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Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

30 Schools Ranked
$36,343 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This report analyzed 30 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones were the most popular graduate certificate programs 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
286 Total Awards
$37,074 Average Tuition & Fees
$52,506 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Drexel University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in Pennsylvania. Drexel University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 286 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Drexel accumulate an average of $52,506 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Drexel does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Drexel University

#2

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
170 Total Awards
$23,103 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,478 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 Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 170 graduate certificates to qualified students.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,478 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Thomas Jefferson University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Report

#3

Waynesburg University

Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Waynesburg University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Waynesburg are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Waynesburg University

#4

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
33 Total Awards
$21,410 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Gannon University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Gannon University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Erie, Pennsylvania that handed out 33 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Gannon does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Gannon University

372 Total Awards
$26,142 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 30 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the # 5 spot on the list. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 372 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Pitt, 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, 19% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#5

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

Out of the 30 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, DeSales University landed the # 5 spot on the list.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at DeSales. During the 2020-2021 year, about 59% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#7

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
51 Total Awards
$14,811 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,710 Avg Student Debt

Cedar Crest College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Cedar Crest is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 51 graduate certificates to qualified students.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $22,710 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Cedar Crest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Cedar Crest College

#8

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania
11 Total Awards

With a ranking of #8, Robert Morris University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. RMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.

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. In fact, around 63% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Robert Morris University Report

#9

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
7 Total Awards
$11,939 Average Tuition & Fees

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 7 graduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Millersville, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 46% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#9

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
28 Total Awards
$26,970 Average Tuition & Fees

La Salle University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. La Salle is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since La Salle does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 70% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#9

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
42 Total Awards

Duquesne University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Duquesne is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 42 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Duquesne does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Duquesne University

#12

Neumann University

Aston, Pennsylvania
$10,470 Average Tuition & Fees

Neumann University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list.

Neumann 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 2020-2021 year, about 37% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Neumann University Report

#12

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
272 Total Awards
$21,307 Average Tuition & Fees
$44,764 Avg Student Debt

Villanova University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 272 graduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $44,764 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Villanova, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Villanova University

#12

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
$26,150 Average Tuition & Fees

Widener University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Widener does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Widener University

#16

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards
$21,450 Average Tuition & Fees

Carlow University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Carlow is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Carlow, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 87% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Carlow University

#16

Misericordia University

Dallas, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
$38,328 Average Tuition & Fees

Misericordia University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Dallas, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Misericordia University. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

64 Total Awards
$12,636 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,375 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 64 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,375 in student loans. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

IUP does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 34% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#18

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania
22 Total Awards

York College of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. York College of Pennsylvania is a small private not-for-profit school located in York, Pennsylvania that handed out 22 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

One thing to take note of is that YCP does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full York College of Pennsylvania Report

#18

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
50 Total Awards
$26,646 Avg Student Debt

Messiah University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 50 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Messiah accumulate an average of $26,646 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Messiah does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Messiah University

#18

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
94 Total Awards
$44,162 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 94 graduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UPenn. In 2020-2021 about 25% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
8 Total Awards
$11,630 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, University of Scranton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at University of Scranton, 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, 46% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Scranton

#18

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
221 Total Awards
$12,451 Average Tuition & Fees

West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school awarded 221 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCUPA does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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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.

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