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Online RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
We’re pleased to report that Pennsylvania has more online RN to MSN programs than any other state in the country. Each one will have its own admissions requirements (e.g. non-nursing bachelor’s vs. associate degree or diploma), so check the school profiles first to see if you qualify for entry. Here are a few more points to keep in mind:
- Chatham University: Chatham’s Online RN to MSN is offered through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, which has answers to many FAQs about its distance learning programs.
- Drexel University: Drexel has great concentrations, but students from certain states are ineligible for the online MSN—read the section on state regulations for more details. There are also short residency requirements for the CNL, Nursing Education, and Healthcare Quality options.
- La Roche University: Out-of-state and international candidates should be aware that all of La Roche’s online MSN concentrations have an on-campus component.
- La Salle University: Bridge coursework for the RN to MSN is online. Some of La Salle’s MSN programs are offered in an online format (e.g. NP specialties); other concentrations will be hybrid or on-campus.
- Messiah College: The majority of online coursework at Messiah is conducted asynchronously (i.e. log in whenever you like), with some synchronous sessions throughout the year.
- Robert Morris University: Concentrations in RMU’s Online RN to MSN focus primarily on education and leadership. There’s a particularly interesting concentration in Nursing Education: Simulation.
- University of Pittsburgh: At Pitt, CNL candidates have the option to choose face-to-face or online, but the Nursing Informatics concentration is only offered online.
- Wilkes University: Wilkes’s Online RN to MSN has a number of NP concentrations (e.g. AGPCNP, PMHNP, FNP), but students in these tracks will need to attend short on-campus residencies. Wilkes also has answers to many Online Nursing Programs FAQs.
Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
This ranking of the most affordable Pennsylvania RN to MSN programs is based on per credit graduate tuition rates. But it’s just an estimate! Each program in our listing has a unique number of total credits. Many will have additional fees and different undergraduate tuition rates for bridge coursework. And some will even accept transfer credits and a portfolio review on selected bridge courses.
- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania: In-State (Out-of-State is comparable to Chatham & La Roche)—View Tuition Rates
- Messiah College: View Tuition Rates
- Wilkes University: View Tuition Rates
- Chatham University: View Tuition Rates
- La Roche University: View Tuition Rates
We also want to point out that Messiah College has no extra fees. That means what you see is what you get when you multiply the tuition rate by the total number of credits.
Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Landscape
Pennsylvania is a tale of three regions. If you examine PA on the BCBS Health Index Map, you’ll see that the northeastern part of Pennsylvania is relatively healthy, especially in areas bordering southern New York. But the Philadelphia area and the rural west tend to lag behind. High cancer rates, disparities in healthcare access for Hispanics, and a large percentage of drug overdose deaths are just some of the problems that the state has been trying to address.
Philadelphia faces its own unique challenges. Even with all of the world-class hospitals, inequality has long been the city’s bugbear. It’s been called the biggest poor city in the country, a title which invariably comes with related healthcare issues such as terrible nutrition, low insurance rates, and mental health crises. In recent years, certain neighborhoods have experienced rocketing poverty rates and plummeting incomes. See the Census’s American Community Survey (ACS) for more details.
But there’s always hope:
- Despite the closure of Hahnemann University Hospital, big Pennsylvania universities continue to maintain strong ties with healthcare providers (e.g. Tower Health and Drexel).
- The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) is spearheading improvements in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for rural communities.
- The Philadelphia Health Partnership is pumping grant money into non-profits that aim to improve the health and well-being of underserved Philadelphians.
- And PAC is leading nursing initiatives in areas such as patient safety, nurse residency programs, diversity mentorship, and more.
Aspiring APRNs should find plenty of opportunities to help in areas such as early intervention & primary care in Philadelphia, an expansion of mental health & drug addiction programs, nurse midwifery in rural areas, and more. Nurse leaders & executives in hospitals can also instigate outreach efforts and advocate on a state & federal level for more thoughtful funding.
Jobs for Pennsylvania RN to MSN Graduates
Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates
Hospital cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are obvious hotspots for newly qualified APRNs. If you look at the employment maps in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’s pages for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary, you’ll see that the Philadelphia metropolitan area has some of the highest job levels in the country for these professionals.
