Calling all nurses! Your country needs you. The pandemic made it very clear there is an incredible shortage of nurses. Now, is the perfect time to get your nursing degree and certification by attending an accelerated nursing program in PA. The fastest way to start your nursing career is as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Then, you can go on to become a registered nurse (RN) or a family nurse practitioner (FNP).
To become an LPN you study for a one or two-year program to get an Associate degree and then take the national test for a nursing license. An RN takes either a two-year program for an Associate’s degree or a four-year program that is equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The differences between an LPN and an RN are the job duties and the license exam is more difficult for an RN license. An FNP requires getting a Masters in Nursing, which is a graduate degree, after achieving the qualifications for an RN.
It is possible to first become an LPN and then after more studying become an RN and after more studying become an FNP. There are accelerated programs that reduce the standard times to complete each level. In accelerated programs, you will have to complete the same amount of credits/program hours but at a faster pace.
Excellent Pay
The pay for nurses is exceptional. The pay in Pennsylvania is 25% higher than the national average. RNs earn more than LPNs and FNPs earn more than RNs.
An LPN earns around $23.14 per hour ($48,120 annually). An RN in PA earns $37.65 per hour (about $92,000 per year with overtime included) according to the job-listing website Indeed. You can start as an LPN and take more training to become an RN.
Entry-level RN positions start at $34 per hour for RNs who are right out of school and pass the nursing license exam. Contract positions for FPNs offer up to $60 per hour with as much overtime as you can handle. As an FNP you can earn up to $175,000 per year as a contract nurse.
Thousands of Jobs Available
Even if you do not want to help directly with the pandemic response, all those frontline working nurses are now so busy that they left all the other regular nursing positions neglected. You can help by taking over the nursing jobs that they can no longer do. Indeed shows nearly 9,000 nursing positions in Pennsylvania available right now!
Get Started Fast with Accelerated Nursing Program in Pennsylvania
Do you want to get started fast? We did all the research for accelerated nursing programs in PA, so you don’t have to. Our goal is to focus on the three “A’s” of affordability, accreditation, and availability. Just reach out to us if you need help finding the best school based on the program you select. Find your college program.
Here is our ranked list of the best accelerated nursing programs in PA!
1. Franklin County Career & Technology Center Practical Nursing Program
Franklin County Career & Technology Center Practical Nursing Program is in Chambersburg. It offers a practical nursing program for LPNs. The curriculum combines coursework with clinical experience to prepare students for a career in nursing. The Program is a year long, full time program, with students attending class and clinical M-T 0645-1515. They start a cohort twice a year, one in March and one in August.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
- Program Length: A total of 1,540 hours
- Accelerated Program: Year-long, full-time program
- Tuition: $15,950 (in-state), $18,950 (out-of-state)
2. Venango Technology Center
Venango Technology Center has an LPN program that is accredited by ACEN. Admission requirements are having a high school diploma, passing a background check, having a physical checkup exam, and passing a pre-entrance qualifying exam.
- Program Length: Three semesters
- Accelerated Program: 11 months
- Tuition: $15,150
3. Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Technical Institute has a practical nursing program designed for the adult student. About 628 hours of the program are practical clinical experience with patients.
- Program Length: A total of 1,500 hours
- Accelerated Program: 11 months
- Tuition: $25,795
4. Northampton Community College
Northampton Community College offers both a one-year LPN program (43 credits) and a two-year RN program (71 credits). For the LPN program, students are admitted once per year before the fall semester starts. The RN program accepts students in the fall and spring. The RN program is very fast.
- Program Length: LPN program is two semesters (the RN program is four semesters)
- Accelerated Program: 12 months (LPN)
- Tuition: For the LPN program, $3,360 (Northampton County residents), $5,310 (Monroe County residents), $6,720 (other PA residents), $10,080 (out-of-state residents). Double these amounts for the RN program.
5. Fayette County Career & Technical Institute
Fayette County Career & Technical Institute offers a practical nursing program that leads to taking the national license exam. The program is designed for a full-time student to take courses for seven hours per day, five days each week.
