6 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Philadelphia, PA (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

Philadelphia is widely hailed as an excellent city for nurse practitioners. While Philly has affluent, upscale pockets, it also has many neighborhoods where medically underserved populations abound who are in desperate need of the types of primary care that nurse practitioners are adept at providing.

Of the 16,000 or so NPs who work in Pennsylvania, approximately 25 percent are employed in the Greater Metropolitan Philadelphia Region. In another 10 years, that number is projected to rise by nearly one-third. On average, nurse practitioners in the City of Brotherly Love earn $121,370 a year. What are the best NP programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Keep reading to find out the complete lowdown on the 6 best nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia for 2025.



TOP 5 REASONS WHY PHILADELPHIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO PURSUE NP PROGRAMS


Why is Philadelphia such a great place to pursue a nurse practitioner degree? Here are five reasons why you should consider going to NP school in the City of Brotherly Love.

1. Affordability:

While the cost of living in Philadelphia may be slightly higher than the national average, it’s substantially lower than that in other major metropolises in the Northeast, like New York City and Boston. You’ll get all the amenities of living in a dynamic city—Great restaurants! Numerous cultural events!—at a fraction of the cost.

2. A booming economy:

Thirteen Fortune 500 companies call Philadelphia home. The economy is hot—especially in the healthcare industry. If you’re thinking of working your way through nurse practitioner school, you’ll find plenty of jobs at Penn Hospital, the Jefferson Healthcare System, or the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. And should you decide to stay in Philadelphia after you earn your NP degree, there will be no dearth of employment opportunities.

3. Public transportation:

Philly is one of the few great American cities where owning a car is more of a hassle than a help. Thanks to trolleys, the Philly metro, and the SEPTA bus system, you can get practically anywhere you want to go.

4. The Mutter Museum:

Philadelphia is home to the Mutter Museum, a museum entirely devoted to the outlandish healthcare practices and medical curiosities of the 19th century. If, as an aspiring nurse practitioner, you want to remind yourself of just how far healthcare has come, the Mutter Museum is the place to do it.

5. Recreational opportunities:

No matter what your NP instructors may think, you can’t study 24 hours a day! From the Schuylkill River Trail, a biking/hiking/jogging/skating path that extends all the way to Valley Forge National Park, to numerous outside parks, there are plenty of things to do when your body is telling you, “It’s time to get up and move.



HOW LONG ARE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA?


NP programs in Philadelphia are not standalone programs; they are typically coupled either with Master’s of Science in Nursing degrees or with Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. If you were to take nurse practitioner coursework without all the other degree requirements, it would take you approximately a year to complete it—which is about the time it will take a full-time student to complete a post-master’s NP certificate at the University of Pennsylvania.

It will take you around four years at both Drexel University and Holy Family University to complete a BSN-to-DNP degree coupled with an NP track. You can finish the MSN-to-DNP/nurse practitioner track at Holy Family University—the only institution of higher learning to offer that option—in two and a half years.

Completing an MSN coupled with a nurse practitioner track will take anywhere from one to three years. If you enroll as a full-time student at Thomas Jefferson University, earning your MSN/NP will take two years.



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA COST?


Completing the requirements that will qualify you to sit for your nurse practitioner certification exam will set you back a considerable sum. In most instances, the tuition you pay will be calculated by the number of credits you take per semester. In general, private universities charge higher tuition than public universities. However, this isn’t always true: You can expect to pay $81,081 for an MSN/NP degree at the University of Pennsylvania, while MSN/NP tuition at the private La Salle University will set you back $41,630.

A BSN-to-DNP degree at a school in Philadelphia costs anywhere between $72,000 and $81,000. At Thomas Jefferson University, tuition for a BSN-to-DNP degree will cost you $80,784.

A Philadelphia-based nurse practitioner certificate training program costs between $20,000 and $54,000. At La Salle University, for example, tuition for the AGPCNP certificate should run around $23,530.



WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA, PA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 6 Best NP programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Online & Campus) for the year 2025.)


1. University Of Pennsylvania School Of Nursing


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Specialties Offered: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Streamlined Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP


About the School: The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing is not only one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia but also one of the best in the nation.

UPenn offers eight separate nurse practitioner tracks in conjunction with its Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program: an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track (AGACNP), an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) track, a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) track, a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) track, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track, and a Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) track.

