Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)

28 nursing programs at Pennsylvania schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Penn State World Campus's RN to BSN at $13,200 total. Online programs from 39 more out-of-state schools also enroll Pennsylvania residents, from $8,100.

Key takeaways for Pennsylvania tuition

  • Tuition at Pennsylvania schools and campuses ranges from $13,200 to $240,000 total.
  • Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.

Partner programs in Pennsylvania.

Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.

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Compare tuition and financial aid for Pennsylvania nursing programs

All 28 programs at Pennsylvania schools and campuses with published tuition, sorted low to high
ProgramTotal tuition
Penn State World CampusRN to BSNOnline · 18 months$13,200
Lincoln College of TechnologyLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months$18,000
Drexel UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months$20,850
Villanova UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months$21,750
Drexel UniversityMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months$25,020
Drexel UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months$25,020
Penn State World CampusMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months$27,720
Penn State World CampusMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 24 months$27,720
Drexel UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 30 months$31,275
Lincoln College of TechnologyADNOn Campus · 21 months$32,000
University of PittsburghMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months$35,000
Penn State World CampusDNPOnline · 36 months$36,960
Villanova UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months$38,700
University of PittsburghAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 15 months$45,000
Drexel UniversityDNPOnline · 36 months$45,000
Villanova UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months$48,375
University of PittsburghDNPHybrid · 36 months$55,000
Herzing UniversityBSN (Pre-Licensure)On Campus · 36 months$60,000
Villanova UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months$63,000
University of PennsylvaniaMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months$72,000
Drexel UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months$72,000
University of PennsylvaniaMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 24 months$86,000
University of PittsburghPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months$100,000
University of PennsylvaniaDNPOnline · 36 months$108,000
University of PittsburghBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months$120,000
University of PennsylvaniaPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months$180,000
Villanova UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months$220,000
University of PennsylvaniaBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months$240,000

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.

Cheapest online programs open to Pennsylvania residents

These schools are based outside Pennsylvania but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.

The 10 lowest online tuitions (one per school and credential), sorted low to high
ProgramTotal tuition
American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months$8,100
Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months$9,000
University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months$9,600
University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months$9,600
American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months$9,720
Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months$9,900
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months$10,200
Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months$10,400
Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months$10,570
University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months$10,800

See all online nursing programs for Pennsylvania residents →

Value check: at Pennsylvania’s average RN salary of $90,830/year, a program that gets you licensed and working typically pays for itself within 3 months — even when it isn’t the cheapest option on the list.

Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Pennsylvania

Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Pennsylvania is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.

Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Pennsylvania state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.

Measure payback, not price. At Pennsylvania’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.

Career Outlook for Pennsylvania Nurses

Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.

Job Growth (2022–2032)
4.8%

At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.

Avg Hourly Rate
$43.67

Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.

NP Practice Authority
reduced

Pennsylvania requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.

Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.

Already licensed? Next credentials for Pennsylvania nurses

Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Pennsylvania often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Pennsylvania include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Pennsylvania is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.

Related Pages

compare Pennsylvania nursing tuitionPennsylvania NCLEX pass ratesNursing scholarships in PennsylvaniaFastest Programs in PennsylvaniaAccelerated BSN in PennsylvaniaBest Schools in PennsylvaniaAll programs in PennsylvaniaOnline Programs in PennsylvaniaPrograms for working adults in PennsylvaniaRN-to-BSN in PennsylvaniaFNP programs in PennsylvaniaNursing Salary in Pennsylvania
How much does nursing school cost in Pennsylvania?
Across 28 nursing programs at Pennsylvania schools and campuses with listed total tuition, the lowest listed total is $13,200 as of 2026-08-21. Online programs from out-of-state schools that enroll Pennsylvania residents start at $8,100. RN-to-BSN bridge options are often among the lower totals; traditional BSN and graduate pathways cost more. Confirm net price with each school after aid. Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Pennsylvania with financial aid?
The lowest listed total tuition among nursing programs at Pennsylvania schools and campuses is $13,200. Online programs from out-of-state schools that enroll Pennsylvania residents start at $8,100. Accredited programs can qualify for federal aid through FAFSA. Ask each school for a net-price estimate rather than relying on a generic aid flag. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.
Are affordable nursing programs in Pennsylvania as good as expensive ones?
Price is not a quality ranking. Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates — NCSBN reported 86.7% nationally in 2025 (91.2% in 2024). ACEN or CCNE accreditation is the floor for federal aid and licensure eligibility, regardless of sticker price. Source: NCSBN, 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (first-time, U.S.-educated candidates). Last verified 2026-08-26.
How strong is the nursing job market in Pennsylvania?
Registered nurses in Pennsylvania earn an average of $90,830 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024). National median RN pay is $93,600 (May 2024). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Last verified 2026-07-12.
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Pennsylvania?
Prerequisite and admissions thresholds for Pennsylvania nursing programs vary by school. Among 68 programs with a published minimum GPA, cutoffs range from 2.00 to 3.60. Confirm current requirements with each program; fields without verified data are omitted here. Source: MyNursingSchools program directory admissions records as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.

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

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