Top Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
This page lists 127 schools in Pennsylvania that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 41 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 25 associate degree (ADN), 64 bachelor's (BSN), 39 master's and 27 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 63 public, 54 private nonprofit and 10 private for-profit. 69 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Pittsburgh (10), Philadelphia (9), Scranton (6) and Erie (4).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (128)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeSales University | Center Valley, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center | Johnstown, PA | Private for-profit | RN Diploma | ACEN |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Grad Cert, Post-Master's, DNP, MSN-DNP | CCNE |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-Leadership, PhD | CCNE |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg, PA | Public | BSN | ACEN |
| Eastern Center for Arts and Technology | Willow Grove, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Eastern University | Saint Davids, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN | CCNE |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN | — |
| Falcon Institute of Health and Science | Bethlehem, PA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program | Uniontown, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Fortis Institute-Scranton | Scranton, PA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Franklin County Career and Technology Center | Chambersburg, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-CRNA, MSN-FNP, Grad Cert, DNP | CCNE |
| Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine | Scranton, PA | Private nonprofit | ADN | — |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN | — |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie, PA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center | Johnstown, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Greene County Career and Technology Center | Waynesburg, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Grove City College | Grove City, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN | ACEN |
Before you apply in Pennsylvania
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Pennsylvania. See online coursework and clinical requirements.