Pennsylvania at a Glance
Median LPN salary: ~$57,000/year → Median RN salary: ~$90,000/year (BLS data)
Your raise: ~$33,000/year | NLC compact: Joined July 7, 2025 — your license works in 40+ states
Evening programs: Westmoreland CC (spring start), Jersey College (Scranton/York) | Grow PA Scholarship: Up to $5,000/year
PA State Board of Nursing: dos.pa.gov — Board of Nursing · (717) 783-7142
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is facing a projected LPN shortage of 18,700 by 2030, which means bridge programs are expanding capacity statewide. The Grow PA Scholarship (up to $5,000/year) makes community college programs even more affordable. Here are the programs we verified.
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) — LPN to RN Transition
LCCC offers three campus locations across the Lehigh Valley region, giving you geographic flexibility. The transition course bridges your LPN skills into the full ADN program. ACEN accredited. The Lehigh Valley has strong clinical placement partnerships with St. Luke's University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network — both major employers that frequently hire their clinical students.
Westmoreland County Community College — Advanced Standing LPN to RN
Westmoreland CC is one of the few Pennsylvania programs offering a dedicated evening track (spring start). LPNs receive advanced standing in the ADN program — you skip the first-semester content you already know. Serves the Pittsburgh metro / Westmoreland County area. Community college pricing with Grow PA Scholarship eligibility.
Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) — LPN to RN
Penn College (affiliated with Penn State) has NCLEX pass rates consistently above state and local averages. The Grow PA Scholarship provides up to $5,000/year for most associate degree programs — a significant discount. Serves north-central Pennsylvania. As of July 2025, PA implemented the NLC, so Penn College graduates can practice across 40+ states with their multistate license.
Jersey College — LPN to RN Bridge (Scranton + York)
Jersey College operates hospital-affiliated bridge programs at two PA locations. The Scranton campus is affiliated with Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital; the York campus with WellSpan Health. Both offer day and evening classes. Hospital affiliations mean strong clinical placements and potential employment pathways at the partner health system.
✅ Pro tip for working moms: Westmoreland CC's evening program (spring start) is purpose-built for LPNs who can't attend daytime classes. If you're near the Lehigh Valley, LCCC's three campus locations mean you can pick whichever is closest to your home or workplace. Both qualify for the Grow PA Scholarship.
Online Option: Excelsior University (Study from Anywhere in PA)
If campus-based programs don't fit your schedule or location — especially in rural central or northern PA:
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
Excelsior works well for PA LPNs in rural areas — the Northern Tier, Poconos, or central PA — far from community college bridge programs. All theory online, clinicals at a facility near you. Since PA joined the NLC in 2025, your RN license from any accredited program now works in 40+ states.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior's associate-level program does not carry separate ACEN accreditation. Major PA employers (UPMC, Penn Medicine, Geisinger, WellSpan) may prefer ACEN-accredited graduates. If accreditation matters to your employer, stick with LCCC, Penn College, or Westmoreland CC. Check before enrolling.
Pennsylvania LPN to RN Cost Comparison
Pennsylvania community colleges offer affordable bridge programs, and the Grow PA Scholarship can reduce costs further.
| Program | Type | Estimated Total Cost | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh Carbon CC (3 campuses) | Community College | ~$8,000–$14,000 | Campus (ACEN) |
| Westmoreland CC (Pittsburgh area) | Community College | ~$8,000–$14,000 | Day or evening |
| Penn College (Williamsport) | State-Affiliated | ~$10,000–$18,000 | Campus (ACEN, Grow PA eligible) |
| Jersey College (Scranton/York) | Private | ~$20,000–$35,000 | Day + evening, hospital-affiliated |
| Excelsior University | Online | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | 100% online + local clinicals |
Costs estimated based on in-state/in-district rates. Grow PA Scholarship provides up to $5,000/year at participating institutions. Financial aid (Pell Grants, PA State Grant) stacks on top. PA has a flat 3.07% state income tax. Always confirm tuition directly with the school.
Pennsylvania LPN vs RN Salary: Your Raise + NLC Portability
Pennsylvania RN salaries are competitive, and since PA joined the NLC in July 2025, your license now works in 40+ states — including neighboring New Jersey ($110,000+ RN median). Based on BLS data:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | ~$43,000 | ~$65,000 | +$22,000 |
| Median (typical) | ~$57,000 | ~$90,000 | +$33,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | ~$70,000 | ~$120,000 | +$50,000 |
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), SOC codes 29-1141 (RN) and 29-2061 (LPN). Pennsylvania employs approximately 146,840 RNs statewide. PA has a flat 3.07% state income tax.
📊 The NLC multiplier: Before July 2025, your PA RN license worked only in Pennsylvania. Now it works in 40+ states. An LPN mom near the PA/NJ border can get her RN at PA community college prices ($8,000–$14,000) and commute to New Jersey hospitals paying $110,000+ — without needing a separate NJ license. The NLC makes your PA bridge investment even more valuable.
Top-paying PA metro areas for RNs: Philadelphia ($95,000+ average — with access to NJ jobs at $110,000+), Pittsburgh ($88,000+), Lehigh Valley ($92,000+), Harrisburg ($86,000+). Major employers: UPMC (65,000+ employees, largest PA employer), Penn Medicine, Geisinger Health, WellSpan, Tower Health.
What You Need to Get In (Pennsylvania Requirements)
Requirements vary by school, but most Pennsylvania LPN-to-RN bridge programs require:
- Active Pennsylvania LPN license (PA is now an NLC compact state as of July 7, 2025)
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA: 2.0–2.5 (varies by program)
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, English Composition, General Psychology, College Math
- Entrance exam: TEAS or HESI A2 (varies by program)
- Background check (PA State Police + FBI fingerprint-based)
- Child abuse clearance (PA-specific requirement for healthcare workers)
- Drug screening
- Current CPR/BLS certification
- Immunizations: MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, annual flu shot, negative TB test
✅ PA's NLC implementation is brand new. As of July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania RN licenses can be issued as multistate licenses. If you already have a PA RN license, you may need to apply to convert it to a multistate license. New graduates who meet NLC requirements automatically receive a multistate license. This means your bridge program investment in PA gives you access to 40+ state job markets.
Paying for It: Pennsylvania Financial Aid
Pennsylvania has solid state-level financial aid, especially with the new Grow PA Scholarship:
- Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program: Up to $5,000/year for most associate and bachelor degrees at participating PA schools. Relatively new program — check eligibility at your school.
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year (federal). Complete the FAFSA.
- PA State Grant: Need-based state grant administered by PHEAA for PA residents at PA schools.
- Employer tuition assistance: UPMC, Penn Medicine, Geisinger, WellSpan, Tower Health, and Allegheny Health Network all offer tuition reimbursement for employees advancing to RN. UPMC alone has 65,000+ employees and actively recruits from PA bridge programs.
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship: Full tuition + living stipend for commitment to work in an underserved area — many rural PA counties qualify.
- PA projected LPN shortage: 18,700 LPNs short by 2030. This shortage pressure means more funding for bridge programs and employer-sponsored tuition assistance.
📋 Real math: LCCC tuition (~$10,000 total) minus Grow PA Scholarship ($5,000/year) minus Pell Grant ($7,395/year) = you could finish your bridge with money left over. The Grow PA Scholarship is still new and underutilized — apply early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pennsylvania a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state?
Yes — as of July 7, 2025. Pennsylvania fully implemented the NLC, meaning your PA RN multistate license works in 40+ other states. This is a major recent change. If you already have a PA RN license, you may need to apply to convert it to a multistate license.
What is the cheapest LPN to RN program in Pennsylvania?
Community colleges like Lehigh Carbon CC, Westmoreland CC, and HACC offer in-state tuition typically $5,000–$8,000/year. The Grow PA Scholarship provides up to $5,000/year at participating schools. Combined with Pell Grants, many students finish with minimal out-of-pocket cost.
How much more do RNs make than LPNs in Pennsylvania?
Based on BLS data, PA RNs earn a median of approximately $90,000/year while LPNs earn roughly $57,000/year — about $33,000 more. Philadelphia-area RNs earn $95,000+, and with the new NLC compact, PA RNs can also work in New Jersey ($110,000+ median) without additional licensure.
Can I do an LPN to RN program in Pennsylvania with evening classes?
Yes. Westmoreland County Community College offers a dedicated evening program (spring start). Jersey College campuses in Scranton and York both offer day and evening class options.
What is the projected nursing shortage in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania faces a projected LPN deficit of 18,700 by 2030. This shortage is driving expansion of bridge programs, increased employer tuition assistance, and new state funding like the Grow PA Scholarship. It's an excellent time to bridge from LPN to RN in PA.
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Contact
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania RN licenses renew every 2 years and require 30 contact hours of continuing education. PA requires child abuse clearance in addition to standard background checks. PA implemented the NLC compact on July 7, 2025 — multistate licenses are now available. PA has a flat 3.07% state income tax.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside Pennsylvania? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.