Find Nursing Colleges

What Do You Want to Study?

Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Pennsylvania

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Pennsylvania

57 Schools Ranked
$36,548 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$24,468 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. 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.

The Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree 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 57 schools in Pennsylvania to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3,797 Total Awards
$58,965 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,746 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Drexel University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,797 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

Drexel does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $58,965. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Drexel accumulate an average of $24,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Drexel 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 41% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Drexel University

#2

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1,113 Total Awards
$44,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,261 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Jefferson University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,113 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Thomas Jefferson University, expect to pay an average of $44,200 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,261 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Thomas Jefferson University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#3

Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
482 Total Awards
$37,791 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,335 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Gwynedd Mercy University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 482 students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $37,791 to cover tuition and fees at Gwynedd - Mercy. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,335 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Gwynedd - Mercy. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 27% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Gwynedd Mercy University Report

#4

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1,554 Total Awards
$23,299 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Duquesne University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,554 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,299 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Duquesne does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 38% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#5

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
521 Total Awards
$32,558 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,962 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 57 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Holy Family University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 521 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Holy Family is $32,558. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,962 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Holy Family. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Holy Family University Report

5,471 Total Awards
$21,080 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,394 Avg Student Debt

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. This large public school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5,471 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Pennsylvania who attend Pitt full time pay an average of $21,080 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $37,320. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,394 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Pitt. In fact, around 19% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Report

#7

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
2,165 Total Awards
$61,618 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,046 Avg Student Debt

Villanova University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Villanova is a private not-for-profit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,165 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Villanova is $61,618. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,046 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Villanova. In 2020-2021 about 15% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Villanova University

#8

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
665 Total Awards
$51,639 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,407 Avg Student Debt

Widener University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Widener University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 665 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $51,639 to cover tuition and fees at Widener. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Widener accumulate an average of $26,407 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Widener. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Widener University Report

#9

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
3,524 Total Awards
$10,527 Average Tuition & Fees

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,524 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Pennsylvania pay an average of $10,527 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCUPA. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $22,351. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCUPA does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 32% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#10

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3,554 Total Awards
$63,452 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,106 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,554 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees at UPenn is $63,452. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UPenn accumulate an average of $16,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at UPenn, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 13% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Pennsylvania

#12

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
969 Total Awards
$33,890 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,361 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, La Salle University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 969 students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,890 to cover tuition and fees at La Salle. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from La Salle accumulate an average of $24,361 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

Online courses are available at La Salle, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 20% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on La Salle University

#12

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
153 Total Awards
$30,821 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,201 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. PA College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 153 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

PA College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $30,821. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,201 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PA College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Report

1,668 Total Awards
$11,320 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,943 Avg Student Debt

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,668 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $11,320 in tuition and fees if they attend IUP full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $18,927. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from IUP accumulate an average of $25,943 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at IUP. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

#15

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
1,425 Total Awards
$12,262 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,342 Avg Student Debt

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,425 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students from Pennsylvania who attend Millersville full time pay an average of $12,262 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $22,232. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Millersville accumulate an average of $22,342 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Millersville. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#17

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
527 Total Awards
$50,500 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,325 Avg Student Debt

Moravian College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Moravian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 527 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Moravian, expect to pay an average of $50,500 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,325 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Moravian does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania
618 Total Awards
$42,600 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,739 Avg Student Debt

DeSales University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Center Valley, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 618 students in 2021-2022.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $42,600 to cover tuition and fees at DeSales. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,739 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DeSales does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 40% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full DeSales University Report

#20

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
809 Total Awards
$23,328 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,561 Avg Student Debt

York College of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in York, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 809 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

YCP does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $23,328. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,561 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.

One thing to take note of is that YCP does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 10% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

Alvernia University

Reading, Pennsylvania
444 Total Awards
$40,750 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,263 Avg Student Debt

Alvernia University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Alvernia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Reading, Pennsylvania that handed out 444 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Alvernia is $40,750. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,263 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Alvernia. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#22

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
649 Total Awards
$41,112 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,835 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Wilkes University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Wilkes is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 649 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

If you want to attend Wilkes, expect to pay an average of $41,112 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,835 in student loans. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Wilkes. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Wilkes University Report

#23

Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
275 Total Awards
$28,490 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,865 Avg Student Debt

Waynesburg University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 275 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Waynesburg does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $28,490. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,865 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Waynesburg. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 11% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#24

Misericordia University

Dallas, Pennsylvania
453 Total Awards
$36,842 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,437 Avg Student Debt

Misericordia University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Misericordia University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 453 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at Misericordia University is $36,842. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Misericordia University 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 51% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Misericordia University Report

#25

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania
724 Total Awards
$33,767 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,523 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Robert Morris University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Moon Township, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 724 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees at RMU is $33,767. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,523 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.

RMU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Robert Morris University Report

Most Popular Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

View Most Popular Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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.

Featured Schools

Find Nursing Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited nursing schools across the U.S.