UPenn also offers three nurse practitioner tracks in conjunction with its APRN post-master’s degree program: an NNP track, a PACNP track, and a unique streamlined AGACNP track.


MSN Program Details: UPenn’s Master’s of Science in Nursing program is a campus-based MSN program. All eight of the nurse practitioner tracks require the completion of 12 credits. The curriculum for this nurse practitioner program in Philadelphia is divided into three components: four core MSN classes, four theory courses relevant to the NP concentration you’ve chosen, and three clinical experiences in practice settings that deliver the kind of care you’re interested in specializing in.

UPenn’s highly lauded AGACNP track allows students to choose among clinical concentrations such as cardiology, trauma, general surgery, transplant, nephrology, or internal medicine. The PACNP track offers a concentration in pediatric oncology.

MSN core classes include “Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology,” “Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice,” and “Advanced Clinical Assessment and Clinical Decision.” Theory courses relevant to your chosen population concentration will focus on the epidemiologic trends, assessment, diagnosis, management, and evaluation of that population segment. Your precepted clinical rotations will allow you to use the knowledge and skills you’ve developed in your didactic coursework.

You’ll do clinical rotations in a variety of practice settings, including Penn Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania’s world-renowned medical center, which U.S. News & World Report has dubbed # 1 in Pennsylvania.


MSN Program Length: This is one of the NP programs in Philadelphia that offers full-time and part-time completion options. If you enroll full-time, you should be able to graduate with an MSN in your chosen concentration in one year (three semesters.) The AGACNP, FNP, PACNP, and PPCNP tracks offer two-year and three-year part-time completion options. You can take as long as five years to complete the NNP track part-time. UPenn’s full-time MSN program begins in the summer semester.

MSN Admission Requirements: Applicants to UPenn’s MSN-NP program must have a BSN from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and at least one statistics course. Applicants to the AGACNP and PACNP concentrations must have at least one year of professional in an age-appropriate acute care practice setting. Applicants to the NNP concentration must have

Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: The University of Pennsylvania’s post-master’s certificate track is designed for APRN-certified practitioners seeking a nurse practitioner certification in another field. Curricula for the NNP and PACNP certificate tracks are similar to the practice theory and clinical requirements for the NNP and PACNP MSN degrees.

The 3-credit streamlined AGACNP track is an accelerated program that is offered online. It requires the completion of 500 clinical hours. Clinical rotations may be available in the community where you live, but you can only complete a practicum at a facility with which the University of Pennsylvania already has a clinical partnership.


Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Length: You should be able to complete the streamlined AGACNP program in two semesters.

Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: This APRN certificate training program is only open to applicants with an active RN license and an active nurse practitioner certification. You’ll need to submit a letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor and an essay along with your application.

Interesting Highlights About University Of Pennsylvania School Of Nursing NP School

• In 2021, the University of Pennsylvania awarded 382 MSN degrees.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Pennsylvania’s MSN program as the fourth best in the nation. Additional shoutouts were given to UPenn’s AGACNP track (third best in the country) and its FNP program (seventh best in the nation.)

• Students pursuing the Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner concentration are eligible to apply for clinical experiences in Thailand or Honduras.


2. Drexel University


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master's Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Dual, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care & Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Dual, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions uses the quarter system instead of the semester system. Its academic year is divided up into four 10-week quarters a year instead of two 18-week semesters. One quarter credit equals two-thirds of a semester credit.

Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions offers the most comprehensive assortment of NP programs of any of the nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia. Drexel’s MSN degree has eight NP specializations: an AGACNP track, an AGPCNP track, an FNP track, a PACNP track, a PPCNP track, a PPC/PACNP track, a PMHNP track, and a WHNP track.

Drexel also offers these same eight NP concentrations as well as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner track in conjunction with its APRN post-master’s certificate program.


MSN Program Details: Like other NP programs in Philadelphia, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions divides its MSN curriculum into three components: core MSN courses, classes that are relevant to a specific clinical specialty, and clinical courses or practicums. MSN core courses include “Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments,” “Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care,” and “Quality and Safety in Healthcare.”

Drexel University’s MSN nurse practitioner coursework is primarily a distance-learning curriculum that utilizes synchronous teaching technology. But you will be required to participate in four intensives on the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia that will involve simulated lab experiences. All students must attain RN licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before their clinical rotations begin. However, you will be able to coordinate your own clinical preceptor and placement site.

