University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Public research university nursing school on Pitt’s Oakland health-sciences campus, with a traditional BSN, a one-year Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN, and graduate nursing programs that include COA-accredited nurse anesthesia and CCNE-accredited DNP tracks. NCLEX and retention figures below come from Pitt’s certification pass-rate disclosures; tuition comes from tuition.pitt.edu (2025–2026). Confirm every detail with the School of Nursing and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Pitt Nursing sits beside UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals, pairs intensive simulation with one of the nation’s largest academic health networks, and publishes transparent NCLEX tables that apply to all University of Pittsburgh undergraduate BSN sites (Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown). Use that ecosystem scale—and Pitt’s in-state tuition advantage—to decide whether this school matches your goals.
Overview & Why Students Choose Pitt Nursing
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing anchors one end of the Oakland corridor leading to UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals, giving pre-licensure students routine exposure to quaternary care without leaving the neighborhood. Graduate students can progress through MSN, DNP (including nurse anesthesia), PhD, and certificate pathways that Pitt delivers with on-campus, hybrid, or online elements depending on specialty.
Undergraduates choose between the Traditional BSN and the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN—that pathway is Pitt’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN). The official Degree Programs landing page does not list a dedicated RN-to-BSN completion program; confirm options with advising if you already hold RN licensure.
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet lists University of Pittsburgh BSN at 92.48% first-time (246/266) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025. Pitt’s Certification Pass & Student Retention Rates page separately lists 92.51% (AY 2024–2025) and 97.17% (2023–2024) for the Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown undergraduate aggregate.
Reasons students choose Pitt Nursing
Oakland clinical immediacy
Many Pitt clinical experiences concentrate in the UPMC system adjacent to campus, reducing travel friction during dense junior and senior rotations.
Published outcomes tables
Pitt maintains multi-year NCLEX rows for undergraduates and certification snapshots for APRN programs—useful when benchmarking before you parse state board spreadsheets.
Accelerated 2nd Degree track
The one-year ABSN advertises a split scholarship for admitted students who commit to enroll, with advising through absn@pitt.edu.
DNP + nurse anesthesia depth
DNP offerings include Health Systems Executive Leadership and COA-accredited nurse anesthesia; Pitt also cites a #12 (tie) U.S. News 2025 DNP ranking on its program page.
Residency-based tuition clarity
Pennsylvania residents pay lower Pittsburgh campus Nursing tuition than out-of-state students, with figures published on tuition.pitt.edu for both undergraduate and graduate SON rows.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program groupings follow the official Degree Programs menu and supporting pages for MSN, DNP, PhD, certificates, and the Accelerated 2nd Degree track.
Pre-licensure
Traditional BSN
Four-year pathway for high school and transfer students; application timing for freshmen routes through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, while internal and external transfer deadlines are posted on the School of Nursing admissions deadlines page.
Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) at Pitt is the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN: an intensive, approximately one-year curriculum for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher, with prerequisite planning through absn@pitt.edu.
Post-licensure & graduate
MSN
MSN for BSN-prepared RNs; Pitt’s materials highlight onsite Neonatal Nurse Practitioner coursework alongside other APRN specialties reflected in certification pass-rate tables (FNP, PMHNP, AG acute/primary care, NNP, etc.).
Post-professional certificates
Non-degree certificates—such as AG-ACNP, neonatal NP, palliative care, pediatric acute care NP, PMHNP, and School Nurse PK-12—serve master’s- or doctoral-prepared nurses expanding scope.
DNP
DNP tracks include Health Systems Executive Leadership and Nurse Anesthesia; Pitt notes BSN and MSN entry pathways and that the GRE is no longer mandatory.
PhD in Nursing
Research doctorate with fall priority deadline (December 1) and February 15 assistantship consideration windows published on Pitt’s application deadlines page.
