Discover Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a 4 year or higher National University. It is a public and non-profit institution. The institution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to MSN, DNP, MSN to DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus admits 55% of applicants and graduates 85% of its students.
Contact Info
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, 201 Old Main, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, US
- 1-814-865-4700
- Visit School
Quick Overview
- $69,372 Undergraduate Tuition
- $37,229 Graduate Tuition
- Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity
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41,417 Undergraduate Enrolled
*Certificate and degree-seeking students - 8,283 Graduate Students Enrolled
- 55% Acceptance Rate
- 85% Graduation Rate
Student Demographics
- 21 Average Age
- 53% Men
- 47% Women
- 0% Veterans
- 88% White
- 3% Hispanic
- 7% Black
- 2% Asian
College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.
Nursing Programs
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Accelerated BSN
- On-Campus BSN Program
- $61,860 In-State Tuition
- 60 Credits
- 16 Months
- 3.25 GPA Required
- 4.6 Program Score
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Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner AGPCNP
- Online BSN to DNP Program
- $66,105 In-State Tuition
- 65 Credits
- 36 Months
- 1200 Clincal Hours
- 4.9 Program Score
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Family Nurse Practitioner FNP
- Online BSN to DNP Program
- $68,139 In-State Tuition
- 67 Credits
- 36 Months
- 1200 Clincal Hours
- 4.7 Program Score
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Nurse Educator
- Online MSN to Post Grad Certificate Program
- $9,243 In-State Tuition
- 9 Credits
- 12 Months
- 4.9 Program Score
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Nurse Educator
- Online BSN to MSN Program
- $36,972 In-State Tuition
- 36 Credits
- 24 Months
- 3.00 GPA Required
- 270 Clincal Hours
- 4.6 Program Score
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Nurse Informatics
- Online MSN to Post Grad Certificate Program
- $5,688 In-State Tuition
- 9 Credits
- 12 Months
- 4.9 Program Score
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RN to BSN
- Online + On-Campus BSN Programs
- $22,536 In-State Tuition
- 36 Credits
- 12 Months
- 4.6 Program Score
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Traditional BSN
- On-Campus BSN Program
- $123,720 In-State Tuition
- 120 Credits
- 48 Months
- 4.6 Program Score
*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a public institution that was founded in 1855.
The Penn State College of Nursing is an advisory board member organization for the Pennsylvania Action Coalition (PAAC), a statewide coalition of nursing and non-nursing stakeholders endorsed by the Campaign for Action: Future of Nursing (a joint initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The Baccalaureate Degree program at Penn State University provides three options for study:
Traditional BSN route
This program is for students who enter a four-year program with the outcome of a professional degree and eligibility to become an RN after passing the NCLEX exam.
Baccalaureate Degree in Another Field
This program is for those who have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field and wish to become an RN with a BSN degree.
The program is currently offered at the Penn State Altoona and Penn State Harrisburg campuses.
RN to BSN
This program is for RNs who have graduated with the Associate of Science in Nursing degree and desire to continue with their studies to obtain a BSN degree.
The option is offered at University Park, the following campuses and online:
- Penn State Abington
- Penn State Altoona
- Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
- Penn State Harrisburg
- Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
- Penn State Mont Alto
- Penn State New Kensington
- Penn State Schuylkill
- Penn State Shenango
- Penn State Worthington Scranton
- Penn State World
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Advanced Practice Options
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Role
- Nurse Educator – online via Penn State World Campus
- Nurse Administrator – online via Penn State World Campus
BSN-MSN
Students who hold a BSN can be eligible to continue and complete their MSN. Students can plan either a part-time or full-time program of study with an assigned adviser to meet the requirements for specialization as one of the following advanced practice options:
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
After graduation, NP students are qualified to sit for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Once nationally certified, Nurse Practitioner graduates are also eligible to be licensed by their individual state Board of Nursing.
Post-Graduate Credit Certificate
- FNP
- AGPCNP
- AGACNP
- Gerontology Educator
- Nurse Administrator
- Nurse Educator
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Penn State University offers a BSN to PhD program that incorporates an MSN degree as preparation for the PhD.
PhD in Nursing or PhD in Nursing and Bioethics
These two programs focus on developing clinical scholars, faculty, and researchers who can teach and provide leadership through innovative practice and scientific inquiry.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This program is the highest clinical program in nursing that is available. The program is offered online through Penn State World Campus and requires three in-person intensives.
Approval and Accreditation
The College of Nursing is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program (MS and MSN) in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and/or post graduate APRN certificate program at the Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Association.
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