Pittsburgh has four accelerated nursing programs, and the differences between them are meaningful.
- The University of Pittsburgh’s program is the most affordable by a significant margin and the only one with two annual start dates.
- Duquesne gives students a choice between a 12-month and a 16-month pace and is the only Pittsburgh program with access to both major regional health systems — UPMC and Allegheny Health Network.
- Robert Morris pairs the strongest simulation infrastructure nationally with up to $40,000 in employer-funded loan repayment.
- Carlow has the lowest GPA bar in the group and the most generous transfer-credit policy, which can meaningfully reduce its published cost range.
All four hold CCNE accreditation, all four post strong NCLEX outcomes, and all four place students in Pittsburgh’s deep clinical market. What separates them is cost, pace, and what you want the program to do for you financially after graduation.
Pittsburgh ABSN Programs at a Glance
| School | Est. Cost | Duration | Min. GPA | NCLEX Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$32K (after $8K scholarship) | 1 year | Not stated; rolling review | 93.11% (2022-23) | |
$44K–$66K (transfer-dependent) | 15 months | 2.85 | 100% (recent cohorts) | |
$55K (before $40K loan repayment) | 15 months | 3.0 | 98% (5 cohorts); 100% most recent | |
$70K | 12 or 16 months | 3.0 | 100% (most recent cohort) |
Best Pittsburgh ABSN Programs by Goal
- Lowest cost: University of Pittsburgh — ~$31,261 net after a guaranteed $8,333 scholarship
- Most scheduling flexibility: University of Pittsburgh — the only Pittsburgh ABSN with Fall and Spring starts
- Choice of pace — 12 or 16 months: Duquesne University — both tracks cover identical curriculum and launch each August.
- Access to both UPMC and AHN: Duquesne University — rotates students through UPMC and Allegheny Health Network (15+ clinical sites)
- Loan repayment through employer partnership: Robert Morris University — up to $40,000 through Penn Highlands Healthcare and Temple Health
- Most advanced simulation infrastructure:
- Robert Morris University — RISE Center is one of the only freestanding nursing simulation programs worldwide accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare;
- Duquesne’s 7,000 sq. ft. Learning and Simulation Center uses augmented reality, wearable simulators, and control-room-operated simulation rooms.
- Largest scholarship opportunity: Duquesne University — up to $30,000 through the Conway Scholars Program and Discover Award
- Most accessible GPA bar: Carlow University — 2.85 minimum
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Best Pittsburgh ABSN Programs by Student Type
You want the lowest overall cost
University of Pittsburgh — The lowest published cost in Pittsburgh after its guaranteed scholarship, plus 810 clinical hours across UPMC and Pittsburgh’s major teaching hospitals. It’s also the only local program with both Fall and Spring entry.
You want the fastest path into nursing
University of Pittsburgh or Duquesne University (12-month track)
Choose Pitt if affordability is your priority.
Choose Duquesne if you want immediate clinical experiences beginning in the first week and access to both UPMC and Allegheny Health Network.
You want to keep working or prefer a lighter semester load
Duquesne University (16-month track) or Robert Morris University
Both spread coursework over four semesters rather than compressing everything into a single year. RMU intentionally structures the curriculum to reduce burnout, while Duquesne lets applicants choose their pace before enrolling.
You want the strongest financial incentives after graduation
Employer partnerships can provide up to $40,000 in loan repayment for graduates who commit to participating health systems, making RMU one of the most financially attractive private ABSNs in Pennsylvania.
You want the broadest clinical exposure
The only Pittsburgh ABSN with clinical rotations across both UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, spanning more than 15 named hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the region.
You want the best simulation experience
Robert Morris University or Duquesne University
RMU’s RISE Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, while Duquesne’s 7,000-square-foot simulation center incorporates augmented reality, wearable simulators, and high-fidelity patient scenarios.
You have a lower GPA
Carlow has the most accessible minimum GPA requirement (2.85) and accepts up to 32 transfer credits, which can lower both admissions barriers and overall tuition for many applicants.
You need flexible application timing
Pitt is the only Pittsburgh ABSN with both Fall and Spring cohorts and rolling admissions, making it the easiest option if your prerequisite timeline doesn’t line up with a single annual start.
Which Program Length Is Right for You?
Need the fastest finish?
- University of Pittsburgh — 1 year (3 consecutive terms); Fall or Spring entry; clinicals across UPMC and 50+ facilities; 810 hours
- Duquesne University (12-month track) — August start; clinicals begin week one; both UPMC and AHN access; up to $30K scholarships
Want 15 months with a more distributed workload?
- Carlow University — 15 months; 2.85 GPA minimum; transfer credit flexibility; 100% NCLEX; Sisters of Mercy tradition
- Robert Morris University — 15 months; intentionally structured across 4 semesters to reduce burnout; up to $40K loan repayment; SSH-accredited simulation
Want more time between semesters?
- Duquesne University (16-month track) — same curriculum and UPMC + AHN clinical access as the 12-month; distributed across 4 semesters; August start; comparable total cost
Cost Comparison
The four Pittsburgh programs span a wider cost range than most sub-regional markets in this series. Pitt’s guaranteed scholarship makes it a genuinely distinct tier below the rest.