- Program Length: A total of 1,554 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $8,435 (in-state), $10,435 (out-of-state)
6. Hazleton Area Career Center
Hazleton Area Career Center offers a practical nursing program that starts each year in September and can be completed by a student within one year. The program is accredited by the Middle States Commissions on Secondary Schools and approved by the State Board of Nursing.
- Program Length: A total of 1,540 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $13,090
7. Lehigh Carbon Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) is a community college located in Schnecksville with additional locations in Jim Thorpe, Allentown, and Tamaqua. It offers a practical nursing certificate (NURC). This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education In Nursing Inc. (ACEN) and is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Applications are accepted from September to February 1 for the following year’s fall admission. Admissions are limited. Applicants must take the ATI-TEAS test. Students who meet the admission requirements are ranked for selection by their test results and previous academic record.
- Program Length: Three semesters, 53 credits
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $4,500 for LCCC district, $6,750 for Schuylkill County resident, $9,000 for other PA resident, and $13,500 for out-of state/international student.
8. Clarion County Career Center
Clarion County Career Center offers a full-time program that starts each September and takes 12 months to complete. There is also a part-time program that starts in November of the odd calendar years and takes 24 months to complete. The practical nursing program consists of three levels and includes plenty of clinical experience.
- Program Length: A total of 1,550 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $13,500
9. Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center
Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center has a practical nursing training program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and approved by the State Board of Nursing. Students who complete the program then must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become an LPN. Classes start in the fall of each year.
- Program Length: A total of 1,563 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $13,500
10. Northern Tier Career Center
Northern Tier Career Center (NTCC) offers a practical nursing program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. 94% of the graduates from this school pass the licensee exam and find employment as an LPN.
- Program Length: Three semesters
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $13,689
11. JCDAVTS Jeff Tech Practical Nursing Program
JCDAVTS Jeff Tech Practical Nursing Program started its practical nursing program in 1968. The class sizes are small and the teacher-to-student ratio is very good, which means every student gets personal instruction as needed. Student support is always available from highly qualified instructors/faculty. This school is accredited by the ACEN. The board pass rate is 87.5%.
- Program Length: A total of 1,506 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $16,500 (includes books and fees)
12. Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) is accredited by the Middle States Association of Secondary Schools. Applicants must pass a pre-entrance exam and can take a free LPN preparatory course. Students who graduate from this program take the national license exam to work as an LPN and have a 94% pass rate.
- Program Length: One year (full-time) or two years (part-time)
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $14,285
13. Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College has a one-year degree certificate program that meets the requirements to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
You must take the PSB Aptitude for Practical Nursing Examination to be considered for admission to this college. This exam was created by the Psychological Service Bureau (PSB) to help colleges determine who has the aptitude and emotional intelligence to be successful as a nurse.
This college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The nursing program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- Program Length: A total of 1,530 program hours.
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $14,500
14. Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center
Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center offers a program for practical nursing that has a job placement rate of 80% for its graduates who also pass the national license exam. The tuition includes all costs for the entire program.
- Program Length: A total of 1,560 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $14,500
15. Lebanon County Career & Technology Center
Lebanon County Career & Technology Center offers a full-time LPN course that can be completed in 12 months and a part-time course that takes 18 months to finish. For the full-time program, classes begin in February and July. The part-time program starts in September and has classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Program Length: A total of 1,540 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $14,600 (full-time), $14,875 (part-time)
16. Central Pennsylvania Institute Science & Technology
Central Pennsylvania Institute Science & Technology offers a full-time LPN program that can be completed within one year and a part-time program that takes two years to complete.
- Program Length: A total of 1,564 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $15,340
17. Western Area Career & Technology Center
Western Area Career & Technology Center offers a practical nursing training program to prepare students for taking the national Practical Nurse Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a qualified LPN. This school also offers a program for LPNs who wish to continue studying to become an RN in partnership with the Community College of Beaver County.
- Program Length: A total of 1,560 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $15,400
18. Eastern Center for Arts & Technology
Eastern Center for Arts & Technology offers a full-time LPN program that can be completed in one year and a part-time program that takes two years. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools.
