/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Pennsylvania is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — an RN license issued here can authorize practice in other compact states.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Pennsylvania

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Pennsylvania. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Pennsylvania students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Pennsylvania nursing program hub for related pathways.

2

ABSN Programs

11 mo

Fastest Option

$45,000

Lowest Tuition

$91K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Pennsylvania

2 accelerated BSN programs — 1 on-campus or hybrid, 1 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

2 accelerated BSN programs in our Pennsylvania directory (13 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Pennsylvania BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 13 Pennsylvania BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 11 months (Drexel University, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 13 of 13 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Pennsylvania programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Drexel UniversityBSNOnline11—
University of PittsburghBSNOn Campus15$45,000
Herzing UniversityBSNOn Campus36$60,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
University of PittsburghBSNOn Campus48$120,000
University of PennsylvaniaBSNOn Campus48$240,000
Villanova UniversityBSNOn Campus48$220,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lists 2 accelerated tracks against 13 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 11 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Pennsylvania hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Pennsylvania earning an average of $90,830 per year and 4.8% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Pennsylvania participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an ABSN graduate who passes the NCLEX-RN and is licensed in Pennsylvania can practice in any of the other compact member states without applying for separate licensure — useful for career changers who anticipate relocating after graduation.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Pennsylvania

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Pennsylvania hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Pennsylvania, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Pennsylvania: $45,000 total. Ask Pennsylvania hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Pennsylvania ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Pennsylvania?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Pennsylvania students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Pennsylvania, the fastest option is 11 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Pennsylvania schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 13 Pennsylvania BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 11 months (Drexel University). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 0.9 years in Pennsylvania?
The shortest listed Pennsylvania BSN pathway in our directory is 11 months (0.9 years) at Drexel University. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Pennsylvania?
Drexel University and University of Pittsburgh — 2 institutions, 2 accelerated tracks listed for Pennsylvania, the quickest 11 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Pennsylvania board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with 30 CE contact hours required.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Pennsylvania?
Among ABSN programs listed for Pennsylvania, total tuition ranges from $45,000 to $45,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Pennsylvania?
Partly. 1 of the 2 tracks listed for Pennsylvania is flagged primarily online, at Drexel University; the other 1 runs campus-based or hybrid.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Pennsylvania?
For career changers in Pennsylvania, the math is favorable. RNs in Pennsylvania earn an average of $90,830 per year (BLS May 2024), with 4.8% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Pennsylvania hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, and the licence travels: Pennsylvania is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Pennsylvania multistate licence is accepted across every other compact state without a second application.

Pennsylvania Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

30 hours

NLC Compact

Yes — multi-state license

Source: Pennsylvania Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$90,830 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

Nearby States

DelawareMarylandNew JerseyNew YorkOhioWest Virginia

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