The AGACNP and PACNP tracks both involve 57 quarter credits and 800 clinical hours, while AGPCNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP tracks entail 52 quarter credits and 640 clinical hours. The FNP track involves 56 quarter credits and 720 clinical hours, and the WHNP track comprises 55 quarter credits and 640 clinical hours. This NP program in Philadelphia also offers a unique track that allows you to simultaneously meet the certification requirements for pediatric acute care and pediatric primary care nurse practice; this PPC/ACNP track involves 44 quarter credits and 1,000 clinical hours.


MSN Program Length: The FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PACNP tracks take 36 months (12 quarters) to complete. The PPCNP, PMHNP, and WHNP tracks take 33 months (11 quarters) to complete. If you enroll in the dual PPC/ACNP track, you can expect to graduate in 13 quarters.

MSN Admission Requirements: This program is only open to applicants with a current, unrestricted RN license and a BSN from an accredited program where they maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to applicants with one or two years of professional nursing experience relevant to the NP concentration they hope to pursue.

Note that while Drexel accepts New York State residents into its NP programs, clinical rotations cannot be done in New York State.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: All eight NP programs affiliated with Drexel University’s MSN program are also available as post-master’s graduate certificates. Additionally, Drexel offers an Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate designed to prepare students to sit for The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP)’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Exam.

The curricula for these certificates are roughly analogous to the MSN programs’ curricula minus the core MSN classes. Though coursework is delivered primarily online through synchronized lectures and class activities, you’ll have to visit Drexel University’s campus in Philadelphia to join in skills intensives. All students enrolled in Drexel’s certificate nurse practitioner programs must have a Pennsylvania RN license.

The number of quarter credits you’ll be required to take to complete these certificates can vary. That’s because the university will evaluate your transcripts upon admission to see if any classes you’ve taken previously can be substituted for NP certificate course requirements. In general, though, the AGACNP certificate requires 39 quarter credits; the AGPCNP certificate, 34; the FNP, 38; the PACNP, 39; the PPCNP, 34; the PMHNP, 34; and the WHNP, 37. The Emergency Nurse Practitioner certificate requires anywhere between 15 and 30 quarter credits.


Post- Master’s Certificate Program Length: The online coursework associated with Drexel University’s NP certificate training courses can typically be completed in a single year, but the clinical rotations associated with those certificates may take longer to finish. You should be able to finish the AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP certificates in a year; the WHNP certificate in a year and a half; and the PACNP, PPCNP, and PMHNP certificates in two years. You cannot take longer than two years to finish any certificate.

Post- Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: This nurse practitioner program in Philadelphia is only open to applicants with either an MSN or a DNP from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or above. You must have a current, unrestricted RN license. One to two years of experience in a clinical area similar to the clinical specialty you’re applying to is preferred.

Interesting Highlights About Drexel University NP School

• Three hundred and thirty-five students graduated with MSN degrees from Drexel University in 2021

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Drexel University’s online MSN program the 55th best online Master’s of Science in Nursing degree program in the U.S.

• Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions started as a diploma nursing program affiliated with Hahnemann Hospital.


3. Thomas Jefferson University


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health - Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology - Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health-Gender Related Nurse Practitioner


About the School: At Thomas Jefferson University, you can pursue your NP educational goals either online or through a hybrid blend of online and on-campus classes. This NP program in Philadelphia offers seven nurse practitioner concentrations in conjunction with its Master’s of Science in Nursing degree: an AGACNP track, an AGPCNP track, an FNP track, an NNP, a PPCNP track, and a WHNP track. All concentrations except the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track are also offered as BSN-to-DNP specialties and post-master’s certificate concentrations.


MSN Program Details: All seven of Thomas Jefferson University’s MSN nurse practitioner tracks involve 36 credits and 672 clinical hours. The AGACNP track is delivered entirely online, but the AGPCNP, FNP, PPCNP, and WHNP tracks are taught at Jefferson’s Center City and Dixon campuses. The PMHNP concentration is only taught at Jefferson’s City Center campus.

Like all the best nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia, Jefferson’s MSN-related NP programs are divided into segments: in this case, MSN core classes, classes that pertain to RN advanced practice, and classes that are relevant to the NP specialty you’re pursuing. All students must attend a mandatory one-day orientation on campus before teaching begins.