- Philadelphia: Around 20% of the state’s NPs work in Philadelphia, including places like CHOP and the Albert Einstein Medical Center. Check out the U.S. ranking of Best Hospitals in Pennsylvania and the ANCC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Pennsylvania to compare options.
- Universities: Universities are another lucrative source of opportunity, especially for nurse educators and APRNs affiliated with their medical institutions (e.g. Temple University Hospital). UPenn, Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are massive statewide employers; Temple, Drexel, and Thomas Jefferson University are always big in Philadelphia. In fact, Pennsylvania often employs more nursing instructors & teachers than almost any other state bar New York.
- Rural: As always, rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) struggle to compete with city centers. However, in 2019, the state launched a Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, which allows Medicare and other participating payers to pay rural hospitals on a global budget. The hope is that the initiative will keep at-risk hospitals open and preserve health professional jobs. If Pennsylvania NPs succeed in their efforts to practice without the oversight of a physician, the flow of APRN jobs to rural areas may also increase.
Career Resources for Future APRNs
Pennsylvania Nursing Job Boards
- PSNA Career Center: Openings for Pennsylvania nurses, including APRNs
- PCNP Career Center: Job listings for Pennsylvania NPs
- PONL Career Opportunities: Job listings for Pennsylvania nurse leaders
Pennsylvania APRN Salary & Wage Data
- Annual Mean Wages for Pennsylvania Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
- Annual Mean Wages for Pennsylvania Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
- AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members
Pennsylvania Nursing Organizations
State Board of Nursing
PA Nursing Associations & Coalitions
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Pennsylvania Chapters
- Pennsylvania Action Coalition (PAC)
- Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (PCNP)
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Nursing Schools Association (PHENSA)
- Pennsylvania Indian American Nurses Organization (PIANO)
- Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA)
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Area Black Nurses Association (SEPABNA)
PA Nursing Specialty Organizations
- American College of Nurse-Midwives – Pennsylvania Affiliate (Pennsylvania ACNM)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Pennsylvania Chapter (APNA Pennsylvania)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Pennsylvania (AWHONN – Pennsylvania)
- Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA)
- Pennsylania Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (PAPAN)
- Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP)
- Pennsylvania Emergency Nurses Association (PAENA)
- Pennsylvania League for Nursing (PLN)
- Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL)
- Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)
Pennsylvania RN to MSN School Listings
11 Schools FoundBloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Department of Nursing
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
RN to BSN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to BSN to MSN - Nursing Administration
Offered Online
RN to BSN to MSN - Public Health Nursing
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Bloomsburg is a public university and part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. That means in-state tuition rates are a) affordable; and b) significantly lower than out-of-state tuition rates. The Department of Nursing issues an Annual Report that will tell you a great deal about faculty, students, and current initiatives (e.g. Aging Special Interest Group). Overall, the Department has a strong pass rate for exams and a reputation for dedicated teaching. In their reviews, graduates say nursing instructors are fantastic - professional, educated, and eager to help you succeed.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Bloomsburg has a hybrid RN-BSN-MSN option for RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who are interested in NP specialties. But it appears RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree can apply for an RN to MSN track. Applicants should have a 3.0 GPA on any undergraduate work. Bloomsburg's Graduate Catalog has the most up-to-date info on admissions - check with the program coordinator for exact details on bridge coursework. You can choose full-time or part-time study for the MSN portion. On a full-time schedule, the master's degree takes around 2 years to complete.
Chatham University
Nursing Department
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
RN to MSN - Educator Track
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Chatham is a small private university in Pittsburgh, but tuition rates are fairly reasonable for a private school and nursing is a popular major. The School of Continuing & Professional Studies prides itself on the convenience & supportive nature of its distance learning programs and the online graduate nursing programs often receive praise from alumni, especially students who were working full-time while studying.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Chatham's Online RN to MSN Integrated Degree is for aspiring nurse educators who hold an associate's degree or diploma in nursing and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. It works on an RN-BSN-MSN model - during the program, you'll be able to substitute BSN courses with MSN courses that meet the BSN program outcomes. The entire program is 47 credits, including 260 experiential practice hours. It takes around 2 years (6 semesters) to finish on full-time basis and 3 years on a part-time basis.