Pitt’s online graduate nursing page states that in-state tuition applies for approved online programs; verify any state authorization or clinical-placement limits with the school before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet, the University of Pittsburgh BSN row shows 92.48% first-time (246/266) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025. According to Pitt’s Certification Pass & Student Retention Rates page, the NCLEX first-time pass rate for the undergraduate program was 92.51% in AY 2024–2025 and 97.17% in 2023–2024, reflecting Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown collectively—not campus-specific splits.
The same Pitt page publishes APRN certification pass snapshots by specialty (for example, Family NP and Psychiatric Mental Health NP each show a school-reported first-time pass rate for academic year 2023–2024). Treat those rows as program-specific, school-reported cohort data; confirm the exact exam and class year with Pitt before comparing programs.
For Pennsylvania board-published NCLEX statistics, start at the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and download the most recent RN NCLEX reporting the Board provides—filenames sometimes change when documents are updated.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (PA DOS, Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | 92.48% (246 / 266, University of Pittsburgh BSN row) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Pitt undergrad aggregate) | 92.51% (AY 2024–2025); 97.17% (AY 2023–2024)—Certification Pass page |
| Scope note | Figures combine Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown undergraduate BSN cohorts per University disclosures |
| Source | Board: 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet (PDF). School: Pitt certification pass & retention rates; Provost licensure listings. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and Pitt. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and campus mix. Confirm the latest rates with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Pitt School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Pitt’s international applicant resources, the Office of International Services, and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pitt splits nursing admissions by pathway: freshmen and external transfers follow OAFA processes, internal/transfer BSN applicants use School of Nursing deadlines, Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN candidates apply directly to SON, and graduate applicants follow the centralized nursing admissions calendar. GRE requirements for DNP were removed per Pitt’s public DNP pages, but each specialty may still require interviews (for example, nurse anesthesia interview timing is spelled out on the deadlines page).
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (freshman deadlines) | See OAFA freshman calendar | Office of Admissions and Financial Aid |
| Internal & external BSN transfer—Spring | November 1 (fall grades reviewed) | Per Pitt Nursing application deadlines page |
| Internal & external BSN transfer—Fall | April 1 (spring grades reviewed) | Per Pitt Nursing application deadlines page |
| Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN—Fall | November 1 priority; April 15 regular (rolling) | Notifications December 15 (priority) or rolling thereafter |
| MSN / DNP (most tracks)—Fall | November 1 priority; April 15 regular (rolling) | Parallel graduate nursing deadlines on Pitt site |
| DNP Nurse Anesthesia—Spring | April 1 regular; June 30 notification | Interviews noted for Spring 2026+ cycles |
| PhD—Fall | December 1 priority; March 1 late if space | February 15 deadline noted for GSA/TF consideration |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Not publicly disclosed on the summaries cited; confirm by pathway with SON admissions |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the high-level pages reviewed—ask admissions whether your cohort requires a pre-admission exam |
| Clinical clearance | Expect background checks, immunizations, and drug screens consistent with UPMC/partner hospital policies before clinical courses |
Accelerated students should map prerequisite science laboratories early; graduate applicants should line up Pennsylvania RN licensure, clearances, and documentation for clinical practicum negotiation well before the priority deadline if they want funding consideration.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition figures below are copied from the University of Pittsburgh tuition.pitt.edu site for Academic Year 2025–2026 (effective Fall 2025) for the Pittsburgh campus School of Nursing. Add mandatory fees, housing, food, books, loan fees, and transportation lines from the same site when you build a full cost of attendance.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School of Nursing (PA resident) | $26,396 tuition for two full-time terms; $13,198 per term; $1,099 part-time per credit |
| Undergraduate School of Nursing (out-of-state) | $52,954 tuition for two full-time terms; $26,477 per term; $2,206 part-time per credit |
| Undergraduate mandatory fees (Pittsburgh) | $1,770 total for two terms ($885 per term full-time) |
| Graduate School of Nursing (PA resident) | $31,510 tuition for two full-time terms; $15,755 per term; $1,280 part-time per credit |
| Graduate School of Nursing (out-of-state) | $39,122 tuition for two full-time terms; $19,561 per term; $1,595 part-time per credit |
| Graduate mandatory fees | $1,630 total for two terms ($815 per term full-time) |
| Other estimated expenses (example: on/off campus) | Pitt lists housing, food, books, transportation, and miscellaneous estimates on the Pittsburgh undergraduate and graduate cost pages—use the tables that match your living situation |
| Source | Pittsburgh Undergraduate Tuition; School of Nursing Graduate Tuition; SON scholarships & aid overview. Confirm final charges with the Pitt Student Payment Office. |
File the FAFSA using Pitt’s federal school code 008705 and review School of Nursing scholarship materials for program-specific awards (for example, Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN tuition scholarship language on the ABSN page).
