2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 22 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Pittsburgh - Titusville the best school in Pennsylvania for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pitt Titusville is $11,792. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $21,882. On average, associate degree students take out $21,755 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Pitt Titusville does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Harrisburg Area Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at HACC is $8,295. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,818. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,678 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at HACC. In 2019-2020 about 50% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means La Roche University is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average tuition and fees at La Roche is $31,570. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.
One thing to take note of is that La Roche does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 22 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Pennsylvania College of Technology landed the # 4 spot on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Penn College is $17,610. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,170. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,119 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Penn College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Lock Haven University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Pennsylvania.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $10,878 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LHU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $20,702. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,113 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LHU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Luzerne County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $10,020 in tuition and fees if they attend Luzerne County Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,370. Associate Degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College accumulate an average of $14,060 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Luzerne County Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #7, Mercyhurst University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Mercyhurst does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $42,680. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,201 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mercyhurst. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 26% took at least some of their classes online.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $11,173 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Clarion University. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,052. On average, associate degree students take out $24,043 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Clarion University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #9, University of Pittsburgh - Bradford did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Pennsylvania who attend Pitt Bradford full time pay an average of $14,354 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,994. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,541 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pitt Bradford. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Mount Aloysius College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list.
Mount Aloysius does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $24,890. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Mount Aloysius accumulate an average of $23,293 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Mount Aloysius does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 31% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $8,430 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,060. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,841 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Harcum College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
On average, associate degree students take out $27,132 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Harcum College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 87% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #13, Community College of Allegheny County did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $8,323 in tuition and fees if they attend CCAC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,863. On average, associate degree students take out $19,313 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CCAC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Bucks County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bucks County Community College is $9,098. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $13,298. On average, associate degree students take out $14,131 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Bucks County Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Montgomery County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $10,350 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Montco. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,970. On average, associate degree students take out $16,836 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Montco. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northampton Community College is $10,350. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,270. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,399 in student loans.
Northampton Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Northampton County Area Community College
Pittsburgh Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list.
Pittsburgh Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $16,699. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $20,765 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pittsburgh Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #18, Community College of Beaver County did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $12,810 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCBC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $18,660. Associate Degree recipients from CCBC accumulate an average of $18,924 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CCBC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Butler County Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $8,400 in tuition and fees if they attend BC3 full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,400. Associate Degree recipients from BC3 accumulate an average of $13,492 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
BC3 does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Delaware County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Delaware County Community College is $9,900. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,740. Associate Degree recipients from Delaware County Community College accumulate an average of $18,610 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Delaware County Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #21, Community College of Philadelphia did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Community College of Philadelphia is $8,688. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,744. Associate Degree recipients from Community College of Philadelphia accumulate an average of $18,375 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Community College of Philadelphia, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
Reading Area Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at RACC is $10,170. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,220. On average, associate degree students take out $19,017 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at RACC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.