Skip to content

Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania has 329 nursing programs across 86 cities. 117 programs report NCLEX pass rates, averaging 92%. Below are the top-ranked programs based on NCLEX performance, tuition, and program type.

Search all Pennsylvania programsAll states
329
Total programs
6
Program types
92%
Avg NCLEX rate
117
With NCLEX data

Top BSN Programs in Pennsylvania by NCLEX Pass Rate

Ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate. Data sourced from state boards of nursing.

1
2
3
4
5
University of Pennsylvania — BSN Program
BSN•Philadelphia, PA•$248,000
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
University of Pittsburgh — BSN Program
BSN•Pittsburgh, PA•$88,000
18
19
20

Top ADN, ABSN, MSN & DNP Programs in Pennsylvania by NCLEX Pass Rate

Non-BSN programs ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

1
2
Cedar Crest College — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Allentown, PA•$44,934
3
4
5
6
University of Pennsylvania — RN to BSN
RN_TO_BSN•Philadelphia, PA•$248,000
7
8
University of Pennsylvania — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Philadelphia, PA•$248,000
9
10
11
12
13
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Indiana, PA•$11,380 in / $16,297 out
14
15
Duquesne University — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Pittsburgh, PA•$47,146
16
17
West Chester University of Pennsylvania — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•Exton, PA•$10,687 in / $22,511 out
18
19
20

Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania by Type

ADN
32 programs
Avg NCLEX: 91%
View ADN in Pennsylvania→All states
BSN
59 programs
Avg NCLEX: 91%
View BSN in Pennsylvania→All states
ABSN
22 programs
Avg NCLEX: 93%
View ABSN in Pennsylvania→All states
RN to BSN
21 programs
Avg NCLEX: 94%
View RN to BSN in Pennsylvania→All states
MSN
42 programs
Avg NCLEX: 94%
View MSN in Pennsylvania→All states
DNP
83 programs
Avg NCLEX: 93%
View DNP in Pennsylvania→All states

Most Affordable Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

Sorted by lowest available tuition figure (total program or annual in-state).

Community College of Allegheny County
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$4,842 in / $12,583 out
Bucks County Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,021 in / $13,421 out
Bucks County Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$5,021 in / $13,421 out
Bucks County Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • CERT
$5,021 in / $13,421 out
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,215 in / $13,205 out
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$5,215 in / $13,205 out
Northampton County Area Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,310 in / $14,730 out
Northampton County Area Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$5,310 in / $14,730 out
Butler County Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,610 in / $11,700 out
Butler County Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • CERT
$5,610 in / $11,700 out

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing schools are in Pennsylvania?

There are 329 nursing programs in Pennsylvania, spanning 32 ADN, 59 BSN, 22 ABSN, 21 RN to BSN, 42 MSN, 83 DNP programs.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Pennsylvania?

Based on 117 programs with reported data, the average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in Pennsylvania is 92%. The highest rate is 100% at King's College.

What is the cheapest nursing school in Pennsylvania?

The most affordable option is Community College of Allegheny County (ADN) at $4,842 in / $12,583 out.

Want personalized rankings? Complete the intake portal to see match scores tailored to your GPA, exam scores, and preferences.