2025 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
56
Colleges in Pennsylvania
9,950
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in
registered nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 56 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 9,950 degrees in registered nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School
Your choice of registered nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for registered nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Registered Nursing Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Registered Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
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.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Pennsylvania
The schools below may not offer all types of registered nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
11 Top Pennsylvania Schools in Registered Nursing
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
13th
Most Popular In PA
219
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
University of Pennsylvania is a great decision for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
There were approximately 219 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Pennsylvania
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In PA
338
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #85 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Pitt is a great university overall.
There were approximately 338 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In PA
894
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
It is hard to beat Drexel University if you wish to pursue a degree in registered nursing. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #115 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Drexel is a great university overall.
There were about 894 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Drexel University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In PA
689
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
It's difficult to beat Thomas Jefferson University if you wish to pursue a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #89 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Thomas Jefferson University is a great university overall.
There were about 689 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Thomas Jefferson University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In PA
269
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Villanova is a great university overall.
There were approximately 269 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Villanova in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Villanova University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
19th
Most Popular In PA
188
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
La Salle is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #446 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means La Salle is a great university overall.
There were about 188 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at La Salle in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from La Salle University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
11th
Most Popular In PA
201
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Widener is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Chester. A Best Colleges rank of #344 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Widener is a great university overall.
There were approximately 201 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Widener in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Widener University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In PA
355
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the rural area of Lancaster, PA College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
There were roughly 355 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at PA College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
40th
Most Popular In PA
74
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Scranton. A Best Colleges rank of #202 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Scranton is a great university overall.
There were roughly 74 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University of Scranton in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Scranton
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
28th
Most Popular In PA
110
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
DeSales is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Center Valley. This university ranks 34th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.
There were about 110 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at DeSales in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from DeSales University
