University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), a prestigious Ivy League institution established in 1740, has a rich history of academic excellence. Its esteemed nursing school, founded in 1886, holds the distinction of being the first to earn the title of World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership in 1988. Penn nurtures aspiring nurses through innovative programs, expert faculty, and strategic clinical partnerships, ensuring a comprehensive education that prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare.

Discover University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

School Ranking: A
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University of Pennsylvania is a public and non-profit National University. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, CRNA, CNS, CNM, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Student Demographics

  • 22 Average Age
  • 45% Men
  • 55% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 75% White
  • 8% Hispanic
  • 13% Black
  • 6% 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

  • $60,912 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $56,523 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Founded in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private Ivy League research university and one of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.

The nursing school was established in 1886. In 1988, the School of Nursing became the first nursing school to be officially designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center (WHOCC) for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership. Penn Nursing celebrated its 125th year anniversary in 2011.

Undergraduate

Traditional Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The traditional four-year bachelor of science in nursing program assists incoming freshmen in achieving a four-year BSN. Clinical rotations start in the Spring of the student's sophomore year. High school students apply for the undergraduate degree through the university's central admissions office.

The Accelerated Bachelor's program is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and would like to become an RN. Students holding an ADN or Diploma in Nursing have the option to apply to the BSN Second Degree, Direct Entry BSN-MSN/DNP, or BSN-PhD accelerated program.

The BSN Second Degree program is designed for students holding a non-nursing degree.

The Direct Entry BSN/MSN program is for students pursuing an MSN and who do not plan to work between obtaining the BSN and MSN degrees.

The Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation is designed for highly motivated students who have an interest in the PhD in Nursing program. This program admits the student directly into the program after completing the BSN.

Accelerated nursing students complete the BSN degree in 18 months. There are 14 master's specialties from which to choose, including dual degree programs. Many students choose to start working and complete the MSN degree while employed.

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing

Minimum qualifications (not all inclusive)

All applicants must have completed a BSN at an accredited college or university. A statistics course is required. Competitive applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the undergraduate BSN program. Applicants who have completed the BSN program in the United States with a GPA of 3.2 or greater are eligible to have the GRE requirement waived.

Nurse Practitioner Programs

  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family
  • Neonatal
  • Pediatric Acute Care
  • Pediatric Primary Care
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health
  • Women's Health/Gender-Related

Advanced Specialist Programs

  • Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nurse-Midwifery
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Administration Programs

  • Health Leadership
  • Nursing and Healthcare Administration

Programs Requiring RN Experience

  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP - 1 year RN experience in acute care setting
  • Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - 1 year RN experience in acute care setting
  • Neonatal NP - 2 years RN experience (post-orientation) in a level III NICU
  • Pediatric Acute NP, Chronic Care Concentration - 2 years RN experience (post-orientation) on an inpatient pediatric unit
  • Pediatric Acute NP, Critical Care Concentration - 2 years RN experience taking care of critically ill children
  • Pediatric Acute NP, Pediatric Oncology Concentration - 2 years RN experience on a pediatric oncology unit

RN experience must be met prior to the start of clinical rotation(s). In all programs except Nurse Anesthesia, non-clinical courses may be taken part-time while completing the required work experience.

Post-Master's Certificates

  • Adult Gerontology
  • Adult Oncology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Family
  • Health Leadership
  • Neonatal
  • Nurse-Midwifery
  • Nursing and Healthcare Administration
  • Pediatric
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health
  • Transformative Nursing Education
  • Women's Health/Gender Related

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Nurse Anesthesia

Replacing the original MSN program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice for Nurse Anesthetists (DNP-NA) is the first to be offered by an Ivy League university.

Initial experience is obtained in the simulation center; during clinical rotations, the student has the opportunity to work with patients in pediatric, cardiac, and non-cardiac thoracic specialties.

The DNP-NA program is full-time, 36 month, 38.5 credit course of study.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Students with an MSN or MS (in a related field) are eligible for the PhD program.

The program has a focus on research with 22 course units and usually complete the work in three to four years. At that time, the student will be on dissertation status until the final dissertation defense.

The Hillman Scholars program offers an accelerated path for students that tracks high achieving undergraduates from BSN to PhD

BSN to PhD

The program includes a clinical nurse fellowship in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

MS-PhD

The MS-PhD track is for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree but do not desire a clinical master's degree. This option allows students to take general classes at the master's level and prepare to begin the doctoral program.

MSN-PhD

If the student has completed an undergraduate degree, he or she can enter this program to earn an MSN and a PhD.

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and the Master of Science Nurse Practitioner programs.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the Nurse Anesthesia program.

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) accredited the Nurse Midwifery program.

The University of Pennsylvania is formally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Application Process

To apply, submit your application...

Start Your Application

Application Deadlines and Fee

  • Early Decision: November
  • Regular Decision: January
  • Application Fee: $75 or fee waiver for those who qualify.

Application Requirements (First-Year)

  • Essay
  • Official transcripts (can be sent electronically to [email protected].)
  • Letters of Recommendations
  • Application fee payment
  • School Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of Pennsylvania located?

We are located at...

Killebrew-Laporte Center for Admissions & Student Affairs
Claire M. Fagin Hall, Suite M-05
418 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217
USA

Need to contact someone about the program?

☎️ (215) 898-4271
📠 (215) 573-8439

✉️ [email protected]

Do you offer help with financing?

(NOTE: For more information please check out University of Pennsylvania Admissions.)

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