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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South College | Knoxville, TN | Private for-profit | CNA, LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, RN-MSN, Post-Master's-FNP, DNP, DNP-Leadership, MSN-DNP, Doctorate-CRNA, BSN-DNP | CCNE, COA |
| Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center | Springville, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | Public | BSN, DNP | CCNE |
| The Rapha School | Home, PA | Private for-profit | CNA, LPN/LVN | — |
| Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN, MSN, MSN-CNM, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-CNM, DNP, DNP-CNM, DNP-CRNA, BSN-DNP, PhD | CCNE, COA |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-AGACNP, MSN-CNM, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-WHNP, Direct-Entry MSN, Grad Cert, DNP-CRNA, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, PhD, PhD-CRNA, PhD-Leadership | CCNE, COA, ACME |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford, PA | Public | ADN, BSN | ACEN |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | Public | BSN, MSN, Grad Cert, Grad Cert-Public Health, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-CNM, DNP-CNS, Doctorate-CRNA, PhD | CCNE |
| University of Pittsburgh-Titusville | Titusville, PA | Public | ADN | — |
| University of Scranton | Scranton, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, DNP, Doctorate-CRNA | CCNE |
| UPMC Jameson School of Nursing | New Castle, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| UPMC Mercy School of Nursing | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | ACEN |
| UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| Venango County Area Vocational Technical School | Oil City, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Villanova University | Villanova, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Washington Health System School of Nursing | Washington, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| Waynesburg University | Waynesburg, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-Leadership, Grad Cert, DNP | CCNE |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | — |
| Western Area Career & Technology Center | Canonsburg, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
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.