Drexel University
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
RN-BSN-MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader
Offered Online
RN-BSN-MSN in Nursing Education
Offered Online
RN-BSN-MSN in Quality, Safety, and Risk Management
Offered Online
RN-MSN Bridge Program - Clinical Nurse Leader
Offered Online
RN-MSN Bridge Program - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
If you're looking for a private research university with a great reputation and a big healthcare footprint in the area, this is it. Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions and Drexel Online emphasize interactive learning methods and challenging coursework. But it's the enthusiasm of independent graduate reviews that impresses us. Alumni have nothing but praise for the rigorous curriculum, helpful faculty, and engaging online coursework. It's not cheap, but Drexel does offer a tuition lock for those who complete the program within 3 years. And special online tuition rates are available for Drexel alumni, military members, and members of partner organizations.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree will find all kinds of choice at Drexel. The Online RN to MSN Bridge Program is open to RNs who have a BSN equivalent or a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. This choice involves only one 10-week-long, online bridge course (the BSN is not awarded in this path). But the Online Dual Accelerated RN-BSN-MSN allows the same candidates to take 15 quarter credits at the BSN level and then directly matriculate into one of the MSN programs. Candidates must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on all previous coursework to apply; Drexel will consider lower GPAs on an individual basis. The MSN portion of the program will take 2-3 years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time).
Gannon University
Villa Maria School of Nursing
Erie, Pennsylvania
Nursing School Overview
One of Gannon's key assets is personalized attention. The Villa Maria School of Nursing has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an intimate feel. It also boasts a 95%-100% placement rate for its undergraduate programs and the largest comprehensive patient simulation center in the region. But its graduate programs are pricey. You may want to ask your current employer if they're willing to help with tuition reimbursement.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Gannon is a private Catholic university based in Erie, where the on-campus RN to MSN is offered. This is a streamlined program for RNs who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing (the BSN is not awarded during the process). Candidates should have a 3.0 GPA or higher on any undergraduate coursework and present evidence of leadership potential. Up to 32 nursing articulation credits are granted for previous basic nursing education. You'll need to talk to the program coordinator about requirements for bridge coursework. The MSN portion of the program is 48 credits; part-time study on the master's takes 3 years (2 courses per semester).
La Roche University
Division of Nursing
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
RN-MSN Program - Clinical Nurse Leader
Offered Online
RN-MSN Program - Nurse Administrator
Offered Online
RN-MSN Program - Nurse Educator
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
La Roche is a small, private Catholic university in McCandless Township with a sturdy reputation for nursing results. The Department of Nursing conducts annual surveys, and year after year respondents state that they are employed in positions that are reflective of their degree. Plus MSN completion rates are great. While you're exploring tuition rates, be sure to look at the corporate discounts. For example, RNs at UMPC Passavant get a huge break on per credit tuition rates.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
La Roche's Online RN-MSN may be a great fit for aspiring nurse leaders & educators. It's an RN-BSN-MSN program that's open to nurses with an associate degree or diploma and a 3.0 GPA. The BSN portion of the program is reduced by 2 elective courses (6 credits), plus you'll be able to take 2 graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. Once you reach the master's degree, you're looking at around 2 years of study on a full-time schedule, with 2-3 courses per semester. Each online MSN option includes a campus component.
La Salle University
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nursing School Overview
La Salle likes to emphasize flexibility. Online MSN programs have multiple start dates, and tuition can be paid by course. If you're eyeing the hybrid options, you'll report to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences on the Philadelphia campus. According to the school's website, advanced education funding and graduate assistantships are available to help offset costs.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
La Salle is a private Catholic university with flexible online and hybrid programs. The RN to MSN Bridge Program is designed for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Students in this track take 4 courses at the undergraduate level (transfer credit options are available for some coursework). But it also has an RN-BSN to MSN Program that is designed for RNs with a diploma or associate degree in nursing. In this option, students can take selected graduate-level courses while completing the baccalaureate. MSN specialties range in length and number of credits. If you work hard, online NP programs can be completed in 18-20 months.
Messiah College
Department of Nursing
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
RN to MSN - Nurse Educator
Offered Online
RN-MSN - Nursing Administration
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
As you might have guessed from the name, Messiah is a private Christian college in Mechanicsburg. You'll notice that programs in the Department of Nursing incorporate a Christian faith perspective. The big plus for Messiah is affordability - it has a no-fee tuition structure, which means you'll only be paying for cost per credit. The online program is available with flexible start dates and deferred payment options are available if your employer is reimbursing your tuition.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Messiah's Online RN to MSN Program is open to RNs who have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing, as well as RNs with the same academic credentials who also hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Candidates should have a 3.0 GPA; lower GPAs will be considered on an individual basis. A total of 150 credit hours are required to complete the entire RN-MSN: 120 credit hours of undergraduate requirements and 30 graduate nursing credit hours. Check with the program coordinator to see how many credits you can transfer. The online MSN portion will take around 2-3 years to complete.
