Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

Messiah University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares you for a fulfilling career as a registered nurse. The curriculum blends rigorous liberal arts and sciences with Christian faith, emphasizing compassion and patient care. You'll learn in state-of-the-art simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins and complete clinical rotations at top regional hospitals like Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. The program boasts a 97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate and is accredited by the CCNE. Beyond the classroom, you can join the Nurses Christian Fellowship, participate in evidence-based research, or travel abroad for international nursing opportunities. Graduates pursue roles in acute care, community health, or advanced degrees. With a strong job placement record, Messiah's BSN consistently ranks among Pennsylvania's best.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 97.3% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Named a Nursing College of Distinction
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• Clinical placements at top hospitals
• International nursing opportunities available
• Nurses Christian Fellowship weekly Bible study

Reading Area Community College's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares you for entry-level practice as a registered nurse. The curriculum covers the nursing process, chronic and acute care across the lifespan, clinical nursing skills, and professionalism. You'll learn through simulation, instructor-guided clinical experiences, and small group settings. Choose between a day or evening program option, both completing in two years. Clinical rotations take place at multiple healthcare agencies in the Reading area. The program is accredited by ACEN and boasts high job placement rates. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and can pursue RN-BSN articulation agreements. Financial aid and scholarships are available to qualified students.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 100% job placement rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Day and evening program options

Luzerne County Community College in PA offers a Nursing Program designed to prepare students for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). This two-year Associate of Applied Science program covers treating patients, medical histories, diagnostic tests, and more. Specializations are available. Admission is selective, with a focus on meeting licensing requirements. The program boasts a 99.1% NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 95% employment rate among graduates. Costs vary, with out-of-county rates for off-campus courses. Requirements include a minimum 'C' grade in all nursing curriculum courses.

• Two-year program
• 99.1% NCLEX-RN pass rate
• 95% employment rate
• Selective admission
• Campus-based
• Minimum 'C' grade required
• Out-of-county rates for off-campus
• Prepares for RN licensing
• Covers diagnostic tests
• Includes patient treatment

Luzerne County Community College’s LPN-RN Program offers licensed practical nurses a pathway to become registered nurses. This two-year associate degree builds nursing knowledge from simple to complex. Students study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing concepts across four semesters. Clinical experiences at main and Northumberland campuses offer day, evening, or weekend options. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and professional communication. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue roles in acute care, long-term care, clinics, and physician offices. Accredited by ACEN and approved by the PA State Board of Nursing. Admission is selective, and a minimum C grade is required. With a 95% NCLEX pass rate and strong employment, this program supports LPNs advancing their nursing careers.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 2-Year program
• 73 total credit hours
• 95% licensure pass rate
• 80% job placement rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Day, evening, and weekend options
• Northumberland campus location available
• Selective admission with limited clinical slots

Cedar Crest College's BSN program blends liberal arts with professional nursing education. You will explore health promotion, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Clinical experiences total 819 hours across diverse settings, from birth to end-of-life. The simulation center offers 24/7 access to high-fidelity simulators and standardized patients. A dedicated nursing coach supports your progress. Choose from full-time or part-time study with fall, winter, or summer start dates. The program is accredited by ACEN. Apply fee-free. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Graduates are prepared for NCLEX licensure and careers in hospitals, community health, and specialty areas. Distinctive features include a four-year graduation guarantee, global travel opportunities, and direct admission for qualified high school students.

• ACEN accredited
• 5 concentration options
• Full-time and part-time options
• Starts fall/winter/summer
• 819 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available

Marywood University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students to become compassionate, skilled nurses ready to meet today's healthcare challenges. The curriculum blends rigorous coursework in adult health, maternal-child nursing, behavioral health, and community care with hands-on training in a state-of-the-art simulation center. Students benefit from a professional licensure prep course and a final-semester internship at regional healthcare facilities, ensuring real-world readiness. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate and job placement rate, graduates are well-prepared for careers as registered nurses, educators, or administrators. The program emphasizes service-learning, offering opportunities from local Scranton clinics to global communities. Unique features include clinical partnerships with six area hospitals, access to the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, and pathways for LPN and RN students. Accredited by CCNE, Marywood's BSN program combines academic excellence with a supportive, community-focused environment, making it a top choice for nursing education in Pennsylvania.

• CCNE accredited
• No entrance exam required
• Test optional
• 120 total credit hours
• 100% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Bucks County Community College prepares students for registered nurse licensure through a curriculum blending liberal arts, sciences, and nursing courses. Each course combines theory with hands-on clinical components, building knowledge sequentially. The program is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Clinical applications open December 15–February 15, and an LPN to RN advanced placement track is available. Students have access to TEAS testing resources, scholarships, and supportive faculty. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and careers in healthcare. This campus-based program offers a structured path to becoming a registered nurse.

• ACEN accredited
• Scholarships available
• Approved by PA State Board of Nursing
• Theoretical and clinical components per course
• LPN to RN advanced placement available
• Clinical application window Dec 15–Feb 15

Neumann University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program blends the art and science of nursing with Franciscan values of reverence, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship. You'll build clinical reasoning through liberal arts and evidence-based nursing courses covering adult health, mental health, community health, and more. Clinical practicums in varied settings provide hands-on experience. Faculty all have clinical experience, and graduates achieve a 96.9% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. The small campus offers a family-like atmosphere. Graduates work at top hospitals like Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, with a starting average salary of $79,690 in Pennsylvania. The BSN prepares you for diverse nursing roles or graduate study. Financial aid and military benefits are available to eligible students.

• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available
• 96.9% NCLEX first-time pass rate
• 100% faculty with clinical experience
• Franciscan values-centered education
• Small campus, family atmosphere
• Clinical partner: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Average salary in PA: $79,690
• Employer: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Duquesne University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year, 134-credit on-campus program that blends rigorous academics with hands-on clinical experience. The curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, health assessment, pharmacology, adult health, pediatrics, maternal-newborn care, behavioral health, population health, and critical care. Starting sophomore year, students gain clinical experience at over 50 partner sites, including a for-credit immersion with UPMC. The program's holistic nursing approach—endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation—emphasizes caring for the whole person. Students train in a state-of-the-art simulation center and receive dedicated NCLEX-RN preparation, reflected in a 100% first-time pass rate. Graduates are prepared for diverse nursing careers in hospitals, community health, and specialized fields, supported by strong clinical partnerships and a focus on compassionate, evidence-based care.

• CCNE accredited
• 4-Year program
• 134 total credit hours
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Clinical immersion with UPMC
• Holistic nursing approach
• State-of-the-art simulation lab
• Over 50 clinical site partners

Duquesne University's accelerated Second Degree BSN is designed for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree and are ready to transition into nursing. This intensive, full-time program offers 12-month and 16-month tracks, both beginning each August. From day one, students engage in hands-on clinical experiences at top healthcare facilities and Duquesne's state-of-the-art Learning and Simulation Center. The curriculum covers health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, adult health, maternal-newborn care, pediatrics, behavioral health, and leadership. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam—recent classes achieved a 100% first-time pass rate—and pursue careers as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. CCNE-accredited with a dedicated faculty mentor and numerous support resources, this program provides a fast, rigorous pathway to a rewarding nursing career.

• CCNE accredited
• Complete in 12 or 16 months
• 67 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-06-01
• Full-time enrollment
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

West Chester University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program delivers a comprehensive education grounded in nursing science and evidence-based practice. Students explore organizational, cultural, and economic principles that shape modern healthcare. The curriculum integrates classroom learning with diverse clinical experiences—from acute care and community health to school and veterans hospital settings. A low 1:8 faculty-to-student ratio ensures personalized instruction, while an on-campus learning lab allows students to practice skills before patient contact. Graduates are prepared for entry-level nursing roles in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community agencies, and many pursue advanced study after gaining professional experience. The program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting its commitment to high-quality nursing education. Admission is highly competitive, and graduates enter a field with strong employment prospects.

• CCNE accredited
• No entrance exam required
• Clinical experiences: acute care, community health
• 1:8 faculty/student ratio in clinical
• On-campus learning laboratory
• Graduates work in hospitals, rehab centers
• Competitive admission
• Graduates often pursue graduate study

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (RN Preparation) is a campus-based program designed to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN and a career as a registered nurse. Over 5 semesters and 69 credits, you'll take 20 courses that combine classroom theory with intensive hands-on training in small classes and state-of-the-art simulation labs. The curriculum covers foundations of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and specialty areas like childbearing and psychosocial nursing. You'll complete 585 hours of clinical experience at diverse healthcare facilities within a one-hour radius, gaining real-world skills in hospital acute care, home health, and long-term care settings. The program is accredited by ACEN and boasts NCLEX-RN pass rates consistently above state and national averages. Unique benefits include a dual-degree option with an online RN-to-BSN, a 38% tuition discount for that BSN, and opportunities for study abroad in Guatemala or Belarus. With selective admission, small cohorts, and dedicated faculty, this program offers a supportive path to licensure and career advancement.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: SAT, ACT
• 5-Semester program
• 69 total credit hours
• 20 total courses
• 585 clinical hours
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available

This LPN to RN program at Pennsylvania College of Technology is designed for licensed practical nurses ready to advance their careers. The associate degree curriculum blends foundational sciences with nursing-specific coursework in medical-surgical, psychosocial, and childbearing nursing, along with pharmacology and topics in nursing. Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs with high-fidelity simulators and complete clinical rotations at diverse healthcare facilities within an hour of campus. The program is accredited by ACEN and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Small class sizes and expert faculty support student success, while partnerships with employers and scholarships like the Pathways Scholarship help make education affordable. Graduates are ready for roles in hospitals, home health agencies, long-term care, and more.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
• 6-Semester program
• 69 total credit hours
• 20 total courses
• Rolling admissions
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Scholarships available
• Accelerated hybrid format
• 3 semesters of nursing coursework

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Pennsylvania College of Technology prepares students for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, adult health, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, and community health nursing. Students gain real-world experience through 990 hours of hands-on clinical practice in diverse healthcare settings within a one-hour radius of campus, culminating in a preceptorship in their final semester. The program features small class sizes, state-of-the-art simulation labs with high-fidelity patient simulators, and a dedicated faculty with master's and doctoral degrees. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and careers in hospitals, home health, long-term care, and more. With selective admission and a supportive learning community, this BSN program offers a strong foundation for a lifelong nursing career.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: SAT, ACT
• 8-Semester program
• 120 total credit hours
• 35 total courses
• Rolling admissions
• Starts fall/spring
• Cohort-based structure
• 2.5 GPA minimum