- Program Length: A total of 1,500 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $15,450
19. Lenape Technical School
Lenape Technical School has a first-time pass rate for the NCLEX license exam of 90% for students who graduate from its practical nursing program. It has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) since 1984 and is approved by the State Board of Nursing. Students must pass the TEAS test to gain admission. Applicants can take a free online TEAS test preparation course by registering through the Armstrong Center for Community Learning.
- Program Length: A total of 1,554 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $16,000
20. Mercer County Career Center
Mercer County Career Center has an LPN program that provides students with lessons in nursing theory, offers clinical experience, and laboratory work. This 12-month program requires 1,500 hours of instruction. It prepares students for employment as an LPN after they pass the nursing license exam. One full-time class is offered annually. It starts each year in January.
- Program Length: A total of 1,500 hours of instruction.
- Accelerated Program: 12 Months
- Tuition: $16,000
21. Clearfield County Career & Technology Center
Clearfield County Career & Technology Center accepts applications yearly for its practical nursing program until the program is full. The full-time program starts in August each year. It also offers a part-time program that starts in March during every odd-numbered year. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Program Length: A total of 1,500 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $16,666
22. Indiana County Technology Center
Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC) specializes in vocational training and offers a practical nursing program for those wanting to become an LPN. This school is accredited. It has three campuses. One campus is in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The others are in Connellsville and Steel Center. This school boasts an impressive 100% success rate for its students passing the nursing exam to become licensed.
- Program Length: 12 college credits, A total of 1,550 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $16,680
23. Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). For graduates of the practical nursing program, who pass the national NCLEX-PN exam, job placement services are available with a 90%+ success rate in placement.
- Program Length: A total of 1,550 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $16,700
24. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit has an LPN career center with a practical nursing program for LPNs that has a 90% exam pass rate and 90% employment placement after graduation. The program is three levels taken over three or four semesters.
- Program Length: A total of 1,547 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $18,792
25. The Rapha School
The Rapha School offers a full-time practical nursing program that can be completed in 12 months and a part-time program that takes 18 months to complete. Included in the tuition costs is a personal laptop computer. To start the program requires a $5,000 payment and the balance of the tuition is due before graduation.
- Program Length: A total of 1,530 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $19,000 (full-time), $22,000 (part-time)
26. Schuylkill Technology Center
Schuylkill Technology Center has a practical nursing program that 95% of the graduates pass the license test the first time they take it. The graduation class sizes are small with usually only 20 students taking the LPN course at one time. Books and clinical uniforms are included in the tuition.
- Program Length: A total of 1,545 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $19,603
27. Chester County Intermediate Unit
Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) is in Downtowning with additional locations in Coatesville, Phoenixville, and West Grove. The CCIU Practical Nursing Program is a post-secondary program that prepares a student to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
To be admitted to this school, the applicant must pass the ATI TEAS test. For more info about the TEAS test, log in as a guest at the CCIU TEAS Preparation Library.
- Program Length: A total of 1,635 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $19,620 for a PA resident and $24,525 for non-PA-resident students
28. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers a practical nursing program to train students in nursing skills and to take the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). This is a full-time program that students complete in one year.
- Program Length: A total of 50 credits.
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $20,000
29. Delaware County Technical Schools
Delaware County Technical Schools admits approximately 100 students each year into its LPN program. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN. Students must pass the TEAS test to gain admission to the program.
- Program Length: A total of 1,500 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $20,228
30. Greene County Career & Technology Center
Greene County Career & Technology Center offers a practical nurse program to prepare students to take the NCLEX-PN license exam to be able to work as an LPN. The program runs from the beginning of July each year to the following year’s June. Half the coursework is classroom instruction and the other half is practical training.
- Program Length: A total of 1,610 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $21,000
31. Falcon Institute of Health & Science
Falcon Institute of Health & Science has a practical nursing program that can be completed in three semesters within one year. Students who graduate can take the national license exam and then find employment in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, schools, and nursing homes.
