[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attending a nursing school in Pennsylvania has its advantages. From 2023-2024, 94% of Pennsylvania registered nursing (RN) students passed the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)[/hen-ui-link] on the first try, per the state’s Board of Nursing (BON). Many nurses are employed within the state as well, with Pennsylvania ranking among the top 10 states for [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/national-nursing-database/licensure-statistics.page” target=”_blank”]number of active RN licenses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you looking to get your nurse training in the Keystone State? Learn more by exploring this guide on what to look for in a nursing program, eligibility requirements, and the top nursing programs in Pennsylvania.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Explore the Best Nursing Programs and Schools in Pennsylvania[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs in Pennsylvania, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This ranking was created prior to 2025.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to a Nursing Program in Pennsylvania[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Pennsylvania BON issues RN licenses to graduates of board-approved nursing programs.. All nursing schools and programs in our rankings are board-approved. To[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/applying-to-nursing-school/”] apply for nursing school[/hen-ui-link], candidates must have a certain GPA and completed prerequisite courses, but specific requirements can vary per school and[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/”] degree program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Materials: [/hen-ui-text]Official high school or college transcripts; completion of prerequisite courses; standardized test scores; letters of recommendation; personal statement or essay[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]GPA Requirement: [/hen-ui-text]3.0 for undergraduate RN program applicants and 2.0-2.5 for RNs seeking advanced nursing degrees[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Other Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]RNs must have at least one year of nursing experience (proven with resume/CV), and show proof of active RN license and nursing degree earned.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why is Nursing Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/education/approval-of-nursing-education-programs.page” target=”_blank”]Pennsylvania’s BON[/hen-ui-link] does not require RN students to attend nationally accredited nursing schools to be eligible to take the NCLEX, attending an accredited school has many advantages. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing school accreditation[/hen-ui-link] proves a nursing program meets specific educational standards established by accrediting bodies, such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Enrolling in an accredited nursing program in Pennsylvania increases the likelihood graduates will pass state board exams and be prepared for nursing roles as RNs or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)[/hen-ui-link]. Accreditation also makes candidates eligible for financial aid and gives them the ability to transfer course credits to other accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All Pennsylvania nursing programs in our rankings are accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a nurse in Pennsylvania?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can become an RN in Pennsylvania after earning an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link] or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link], which generally take two and four years to complete, respectively. After graduation you can immediately apply for RN licensure.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the top nursing school in Pennsylvania?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Top ranked nursing schools in Pennsylvania are determined by certain metrics, including accreditation, academic quality, program offerings, and affordability. The top choice for you depends on how well the school aligns with your academic and professional goals.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the quickest RN program in Pennsylvania?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The quickest route to becoming an RN is through an ADN program, which takes about two years to complete, but can be longer if you attend school part-time or need to retake classes.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Which degree is the best for nursing?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best nursing degree for you depends on your academic and professional goals. An ADN might be best if you want to become an RN quickly. A BSN might be a better option if you want expanded career opportunities after graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]