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Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

66 Schools Ranked
$44,222 Average Earnings
$24,271 Avg Student Debt

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 Schools in Pennsylvania ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 66 schools in Pennsylvania to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, Pennsylvania
$49,935 Average Earnings
$26,112 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Saint Vincent College the best school in Pennsylvania for nursing students working on their degree.

On average, students take out $26,112 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $392 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Saint Vincent graduates make an average of $49,935 annually.

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#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$81,207 Average Earnings
$17,262 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,262 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $547.After graduating from UPenn, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $81,207 during the early years of their career.

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#3

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$59,708 Average Earnings
$31,910 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Thomas Jefferson University is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University accumulate an average of $31,910 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $535 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Thomas Jefferson University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,708 during the early year of their career.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Report

#4

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
$62,813 Average Earnings
$26,526 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Villanova University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,526 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $594.After graduating from Villanova, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,813 during the early years of their career.

Full Villanova University Report

#5

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
$38,997 Average Earnings
$25,146 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,146 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $275 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SRU graduates make an average of $38,997 annually.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report

#6

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$59,386 Average Earnings
$25,016 Avg Student Debt

Chatham University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $25,016 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Chatham graduates make an average of $59,386 annually.

Read full report on Chatham University

#7

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
$48,740 Average Earnings
$24,211 Avg Student Debt

University of Scranton landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,211 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $590 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from University of Scranton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,740 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
$41,464 Average Earnings
$26,212 Avg Student Debt

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,212 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Millersville graduates make an average of $41,464 annually.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Report

#9

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania
$36,234 Average Earnings
$18,386 Avg Student Debt

Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.

On average, students take out $18,386 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $118, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Lincoln Tech - Allentown graduates make an average of $36,234 annually.

Read full report on Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown

#10

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
$44,412 Average Earnings
$26,025 Avg Student Debt

York College of Pennsylvania came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,025 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $473 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, YCP graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,412 during the early year of their career.

Full York College of Pennsylvania Report

#11

Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania
$47,992 Average Earnings
$30,438 Avg Student Debt

Immaculata University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list.

Degree recipients from Immaculata accumulate an average of $30,438 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Immaculata, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,992 during the early years of their career.

Full Immaculata University Report

#12

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
$55,632 Average Earnings
$27,835 Avg Student Debt

Wilkes University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.

On average, students take out $27,835 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $375.After graduating from Wilkes, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,632 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wilkes University

#13

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$49,696 Average Earnings
$23,994 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $23,994 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $447, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Pitt, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,696 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Report

#14

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
$53,696 Average Earnings

Cedar Crest College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.

Once they receive their degree, Cedar Crest graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,696 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$48,645 Average Earnings
$24,974 Avg Student Debt

Duquesne University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,974 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $654, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Duquesne graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,645 during the early year of their career.

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#16

University of Pittsburgh - Titusville

Titusville, Pennsylvania
$42,140 Average Earnings
$21,755 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, University of Pittsburgh - Titusville did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,755 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $270 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Pitt Titusville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,140 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Titusville Report

#17

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$60,176 Average Earnings
$27,800 Avg Student Debt

Drexel University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

On average, students take out $27,800 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $737, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Drexel graduates make an average of $60,176 annually.

Read full report on Drexel University

#18

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$52,770 Average Earnings
$29,639 Avg Student Debt

Holy Family University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,639 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $197, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Holy Family graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,770 during the early year of their career.

Full Holy Family University Report

#19

King's College

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
$44,863 Average Earnings
$26,656 Avg Student Debt

King’s College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,656 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $525, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, King’s College PA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,863 during the early year of their career.

Full King’s College Report

#20

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
$43,790 Average Earnings

West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.

After graduating from WCUPA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,790 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#21

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
$47,817 Average Earnings
$26,752 Avg Student Debt

Moravian College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,752 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $513.After graduating from Moravian, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,817 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Moravian College

#22

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
$58,347 Average Earnings
$30,024 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Gannon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $30,024 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $381.After graduating from Gannon, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,347 during the early years of their career.

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#23

Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
$35,757 Average Earnings
$22,075 Avg Student Debt

Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,075 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from HACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,757 during the early years of their career.

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#24

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania
$52,466 Average Earnings
$26,565 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, DeSales University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $26,565 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $645 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DeSales graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,466 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on DeSales University

#25

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
$40,624 Average Earnings
$30,277 Avg Student Debt

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $30,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $162 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cal U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,624 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on California University of Pennsylvania

Best Nursing Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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.

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