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Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Holy Family University delivers Pennsylvania's most affordable nursing education at just $12,251 net cost while producing graduates earning $71,388 annually. This striking value proposition reflects the state's strong healthcare job market, where major employers like UPMC and pharmaceutical giants create steady demand for nurses across clinical practice, administration, and research roles. Public universities show dramatic cost advantages, with East Stroudsburg at $15,089 net cost compared to private institutions averaging over $25,000. However, some private schools justify higher costs through superior outcomes. Saint Francis University achieves a 72.80% graduation rate, the highest among these programs. Pennsylvania's nursing programs span from rural settings like Bradford to urban Philadelphia, where students gain exposure to top-tier medical centers. The earnings range of $57,995 to $80,779 demonstrates how specialized nursing roles in administration and research command premium salaries. With acceptance rates averaging above 80% across most programs, aspiring nurses have multiple pathways to enter this growing field.
50
Programs
$12,251 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$65,633
Avg. Program Earnings
63.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,251 $71,388 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
2 $15,089 $68,079 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
3 $16,630 $60,207 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
4 $17,216 $59,807 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
5 $21,409 $70,642 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
6 $19,524 $63,749 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
7 $19,685 $63,362 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
8 $20,231 $64,990 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
9 $19,173 $58,866 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
10 $20,748 $62,409 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
11 $22,673 $66,653 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
12 $20,822 $58,919 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
13 $22,909 $64,406 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
14 $27,141 $75,011 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
15 $29,464 $78,507 $28,550 64.5% 69.7%
16 $30,528 $80,779 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
17 $21,972 $57,995 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
18 $25,717 $67,180 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
19 $22,222 $57,995 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
20 $25,885 $66,355 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
21 $24,829 $63,377 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
22 $28,714 $72,435 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
23 $28,163 $70,761 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
24 $26,084 $64,990 $17,940 50.4%
25 $25,157 $60,358 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
26 $29,219 $70,100 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
27 $23,206 $54,760 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
28 $27,700 $65,035 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
29 $25,747 $58,881 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
30 $28,329 $64,553 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
31 $30,470 $69,023 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
32 $27,686 $62,546 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
33 $31,229 $70,009 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
34 $27,263 $60,771 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
35 $30,465 $66,852 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
36 $29,843 $64,659 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
37 $30,074 $60,207 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
38 $38,428 $73,199 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
39 $37,208 $67,180 $31,866 67.0% 45.7%
40 $34,978 $60,900 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
41 $44,876 $73,052 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
42 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
43 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
44 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
45 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
46 $24,449 $17,950 37.7%
47 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
48 $19,279 $19,404 38.9% 34.0%
49 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
50 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Holy Family University such an outstanding value for nursing students?

Holy Family University offers the lowest net cost at $12,251 while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $71,388. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $23,250, significantly lower than many comparable programs. The Philadelphia location provides access to major healthcare systems for clinical rotations and future employment opportunities.

How do public nursing programs compare to private ones in Pennsylvania?

Public universities offer substantial cost savings, with programs like East Stroudsburg costing $15,089 net versus private institutions averaging over $25,000. However, some private schools like Saint Francis achieve higher graduation rates at 72.80% compared to public averages around 50-60%. Public programs typically have higher acceptance rates, making them more accessible to a broader range of students.

Is there a significant difference in nursing salaries across Pennsylvania programs?

Graduate earnings vary considerably, from $57,995 to $80,779 depending on the program and career path. Immaculata University leads with $78,507 average earnings, while specialized roles in nursing administration and research typically command higher salaries. Geographic location within Pennsylvania also influences earning potential, with urban areas generally offering higher compensation.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Pennsylvania nursing schools?

The relationship between cost and graduation rates shows interesting patterns across Pennsylvania nursing programs. Saint Francis University achieves the highest graduation rate at 72.80% despite moderate costs, while some expensive programs struggle with retention. Slippery Rock University demonstrates that affordable education can still produce strong outcomes with a 65.90% graduation rate and reasonable debt levels.

Where do Pennsylvania nursing graduates find the best career opportunities?

Pennsylvania's healthcare sector, anchored by UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies, creates strong demand for nursing professionals across all specializations. Urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offer the highest salaries and most varied opportunities in administration and research roles. The state's aging population and expanding healthcare infrastructure continue driving job growth throughout the region.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.