MSN core classes include “Health Policy, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Practice,” “Philosophy, Foundations, and Methods for Evidence-Based Practice,” and “Advanced Topics in Health Informatics.” Coursework that delves into APRN practice includes “Comprehensive Assessment for Clinical Decision-Making” and “Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics.” You’ll take 12 courses in all.

Clinical rotations take place at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and other facilities associated with Jefferson Health, which is the medical arm of Thomas Jefferson University.


MSN Program Length: Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Nursing offers full-time and part-time completion options for its MSN-NP programs. Most full-time students should be able to complete their MSN degree and nurse practitioner specialty in two years, but part-time students have the option of finishing it in three years or five years.

MSN Admission Requirements: This program is open to students who’ve graduated with a nursing baccalaureate from an accredited with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and who hold an active, unencumbered RN license in their state of residence.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: While Jefferson University offers two Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) options, only the BSN-to-DNP option allows you the opportunity of working toward nurse practitioner certification.

All six NP concentrations affiliated with the BSN-to-DNP program involve 66 credits and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. The BSN-to-DNP curriculum duplicates the MSN/NP sequence but adds seven courses that prepare students for the DNP-prepared nurse’s expanded leadership role, including “Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice,” “Practice Inquiry: Designs, Methods and Analyses,” and “Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health.”

Once students have completed a class called “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education,” they will receive an MSN.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Full-time students should be able to finish Thomas Jefferson’s BSN-to-DNP program in four years. Part-time students have up to six years to complete the program.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: This program is only available to BSN-prepared students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 in their undergraduate studies. You must have an active, unencumbered RN license.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: You can take any of Thomas Jefferson University’s post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate options either online or on-site at the Dixon and Center City campuses. The programs require 18 credits but may be shorter if Jefferson’s gap analysis determines you should be awarded credit for a required course you’ve taken previously.


Post-Graduate Certificate Program Length: Most students will be able to complete Jefferson’s post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate program in a year.

Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: This program is open to MSN- or DNP-prepared nurses.

Interesting Highlights About Thomas Jefferson University NP School

• Thomas Jefferson University awarded 294 MSN degrees and 33 DNP degrees in 2021.

• Thomas Jefferson University’s online MSN program was ranked 11th in the nation in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report.

• Nurse practitioner trainees will have the opportunity to do clinical practicums at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the flagship facility for the nonprofit Jefferson health system and named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the finest hospitals in the U.S.


4. Temple University


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Temple University’s Nursing Department’s faculty is known for its political activism. The department is committed to striving for the benefit of the medically underserved populations of North Philadelphia, and as a student here, this will be your focus, too. Temple’s two nurse practitioner tracks—an AGPCNP concentration and an FNP concentration—are part of its BSN-to-DNP program.


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Temple’s AGPCNP and FNP tracks both consist of 68 credits and 1,000 clinical hours. Both tracks have curricula that include DNP core classes and coursework focusing on your chosen NP specialty. Among the DNP-related classes you’ll be required to take are “Biostatistics for Health Professions,” “Translation of Evidence in Healthcare,” and “Managing Quality Initiatives Through Nursing Quality Initiatives.”

This nurse practitioner program in Philadelphia has been set up to be convenient for working RNs. You’ll only be required to attend classes one day a week at Temple University’s Health Sciences Center, and most courses will allow you to access learning materials online. Temple’s Department of Nursing has cultivated relationships with more than 100 clinical sites throughout North Philadelphia and other parts of the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, including homeless shelters, nurse-managed clinics, outpatient clinics, and other primary care settings, and it is at these sites that you will be doing your clinical rotations.

This NP program in Philadelphia requires the completion of a three-semester DNP project. One hundred and sixty-eight of your clinical hours will be devoted to researching a nursing issue and implementing a plan for addressing that issue. You’ll then be required to evaluate the success of your project and present your findings in a semi-public forum.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Full-time students should be able to complete Temple University’s BSN-to-DNP program in three years. The program also offers a part-time track that you should be able to finish in four years.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: All applicants to this program must have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from an accredited college or university. Additionally, you must have an active, unencumbered RN license.

Interesting Highlights About Temple University NP School

• Temple University’s Nursing Department is a division of the university’s School of Public Health.

• In 2021, Temple University awarded 19 DNP degrees.

• All students who graduate from Temple University’s BSN-to-DNP program earn a Teaching in Higher Education certificate.


