Compare accredited BSN programs by cost, NCLEX outcomes, and format — all within commuting distance of Cranberry Township.
Cranberry Township sits at a crossroads between Pittsburgh and Butler, putting a dozen BSN programs within a 45-minute commute. Carlow University operates a satellite campus in town, offering a direct-entry MSN as well as RN-BSN completion options. Other programs at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing and CCAC feed into online and hybrid BSN pathways. Tuition spans $6,000 to $40,000 per year, making net price and transfer articulation the real differentiators. Western Pennsylvania hospitals have steadily raised the BSN ratio of their nursing staff, so the degree is less a differentiator and more a baseline for hospital-based roles.
The BSN programs near Cranberry Township, PA, range from world-renowned Ivy League universities to regional powerhouses with deep ties to western Pennsylvania's healthcare systems. We've ranked these options based on a blend of institutional performance metrics, affordability, and regional relevance for nursing students living in or commuting from the northern Pittsburgh suburbs. Whether you're seeking an accelerated path, a faith-based education, or the prestige of a top-ranked program, you'll find a BSN that fits your goals below.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Grove City College | Grove City, PA | $22,000/yr | Faith-centered hybrid nursing students | |
Grove City College offers a Christ-centered BSN that combines rigorous professional training with a strong liberal arts foundation. The hybrid program lets students begin working as RNs after three years, then complete the BSN online in the fourth year, contributing to a 95% career placement rate. Located about an hour from Cranberry Township, its clinical partnerships draw on western Pennsylvania hospital systems, making it a practical choice for students in the northern Pittsburgh corridor.
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| #2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,000/yr | UPMC-affiliated clinical nursing candidates | |
The University of Pittsburgh's nursing school draws extensively from southwestern Pennsylvania, with strong ties to the UPMC health system that operates facilities near Cranberry Township, such as UPMC Passavant-Cranberry. The four-year, campus-based BSN focuses on nursing science, related sciences, and the arts, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN and graduate education. With a high institutional graduation rate of 85.5% and a retention rate of 92%, it provides a solid academic foundation within commuting distance for Cranberry-area students.
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| #3 | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | Holistic care-focused BSN candidates | |
Duquesne University offers a campus-based BSN with a holistic approach that integrates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual care. The 134-credit program starts clinical experiences in the sophomore year, leveraging partnerships with over 50 clinical sites, many in the northern Pittsburgh suburbs, making it highly accessible for Cranberry Township students. A high NCLEX-RN pass rate and direct admit option, along with a 91.9% institutional graduation rate (not program-specific), underscore its strong outcomes.
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| #4 | Saint Vincent College | Latrobe, PA | $24,000/yr | ||
Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, offers a BSN grounded in Benedictine values with an immersive curriculum including 1,035 clinical practice hours. Students train in state-of-the-art simulation labs and earn tuition-free microcredentials, preparing for the NCLEX-RN. It's a 60- to 75-minute drive from Cranberry Township, with clinical placements across western and southwestern Pennsylvania, offering a solid regional option.
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| #5 | Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | ~$33,000/yr (est.) | ||
Penn State's BSN program offers three distinct pathways: the General Nursing BSN, RN to BSN, and Second Degree BSN, providing flexibility for students with different backgrounds. The 120-credit curriculum emphasizes health promotion, clinical judgment, and compassionate care, with CCNE accreditation. While the main University Park campus is a significant drive from Cranberry Township, in-state tuition and strong post-graduation outcomes make it a viable flagship option.
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| #6 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Pennsylvania's BSN is the top-ranked program globally, blending Ivy League rigor with hands-on clinical experiences starting sophomore year. While its Philadelphia location is far from Cranberry Township, the program's extraordinary outcomes include a 96.5% institutional graduation rate and median graduate earnings of $111,371. Admission is highly selective (5.4% acceptance rate), making it a target for ambitious students willing to relocate.
