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2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania

33 Ranked Colleges
483 Degrees Awarded
$111,672 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 12,391 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,117 and $28,960 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 483 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,028 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania” ranking looked at 33 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in nursing. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in nursing.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Nursing in Pennsylvania

1
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chatham University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. This small school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 74 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Chatham Nursing Report

2
Wilkes crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Out of the 33 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Wilkes University landed the #2 spot on the list. Wilkes University is a medium-sized school located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that handed out 31 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Wilkes University

3
Waynesburg crest
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Out of the 33 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Waynesburg University landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Waynesburg University

4
Holy Family crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Holy Family University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania. Holy Family is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Holy Family Nursing Report

5
YCP crest
York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend York College of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania. York, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at York College of Pennsylvania

6
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Robert Morris University
Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #6. Moon Township, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at RMU

7
Thomas Jefferson University crest
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Thomas Jefferson University Nursing Report

8
Carlow crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, Carlow University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Nursing at Carlow

9

Clarion University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Nursing Report

10
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Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Nursing at Duquesne

11

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 77 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Nursing Report

12
Misericordia University crest
Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania

Misericordia University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #12. Misericordia University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Misericordia University Nursing Report

13
Alvernia crest
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania

Alvernia University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Alvernia is a small school located in Reading, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Nursing at Alvernia University

14
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full UPenn Nursing Report

15
La Roche crest
La Roche University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Roche University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #15. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full La Roche Nursing Report

16
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Widener University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chester, Pennsylvania. It awarded 7 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Widener University

17
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Villanova is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Villanova, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Villanova University Nursing Report

18
Bloomsburg crest
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Nursing Report

19
Gannon crest
Gannon University
Erie, Pennsylvania

Gannon University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Gannon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Gannon

20

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at PA College

21
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Messiah University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 3 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Messiah University

22
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Millersville is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

23

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. IUP is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Nursing at IUP

24
University of Scranton crest
University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #24, University of Scranton did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. University of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Scranton

25
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Drexel University

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