Best Nursing Schools in Philadelphia: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 27, 2026
Compare 15 Philly nursing programs from $4,632 at CCP to $66,104 at Penn. Ivy League nursing grads earn $191,924. New grad RN salary: $77,364.
Why Study Nursing in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has one of the densest concentrations of hospitals and medical schools in the country. The University of Pennsylvania Health System, Jefferson Health (11 hospitals), Temple Health, Penn Medicine, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP — the nation's oldest children's hospital) create a massive clinical training and employment ecosystem.
The metro has 15 nursing programs spanning Ivy League research (Penn) to affordable community college ADN (CCP at $4,632/year). Average new graduate RN salary is $77,364, with experienced nurses earning $85,000-89,000.
Elite University Programs
University of Pennsylvania
Penn's School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top 5 nationally. Doctoral nursing graduates earn $191,924/year — the highest in Philadelphia by far. Tuition is $66,104 with a 5.9% acceptance rate and 96.5% graduation rate. Students rotate through Penn Medicine's hospitals, HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), and partner institutions. Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Drexel University
Doctoral nursing graduates earn $168,204/year at $60,663 tuition. Drexel's co-op model offers unique paid clinical experience. 77.5% acceptance rate and 77.6% graduation rate. Recently reduced tuition for community college transfers.
Villanova University
Master's nursing graduates earn $171,511/year — second highest in Philly. Tuition is $64,701 with a 25.1% acceptance rate and 91.5% graduation rate. Villanova's M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing is nationally recognized.
Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson's College of Nursing is embedded within Jefferson Health — an 18-hospital system. Master's graduates earn $108,214/year at $45,683 tuition. The 86% acceptance rate and direct pipeline to Jefferson Health jobs make it highly practical.
Temple University
Doctoral nursing at $22,082 in-state with graduates earning $115,715. Temple's 82.9% acceptance rate and location in North Philadelphia provide diverse clinical experiences including Temple University Hospital (Level I trauma).
Best Value
West Chester University — $10,687/year
The best value among state universities. BSN graduates earn $74,076 with a 79.2% acceptance rate and 70.7% graduation rate. Part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Holy Family University — $33,968/year
Master's nursing graduates earn $110,705 with a 74% acceptance rate. Located in Northeast Philadelphia.
La Salle University — $35,570/year
Master's graduates earn $112,782 with an 86% acceptance rate. Located in the Germantown area of Philadelphia.
Widener University (Chester) — $53,638/year
Master's nursing graduates earn $108,805 with an 84% acceptance rate. Located just outside the city in Chester, Delaware County.
Community College ADN Programs
| School | Tuition | ADN Earnings | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Philadelphia | $4,632/yr | $67,558 | 11,312 |
| Bucks County CC (Newtown) | $5,021/yr | $72,230 | 5,199 |
| Montgomery County CC (Blue Bell) | $6,270/yr | $61,758 | 7,181 |
| Delaware County CC (Media) | $6,660/yr | $67,950 | 7,065 |
Bucks County CC has the highest ADN earnings at $72,230/year at a reasonable $5,021 tuition.
Community College of Philadelphia has the lowest tuition at $4,632/year with 11,312 students — the largest CC serving the city proper.
Transfer Pathways
CCP Transfer Agreements
Community College of Philadelphia has strong transfer partnerships:
- Temple University — core-to-core general education transfer
- Drexel University — dual admissions + program-to-program agreements. Drexel guarantees admission for qualifying CCP graduates and recently reduced tuition for CC transfers
- Penn State Commonwealth Campuses — dual admissions with guaranteed junior status for AA/AS graduates
- West Chester University — articulation agreements for specific programs
Suburban CC Transfer
Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County CCs all have articulation agreements with regional universities including West Chester, Temple, and La Salle.
Philadelphia Nursing Salaries (2025)
- New graduate RN: $69,000-86,500/year
- Experienced RN: $85,000-110,000/year
- Nurse Practitioner: $105,000-140,000/year
Major employers: Penn Medicine (HUP, Pennsylvania Hospital, Chester County Hospital), Jefferson Health (11 hospitals), Temple Health, Main Line Health, Einstein Healthcare Network, CHOP.
Clinical Sites
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) — flagship academic medical center
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital — Center City academic hospital
- Temple University Hospital — North Philadelphia, Level I trauma
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — #2 children's hospital nationally
- Pennsylvania Hospital — nation's first hospital (founded 1751)
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center — West Philadelphia
- Einstein Medical Center — North Philadelphia
Financial Aid
- PA State Grant (PHEAA) — need-based for PA residents
- Institutional grants — Penn meets 100% of need; Drexel reduced CC transfer tuition
- HRSA Nurse Corps — tuition + stipend for underserved commitment
- Federal Pell Grant — covers CCP tuition entirely
Next Steps
Compare Philadelphia nursing programs on GradeToGrad.
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