Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania: Top Schools
If you’re an LPN thinking about where you can go in your career, explore LPN to BSN bridge programs that can boost your skills and position you for job opportunities with higher pay. Take a look at schools that offer online LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, and learn about admissions requirements, costs, and coursework.
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Inside Online LPN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
As a busy LPN or LVN, you may wonder how you’ll find the time to earn a bachelor’s degree, especially if you’re working full time. LPN to BSN programs are designed for nurses just like you, with the flexibility you need to earn your degree.
Some hybrid programs offer asynchronous online courses so you can study on your own schedule, but you may be required to participate in on-campus laboratory experiences or clinical work at a health care facility.
Learn about LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, including admission requirements, financial aid options, and job outlook post graduation.
Marywood University
Students in the LPN to BSN program offered by Marywood University learn from experienced nursing faculty, knowledgeable about the challenges nurses face. Simulation labs with state-of-the-art equipment are equipped with new technologies that provide the most realistic experience by mimicking what you can expect when providing real-world care. The lab includes patient mannequins and simulators that help students practice what they’ve learned in a safe setting, sharpening clinical decision-making and critical thinking skills.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: On campus
Cost: $815 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- At least a 3.0 overall grade point average in college coursework
- At least a C average in nursing classes
Curriculum: The coursework prepares LPNs to increase responsibilities with classes covering nursing care across the lifespan. Students learn how to work with children, adults, families, and communities to provide quality, evidence-based care.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania has an LPN to RN program that prepares students to work in various settings, including medical surgical, critical care, pediatric, mental health, and oncology nursing environments.
The school, which boasts a 91 percent NCLEX-RN examination pass rate, gives students the knowledge and skills they need to build on their LPN experience.
In addition to classes that prepare you for increased responsibilities, the program provides the opportunity to compete clinicals at healthcare organizations, such as West Penn Hospital, Independence Health Westmoreland, St. Andrews Village, and Windber Hospital.
Duration: 48 months
Mode: On campus
Cost: $7,716 per year in-state; $11,200 per year out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- An LPN license
- At least a C grade in prerequisite classes
Curriculum: Students take classes about health assessments, as well as caring for children and adults; a maternal health course is required.
Wilson College
Wilson College’s LPN to BSN program focuses on strategies for practicing evidence-based nursing that are rooted in holistic principles and the health care ethics that guide the field. As a result, students learn how to address an individual’s needs and communicate effectively with patients and their families about their health issues.
Students develop their skills through a combination of online and hands-on coursework. LPNs can take advantage of the school’s asynchronous classes that allow them to work at their own pace. After completing virtual classes, students are required to participate in 240 hours of clinical experiences over three semesters.
Duration: 24 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $475 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A current LPN license
- A minimum 65 score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Curriculum: Classes cover nursing leadership, research, and informatics, as well as different areas of care, including providing services to the chronically ill, child-rearing families, and medical-surgical patients. Students also learn about the trends in nursing that professionals need to know and how these developments should be addressed in the workplace.
FAQs for Pennsylvania LPN to BSN Online Students
Now that you’ve learned more about LPN to BSN programs, you may have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions that prospective bachelor’s degree students have about this education path.
Are hybrid and online LPN to BSN programs more affordable than campus-based programs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, enrolling in hybrid and online programs can save you money. Some schools offer lower tuition rates for online students or courses. Paying for online LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania is sometimes more manageable, not because the classes are cheaper, but because you can work while in school.
Additionally, if remote courses allow for a faster graduation time, a nursing student can earn a higher income as an RN more quickly. There are also cost savings since you won’t need to live on or near campus or need to commute daily for on-campus classes.
Expert Insight
I attended graduate school online, and while I definitely avoided transportation costs, I needed to invest in better technology. Good internet service, and updated computer devices and software are a must to meet the technological demands of virtual learning. The last thing you want is to have internet connectivity issues in the middle of an exam!
What should I look for in an LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?
When choosing among LPN to BSN programs in Pennsylvania, first look for one that is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pay close attention to a school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate; top schools typically have pass rates consistently above state and national averages. Also, consider the job placement rate for program graduates. Given the strong demand for RNs, this should be fairly high.
Is financial aid available for my LPN to BSN program in Pennsylvania?
Yes, financial aid is available for traditional or online LPN to BSN Pennsylvania programs.
Forms of financial aid include:
- Institutional scholarships, offered by individual schools, such as Marywood University
- Merit- and need-based scholarships funded by corporations and nonprofit organizations
- Federal aid, including student loans and grants
Make sure your program is accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for eligibility to receive federal financial aid.
Will earning my LPN to BSN degree online or through a hybrid program impact my ability to get licensed?
No. RN licensure in Pennsylvania requires you to graduate from a program that has been approved by the state’s nursing board. If a school has this approval, it can offer hybrid or online nursing courses. Just make sure it provides in-person educational activities, such as labs and clinicals.
If you’ve met the education requirements, you can take the NCLEX exam, and if you pass, you can receive your RN license. Note: when you apply, you will need to pay a $95 initial licensing fee and successfully complete a background check.
Will employers care if I took some of my LPN to BSN classes online?
No. Most employers just want to know that you completed RN training from a board-approved, accredited program. Employers understand that online nursing programs emphasize experiential learning, providing the practical skills you need during in-person clinical and lab courses that can’t be provided online.
Expert Insight
It’s very unlikely for an employer to deny you because you attended an online program. Employers simply want to know that you gained experience taking care of patients as an RN student. Because in-person clinical training is a foundational part of LPN to BSN programs, you will meet this qualification.
Salary & Career Comparison: LPN vs. BSN
Pennsylvania offers a steady job market for nurses, especially those who earn their registered nursing credentials. The growth rate for registered nurses in Pennsylvania is estimated to be 4.7% through 2032, which is only slightly lower than the national growth rate of 5.3%. RNs in Pennsylvania can expect to find more work in metro areas, particularly where large research hospitals are located, such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Registered nurses can expect a higher wage than they earned as LPNs. In Pennsylvania, LPNs earned a median annual wage of $59,650 in 2023, while RNs earned substantially more at $82,780. That income gap increases as a person progresses in their career, with LPNs in the 90th percentile making $72,270 and RNs earning a much higher $109,740. Keep in mind that these incomes are likely to be higher in metro areas, and some nurses who specialize in a particular area, such as oncology or pediatrics, can earn substantially more early in their careers.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Pennsylvania | $47,020 | $59,650 | $72,270 |
| Registered Nurses | Pennsylvania | $64,820 | $82,780 | $109,740 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | Pennsylvania | 148,790 | 155,810 | 7,020 | 4.70% | 8,890 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Pennsylvania | 34,410 | 36,560 | 2,150 | 6.20% | 2,900 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