Moravian College
Nursing Program
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nursing School Overview
For those who are new to the area, Moravian is a private liberal arts college in Bethlehem that is associated with the Moravian Theological Seminary. The Department of Nursing and Public Health is small and student-oriented. Classes are offered in the evening to accommodate working RNs and personalized clinical placements are provided. The program director will also be able to help you design an individualized plan of study.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Moravian's RN to MSN Bridge Program is intended for RNs who have earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree and have a 3.0 GPA on their pre-licensure nursing program. Before you can proceed to the master's portion of the program, you'll need to demonstrate your grasp of Baccalaureate Nursing Competencies. The section on admissions requirements has a full list of these competencies. The MSN itself will vary in length (i.e. 35-37 credits). For example, a 12-course program might take 4 semesters on a full-time basis and 6 semesters on a part-time basis. A few courses are available in the summer.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
School of Nursing
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
RN Options: RN-MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader
Offered Online
RN Options: RN-MSN - Informatics
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Pitt is the undisputed juggernaut in our list. The School of Nursing often receives superb nursing rankings from U.S. News & World Report, including top 10 spots for the CNL and the online MSN. The School runs a number of Research HUBS (e.g. Excellence in eHealth Research) and folks rave about the graduate nursing programs. Expert faculty, challenging coursework, rich learning environments, customized plans of action - these are just some of the comments that have been made in independent reviews. All of this quality comes with a price. Although Pitt is a state-related university, online tuition for this RN-MSN program is very high. However, the School of Nursing does have plenty of scholarships (e.g. Endowed Nursing Scholarship).
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Pitt's Online RN-MSN offering allows working RNs with a diploma or associate degree in nursing to earn a BSN with early admission to the MSN. Candidates should have a 3.0 GPA and competitive GRE scores; clinical experience may be required for some specialties. The School accepts up to 68 transfer credits. Once you're in, you'll be able to complete the RN-MSN curricula on a part-time or full-time basis. 24 credits of the undergraduate portion also count towards the core courses for the graduate degree. That means you can earn both the BSN and the MSN while saving a year of coursework. The Informatics concentration is 100% online; the CNL concentration is online or face-to-face.
Widener University
School of Nursing
Chester, Pennsylvania
Nursing School Overview
Widener is a private university with a top-notch School of Nursing. It is one of only a few schools that have been recognized by the NLN as a Center of Excellence in Advancing the Science of Nursing Education and it maintains an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical settings. It even runs a community nursing clinic in Chester, Pennsylvania that provides free health care to those without insurance. The School will help you arrange clinical placements at regional partner institutions (e.g. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, etc.) and faculty have been called supportive in every way.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Widener's hybrid Accelerated RN to MSN is designed for RNs who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Candidates should have a 3.0 GPA and a license to practice in Pennsylvania. The bridge coursework consists of 3 courses (12 credits). The MSN portion can be completed in 18-24 months of full-time study or at your own pace for part-time study (within the 5-year time limit). Better yet, you can enroll in this program at the main campus in Chester or the Central Pennsylvania campus in Harrisburg.
Wilkes University
Passan School of Nursing
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nurse Executive
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Informatics
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Even though Wilkes isn't a giant private university, the Passan School of Nursing is active. It maintains partnerships with hospitals and agencies throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and it recently launched a Ph.D. in nursing - the only one of its kind in the region. Exam pass rates are strong and student reviewers state that job placement is high. Folks also praise the convenience of the online set-up and quality of the tools & resources.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
If you're looking for options in distance learning, Wilkes's Online RN to MSN has the lot! It's an accelerated program that's designed for RNs with associate degree in nursing and at least one year of clinical experience (3.0 GPA for NP programs; 2.8 GPA for other concentrations). It doesn't include the BSN. Instead, you'll take 2 bridge courses (10 credits, including 45 hours of clinical work) and then proceed to the MSN. Online master's degrees range in length, from 49-53 credits.
