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

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

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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.

With 319,502 degrees handed out in 2021-2022, nursing is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In , nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $70,911 and had an average of $28,318 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 12,725 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,336 and $29,857 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 573 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $73,157 and $118,033 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree in nursing. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their nursing program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania doctor’s degree nursing students.

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

1
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, 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, Chatham University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 62 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Chatham University Nursing Report

2
Wilkes crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wilkes University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Wilkes University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at Wilkes

3
Waynesburg crest
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Waynesburg University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania. Waynesburg is a small school located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Full Waynesburg Nursing Report

4
Holy Family crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Holy Family University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, 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 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Holy Family

5

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, York College of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in York, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s nursing students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at YCP

6
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Robert Morris University
Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. RMU is a small school located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania that handed out 28 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Robert Morris University Nursing Report

7
Thomas Jefferson University crest
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 37 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University

8
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Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carlow University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Carlow University is a small school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Carlow

9
10
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Duquesne University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 29 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on 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. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 83 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

12
Misericordia University crest
Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania

Misericordia University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Misericordia University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Misericordia University

13
Alvernia crest
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania

Alvernia University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Alvernia is located in Reading, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

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%.

Read full report on 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. University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 44 doctorate’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at UPenn

15
La Roche crest
La Roche University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

La Roche University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. La Roche University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full La Roche Nursing Report

16
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University came in at #16 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 Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Widener University

17
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. This fairly large school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 41 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Villanova

18
19
Gannon crest
Gannon University
Erie, Pennsylvania

Gannon University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #19. Gannon is a small school located in Erie, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gannon University Nursing Report

20

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Nursing Report

21
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 8 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on 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. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 more about Nursing at Millersville

23

With a ranking of #23, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It awarded 11 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

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 full report on Nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

24
University of Scranton crest
University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Scranton ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania list. Scranton, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s nursing degrees to 22 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Scranton

25
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Nursing Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Drexel is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 doctorate’s nursing degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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. 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 Drexel University Nursing Report

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