5. La Salle University


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


About the School: La Salle University offers one of the best online nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia. Its three MSN/NP concentrations—an AGPCNP track, an FNP track, and a PMHNP track—are all offered as distance learning options. However, the university’s post-graduate NP certificate programs are primarily offered as a campus option at La Salle’s main campus and at the university’s Bucks County Center.


MSN Program Details: The AGPCNP track entails 43 credits and 512 clinical hours, while the FNP track comprises 45 credits and 692 clinical hours. The PMHNP track consists of 46 credits and 704 clinical hours.

Like most nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia, the curriculum of La Salle’s MSN/NP program is divided into multiple parts. You’ll take MSN core classes like “Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice” and “Advanced Nursing Practice for Population-Based Care.” You’ll also take courses that support your expanded role as an Advanced Practice RN, such as “Family System Concepts for Primary Care” and “Advanced Pathophysiology.” Finally, you’ll take coursework and participate in clinical rotations relevant to the Nurse Practitioner specialty you’ve selected.

Clinical rotations will take place in inpatient, outpatient, and community residential settings. A La Salle University program administrator will work with you to secure a clinical rotation in your state of residence.


MSN Program Length: This NP program in Philadelphia has two start dates in the spring semester and two start dates in the summer semester. If you’re enrolled as a full-time student, you should be able to finish your NP program at La Salle in 24 months (six semesters); if you’re enrolled part-time, you should be able to finish in 36 months (nine semesters.)

MSN Admission Requirements: For admission into this program, you’ll need a BSN degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.2 or higher. All applicants must have a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where they reside.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you’ve already completed your MSN or DNP and are looking to add another APRN specialty to your clinical repertoire, La Salle University also offers post-master’s certificates. All three specialties are campus-based programs offered at La Salle’s main campus and Bucks County Center. The 26-credit AGPCNP certificate requires the completion of 512 clinical hours, while the 33-credit FNP certificate requires the completion of 302 clinical hours. The PMHNP certificate entails 704 clinical hours, and a gap analysis will determine the number of credits you’ll need to take to complete the certificate’s course requirements.


Post- Master’s Certificate Program Length: NP certificate curricula typically include four core APRN classes and four specialty NP classes, which means you should be able to earn a certificate in 12 months if you enroll in this program full-time.

Post- Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: La Salle’s post-master’s certificate program is open to nurses with a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.

Interesting Highlights About La Salle University NP School

• La Salle University awarded 52 MSN degrees in 2021.

• From the moment they begin taking classes, NP students at La Salle University are paired with faculty mentors who guide them through program requirements.

• Although La Salle University is a Catholic university, Catholic tenets do not play a role in its nurse practitioner nursing education.


6. Holy Family University


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner

MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Holy Family University is a Catholic institution of higher learning that incorporates Catholic values into all curricular programs, including its nurse practitioner programs. The university offers a Family Nurse Practitioner track in conjunction with both its BSN-to-DNP program and its MSN-to-DNP program.


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Holy Family University’s BSN-to-DNP/FNP track has a comparatively unique orientation: It’s designed for nurses who want to go on practicing in clinical settings rather than work as researchers. This nurse practitioner program in Philadelphia consists of 74 credits and 1,046 clinical hours. As is true of every NP program in Philadelphia, the curriculum is divided into components that pertain to DNP-related expertise, components that pertain to the advanced practice RN role, components that pertain to a specific NP specialty, and practicums.

DNP-related courses include “Research for Evidence Based Practice,” “Biostatistics and EBP for the DNP,” and “Advanced Practice Role for the DNP.” APRN-related courses include “Advanced Pathophysiology,” “Advanced Pharmacology,” and “Advanced Physical and Health Assessment.”

You’ll qualify to receive a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree after you complete your MSN course and clinical requirements. This NP program in Philadelphia includes a four-semester DNP project during which you will develop and implement an evidence-based care plan that addresses an issue you came across in your clinical rotations.

Courses are delivered as a hybrid learning option. You’ll spend one day a week at Holy Names University’s campus in Newtown and access the remainder of your coursework online.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Full-time students will be able to complete Holy Family University’s BSN-to-DNP/FNP track in four years.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: This program requires a BSN from an accredited nursing program and an active, unrestricted Pennsylvania RN license.

MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Holy Family University also offers a DNP/FNP with a master’s degree-level entry point. The program entails 43 credits and 1,046 clinical hours and follows the same curriculum as the BSN-to-DNP/FNP except without the APRN-specific courses.