- Program Length: A total of 1,550 hours
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $23,000
32. Pittsburgh Technical College
Pittsburgh Technical College is approved by the State Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN. The graduates have a 100% success rate in passing the NCLEX-PN license exam and a 96% job placement rate as an LPN after completing this program.
- Program Length: A total of four quarters
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $27,075
33. Fortis Institute
Fortis Institute offers an Associate degree in specialized technology that leads to a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This is a hybrid program with about half the course taken online and the other half on the campus. After completing the course, students need to pass the NCLEX-PN license exam to become certified as an LPN. This school has accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
- Program Length: Three semesters
- Accelerated Program: 12 months
- Tuition: $28,552
34. Crawford County Career & Technical Center
Crawford County Career & Technology Center (CCCTC) offers in-person and online courses for those studying and working at the same time with a flexible schedule. The practical nursing program begins every year in August and concludes 13 months later.
Students in this program take classes at the CCCTC and gain practical experience at the Crawford County Care Center, the Meadville Medical Center, and community-based nursing-care facilities.
- Program Length: 54 weeks
- Accelerated Program: 13 Months
- Tuition: $16,330 (in-state), $18,125 (out-of-state)
35. Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTCLC) offers a practical nursing certification program. Half of the coursework is in the classroom at CTCLC and the other half is at the Wayne Memorial Hospital and healthcare facilities that include Allied Services, Avenanna Daycare for Medically Fragile Children, Geisinger Community Medical Center, Headstart Centers, and Mountain View Care Center.
Students are admitted in August of odd calendar years and in March and November/December of even calendar years. Students who apply must pass an entrance exam to gain admission.
- Program Length: 52 weeks
- Accelerated Program: 15 Months
- Tuition: $13,200
36. Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) requires an applicant seeking a practical nursing certificate to become an LPN to score at least 60 points on the TEAS test. This school selects the most-qualified applicants based on their test scores and previous education. HACC also offers an RN program that guarantees admission with a TEAS score of 85 or higher, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and previous completion of one biology course plus one other science course.
Their Practical Nursing program was completely reconstructed, and the new curriculum rolled out in the Fall of 2019. The new curriculum is now totally stackable. For students who want to start their career as an LPN then advance their education to a Registered nurse, HACC offers a fantastic option. Students who complete the Practical Nursing Program can request admission to the RN program. They must meet the admission requirements. Once admitted to the Associate Degree RN program, they can complete in two semesters.
The school’s Associate Degree RN program also offers an intense 4-semester weekend option that permits students to complete programming in 15-months. The program is only offered on the Harrisburg Campus and is a very quick way to earn an Associate’s Degree.
- Program Length: A total of four semesters
- Accelerated Program: 15 months
- Tuition: $15,147 (in-state), 17,986 (out-of-state)
37. Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley offers a part-time (evenings and weekends) non-credit course for practical nursing training that is authorized by the State Board of Nursing. Graduates can take the exam to get an LPN license. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a commuter campus.
- Program Length: A total of 1,575 hours
- Accelerated Program: 18 months
- Tuition:$17,325 (in & out of state)
38. Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg University (BU) is one of 14 public schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It is accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NCLEX license exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to become a licensed, registered nurse (RN).
BU also offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The MSN program has a nurse anesthesia option that is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. This program qualifies the student to take the test for a family nurse practitioner (FNP).
- Program Length: 120 credits over four years
- Accelerated Program: Two and one-half years including attending summer school
- Tuition: For the entire program $47,464 (in-state) or $66,040 (out-of-state)
Ranking Methodology
Our ranking methodology focused on program length and cost for Pennsylvania residents. The top rankings went to the schools with the faster completion pathways possible to get a nursing degree and certification through an accelerated program. After ranking for the shortest program length, we ranked the schools by the cost of the tuition. Besides tuition, there may be other costs associated with attending each school. Please see the school’s website for the full costs.
Help with Corrections
If a school needs a review that we did not include in our list or you see some incorrect information, please contact us and let us know so we can update the information.
Let’s Get Going
We make it super easy to find the right college or university. Use the degree finder at Bestvalueschools.org to find the best school based on the nursing program you select. There is no obligation for requesting free information so get started right away.