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pittsburgh’s dual UPMC and Allegheny Health Network labor markets historically hire many new graduate nurses, but you should still corroborate job titles, salaries, and employment timing with Pitt career services—not assumptions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass | 92.48% (246/266, PA DOS Oct 2024–Sep 2025); Pitt: 92.51% (AY 2024–2025), 97.17% (AY 2023–2024) |
| BSN retention (example year) | 97% retention for cohort entering 2022–2023 per Pitt certification & retention table—confirm methodology with SON |
| Graduate certification exams | Pitt lists specialty-specific certification pass percentages by academic year (some specialties show strong school-reported first-time pass rates for 2023–2024)—verify specialty, exam, and cohort with the SON |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on the pages cited for this review; contact Pitt career outcomes or employer relations for current figures |
| Source | Pitt certification pass & retention rates; Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing |
Is University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Pitt Nursing fits learners who want a major research university ecosystem, Oakland-based access to UPMC’s flagship hospitals, and transparently posted NCLEX history—even when that history aggregates multiple campuses. It may feel like the wrong choice if you need a small private-college culture, the lowest absolute sticker price nationwide, or a catalog RN-to-BSN completion program (not emphasized on Pitt’s public degree menu).
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want BSN clinical experiences woven through UPMC’s academic medical center corridor and regional affiliates.
- Value Pennsylvania resident tuition at a flagship public research university relative to private peers.
- Are second-degree career changers aiming for a one-year ABSN with clearly advertised scholarship language.
- Plan to continue into DNP or nurse anesthesia training already housed within the same school.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect campus-specific publicly split NCLEX rates—the Pitt table combines Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown BSN cohorts.
- Require a guaranteed online RN-to-BSN pathway listed on the Pitt degree programs page (not highlighted there as of this review).
- Prefer a very small cohort liberal-arts setting rather than a large university registration and billing environment.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Allegheny County blends UPMC’s vertically integrated academic health system with Allegheny Health Network’s community-to-quaternary footprint, plus specialty psychiatric, rehabilitation, and federal VA capacity. That mix gives Pitt students exposure to everything from neighborhood primary care to ECMO-capable ICUs—always subject to semester-specific faculty contracts.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| UPMC Presbyterian & Montefiore | Flagship Oakland hospitals adjacent to Pitt’s health sciences campus; common hub for complex adult critical care rotations. |
| UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital | High-volume women’s health and perinatal center frequently used for OB and neonatal adjacent learning. |
| UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh | Pediatric quaternary referral center for subspecialty pediatric nursing experiences. |
| Allegheny Health Network (Allegheny General, West Penn, et al.) | Competing IDN with community through tertiary services across Pittsburgh neighborhoods. |
| VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System | Federal healthcare system emphasizing veteran populations; verify Pitt’s current affiliation agreements for your cohort. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Victoria Building on Victoria Street houses School of Nursing leadership, advising, and instructional space within Pitt’s Oakland health sciences cluster. Students tap the Health Sciences Library, interdisciplinary research centers, and Pitt’s NCAA Division I student life only blocks away. Clubs such as the Student Nurses Association connect you to volunteer networks, while graduate students often balance asynchronous coursework with on-site intensives depending on specialty.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland health sciences campus)
- Address
- Victoria Building, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, US
- Telephone
- 412-624-4586 · toll-free 1-888-747-0794
- PittNursing@pitt.edu · ABSN advising absn@pitt.edu
- Website
- nursing.pitt.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Review the official Pitt Nursing degree programs page and download any handbook or technical standards PDF linked for your pathway.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Pitt’s undergraduate BSN programs?