The program is delivered in a hybrid format. You’ll do the majority of your classwork online but meet with your cohort one day a week at Holy Family University’s campus in Newtown.


MSN-to-DNP Program Length: You can only enroll in this program as a full-time student. It’s designed to be completed in two and a half years (14 eight-week sessions.)

MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Holy Family University’s MSN-to-DNP program is only open to applicants who have an MSN from an accredited university and who possess active, unrestricted RN licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Interesting Highlights About Holy Family University NP School

• Fourteen individuals graduated from Holy Family University in 2021 with DNP degrees.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Holy Family University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree among the 160 best in the nation.

• Holy Family University offers online DNP tracks to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware residents.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



CAREER INFORMATION FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA


HOW MANY NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE THERE IN PHILADELPHIA?


Three thousand and eight hundred nurse practitioners are employed in Philadelphia.

Employment
3,800
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHERE DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS WORK IN PHILADELPHIA?


You’ll find nurse practitioners working throughout Philadelphia in practically every conceivable healthcare setting, from hospitals, emergency rooms, and surgical clinics to community agencies, government organizations, and private physicians’ practices.

Work Setting
Offices of Physicians
General Medical & Surgical Hospitals
Outpatient Care Centers
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
Home Health Care Services


WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN PHILADELPHIA?


Employment opportunities for nurse practitioners in Philadelphia are projected to rise by nearly one-third within the next decade.

10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030)
+32.69%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



HOW MUCH DO NURSE PRACTITIONERS MAKE IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA?


WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA EXPECT?


When you’re starting out in your first job as a nurse practitioner in Philadelphia, you can expect to earn $45.92 an hour. This works out to $1,837 a week, $7,960 a month, or $95,520 a year on average.

Hourly$45.92
Weekly$1,837
Monthly$7,960
Annual$95,520
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NP PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?


As you gain experience in advanced RN practice, your salary will increase. NPs with one to four years of experience earn 6 percent more than entry-level nurse practitioners, while NPs with five to nine years of experience earn 36 percent more. NPs with 20 or more years of experience earn 56 percent more than entry-level nurse practitioners and 15 percent more than nurse practitioners with 10 to 19 years of experience.

Level of Experience HourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Entry-Level $45.92$1,837$7,960$95,520
1-4 Years of Experience $48.62$1,945$8,430$101,130
5-9 Years of Experience $58.43$2,337$10,130$121,530
10-19 Years of Experience $62.41$2,497$10,820$129,820
20 Years or More Experience $71.64$2,866$12,420$149,010
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA?


On average, nurse practitioners in Philadelphia earn $121,370 annually, a milestone they typically reach in their ninth year of working. That works out to $58.35 an hour, $2,334 a week, or $10,110 a month.

Hourly$58.35
Weekly$2,334
Monthly$10,110
Annual$121,370
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. OTHER SALARIES


NP SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. NP SALARY IN THE NATION


In Philly, nurse practitioners make approximately 3 percent more than NPs make in the rest of the U.S. as a whole.

Average Philadelphia
NP Annual Salary
Average National NP
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$121,370$118,040+$3,330+2.82%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. NP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA


The salary that NPs earn in Philadelphia is 3.5 percent higher than the salary nurse practitioners make in all parts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole.

Average Philadelphia
NP Annual Salary
Average Pennsylvania
NP Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
$121,370$117,260+$4,110+3.51%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. NP SALARIES IN OTHER PENNSYLVANIA CITIES


Philadelphia-based nurse practitioners make higher salaries than NPs earn in other parts of the Keystone State. Only Pittsburg pays its NPs better: NPs in Philadelphia make 3 percent less than nurse practitioners in Pittsburg. But NPs in Philadelphia make 8 percent more than nurse practitioners in Scranton and 22 percent more than nurse practitioners in Johnstown.

