10 Best Nursing Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Today (Ranked)

Are you looking for the best nursing schools in Philadelphia?

Based on our ranking methodology, we’ve listed the 10 very best nursing programs in Philadelphia today. We also break down their different degree programs, NCLEX-RN pass rates, alumni salary data, and students’ ratings.

Our rankings consider factors like the average NCLEX pass rates from the last 4 years, affordability measured by typical federal student debt upon graduation, reported alumni salaries, and the school’s overall reputation.

Here’s a List of the 10 Best Nursing Schools in Philadelphia

1. University of Pennsylvania- School of Nursing

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia. It’s one of the oldest and most reputable universities in the U.S. UPenn was founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740.

Because of it’s reputability, UPenn is routinely considered first among the best nursing schools in Philadelphia, statewide, and nationwide.

Penn Nursing was founded in 1885 as a training school for nurses. Its BSN program was recognized as the top undergrad nursing program in the country, as voted by deans and leading faculty in nursing programs. 

Nursing clinical experiences are with renowned UPenn hospital partners like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn Medicine research complex, and the Philadelphia Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

Regarding financial aid, Penn Nursing has the Gutmann Leadership Scholars Program, which funds ten students each year across undergrad & graduate degree levels.

Also, if you work at one of Penn Nursing’s Academic Partners, like the Chester County Hospital or Lancaster General Hospital, you can get a 25% tuition discount for Master’s or Doctorate nursing programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s data, Bachelor’s nursing students at Penn graduate with around $23,288.

Master’s degree students graduate with about $49,400, and Doctoral degree students typically have around $167,936 in federal debt.

List of UPenn Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

List of UPenn Nursing Graduate Programs:

• Master of Professional Nursing (MPN)

• MSN Program:
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks
  • Nurse Midwifery
  • Health Leadership
  • Nursing and Healthcare Administration

• DNP Program:
  • Post-Master’s DNP (DNP-PM)
  • Executive Leadership (DNP-EL)
  • Nurse Anesthetists (DNP-NA)

• Nursing PhD:
  • Traditional PhD Program
  • MSN-PhD Program

List of UPenn Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Streamlined Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

UPenn NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for UPenn Nursing Graduates

Overall UPenn Student Ratings

2. Villanova University- M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing

Villanova University is a private Catholic university established in 1842. The university’s nursing school embodies Augustinian values, viewing nursing as not just a job, but a mission and healing service for diverse communities.

At Villanova, you gain real-world experience through partnerships with over 70 healthcare providers, including hospitals and community agencies such as North Penn Vna Children’s Clinic and Main Line Health System.

If you’re in the accelerated BSN program, you can also apply to work with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, offering health promotion services to the local community- as a part of a pediatric clinical practicum opportunity.

In terms of financial aid, Villanova provides a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships. However, we couldn’t find any scholarships specifically for nursing during our research.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at Villanova typically graduate with around $23,250 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree, and about $69,358 for a Master’s degree.

List of Villanova Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Second Degree Accelerated BSN

• Online RN to BSN Program

List of Villanova Graduate Nursing Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing Education

• BSN to DNP- Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program

• DNP Program

• PhD in Nursing

List of Villanova Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Family Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Nursing Education

Villanova NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Villanova Nursing Graduates

Overall Villanova Student Ratings

3. Drexel University- College of Nursing

Drexel University, established in 1891, is a private research institution where nursing students are prepared for their careers through practical learning and collaborative research. The university is particularly focused on improving health equality both in Philadelphia and globally.

At Drexel, gain practical nursing experience through simulated healthcare scenarios and clinical partnerships, including one with Tower Health.

In terms of financial aid, Drexel offers both merit-based and needs-based scholarships, grants, and federal work-study programs. However, our research couldn’t find any scholarships specifically for nursing.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at Drexel typically graduate with around $14,039 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree, and about $51,250 for a Master’s degree.

List of Drexel Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• BSN Co-op Program

• BSN Accelerated Career Entry Program (ACE)

• Online RN to BSN Completion Program

List of Drexel Graduate Nursing Programs:

• MSN Nursing Leadership:
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Nursing Education
  • Leadership in Health Systems Management
  • Public Health Nursing
  • Quality, Safety, and Risk Management in Healthcare
  • MSN Undeclared

• RN to MSN-Bridge Program

• RN-BSN-MSN Program

• DNP Program:
  • Advanced Clinical Expert
  • Nurse Executive/Leadership Expert
  • Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA)

• PhD in Nursing Program

List of Drexel Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Nurse Practitioner Tracks

• Clinical Nurse Leader

Drexel NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Drexel Nursing Graduates

Overall Drexel Student Ratings

4. Thomas Jefferson University- Jefferson School of Nursing

Thomas Jefferson University was established in 1824 and merged with Philadelphia University in 2017. It has been training nursing professionals since 1891. The Jefferson College of Nursing is focused on revolutionizing how nurses lead and impact society.

