Searching for accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia? Do you want to become a nurse? Or, are you already looking for fast-track programs to get your Bachelor’s degree? Do you live around Philadelphia? Are you looking for reputable accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia to study in?
If you’re an aspiring nurse and you want to get your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as quickly as possible, then accelerated nursing programs (ABSNs) are for you.
These accelerated nursing programs take around 24 months or less to complete, instead of the typical four years it takes to earn a traditional BSN. The fast-paced nature of these programs allows students to graduate with their bachelor’s degree earlier than they would if they were completing a standard program.
There are several benefits that come with enrolling in an accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia as you will find out. Now, let’s dive in.
Requirements for Getting an Accelerated BScN in Philadelphia
To apply to typical accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia, you must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in another field.
- 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Complete pre-requisite courses (usually stated).
- Complete an entrance exam.
- Complete an interview (not in all cases).
- Complete a drug test (if required by your program).
Average Cost of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Philadelphia
When calculating the average cost of accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia, you have to take into account the wide range of options. Some accelerated nursing programs are around $20,000-$25,000; others are more than $30,000. A few schools offer accelerated nursing programs for less than $15,000.
In order to get an accurate sense of how much your school will cost you each year (and beyond), it’s important to know what is included in the tuition and fees listed on your course catalog or website.
Tuition refers only to what you’ll pay every semester—it doesn’t include books or supplies, nor does it include living expenses like rent or gas money (which can vary wildly depending on where you live).
If these components aren’t covered by your financial aid package and aren’t already included in the overall cost of attendance listed on your school’s website or course catalogs before enrolling in classes, then those additional costs will need to be factored into any calculations about average annual costs at that school.
The List of Accelerated Nursing Programs in Philadelphia
Without further ado, let’s get straight into our list of top accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia. These schools have been ranked based on their reputation and reviews.
University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $28,805 per semester.
It is the only nursing program offered by an Ivy League school. And by “ivy league school,” we are sure that you already know what that means – high tuition fees and a low acceptance rate. UPenn is notorious for being difficult to get into (9 percent acceptance rate), but it is a well-respected school. Hence, why it is on top of our list of the best-accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia. It has an excellent reputation for producing high-quality nurses with strong leadership skills who are ready to enter the job market upon graduation.
The curriculum includes general education courses in addition to all necessary nursing courses. Students are also required to take part in real-life clinical experiences at various hospitals and health facilities throughout Philadelphia each semester as well as during their final year at the University of Pennsylvania.
There are many different concentrations available within this accelerated nursing program including family nurse practitioner, gerontology, holistic health services, pediatric nursing practice, public health policy and administration, research methods and statistics, rural health care management, and simulation lab technology and its application.
Drexel University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $3,200 per term.
Drexel University is a private research university located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, the school originally focused on engineering, business administration, and architecture. Today it offers over 100 undergraduate programs to over 27,000 students as well as over 50 master’s/advanced degree programs to more than 9,000 students.
The 11-month accelerated BSN program at Drexel University has an admission rate of 70%, making it one of the most competitive accelerated programs in Philadelphia. It offers two tracks: one for aspiring nurses with non-nursing degrees who want to earn their BSN (BSN option 1) and another for students entering from community colleges (BSN option 2).
Students who enroll in either track must complete all prerequisites before beginning their coursework at Drexel University; these include Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs and Human Growth and Development or Introduction To Nursing Informatics, Microbiology with lab, College Algebra or Precalculus Algebra, English Composition II, Statistics I & II (or equivalent), Social Sciences Elective, Health Information Management Systems Elective OR Pathophysiology Electives (2 courses).
Temple University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $10,092 per semester.
Temple University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1884 by Baptist Minister Russell Conwell.
The university consists of 17 schools and colleges which offer over 300 academic degree programs to more than 34,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Temple’s main campus is located on North Broad Street in North Philadelphia but nearly all of its buildings can be found across the city’s main campus area within city blocks of Center City.
The school offers more than 100 bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees as well as professional certificates through its many different departments and schools.
As a result, it has one of the most compact accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia. What is particularly appealing about this school is its approach to teaching, and its low cost compared to UPenn.
Holy Family University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $630 per credit hour (59 credit hours in total).
Holy Family University is a Catholic university with two campuses in the Philadelphia suburbs. It was founded in 1856, making it one of the oldest higher education institutions in Pennsylvania.
The accelerated nursing program at Holy Family University has an acceptance rate of 38%, which should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to apply.
The accelerated nursing program at Holy Family University lasts 14 months and consists of three semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Students must complete coursework in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology as well as general education electives.
Interestingly, Holy Family also offers an accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia for working students who only want to study on evenings and weekends. This accelerated nursing program, unlike the 14-month option for full-time students, lasts for 22 months; and it includes coursework that allows its students earn the Bachelor’s degree upon completion.