Metro Average Annual Salary Difference
Number %
Pittsburgh $125,270 -$3,900 -3.11%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington $121,370 $0 0.00%
Reading $119,650 +$1,720 +1.44%
Harrisburg-Carlisle $117,200 +$4,170 +3.56%
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton $115,550 +$5,820 +5.04%
Williamsport $115,050 +$6,320 +5.49%
Bloomsburg-Berwick $112,630 +$8,740 +7.76%
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton $112,130 +$9,240 +8.24%
Lancaster $111,030 +$10,340 +9.31%
York-Hanover $110,890 +$10,480 +9.45%
Gettysburg $110,500 +$10,870 +9.84%
Chambersburg-Waynesboro $109,100 +$12,270 +11.25%
State College $108,480 +$12,890 +11.88%
Erie $107,500 +$13,870 +12.90%
Lebanon $107,450 +$13,920 +12.95%
Altoona $104,880 +$16,490 +15.72%
Johnstown $99,690 +$21,680 +21.75%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN PHILADELPHIA


Nurse practitioners are the highest-paid professionals in Philadelphia’s nursing sector. They earn nearly 50 percent more than registered nurses who do not have an APRN certification and nearly two and half times what nursing assistants make.

Type of Nurse Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Nurse Practitioner $121,370 $0 0.00%
Nurse Midwife $116,510 +$4,860 +4.17%
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary $93,210 +$28,160 +30.21%
Registered Nurse $81,860 +$39,510 +48.27%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse $55,640 +$65,730 +118.13%
Nursing Assistant $35,650 +$85,720 +240.45%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


NP SALARY IN PHILADELPHIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN PHILADELPHIA


“Physician assistant” is probably the job description that’s closest in professional scope to the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner. In Philadelphia, nurse practitioners make marginally (1 percent) less than what physician assistants earn.

The physician/nurse practitioner salary gap is wide in Philadelphia: NPs average salaries are nearly 50 percent less than physicians’ salaries. But they earn 23 percent more than physical therapists and 27 percent more than occupational therapists—two professions that are more concerned with rehabilitation than diagnosis and treatment.

Job Title Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
Physician $228,680 -$107,310 -46.93%
Dentist $189,220 -$67,850 -35.86%
Optometrist $156,650 -$35,280 -22.52%
Podiatrist $144,630 -$23,260 -16.08%
Pharmacist $128,160 -$6,790 -5.30%
Veterinarian $126,090 -$4,720 -3.74%
Physician Assistant $122,670 -$1,300 -1.06%
Nurse Practitioner $121,370 $0 0.00%
Physical Therapist $98,800 +$22,570 +22.84%
Occupational Therapist $95,440 +$25,930 +27.17%
Speech-Language Pathologist $90,110 +$31,260 +34.69%
Audiologist $84,470 +$36,900 +43.68%
Chiropractor $78,500 +$42,870 +54.61%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT


1. Who Accredits Nurse Practitioner Programs In Philadelphia?

The two accrediting bodies for nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

S.No.Accrediting Agency
1Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
2Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


2. How Many Accredited Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Philadelphia?

There are six accredited nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia: the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, La Salle University, and Holy Family University.

6


3. On Average, How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse Practitioner In Philadelphia?

The length of time it will take you to become a nurse practitioner in Philadelphia will depend upon the academic program you enroll in. If you choose to complete an MSN/NP program, it will take between one and three years; if you choose to complete a DNP/NP program, it will take approximately four years. If you already have an APRN and are studying for a second NP through a certificate training program, it will take you roughly a year.


4. On Average, How Much Do NP Programs Cost In Philadelphia?

NP tuition costs depend upon the academic degree you’re pursuing in conjunction with your nurse practitioner training. Costs range from roughly $20,000 for a certificate to around $40,000 for an MSN and about $72,000 for a DNP.


5. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Hour In Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, nurse practitioners make $58.35 an hour on average.

$58.35


6. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Month In Philadelphia?

Graduates of NP programs in Philadelphia make $10,110 a month on average.

$10,110


7. How Much Does A Nurse Practitioner Make Per Year In Philadelphia?

Graduates of nurse practitioner programs in Philadelphia make $121,370 annually on average.

$121,370


8. Are Nurse Practitioners In Demand In Philadelphia?

Yes, there is a significant demand for nurse practitioners in Philadelphia. And that demand is only growing more robust: Employment opportunities for nurse practitioners are projected to increase by 33 percent in the next decade.


9. Can Nurse Practitioners Practice Independently In Philadelphia?

No. Philadelphia is subject to Pennsylvania’s practice laws, and in Pennsylvania, nurse practitioners can only work according to a written collaborative agreement with a supervising physician.

Reduced Practice


10. Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medications In Philadelphia?

Nurse practitioners can prescribe controlled substances, other medications, and medical devices under the written collaborative agreement they have in place with a supervising physician.


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.




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