Your Guide to Online NP Programs in Pennsylvania
Explore top online NP programs in PA, the features that make them stand out, and the many nurse practitioner jobs they prepare you for.
Are you considering becoming a nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania? If so, you’re not alone. Nurse Practitioners Care for PA indicates there has been substantial growth in the field in recent years with an approximate 22% growth in the NP workforce since 2017. The recent pandemic contributed to nursing shortages nationwide, further increasing the demand for nurses of all skill levels — but especially those with advanced skills.
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires advanced education, but not all nursing programs are created equal and your options will depend heavily on your own unique financial, geographic, professional, and personal constraints. Luckily, given the uptick in online programs, there are now more programs to choose from than ever before. Whether you want to prioritize schools with strong financial aid and scholarship offerings or accelerated courses of study, this guide is a great place to start. Keep reading for an overview of the top online NP programs in PA that made their way onto our list.
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania
Private
DeSales University
Center Valley, Pennsylvania
Private
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Private
Features of Top PA Nurse Practitioner Programs
Pennsylvania offers a wide array of cutting-edge nurse practitioner programs. Although deciding on the right program is a highly personal decision, there are some features that are universally important in setting top online NP programs in PA apart from the crowd.
Accreditation
Accreditation is paramount when choosing an NP program. Attending unaccredited schools can prevent you from finding gainful employment or even transferring your credits if you choose to further your education beyond an NP program. Ensure your nursing school is fully accredited by an organization like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Affordable Tuition & Fees
Another vital component of a nurse practitioner program is affordability. If you have the money, you can essentially afford any program you want. This is not usually the case, though, and most students rely heavily on financial aid, scholarships, and student loans. If the latter applies to you, shop around and compare prices before enrolling. Otherwise, you may end up in an overpriced program that is inferior to a more cost-effective one.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
Another important element of a top NP program is its graduates’ pass rates on national certification exams like the FNP-BC. Although it’s up to each student to do their best to prepare and pass their exam(s), some programs provide students with more tools and resources to prepare for making a difference than others. Checking the program’s pass rates gives you a better idea of how much emphasis the school places on practical preparation for certification and the workforce.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
You should also make sure you enroll in a program with a comprehensive curriculum because there are many moving parts involved in becoming a nurse practitioner. If you enroll in a program that isn’t comprehensive, you may discover that other requirements must be met before you can begin your career. Specifically, options to complete the clinical hours should be included in the curriculum; otherwise, you may be left rushing to complete them to get certified.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
Becoming a nursing student doesn’t negate your existing responsibilities, so there may be times when your studies are not your top priority. This is why flexibility in format and enrollment is essential. Finding flexible programs gives you the leeway often required of busy students with the stress of jobs, families, etc. For instance, if you have an ill child, it’s far easier to keep up or catch up if you’re in an online program than if you have to attend class in person. It also helps if you enroll in programs that allow you to switch from full-time to part-time and vice versa if necessary.
Specialization Options
Lastly, find out about specialization options since they directly impact the types of jobs you can pursue once you graduate. If you prefer to work with children, for instance, search for NP programs with pediatric specializations like Penn Nursing’s Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. Discover the specializations available in all your prospective schools, so you can better decide which schools and programs align with your educational and professional goals.
Exploring Different NP Degree Options in PA
Becoming a nurse of any kind is not straightforward. Rather, it’s often a choose-your-own-adventure mission that includes various pivots and reroutes before reaching your destination. For instance, there are a few different programs to choose from when you are on a direct path to becoming an NP. Here is an overview of each of those programs.
MSN
MSN programs prepare students for advanced nursing roles in practice, research, education, and leadership. They develop a keen ability to serve as leaders and change agents in healthcare and healthcare-adjacent facilities. These programs also prepare them to become exemplary leaders in communication, collaboration, and scholarship. With the help of honed critical thinking skills, students become better capable of uncovering and assessing organizational issues while also providing the most straightforward, diplomatic solutions. The intended result is someone who can create and supervise highly collaborative teams.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
Nurse practitioner certificate programs are non-degree programs that enable nurses with master’s degrees to earn NP certifications. These programs require students to complete a mandatory number of clinical hours before receiving their certifications. Students can choose to complete them before enrolling, or they can complete them under the supervision of an instructor while in the program. The number of hours students must complete is determined on a case-by-case basis. Either way, enrolling in these programs enables students to earn their certifications and choose specializations that allow them to practice as nurse practitioners officially.
Featured Programs:
Immaculata University: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Drexel University: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
DNP
A Doctor of Nursing Practice program results in a post-master’s degree, also known as a terminal degree. These degrees prepare students for roles in healthcare leadership and advanced clinical practice. DNPs are like a PhD in nursing, but a DNP allows graduates to apply their knowledge to practice in the field rather than to research. A DNP holder can take positions in clinical education, high-level leadership, and healthcare policy, so earning a DNP allows students to pursue upper-level opportunities in healthcare.
Featured Programs:
West Chester University: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Bloomsburg Commonwealth University: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Career and Salary Prospects for Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioners
Beyond just choosing the right top nurse practitioner program in Pennsylvania for your needs, you also need to think about where in Pennsylvania you might like to work after graduation. While the median state-wide annual salary for PA nurse practitioners is $126,140, salaries really range depending on factors like geography, with low-end practitioner salaries under $100,000 per year and top-end practitioner salaries exceeding $160,000 per year. Note that, unlike some professions wherein urban-set roles promise to pay more, that’s not the case with nurse practitioner roles in Pennsylvania. While Philadelphia boasts high median salaries, Pittsburgh does not. The top three locations for highest median nurse practitioner salaries in the state are Philadelphia and the surrounding area, Reading, and Allentown and the surrounding area.
Wherever you choose to work, though, rest assured that there are plenty of job growth opportunities for the foreseeable future, with Pennsylvania growth rates for nurse practitioner job openings exceeding 40%, slightly below (though still impressive) the national average. You can explore salary expectations across Pennsylvania further, in the data below.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $99,530 | $126,140 | $162,820 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,700 | $128,900 | $161,020 |
| Altoona, PA | $93,870 | $113,450 | $153,410 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | $99,010 | $117,360 | $127,000 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | $102,130 | $119,200 | $162,000 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | $97,460 | $125,330 | $177,060 |
| Erie, PA | $97,240 | $113,640 | $141,960 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $104,070 | $130,810 | $163,600 |
| Johnstown, PA | $87,190 | $105,820 | $121,290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $100,640 | $122,550 | $152,060 |
| Lebanon, PA | $100,240 | $118,080 | $155,040 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $105,700 | $130,260 | $161,450 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,340 | $119,690 | $175,770 |
| Reading, PA | $97,990 | $130,490 | $166,960 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA | $99,460 | $122,660 | $156,410 |
| State College, PA | $98,540 | $121,210 | $149,490 |
| Williamsport, PA | $95,940 | $119,390 | $156,320 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $99,960 | $127,400 | $162,820 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