University of Pittsburgh — ~$31,261 net: Pennsylvania-resident tuition runs ~$13,198 per term across three terms (~$39,594 gross). A guaranteed $8,333 scholarship awarded at admission brings the net to roughly $31,261 — the lowest cost for a CCNE-accredited ABSN in Pittsburgh by a significant margin.
Carlow University — ~$43,785–$66,025: Carlow’s range is wide because cost depends directly on how many of the program’s 63–95 credits are covered by transfer credits. With the maximum 32 transfer credits applied, 63 nursing-major credits × $695 = $43,785. Without transfer credits, up to 95 credits × $695 = $66,025. Applicants with a prior STEM or health-sciences degree are best positioned to reduce this through transfer evaluation.
Robert Morris University — ~$54,600 (before loan repayment): RMU prices the Second Degree program at $910 per credit for 60 nursing credits. However, up to $40,000 in loan repayment through Penn Highlands Healthcare and Temple Health — contingent on a three-year post-graduation employment commitment — brings the effective net cost to roughly $14,600 for qualifying students who commit to a partner-system position. The 30 advanced-standing credits from the prior bachelor’s degree are awarded automatically, keeping the billed credit count to 60.
Duquesne University — ~$69,730 (12-month): Duquesne is the most expensive Pittsburgh ABSN at published rates, but the Conway Scholars Program and Discover Award can reduce tuition by up to $30,000 for competitive applicants — awards made during the admissions process, so there’s no separate scholarship application. The 16-month tuition is comparable once the TBD Fall Year 2 semester cost is confirmed; do not assume the partial published total for the 16-month track reflects a lower full-program cost.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
All four Pittsburgh programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and some form of Biology or Chemistry.
Nutrition and Lifespan Development appear across most checklists.
The most notable deviation: both RMU and Pitt require Pathophysiology as a standalone prerequisite before the program begins rather than teaching it inside the curriculum — this adds a course to pre-enrollment planning but reduces the in-program credit load at both schools.
Pitt also requires Human Genetics and English Composition (scientific/technical), making its prerequisite list the most comprehensive in the Pittsburgh group.
Start Dates and Application Deadlines
| School | Start Date(s) | Application Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Fall and Spring | Rolling; early submission recommended | Only Pittsburgh ABSN with two annual starts; ~30 students per term; $250 non-refundable deposit after acceptance | |
Fall | Rolling | 2.85 GPA minimum; up to 32 transfer credits; Sisters of Mercy tradition | |
August | June 1 | Fall entry only; 12 or 16-month track selected at enrollment; up to $30K scholarships awarded during admissions | |
Contact program | Deposit due December 1 | Up to $40K loan repayment; pathophysiology required before start; SSH-accredited simulation center |
Pitt’s two-start advantage: Pitt is the only Pittsburgh program that admits both Fall and Spring cohorts, making it the most flexible entry point for applicants finishing prerequisites on a non-August timeline. Rolling review means early submission can accelerate a decision.
Duquesne’s June 1 deadline: The hardest deadline in the Pittsburgh group. Track and scholarship decisions are made during the admissions process — applicants who apply close to the deadline may reduce their scholarship consideration window.
RMU’s December 1 deposit: RMU requires a seat deposit by December 1, months before the program begins — plan accordingly when comparing this to Duquesne’s June 1 application deadline and Pitt’s rolling review.
Clinical Training Structure
Clinical hours published: Only Pitt publishes a specific clinical hour count (810 hours). The other three programs describe clinical experiences in terms of rotation scope and site names but do not publish a total. Pitt’s 810 hours run across UPMC and six major Pittsburgh teaching hospitals plus 50+ facilities — the most quantified and documented clinical access in the Pittsburgh market.
Broadest named clinical network: Duquesne names 15+ specific clinical sites spanning both UPMC and AHN: UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC Montefiore, UPMC Mercy, UPMC Passavant, UPMC St. Margaret, Magee-Womens Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, AHN Allegheny General, AHN Forbes Regional, AHN Jefferson, AHN Western Pennsylvania, St. Clair Hospital, and multiple behavioral health and community sites. No other Pittsburgh program matches this breadth of named affiliations across both major health systems.
Clinicals from day one: Duquesne begins clinical training in the first week of the program — earlier than any other Pittsburgh ABSN. This early clinical integration is a differentiator for students who want patient contact before content courses are fully completed.
Simulation standouts: RMU’s RISE Center spans 5,000 sq. ft. with four simulated hospital rooms, two exam rooms, a skills lab, and a home health suite, and holds Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation — one of the few freestanding nursing programs worldwide with this designation.
Duquesne’s 7,000 sq. ft. Learning and Simulation Center uses augmented reality, wearable simulators, SimMan high-fidelity mannequins, and control-room-operated simulation rooms; students must score 900 on a HESI Exit Exam to complete the program, with HESI software integrated from semester one.
Carlow’s CSCIL simulation lab supports competency development prior to and during clinical placements.
Optional international travel: RMU offers an optional international travel component allowing students to engage with global health contexts alongside RMU nursing faculty — unique among Pittsburgh programs.