At Jefferson, you’ll have enriching hands-on experience at various clinical sites, including Jefferson Health Hospitals, which helps you prepare for a challenging and rewarding career in nursing.

When it comes to financial aid, Jefferson offers scholarships, needs-based grants, university loans, and on-campus job opportunities.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at Jefferson typically graduate with around $12,500 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree, and about $27,333 for a Master’s degree.

These relatively low federal student loan debt levels place Jefferson as the most affordable among the list of the best nursing schools in Philadelphia.

List of Jefferson Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Full-time Accelerated Coursework Track (FACT)– ABSN Program
  • 1-year track
  • 2-year track

List of Jefferson Nursing Graduate Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks
  • Academic Nursing
  • Transformative Systems Leadership (TSL)

• Post-Baccalaureate DNP Program (BSN to DNP):
  • Nurse Practitioner tracks

• DNP Program:
  • Post Master’s Entry
  • Executive Leadership (DNP-EL)
  • Nurse Anesthesia

• PhD in Nursing program

List of Jefferson Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Advanced Headache Diagnosis and Management

• Nurse Practitioner tracks

Jefferson NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Jefferson Nursing Graduates

Overall Jefferson Student Ratings

5. Holy Family University- School of Nursing

Holy Family University is a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, founded in 1954 by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. At Holy Family School of Nursing, you are educated within a community that encourages a sense of responsibility and service to others.

The school’s nursing programs are based on the university’s Judeo-Christian values, aimed at educating students to provide high-quality care in nursing and health-related fields.

When it comes to financial aid, HFU offers various options, such as the Holy Family Grants ranging from $200 to $10,000, and scholarships like the Linda Gallagher Nursing Excellence Award for a nursing student who shows leadership, professionalism, and a spirit of service.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at Holy Family typically graduate with around $23,250 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree, and about $32,791 for a Master’s degree.

List of HFU Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Second Degree Fast-Track BSN:
  • Daytime 14-Month
  • Evenings + Weekends 22-Month

• RN-BSN Program

List of HFU Nursing Graduate Programs:

• MSN Program

• Post-BSN to DNP- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track

• DNP Program:
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track
  • Leadership for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) track
  • Leadership track

HFU NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for HFU Nursing Graduates

Overall HFU Student Ratings

6. Gwynedd Mercy University- Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing

Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) is a private Catholic university set up by the Sisters of Mercy in 1948. GMercyU’s Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions focuses on training healthcare professionals within a community guided by the Sisters of Mercy tradition and Gospel values.

If you study here, you’ll get to do your clinical practice at reputable healthcare facilities, including Abington Jefferson Health, Doylestown Hospital, Grand View Hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital, and others, thanks to GMercyU’s extensive healthcare partnerships.

For financial aid, GMercyU offers a variety of scholarships like the Michael John Maloney Johnson Nursing Scholarship, which aids outstanding nursing students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at GMercyU typically graduate with around $25,000 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree.

List of GMercyU Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Accelerated BSN Program

• Weekend BSN (Part-Time)

List of GMercyU Nursing Graduate Programs:

• Direct Entry MSN (DEMSN) Program

• MSN Program:
  • Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• DNP Program

List of GMercyU Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Family Nurse Practitioner

• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

GMercyU NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for GMercyU Nursing Graduates

Overall GMercyU Student Ratings

7. La Salle University- School of Nursing

La Salle University is a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, established in 1863. The university is named after St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, a French priest and educational reformer.

Forbes and The Economist have previously ranked La Salle among the best value schools in the US.

La Salle School of Nursing and Health Sciences emphasizes providing care to diverse and underserved populations.

You’ll have clinical experiences at a range of hospitals and facilities in Philadelphia and nearby Pennsylvania counties. These hospitals include St. Mary Medical Center and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

For financial aid, La Salle offers Federal Work-Study programs, part-time on-campus “budget” jobs, and scholarships. One such scholarship is the Christian Brothers’ Scholarship, offering full tuition for up to four years to incoming freshmen.

Another is the Community Service Scholarship, granting $5,000 per year to students committed to community service throughout their undergraduate studies.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at La Salle typically graduate with around $26,909 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree, and about $89,598 for a Master’s degree.