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| #7 | Villanova University | Villanova, PA | $40,000 – $45,000/yr | ||
Villanova's traditional four-year BSN emphasizes a liberal arts foundation and values-oriented education, with opportunities for global health studies and research. Students benefit from state-of-the-art simulation labs and a seamless transition to graduate education. Located in suburban Philadelphia, it has no specific Cranberry Township tie-ins but offers strong national outcomes, including a 91.9% graduation rate and median 10-year earnings of $100,423.
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| #8 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | $39,000/yr (net price) | ||
Drexel University offers a BSN Co-op program that integrates up to 18 months of paid work experience through cooperative education, giving graduates a competitive edge. The Philadelphia-based program boasts high NCLEX pass rates and options for four- or five-year plans, as well as an accelerated 11-month track for career switchers. While geographically distant from Cranberry Township, its strong earnings outcomes ($84,648 median) and low student-faculty ratio of 9:1 are notable.
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| #9 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | $23,000 – $39,000/yr | ||
Temple University's BSN program in Philadelphia features 973 clinical hours and a 124-credit curriculum, with hands-on learning in state-of-the-art facilities. The competitive program requires a 3.25 high school GPA for freshman admission and is CCNE accredited. While there are no Cranberry-specific benefits, it offers solid in-state tuition and an institutional graduation rate of 75%.
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| #10 | St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing | Bethlehem, PA | |||
St. Luke's School of Nursing in Bethlehem, PA, offers an associate degree in nursing rather than a BSN, with a 20-month program and 900 hours of clinical training. While it's located in eastern Pennsylvania and far from Cranberry Township, it provides a direct pathway to RN licensure with modest debt ($14,000 median graduate debt) and solid earnings ($80,244 median 10-year earnings).
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We rank nursing programs based on the factors that most directly affect your education and career prospects. Our methodology prioritizes affordability, student success, and practical accessibility. Net price, the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, provides a realistic cost comparison, although it is not guaranteed for every student. Graduation rates are institution-wide metrics that reflect overall student persistence; they are not specific to the nursing department. We also evaluate the availability of program formats, including online, hybrid, and on-campus options, to help you match your learning style and schedule. Outcomes data from the College Scorecard, such as median post-graduation earnings, offer insight into the long-term value of a degree. All schools in this list sit within roughly a 75-mile radius of Cranberry Township, making commuting feasible. These criteria together highlight programs that balance cost, flexibility, and proven student outcomes.
Compare estimated annual tuition and net price after financial aid for BSN programs near Cranberry Township. Costs vary widely depending on public vs. private options and residency status.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks County Community College | $9,966 | $13,926 | $6,389 |
| Holy Family University | $35,330 | $35,330 | $13,143 |
| Waynesburg University | $30,480 | $30,480 | $18,235 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | $25,588 | $25,588 | $18,556 |
| La Salle University | $37,800 | $37,800 | $19,409 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto | $14,408 | $24,134 | $19,454 |
| Westminster College | $40,290 | $40,290 | $19,859 |
| Carlow University | $35,874 | $35,874 | $20,786 |
| Robert Morris University | $35,770 | $35,770 | $23,003 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $10,775 | $22,599 | $23,331 |
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX pass rates for every nursing program in the state, including BSN programs near Cranberry Township. The most recent reports, available as downloadable PDFs on the Board's website, are typically found by searching 'PA NCLEX pass rates 2026'. These documents show the number of first-time test takers and the percentage who passed for each school, making them the most authoritative source for licensure exam performance.
Start with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing's annual report. It breaks down results by institution and program type (BSN, ADN, diploma), so you can see exactly how schools like Slippery Rock University or Carlow University performed. Because the data is reported directly by the Board, it is the benchmark most employers and graduate programs reference. Look for a direct link on the Board's site under 'Education' or 'Examinations', or search the phrase 'NCLEX program codes pennsylvania' to find aggregated lists.
