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Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

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2023 Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

16 Schools Ranked
$20,946 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,060 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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 16 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones offered the best value graduate certificate programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5 Total Awards
$1,455 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named La Salle University the best value school in Pennsylvania for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 5 students in 2020-2021.

La Salle graduate students pay an average of $1,455 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at La Salle. In fact, around 83% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full La Salle University Report

#2

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
5 Total Awards
$16,794 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Millersville University of Pennsylvania helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 5 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Millersville are $16,794 a year.

Millersville does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#3

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
7 Total Awards
$14,719 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Cedar Crest College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Allentown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Cedar Crest are $14,719 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Cedar Crest. In fact, around 79% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Cedar Crest College Report

#4

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania
2 Total Awards
$13,862 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, the small public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Clarion University are $13,862 per year.

Clarion University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Report

#5

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
21 Total Awards
$22,644 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Thomas Jefferson University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Thomas Jefferson University are $22,644 a year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $34,734 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Thomas Jefferson University. In fact, around 65% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Thomas Jefferson University also took the #1 spot in our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania rankings.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Report

#6

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards
$20,660 Average Tuition & Fees

Gannon University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Gannon are $20,660 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Gannon. In fact, around 55% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Gannon is ranked #2 for overall quality in Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Gannon University

#7

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania
10 Total Awards
$21,120 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, DeSales University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. DeSales is located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at DeSales are $21,120 per year.

DeSales does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 57% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, DeSales is ranked #5 for overall quality in Pennsylvania.

Read full report on DeSales University

#8

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
2 Total Awards
$21,199 Average Tuition & Fees

Villanova University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Villanova University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Villanova graduate students pay an average of $21,199 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Villanova does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#9

Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
13 Total Awards
$16,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Waynesburg University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Waynesburg is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Waynesburg are $16,440 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Waynesburg does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

Neumann University

Aston, Pennsylvania
2 Total Awards
$14,690 Average Tuition & Fees

Neumann University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Aston, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Neumann graduate students pay an average of $14,690 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at Neumann, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 56% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Neumann University Report

#11

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5 Total Awards
$24,534 Average Tuition & Fees

Duquesne University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 5 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Duquesne are $24,534 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Duquesne. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Duquesne also made our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list, coming in at #4.

Full Duquesne University Report

#12

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
$20,812 Average Tuition & Fees

Carlow University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Carlow are $20,812 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Carlow. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Carlow University

#13

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10 Total Awards
$42,024 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the large public school handed out 10 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Pitt are $42,024 per year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,469 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Pitt does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 16% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
2 Total Awards
$25,416 Average Tuition & Fees

Widener University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Widener University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Widener are $25,416 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Widener. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
37 Total Awards
$37,074 Average Tuition & Fees

Drexel University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Drexel is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Drexel are $37,074 a year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $23,548 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Drexel. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Drexel also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania rankings.

Read More…

#16

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. RMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

RMU graduate students pay an average of $0 in tuition and fees each year.

RMU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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 60% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Robert Morris University Report

Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 schools only.

References

  • 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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