Campus & online schools
Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania: Campus & Online Programs (2026)
18 nursing schools have campuses in Pennsylvania, plus accredited online programs open to residents. Compare programs accepting applications below.
- Campus schools
- 18
- Located in Pennsylvania
- Online schools
- 39
- Enroll residents
- Average RN salary
- $90,830
- BLS
Programs accepting applications
Pennsylvania programs accepting applications
Programs currently enrolling Pennsylvania residents. Our own ranking of Pennsylvania schools follows below.
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Pennsylvania has 18 campus-based nursing schools plus 39 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). University of Pittsburgh leads the in-state list with a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Registered nurses in Pennsylvania earn about $90,830/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.
Key takeaways — nursing schools in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania has 18 campus-based nursing schools and 39 accredited online programs available to residents.
- University of Pittsburgh leads the in-state list, with a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate.
- Registered nurses in Pennsylvania earn an average of $90,830 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling — it is the baseline for federal financial aid, NCLEX eligibility, and graduate nursing study.
- Online pre-licensure programs must hold Pennsylvania Board of Nursing approval and arrange in-state clinical placements — verify both before enrolling.
Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Nursing schools with a campus in Pennsylvania, ranked by NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and program quality.
| Rank | School | NCLEX Pass Rate | Acceptance Rate | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Pittsburgh | 92% | — | CCNE | View School |
| #2 | Villanova University | 92% | — | CCNE | View School |
| #3 | Bucks County Community College | N/A | 96% | ACEN | View School |
| #4 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #5 | Community College of Allegheny County | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #6 | Community College of Philadelphia | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #7 | Drexel University | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #8 | Duquesne University School of Nursing | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #9 | Harrisburg Area Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #10 | Lehigh Carbon Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #11 | Millersville University – Wehrheim School of Nursing | N/A | — | CNEA | View School |
| #12 | Montgomery County Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #13 | Northampton Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #14 | Penn State World Campus | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #15 | Reading Area Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| #16 | South College – Pittsburgh | N/A | — | — | View School |
| #17 | University of Pennsylvania | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| #18 | Wilkes University | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
Find Pennsylvania nursing schools near you
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Online Nursing Programs Available to Pennsylvania Residents
These accredited schools are based outside Pennsylvania but enroll Pennsylvania residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and Pennsylvania Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.
How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
We separate schools with a physical campus in Pennsylvania from accredited online programs that enroll Pennsylvania residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from Pennsylvania. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.
Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.
What to Look for in a Pennsylvania Nursing School
The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.
Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.
Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in Pennsylvania often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside Pennsylvania, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within Pennsylvania and is approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.
Nursing Career Outlook in Pennsylvania
Registered nurses in Pennsylvania earn an average of $90,830 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. Pennsylvania is expected to see strong demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and home health settings.
BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Pennsylvaniaoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.