Many nursing schools post their own NCLEX pass rates on their websites, often under headings like 'Accreditation', 'Outcomes', or 'Program Statistics'. For example, the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing includes an annual program statistics section within its admissions portal that details first-time pass rates, retention, and graduation outcomes. Robert Morris University and Duquesne University present similar data on their nursing program pages. This self-reported information is useful for a quick snapshot, but cross-check it with official state data for accuracy.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides a free online tool at ncsbn.org that lets you compare pass rates across states and program types. You can filter by BSN programs in Pennsylvania and view several years of data. While this tool draws from the same underlying reporting, it may lag behind the state board's most recent release. Always verify with the Pennsylvania Board's official report for the latest percentages.
NCLEX results can shift within a cohort year, and some schools update their pass-rate figures more frequently than the annual state report. Contacting the admissions office at a nursing program is a direct way to get the most current data. For instance, Chatham University's nursing admissions staff or Carlow University's clinical placement coordinator can often provide updated first-time pass statistics. If you are comparing multiple programs in the Cranberry area, asking each school for its latest NCLEX performance can help you make a more informed decision.
Nursing students in the Cranberry Township area can choose from several delivery formats: on-campus, hybrid, and fully online, depending on their career stage and schedule. The right fit balances your learning style, work commitments, and whether you are entering nursing for the first time or advancing an existing RN license.
Carlow University maintains a satellite campus in Cranberry Township, but pre-licensure BSN courses are not offered there.1 The site primarily serves RN-to-BSN students through evening classes that meet one night per week in eight-week sessions, a structure designed for working nurses.1 Traditional and accelerated BSN tracks are based at the main Oakland campus in Pittsburgh.2 While the Cranberry location offers convenience for local RNs, future nurses seeking initial licensure should plan for commuting to Oakland or exploring other nearby programs.
Several ranked programs near Cranberry include accelerated or hybrid options for career changers and busy adults. Carlow’s second-degree accelerated BSN runs at the Oakland campus2 and compresses coursework into a shorter timeline. Grove City College offers a hybrid BSN that blends online learning with in-person clinical placements, appealing to students who need schedule flexibility without sacrificing hands-on training. These formats often require full-time commitment during didactic phases but can shorten the overall program length.
For Cranberry-area nurses holding an associate degree or diploma, Carlow University’s online RN-to-BSN program eliminates the need to relocate or commute frequently.2 The fully remote didactic component pairs with local clinical practicums, allowing you to continue working while earning your bachelor’s degree. This pathway is a practical choice for RNs aiming to meet employer preferences or graduate school prerequisites without disrupting their current role.
Seamless transfer pathways now connect many associate and diploma nursing programs to full BSN degrees, reducing duplicate coursework and accelerating time to completion.
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) offers an Associate Degree in Nursing that requires 67 credits. Graduates can transfer into a BSN program with up to 85 credits from prior coursework, leaving 27 to 40 credits to finish the bachelor's degree. Most students complete the remaining BSN requirements in 12 to 24 months depending on pacing.
Online RN-to-BSN programs also welcome CCAC graduates. The University of Cincinnati evaluates up to 35 prerequisite credits and requires 27 nursing credits. Ohio University typically transfers 67–68 credits and requires a minimum of 30 credits at the institution.
Licensed Practical Nurses with a diploma from UPMC-affiliated programs can pursue BSN completion through dedicated bridge paths. These typically require 12 to 24 months of full-time study and often take advantage of online course delivery. Many online RN-to-BSN programs are fully accessible from Cranberry Township, eliminating the need for extensive commuting while still providing the same rigorous nursing curriculum.
UPMC diploma RNs follow a similar trajectory, with bridge programs designed to build upon existing clinical experience and general education credits. The duration mirrors other ADN-to-BSN pathways at 12 to 24 months, and many students balance part-time study with work.
Choosing the right nursing program involves many practical questions. Here are answers to the most common inquiries from prospective students in the Cranberry Township area.