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN workbook lists Pitt BSN at 92.48% first-time (246/266) for Oct 2024–Sep 2025. Pitt’s Certification Pass page reports 92.51% (AY 2024–2025) and 97.17% (2023–2024) for the Pittsburgh/Greensburg/Johnstown undergraduate aggregate.
How much is University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing tuition for 2025-2026?
Tuition.pitt.edu lists Pittsburgh campus School of Nursing undergraduate tuition at $26,396 for two full-time terms for Pennsylvania residents and $52,954 for out-of-state residents, plus mandatory fees ($1,770 for two terms). Graduate School of Nursing tuition is $31,510 (PA) or $39,122 (out-of-state) for two full-time terms, or $1,280/$1,595 per credit part-time, plus graduate mandatory fees. Confirm your pathway and campus on the official tuition site.
Does Pitt offer an accelerated BSN?
Yes. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) at Pitt is the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN: a roughly one-year program for students who already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher, with prerequisites and a published split scholarship for admitted students who commit to start.
What graduate programs does Pitt Nursing offer?
Pitt’s degree program menu includes MSN, DNP (including Health Systems Executive Leadership and Nurse Anesthesia), PhD, online graduate options, and graduate certificates such as AG-ACNP, neonatal NP, palliative care, pediatric acute care NP, PMHNP, and School Nurse PK-12. Always confirm active tracks on nursing.pitt.edu.
When are application deadlines for Pitt Nursing’s ABSN and graduate programs?
Pitt’s Application Deadlines page lists examples such as ABSN fall priority November 1 with rolling regular decisions through April 15, MSN fall deadlines parallel other graduate nursing programs, DNP Nurse Anesthesia spring regular April 1, and PhD fall priority December 1 with late review through March 1 if space remains. The School of Nursing updates these dates annually; verify the live page.
Is Pitt Nursing CCNE-accredited?
Pitt’s accreditation page states CCNE accreditation for the BSN and MSN programs (through 12/31/2029), DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate programs (through 12/31/2034), COA accreditation for BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP nurse anesthesia through 2030, ACME accreditation for the nurse-midwifery DNP through February 2027, and ANCC NCPD provider accreditation through July 31, 2029. Confirm status with Pitt, CCNE/COA/ACME, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Where do Pitt nursing students train clinically in Pittsburgh?
Pitt Nursing sits beside UPMC’s flagship hospitals and the wider Allegheny County network; students routinely access major academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, and community sites tied to UPMC and Allegheny Health Network. Exact placements vary by cohort and must be confirmed with the school.
Does University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing offer RN-to-BSN online?
The official Degree Programs landing page reviewed for this guide highlights traditional BSN, Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN, and graduate pathways plus certificates, not a dedicated RN-to-BSN completion track. If you already hold RN licensure and seek a BSN, confirm current options directly with Pitt Nursing and advising.
References
- University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing — degree programsnursing.pitt.edu/degree-programs
- Certification pass & student retention rates (NCLEX tables)Pitt SON outcomes
- Application deadlines (undergraduate & graduate)nursing.pitt.edu/admissions/application-deadlines
- Accelerated 2nd Degree BSNABSN program page
- Accreditation disclosuresSON accreditation
- Pittsburgh campus undergraduate tuition (School of Nursing row)tuition.pitt.edu/undergraduate/pittsburgh
- School of Nursing graduate tuitiontuition.pitt.edu/graduate/tuition/school-nursing
- Office of the Provost — licensure pass rates listingprovost.pitt.edu
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursingdos.pa.gov/nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment between Pitt School of Nursing program lists, tuition.pitt.edu 2025-2026 tables, and Pitt-published NCLEX aggregates (including multi-campus scope notes) relative to Pennsylvania Board of Nursing sourcing guidance.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy