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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| Westminster College | New Wilmington, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN | — |
| Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Widener University | Chester, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, Post-Master's-FNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Wilson College | Chambersburg, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-CNM | — |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-Leadership, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
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.