There are many requirements for admission into this program such as having a CUM GPA of 3.0 from an accredited university. You can learn more.
Eastern University
- Location: St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $690 per credit hour.
Eastern University’s accelerated nursing program is accredited by the CCNE and designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree in another field and want to transfer into nursing with fewer credits than a traditional BSN program.
The program is 12-20 months long, depending on previous coursework, which makes it ideal for working adults who are looking to transition into the nursing profession without having to quit their jobs or go back to school full-time.
The curriculum includes courses like nursing informatics, community health nursing, evidence-based practice, and leadership skills development (LDS).
The accelerated BSN program at Eastern University has a capacity of 30 students per cohort; however, this number may increase if there is sufficient demand for seats in future years.
Community College of Philadelphia
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $3,930 per semester.
The Community College of Philadelphia offers a 12-month accelerated nursing program. Students complete a total of 45 credits to earn their Bachelor’s in Nursing (BN) degree, including 30 credits in their major and 15 elective credits.
The program is designed for working adults who are ready to begin earning their BN but don’t have the time or financial resources to attend a traditional four-year school full time. It’s also ideal for those who want the flexibility of attending classes on weekday mornings or evenings so they can continue working while they complete their degree.
The admissions process consists of submitting an application and all required documentation, which includes official transcripts from every institution you’ve attended as well as scores from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Once accepted into CCA’s accelerated nursing program, you’ll be able to choose from two tracks: adult medical/surgical care or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Jefferson College of Nursing | Thomas Jefferson University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $24,205 per semester.
Jefferson College of Nursing (JCON) is a private university located in Philadelphia. Asides from the traditional BSN program: the accelerated 1-year nursing program track, and the 2-year nursing track. These programs are regarded as some of the best-accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia.
JCON’s accelerated BSN programs (tagged ‘FACT-1’ and ‘FACT-2’) are designed for students who already have a Bachelor’s degree and want to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree as quickly as possible.
Students who complete this program will receive a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Jefferson University within 12 or 24 months, but they must take all courses in order to graduate with honors at graduation ceremonies.
La Salle University, Philadelphia campus
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $11,070.
This program is offered by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at this school. The program combines coursework in a classroom setting with clinical experiences to prepare students for careers as registered nurses. The Accelerated RN to BSN program typically takes around 19 months (for full-time students) or 24 months (for part-time students) to complete.
This accelerated nursing program on the Philadelphia campus is designed for individuals who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Students cover topics such as human growth and development, medical diagnosis, management of health problems, nutrition, nursing research, leadership skills, communication, and patient care skills, legal issues in healthcare administration, and professional ethics standards within the healthcare industry, among others. Upon successful completion of this accelerated BSN curriculum, graduates are eligible to take their Registered Nurse licensing exam so they can start working as RNs immediately after graduation.
Cabrini University
- Location: Radnor, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $16,415 per semester.
At Cabrini University, the accelerated program consists of 24 months in the classroom and seven months at an affiliated hospital. Upon completion, students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Cabrini and are eligible to sit for national licensing exams like NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination). Interestingly, the most noteworthy thing about Cabrini University is its subsidy for students’ education.
Although it has one of the most expensive accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia, Cabrini gives out financial aid to 99 percent of all of its students; which is something you may consider. You can find out about this when you contact the university.
Villanova University
- Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $48,500 (total program tuition fee)
You can apply to Villanova University’s accelerated BSN program if you meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
You may also be required to submit GRE or MCAT scores, as well as letters of reference and transcripts that show your academic performance in college classes. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and you should apply early for the best results.
The application fee is $60 per applicant; students who qualify for financial aid will receive their refunds within two weeks after starting their programs at Villanova University School of Nursing.
Widener University
- Location: Chester, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $48,000 total program fee (flat rate).
Widener College is yet another top school that offers one of the most reputable accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia. With the pedigree of schools like this on our list, it was truly difficult to rank schools on this list.
Widener University delivers one of the best-accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia, and we cannot recommend it enough. The drive from Chester to Philadelphia is only 26 minutes away, which means that distance shouldn’t really be a problem.
In terms of its curriculum, teaching delivery, conducive environment, and mentorship, WU delivers excellently on all of them. The only downside to this program may be tuition cost which certainly does not make it the cheapest accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia.
Delaware County Community College
- Location: Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: Not Specified.
If you want to enroll in the accelerated nursing program at Delaware County Community College, it’s a good idea to know that this program offers three start dates: August 14, September 9 and October 7. You can complete the program in 16 months, which is a very quick turnaround.
The school itself is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The nursing program itself is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). This means that both your school and its curriculum meet high standards of quality.
The accelerated nursing program at Delaware County Community College is eligible for veterans benefits via VA funding. It’s also eligible for financial aid through grants and loans provided by government agencies like FAFSA or other sources such as scholarships from private organizations.
