2026 Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Pennsylvania? We have ranked 315 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search reviewed 262 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Explore the leading schools below:
Saint Vincent College tops our 2026 ranking of the best Nursing degree schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Vincent College posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,396. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Saint Vincent College
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The strong Nursing programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place in Pennsylvania. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Nursing students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
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A rank of #3 makes Thomas Jefferson University one of the top choices in Pennsylvania. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Thomas Jefferson University Nursing students take on a median of $32,256 in debt. See the full Thomas Jefferson University profile
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Out of the 262 schools in Pennsylvania in this year's ranking, Villanova University landed the #4 spot. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read the full report on Villanova University
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You'll be in good company at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania profile
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Chatham University placed #6 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chatham University graduates 63% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Chatham University Nursing students take on a median of $24,261 in debt. Get the full Chatham University report
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University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Scranton profile
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Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $26,486. Read the full report on Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
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Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private for-profit school is set in Allentown, PA. Graduates carry a median of $16,528 in student loans. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Allentown report
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York College Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot in Pennsylvania this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in York, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,537. Get the full York College Pennsylvania report
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Immaculata University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Immaculata, PA, Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $28,980 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,738 in student loans. Read more about Immaculata University
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Wilkes University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Wilkes University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Wilkes University Nursing students take on a median of $26,601 in debt. Get the full Wilkes University report
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #13 in this year's ranking. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
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Cedar Crest College landed the #14 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in Allentown, PA, Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Cedar Crest College Nursing students take on a median of $30,759 in debt. Read more about Cedar Crest College
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Duquesne University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Duquesne University Nursing students take on a median of $26,297 in debt. Get the full Duquesne University report
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University Of Pittsburgh Titusville did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Titusville, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Titusville is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,918, while out-of-state students pay about $22,210. University Of Pittsburgh Titusville Nursing students take on a median of $20,810 in debt. More on University Of Pittsburgh Titusville
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Drexel University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,838. More on Drexel University
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Holy Family University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. The median Nursing program debt is $26,562. Get the full Holy Family University report
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Kings College placed #19 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,100. Graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Get the full Kings College report
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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot in Pennsylvania this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
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Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #21 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Read more about Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
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Gannon University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Erie, PA. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Gannon University Nursing students take on a median of $26,934 in debt. More on Gannon University
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Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Harrisburg, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. More on Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
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Desales University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Desales University is a private not-for-profit school based in Center Valley, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Graduates carry a median of $27,524 in student loans. See the full Desales University profile
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Gwynedd Mercy College landed the #26 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit school based in Gwynedd Valley, PA. Gwynedd Mercy College graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Gwynedd Mercy College Nursing students take on a median of $29,764 in debt. Read more about Gwynedd Mercy College
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Eastern University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Davids, PA, Eastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Eastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,584. Read the full report on Eastern University
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La Roche College landed the #29 spot in Pennsylvania this year. La Roche College is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,052. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about La Roche College
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Temple University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Get the full Temple University report
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Widener University Main Campus landed the #32 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Widener University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Widener University Main Campus
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La Salle University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,800. The median Nursing program debt is $25,462. More on La Salle University
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Saint Francis University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loretto, PA. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. More on Saint Francis University
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Luzerne County Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Nanticoke, PA, Luzerne County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Graduates carry a median of $14,614 in student loans. Read more about Luzerne County Community College
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Marywood University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. The median Nursing program debt is $27,744. Get the full Marywood University report
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Waynesburg University placed #38 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Waynesburg, PA, Waynesburg University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $30,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Waynesburg University profile
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Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #39 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Williamsport, PA, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Pennsylvania College Of Technology Nursing students take on a median of $24,371 in debt. Get the full Pennsylvania College Of Technology report
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Mercyhurst College landed the #40 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit school based in Erie, PA. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Mercyhurst College profile
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Robert Morris University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Robert Morris University is a private not-for-profit school based in Moon Township, PA. Robert Morris University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,748. See the full Robert Morris University profile
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Neumann University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Aston, PA. Neumann University graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,100. Neumann University Nursing students take on a median of $28,450 in debt. Get the full Neumann University report
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University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #44 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a public school based in Bradford, PA. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $26,019. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Bradford profile
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Penn Commercial Business Technical School did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Washington, PA, Penn Commercial Business Technical School is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,654 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,067. Read the full report on Penn Commercial Business Technical School
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Messiah College landed the #46 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Messiah College posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Messiah College Nursing students take on a median of $26,195 in debt. See the full Messiah College profile
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Alvernia University placed #47 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Based in Reading, PA, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Alvernia University Nursing students take on a median of $31,900 in debt. More on Alvernia University
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Harcum College landed the #48 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Bryn Mawr, PA, Harcum College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,000. Graduates carry a median of $26,756 in student loans. More on Harcum College
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Mount Aloysius College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cresson, PA. About 52% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $28,545 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,416. See the full Mount Aloysius College profile
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Carlow University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carlow University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. More on Carlow University
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Community College Of Allegheny County placed #51 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. The median Nursing program debt is $15,263. Read the full report on Community College Of Allegheny County
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East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #52 spot in Pennsylvania this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in East Stroudsburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,527 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
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Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #53 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. More on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
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Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #54 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Schnecksville, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,450. More on Lehigh Carbon Community College
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Bucks County Community College placed #55 among Nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Bucks County Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,068 in debt. Get the full Bucks County Community College report
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 262 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 315 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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