Drexel University vs Pennsylvania State University: Which Nursing School Wins on the Numbers?
Two of Pennsylvania's biggest nursing schools, side by side — 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates from the state board of nursing, plus cost, admissions and each school's own nursing-graduate earnings from federal data. Drexel University's best RN program outperformed Pennsylvania State University's on the 2025 first-time NCLEX (94.2% vs 94.1%), while Pennsylvania State University is the cheaper school on sticker tuition ($20,644 vs $62,412 a year).
| Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia · Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit | Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park · Pennsylvania · Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Best 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate | 94.2% | 94.1% |
| In-state tuition / yrsticker, whole institution | $62,412 | $20,644 |
| Avg net price after aid / yr | $38,509 | $32,875 |
| Acceptance ratewhole institution | 79% | 61% |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 86% |
| Undergraduates | 13,233 | 42,284 |
| BSN grad pay, 1 yr outthis school’s own nursing grads | $85,441 | $77,955 |
| BSN grad median debt | $14,039 | $23,250 |
| PN/LPN grad pay, 1 yr out | — | $54,669 |
Green = better on that row (higher pass rate, pay and graduation rate; lower cost and debt). Acceptance rate and size aren't scored — bigger or more selective isn't better for everyone. “—” = not published for that school.
Want a different matchup? Open this comparison in the interactive tool and swap either school — any two in the country.
The pass-rate gap is a preparation gap
Whichever school you pick, the students who pass the NCLEX are the ones practicing NCLEX-style questions all the way through school — not just senior year. NurseSavvy does that from your own course materials for $19/mo, free for 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the higher NCLEX pass rate — Drexel University or Pennsylvania State University?
Drexel University — 94.2% vs 94.1% first-time NCLEX-RN in 2025, per the Pennsylvania board of nursing. One year of data; check the trend on each school's page.
Which is cheaper — Drexel University or Pennsylvania State University?
On published in-state tuition, Pennsylvania State University ($20,644/yr vs $62,412/yr). After average aid, net prices run $38,509 (Drexel University) vs $32,875 (Pennsylvania State University).
About this data
Pass rates are 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN rates from the Pennsylvania board of nursing (each school's best rated RN program). Tuition, net price, admissions, earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release); earnings and debt are program-level figures for each school's own nursing graduates and lag the current class by several years. Full sources are on each school's page.