Gwynedd Mercy University
- Location: Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $810 per credit (67 total credits).
Gwynedd Mercy University is a private, Roman Catholic university located in Gwynedd Valley, PA. The school was founded in 1925 and has an undergraduate student body of over 5,000 students.
The campus is situated on nearly 500 acres of land between Philadelphia and Pottstown PA with beautiful views of the surrounding hillsides and valleys.
Its 80 buildings include eight residence halls that are each named after former teachers or administrators at the school who have made significant contributions to its history (e.g., Sr Mary Theresa Skotnicki Hall).
Indeed, if we were curating a list of the most beautiful nursing schools in Pennsylvania, then Gwynedd Mercy University would probably rank higher. However, that doesn’t mean that GMU’s accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia is not one of the best nursing programs out there.
This program is 16-months long and contains 67 total credits for students to complete. Students enrolled in this accelerated nursing program graduate to become some of the highly sought-after nurses in Philadelphia.
Immaculata University
- Location: Chester County, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $35,240 total tuition fee.
If you’re looking for a way to earn your fast-track BSN in Philadelphia in 15 months, Immaculata University is one of the best places to start. They offer accelerated nursing programs at both their main campus and in a few locations around the area.
Immaculata University’s nursing faculty members are highly qualified nurses who have been teaching students since 1983. Their curriculum includes courses like pathophysiology and pharmacology, which prepare students for successful careers as RNs by giving them an understanding of how the body works.
The program also includes neuroscience/behavioral sciences, leadership skills, community health, patient management principles, communication skills, evidence-based practice methods, etc. So, it is no surprise that graduates from this school have some of the highest pass rates on NCLEX exams compared to other schools nationwide.
Roxborough Memorial University
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $12,000 annually.
Roxborough Memorial University is a private, Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university is affiliated with the Catholic Church (the Archdiocese of Philadelphia) and affiliated with the Sisters of Saint Joseph Order of Nurses.
It was founded in 1895 as a women’s college by the Sisters of Saint Joseph at their motherhouse in Philadelphia.
The university offers bachelor’s degrees through its College of Arts & Sciences, bachelor’s and master’s degrees through its School for Professional Studies, doctorates through its Graduate Studies Program, and certificates through its Extended Learning Institute.
Bucks County Community College
- Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Tuition Fee: $14,500 annually.
Bucks County Community College offers a decent accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia, if not the entire state. The school offers an associate degree to students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Students can expect to complete their accelerated program in two years; however, they must also fulfill prerequisites before starting their coursework at Bucks County Community College. These include:
- Successful completion of general chemistry with lab.
- Successful completion of college-level algebra or statistics (or equivalent).
- Successful completion of biology with lab.
- Successful completion of English composition I and II or equivalent.
FAQs About Accelerated Nursing Programs in Philadelphia
How Long Does It Take to Become a Registered Nurse in Philadelphia?
Typically, it takes four years to study a nursing program, sit for an NCLEX-RN examination, and become a registered practicing nurse (RPN).
How Much Does It Cost to Study an Accelerated Nursing Program?
Using accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia as a study, it is safe to say that the median tuition cost of studying an accelerated nursing program is $40,000 – $70,000 (excluding books, transportation, and living expenses).
Although some nursing programs may cost twice as much (like the University of Pennsylvania), it all depends on what you are looking for.
What is an Accelerated Nursing Program?
An accelerated nursing program (ABSN), also called a fast-track program is a program offered by universities to students who have previously completed 4-year coursework, earned a Bachelor’s degree (not in nursing), and now want to pursue a degree in nursing without going through another four years in college.
These programs usually compress the coursework found in a traditional BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program into a two-year course.
The result is a faster but more hectic degree program for these described students. Furthermore, some accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia for example, offer these ABSN programs for less than two years, as you have found in our blog.
What is the Entry-Level Degree for Nurses in Philadelphia?
For nurses in Philadelphia, or anywhere really, the ideal entry-level degree required is a Bachelor’s degree (BSN). This is why accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia are recommended for you if you want to switch careers or begin a career in nursing.
How Much are Nurses Paid in Philadelphia?
Entry-level nurses typically earn an average salary of $50,000 to $55,000. But as they advance in their careers, their salaries are expected to grow to at least $80,000. Moreover, top-level nurses earn as much as $100,000 to $120,000 a year, making them one of the highest-paid health professionals in the world.
Wrapping It Up
In this article, we’ve discussed accelerated nursing programs in Philadelphia. You have learned about the types of accelerated nursing programs in the city and their requirements.
We hope you’ve learned a lot from this article, and that it will help you decide which program is the best fit for you.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. If so, we’d love it if you shared it with your friends by clicking on any of the share buttons.