University of Pennsylvania vs The Rapha School
CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| University of Pennsylvania Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | The Rapha School Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | CERT | CERT |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Philadelphia, PA | Home, PA |
| Length | 12 months | 12 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 98% | — |
| Acceptance rate | 5.9% | 38.5%BEST |
| Avg accepted GPA | 3.9 | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | Not required | — |
| Total tuition | $66,104 | $21,120BEST |
| In-state tuition | $66,104 | — |
| Out-of-state tuition | $66,104 | — |
| Clinical placement | arranged | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or The Rapha School?
The Rapha School is the more affordable option at roughly $21,120, compared to $66,104. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are University of Pennsylvania and The Rapha School the same type of program?
Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between University of Pennsylvania and The Rapha School?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.