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2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

74 Colleges in the United States
8,387 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$78,239 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Pennsylvania

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for registered nursing. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 211 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $137,262 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,410 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Scranton one of the top schools for registered nursing. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. About 80% of students finish within six years. University Of Scranton awarded about 65 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $110,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Scranton

3
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 245 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $105,829. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Villanova University

4

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 299 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $98,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #5 makes Drexel University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 570 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $123,645 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Drexel University

6
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #6 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Temple University awarded about 119 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $107,355 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Temple University

7

Widener University Main Campus earned the #7 position for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Chester. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 162 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,167 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Widener University Main Campus

8

Thomas Jefferson University earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 482 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $101,632. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Thomas Jefferson University

9

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 214 registered nursing degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in registered nursing from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

10

Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Lancaster, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences graduates 69% of students within six years. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences awarded about 317 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences generally make around $47,496. Typical student debt for the program is $26,402. Get the full registered nursing details for Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences

11
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 118 registered nursing degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from La Salle University earn around $110,705 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for La Salle University

12

York College Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 145 registered nursing degrees were awarded at York College Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from York College Pennsylvania earn around $110,490 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full registered nursing program report for York College Pennsylvania

13

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates 72% of students within six years. About 82 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $100,772. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

14

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 228 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $86,430 in their early career. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

15

The Commonwealth Medical College earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Scranton, The Commonwealth Medical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 29 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The Commonwealth Medical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $44,758 in their early career. See the full registered nursing program report for The Commonwealth Medical College

16
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 403 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Wilkes University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $112,923 early in their careers. Wilkes University graduates carry a median of $28,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Wilkes University

17
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Holy Family University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 312 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Holy Family University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $103,544. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Holy Family University

18
Kings College crest
Kings College
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Kings College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Kings College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Kings College earn around $45,414 in the first couple years of their career. Kings College graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Kings College

19

Montgomery County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Montgomery County Community College awarded about 100 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $78,511. Montgomery County Community College graduates carry a median of $24,820 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Montgomery County Community College

20

Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #20 for registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 120 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $78,322 in their early career. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates carry a median of $27,075 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Lehigh Carbon Community College

21

Delaware County Community College placed #21 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Media. About 99 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Delaware County Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Delaware County Community College

22
Westminster College Pa crest
Westminster College Pa
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College Pa ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Westminster College Pa in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $41,105 in their early career. Westminster College Pa graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Westminster College Pa

23

Alvernia University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Alvernia University awarded about 48 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $77,394. Alvernia University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Alvernia University

24

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 10 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $88,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

25
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University landed the #25 spot for registered nursing this year. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Desales University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $97,620 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full registered nursing program report for Desales University

Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools

These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:

26
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA
27
Gwynedd Mercy College crest
Gwynedd Mercy College
Gwynedd Valley, PA
28
29
Robert Morris University crest
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA
30
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
38
39
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
40
41
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
42
43
44
La Roche College crest
La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA
45
Immaculata University crest
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA
46
47
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA
48
49
50

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 74 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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