Best Nursing Schools in Pittsburgh in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

If you’re looking for a nursing school in Pennsylvania, you’re in luck. Obtaining a nursing degree at one of the best nursing schools in Pittsburgh prepares you for a career in nursing that can potentially be very rewarding. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the expected job outlook for nurses is ‘much faster than average,’ when compared to other types of professions.

Maybe you’re looking to go to one of the nurse anesthesia schools in Pittsburgh or specialize in another part of the field. There is a nursing shortage in Pittsburgh, which was recently reported by several media sources. The nursing shortage means that there are likely a variety of nursing positions available throughout different healthcare settings. When you complete your nursing degree or advanced credentials at one of these top Pittsburgh nursing schools, you likely expand your career opportunities, along with your earnings potential. Whether you’re looking for a BSN program in Pennsylvania or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option here.

The Best Nursing Schools in Pittsburgh, PA in 2024

1. Community College of Allegheny County – A.S.

Enroll in the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at the Community College of Allegheny County, and choose from five locations to complete your degree. Students that have current LPN licensure are eligible for advanced placement in this program, upon approval.

Learn the basics of nursing care in preparation for an entry-level nursing position. The program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam.

• Tuition: $116 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 95.16%
• Accreditation: ACEN

2. Butler County Community College – AAS

Prepare for an exciting career in nursing when you enroll in the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Butler County Community College. The program offers flexible pathways to help future nurses start their nursing careers and prepare for continuing their nursing education. The program also prepares students to sit for their NCLEX exam.

• Tuition: $70.25 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 92.86%
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Westmoreland County Community College – AAS

Gain the academic skills, along with the clinical preparation for becoming a nurse through opportunities at Westmoreland Community College, when you enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Start your entry-level nursing education at your choice of two campus locations.

Students can attend some of the best LPN nursing schools in Pittsburgh, PA. If you are a current LPN, you can receive advanced standing in this program, during your second year, upon approval.

• Tuition: $133 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 92%
• Accreditation: ACEN

4. California University of Pennsylvania – RN to BSN Online

The California University of Pennsylvania offers the 100 percent online RN to BSN program for current nurses that want to expand their education and career opportunities. Students build on the foundation of nursing that they learned in previous programs, and build upon their professional strengths. Prepare for graduate studies, or for an advanced-level nursing career when you receive your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the school. Students complete the program in just three full-time terms, or four part-time terms, which easily makes this one of the best nursing schools in Pittsburgh.

• Tuition: $322 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: est. 91.61%
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. La Roche University – MSN Online

La Roche University offers a completely online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program for the convenience of current nurses that are unable to attend classes in a traditional classroom setting. The school is likely proud of the fact that in recent years, 100 percent of students completed the program, and 100 percent of graduates obtained employment relevant to their degree.

The program helps nurses develop leadership competencies and learn to integrate evidence-based strategies that promote professional nursing practices and incorporate the communication, leadership, and collaboration skills required in advanced nursing.

• Tuition: $760 per credit hour
• First-time NCLEX pass rate: 100%
• Accreditation: ACEN

6. Chatham University – RN to BSN Online

Students that hold current registered nurse (RN) licensure have the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Chatham University. Enjoy the online format that allows working nurses the opportunity to complete most degree requirements on their time schedule.

The school believes that decisions made in nursing affect the future of nursing as a whole, and prepares students for decision-making, educational, and leadership roles in their careers.

• Tuition: $515 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: est. 90%
• Accreditation: CCNE

7. Robert Morris – RN to BSN

The RN to BSN program at Robert Morris University prepares nurses that hold a current registered nurse (RN) licensure for potential advanced opportunities in nursing through the RN to BSN program. Registered nurses enrolled in the program earn 42 credits towards this degree for their RN licensure, and their previous work experience.

Learn about the role of nurses working in a variety of healthcare settings, and to utilize evidence-based practice in nursing, along with other skills necessary for nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree.

• Tuition: $605 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 95%
• Accreditation: CCNE

8. Carlow University – BSN

Carlow University offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students that wish to obtain a comprehensive nursing education, and prepare to sit for the NCLEX exam. Classroom instruction focuses primarily on the basics of nursing, while also providing clinical experiences within the community for students in this program.

• Tuition: $943 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 96.23%
• Accreditation: CCNE

9. University of Pittsburgh – DNP

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of Pittsburgh prepares students for the highest levels of nursing practice through their individual choice of DNP program tracks. Choose the DNP – Clinical Nurse Specialist, the DNP – Nurse Practitioner, or your preferred track from three other options. The University of Pittsburgh is one of the best nurse practitioner schools in Pittsburgh, PA.

The program is limited to students that hold a current bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The school allows students that have their MSN degree to take some courses for the DNP program in an online format.

Students in this program consistently rank high in their respective program exam pass rates.

• Tuition: $1,122 per credit hour
• NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
• Accreditation: CCNE

Bonus Online Colleges

Though the following colleges are not located in Pittsburgh, they offer students everywhere the opportunity to attend a nursing program wherever they live.

Methodology

We ranked the nursing schools in Pittsburgh and their corresponding nursing programs by assigning a score for criteria that included the program tuition, NCLEX first time pass rate, and accreditation. We try our best to be honest, fair, and accurate in our representation of each school by gathering information from each school or from the NCES.

No school can pay us for higher ratings. Any supported school is listed separately and labeled as SUPPORTED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition rates or other information because these things sometimes change. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to check each school and program for current tuition costs.

If you would like to have your school included in our rankings, or listed as a supported school, please contact us.