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
Verified program profiles (28)
See all 28 programs →Individual programs whose details we verified on the school's own website, each fact with a source.
| Program | School | Award / pathway | Format | Tuition (basis) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Accelerated Career Entry) | Drexel University | BSN, Accelerated BSN (ABSN) | On-campus | $13,728 per term |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Co-op) | Drexel University | BSN | On-campus | Not published |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | Drexel University | DNP, MSN-to-DNP | Online coursework | $1,182 per credit |
| MSN Nurse Practitioner: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan | Drexel University | MSN, FNP | Online coursework | $1,298 per credit |
| MSN Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric Mental Health | Drexel University | MSN, PMHNP | Online coursework | $1,298 per credit |
| RN to BSN Completion Program | Drexel University | BSN, RN-to-BSN | Online coursework | Not published |
Schools (128)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-State Career School | Essington, PA | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Alvernia University | Reading, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-Leadership, DNP | CCNE |
| Bucks County Community College | Newtown, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Butler County Community College | Butler, PA | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County | Scranton, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Carlow University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-WHNP, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-WHNP, DNP | CCNE, ACEN (candidate) |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, Doctorate-CRNA | CCNE, ACEN |
| Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology | Pleasant Gap, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit LPN Career | Milton, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Chester County Intermediate Unit | Downingtown, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Citizens School of Nursing | Tarentum, PA | Private nonprofit | RN Diploma | — |
| Clearfield County Career and Technology Center | Clearfield, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, PA | Public | ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP | ACEN |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Crawford County Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing Program | Meadville, PA | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| Delaware County Community College | Media, PA | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing Program | Broomall, 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.