List of La Salle Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• BSN Program

• ACHIEVE BSN Program- evening and on weekends

• RN to BSN Online Program

List of La Salle Nursing Graduate Programs:

• RN-BSN to MSN Program- permits enrollment in selected graduate-level courses while completing the BSN

• RN to MSN Bridge Program- for RNs with a Non-Nursing baccalaureate degree

• MSN Program:
  • Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

List of La Salle Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

La Salle NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for La Salle Nursing Graduates

Overall La Salle Student Ratings

8. Eastern University- Department of Nursing

Eastern University is a private Christian university in St. Davids, Pennsylvania- about 18 miles from Philly. It was established in 1925 and is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA.

Eastern’s goal is to create a diverse, Christ-centered community that prepares graduates to make a global impact through faith, reason, and justice.

If you decide to study here, you’ll find the Dept of Nursing has several active partnerships with clinical sites for clinical experience, including St. Edmond’s Home for Children, Mainline Health Systems, and Friend’s Hospital.

In terms of financial aid, Eastern offers a number of scholarships and grants, although there don’t appear to be any nursing-specific ones.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, bachelor’s nursing students at Eastern typically graduate with around $26,000 in federal student loan debt.

List of Eastern Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program

List of Eastern Nursing Graduate Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Nurse Educator
  • Family Practice Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Eastern NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Eastern Nursing Graduates

Overall Eastern Student Ratings

9. Temple University- Department of Nursing

Temple University is a public, research-based university in Philadelphia, established in 1884 by Baptist minister Russell Conwell.

Temple’s Department of Nursing strives to become a leader in community-focused efforts to achieve health equality- by preparing a diverse nursing workforce to excel in leadership, practice, research, and scholarship.

With more than 100 clinical experience partnerships and 15 affiliate agreements, Temple has cultivated strong connections with top healthcare facilities in Philadelphia and the North Philadelphia community, including regional hospitals, community organizations, and nonprofits.

These facilities include Temple University Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Einstein Medical Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Lankenau Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Should you choose to study here, you’d find that Temple provides financial aid through grants, and also offers access to various scholarships (mostly external) through its ScholarshipUniverse database.

Based on the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students at Temple generally graduate with around $26,000 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree.

List of Temple Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• BSN Program

List of Temple Nursing Graduate Programs:

• BSN-to-DNP Program (Post-BSN DNP):
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Clinical Track
  • Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Clinical Track (FNP)

• DNP Program (Post-Master’s DNP)- currently pending approval from PA State BON

Temple NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Temple Nursing Graduates

Overall Temple Student Ratings

10. Widener University- School of Nursing

Widener University is a private university established in 1821. It’s located in Chester, Pennsylvania, about 17 miles from Philadelphia.

In Widener’s School of Nursing, you’ll find a simulation center for practical learning, complete with various units like primary care, OB/GYN, trauma/ICU, pediatric, and an apartment suite.

As a nursing student at Widener, you’ll have the opportunity to gain clinical experience at several partner hospitals, including Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children, and more.

For financial aid, Widener provides scholarships, Federal Work-Study & non-work-study employment, and discounted tuition for employees of certain partners like AtlantiCare Health System and Bayhealth.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, a nursing student at Widener typically graduates with around $27,000 in federal student loan debt for a Bachelor’s degree and about $46,967 for a Master’s degree.

List of Widener Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Accelerated BSN Program (ABSN)

• Online RN to BSN to MSN Program

List of Widener Nursing Graduate Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing Education
  • Executive Nurse Leadership

• RN to MSN Program

• Post-Baccalaureate RN-DNP Program (BSN-to-DNP):
  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Family Nurse Practitioner CRNP
  • Health Systems Leadership

• Post-Master’s DNP Program (MSN-to-DNP)

• PhD in Nursing Science

Widener NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Widener Nursing Graduates

Overall Widener Student Ratings

Nurse Salary in the Greater Philadelphia Area

Why Consider Best Nursing Schools in Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania, including the Greater Philadelphia region, is currently experiencing a significant nursing shortage- one of the worst in the country, as noted by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).

To counter this issue, several steps have been recommended, such as making healthcare education more affordable and easily accessible.

This includes scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, more investment in healthcare education, and incentives for healthcare professionals to mentor the next generation.

Plus, there’s a bill proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on the table, aiming to offer a state tax refund for new nurses, potentially giving you up to $2,500 per year for three years.

Considering these initiatives, now could be the perfect time to think about joining or advancing your career through one of the best nursing programs in Philadelphia.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

• Information on these programs may change without notice. So, we cannot guarantee their authenticity and accuracy. You’d have to check with the school and do further research. Our review list is simply for guidance and cannot be relied upon exclusively without research on your part.
• Before enrollment, check with your state regarding licensing rules or whether your desired program meets your home state’s certification requirements and licensure.
• If you are an administrator/staff for one of the schools listed in this article, and you would like to issue corrections or updates on your program’s information, please contact us here.

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