Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Pennsylvania | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org’s Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| La Roche University | $801 per credit hour | 20 months | ACEN |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | $830 per credit hour | 20 months | CCNE |
| Saint Vincent College | $970 per credit hour | 20 months | CCNE |
| University of Pennsylvania | $142,749 total | 15 months | CCNE |
| West Chester University | $704.20 per credit hour | 24 months | CCNE |
We’re highlighting five direct-entry MSN programs in Pennsylvania. These programs are a mix of public and private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 15 and 24 months to complete.
La Roche University has partnership clinical sites, laboratory simulations, and online coursework, allowing students hands-on experience and convenience. Prospective students can take a virtual tour online of the lab to get a feel for what the program would entail. The 2023-2024 cohort had a 93.55% NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93.55% and 100% job placement within three years of graduating. La Roche also offers additional advanced education for MSN-RN students who wish to continue on past the program, including pathways to become a clinical nurse leader, nurse practitioner, nursing administrator, or nurse educator.
Program Highlights
- Partnership clinical sites and laboratory simulations
- Online coursework available (hybrid format)
- 93.55% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2023-2024 cohort)
- 100% job placement within three years of graduating
- Pathways to CNL, NP, nursing administrator, or nurse educator
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completed school application
- All transcripts
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Gwynedd offers unique ways to save: for instance, any alumni entering the program may receive a tuition discount (up to 10%), and after graduation, students may have the opportunity for tuition reimbursement if they take a job at one of the partnering local health systems. The program prepares students with in-person clinicals at over 100 healthcare partner sites, a simulation lab, and a total of 765 clinical hours. Gwynedd also offers opportunities for students to continue on to earn a DNP, if they so choose.
Program Highlights
- Up to 10% tuition discount for alumni
- Tuition reimbursement opportunities through partner health systems
- Over 100 healthcare partner clinical sites
- 765 total clinical hours
- Pathway to DNP available
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completed school application
- All transcripts
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Saint Vincent College’s direct MSN program offers a concentration as a Clinical Nurse Leader, preparing students for a hands-on clinical leadership role. The program is in-person, full-time, and prepares students to not only take the NCLEX-RN exam, but also the national Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification. Graduates of the program will amass 1,080 clinical hours in all settings: medical-surgical acute care, geriatrics, surgery, behavioral health, pediatrics, OB-GYN, ED, ICU, and community health. After graduating, students will also have the foundation to continue their education with a DNP or PhD through Saint Vincent College, should they so choose. As a Benedictine college, Saint Vincent’s prides itself on developing well-rounded students with emotional intelligence, a key skill for nursing professionals.
Program Highlights
- Clinical Nurse Leader concentration
- 1,080 clinical hours across all settings
- Prepares for both NCLEX-RN and CNL certification
- Pathway to DNP or PhD available
- Benedictine college emphasis on emotional intelligence
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completed school application
- All transcripts
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
With only four semesters of full-time, in-person work and clinicals, the University of Pennsylvania is an intensive program that starts in the fall. There are two direct-entry paths for students: the MSN-RN for students with a non-nursing bachelor's who are solely interested in sitting for the NCLEX to become a registered nurse or the MPN-NP program, which prepares students to sit first for the NCLEX to become an RN and then continue on for a nurse practitioner track. Students should be advised that the program is full-time, so working outside of the course and clinical work is not allowed, and some clinicals will take place on weekends as well.
Program Highlights
- Four semesters of full-time study
- Two direct-entry paths: MSN-RN and MPN-NP
- Ivy League institution
- NP track available through MPN-NP pathway
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completed school application
- All transcripts
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Two years with West Chester will place students in a position to take the NCLEX, all with a heavy emphasis on leadership in their future roles as nurses. Students can apply on a rolling basis until the December 1 deadline, with the program beginning in January of the following year. Around 30-40 students are accepted each year. During the summer, students will attend in-person classes on weekdays, while fall and spring will have the addition of clinicals that may occur on weekends. The program does require flexibility, based on clinical availability, so students are not permitted to have work outside their courses and clinicals.
Program Highlights
- Emphasis on leadership in nursing roles
- Rolling admissions until December 1 deadline
- 30-40 students accepted per year
- Program begins in January
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Completed school application
- All transcripts
Program Information
- Application Deadline: December 1 (Rolling)
- Contact Information:
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Pennsylvania
Direct-entry MSN programs in Pennsylvania are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 15 months to a few years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Pennsylvania since the state does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Tuition for direct-entry MSN programs varies by program. The most affordable program on our list is West Chester University. Though the number of credits isn’t listed by the school, they do offer a $1,499.74 flat rate per semester if you’re taking nine credits or more. For a two-year program, this tuition is much lower than the other schools on the list that range from $60,000-$142,000. Don’t forget that you should also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Pennsylvania differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Pennsylvania will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Pennsylvania Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Pennsylvania
NP Salary in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania is $126,730, or $60.93 per hour, which is a bit lower than the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Arizona is home to 10,860 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Pennsylvania
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in California are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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