Philadelphia is one of the great nursing education cities in the United States. Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Temple Health, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are globally recognized institutions that provide exceptional clinical training. The city's concentration of nursing programs means strong competition for the best students — and strong employment demand for graduates.
Types of Nursing Programs in Philadelphia
- LPN: About 12 months at community college and vocational programs in the area.
- ADN: 2 years at Community College of Philadelphia. Most affordable entry point in the region.
- BSN: 4 years at Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, Temple University, or University of Pennsylvania. Penn Nursing is consistently ranked among the top nursing programs in the world.
- RN-to-BSN: Online completion at Jefferson, Temple, and national programs.
- MSN/DNP: Graduate programs at Penn, Jefferson, and Drexel leading to NP, CRNA, and leadership roles.
What to Look for in a Philadelphia Nursing School
- Accreditation: ACEN or CCNE. Penn, Jefferson, Drexel, and Temple are all CCNE-accredited.
- NCLEX pass rates: Pennsylvania statewide rates are strong. Ask each program for their specific first-time data.
- Clinical partnerships: Programs with ties to Penn Medicine or Jefferson Health offer the most prestigious clinical placements in the region.
- Cost range: Community College of Philadelphia is very affordable. Penn Nursing is top-ranked with premium tuition. Evaluate ROI for each program level.
How to Pay for Nursing School in Philadelphia
- Federal Pell Grants: Up to $7,395 per year for eligible students.
- Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA): Significant state grant funding for eligible PA residents. One of the larger state grant programs in the country.
- WIOA via Pennsylvania CareerLink: Workforce training grants for in-demand healthcare careers.
- Employer reimbursement: Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and Temple Health all offer tuition assistance to qualifying employees.
Nursing Salaries in Philadelphia
- Entry-level RN: Approximately $58,000 per year
- Mid-career RN: Approximately $72,000 per year
- Experienced RN: $88,000 and above
- Nurse Practitioner: Average $118,000 per year in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing schools are in Philadelphia?
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, Temple University, and Community College of Philadelphia all offer nursing programs. Penn Nursing is globally ranked. Community College of Philadelphia is the most affordable entry point.
How much do nurses make in Philadelphia?
The average RN in Philadelphia earns approximately $72,000 per year at mid-career. The Philadelphia area has strong union presence through PASNAP, which affects wages and benefits at several major hospitals.
Is Penn Nursing one of the best nursing schools?
Yes. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top five nursing schools in the world. Admission is highly competitive and graduates are recruited by the most prestigious health systems nationally.
Is CHOP a good place to work as a pediatric nurse?
Yes. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is consistently ranked the top children's hospital in the United States and is a highly competitive clinical placement site for nursing students.
Does Philadelphia have a nursing shortage?
Philadelphia has high nursing education density, but demand still outpaces supply in specialty settings. Travel nursing is active in the Philadelphia market and major health systems offer sign-on bonuses for specialty RNs.
.svg)
