Find CNA Schools in Scranton, PA That Fit Your Schedule and Budget

Scranton's aging population is driving steady demand for certified nursing assistants, with facilities like Geisinger Community Medical Center and dozens of long-term care homes actively hiring across all shifts. Training takes as little as four to six weeks and can cost anywhere from nothing, through employer-sponsored programs, to a few thousand dollars depending on the provider.

This page covers the local job market, online and hybrid class options, tuition breakdowns, program length, admission requirements, accreditation details, and a ranked list of programs serving Scranton students. Jump straight to the program list →

Scranton's CNA Job Market: Employers, Demand, and What It Means for You

Scranton's CNA job market is wide open, with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes competing for certified nursing assistants across nearly every shift.

Where CNAs Get Hired in Scranton

The biggest employers include Geisinger Community Medical Center, Regional Hospital of Scranton (Commonwealth Health), Moses Taylor Hospital, and Allied Services Integrated Health System.¹ Local skilled nursing and assisted living facilities such as Marywood Heights and Green Ridge Care Center also post steady first and second shift openings.³⁴ Regional employer Wesley Village in Pittston pulls from the same workforce, offering paid training and tuition reimbursement for CNAs who want to build a long-term CNA career.¹

What Employers Are Paying and Offering

• Geisinger: Nursing assistant roles in Scranton start around $16.25 per hour, and some postings do not require a CNA credential.²
• Allied Services: Incentive-bearing CNA positions list $20 to $24 per hour across rehab and skilled nursing units.¹
• Marywood Heights: Starting pay of $22 to $24 per hour, with a $4,000 sign-on bonus for evening full time and part time.³
• Scranton nursing homes: Some postings advertise $23 per hour with sign-on bonuses up to $7,500 for full time and $3,750 for part time.¹

A smaller subset of nurse aide postings falls in the $13 to $16 range before shift differentials, so comparing facilities matters.³ At Green Ridge Care Center, current openings focus on first and second shift.⁴ Allied Services lists CNA roles across part-time days, evenings, and nights, full-time nights, and call-in positions, which can help you find a schedule that fits your CNA classes.³

Why Demand Is Strong for CNA Classes

Scranton's aging population and high turnover keep CNA openings steady across acute care, post-acute rehab, and long-term care. Employers are responding with sign-on bonuses, shift differentials, paid training, and tuition reimbursement. Wesley Village, for example, starts at $20 per hour and adds a $2 per hour shift differential for evening and overnight shifts, bringing many shifts to $20 to $25 per hour.¹

Many facilities partner with local training programs to offer free or sponsored CNA classes in Pennsylvania, which we cover in the next section. Because Scranton's cost of living sits below the Pennsylvania average, a CNA salary of $20 to $24 per hour stretches further here than it would in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Online, Hybrid, and Employer-Sponsored CNA Classes Near Scranton

Fully online CNA certification versus in-person training sounds like a straightforward choice, but Pennsylvania law settles the debate: 100% online programs cannot meet state requirements because at least 37.5 hours of supervised clinical experience must happen in person at an approved healthcare facility. What you can find are hybrid CNA programs that move theory lessons online while reserving hands-on skills practice and patient care rotations for local clinical sites.

How Hybrid CNA Training Works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 120 total training hours, and the state approves hybrid formats that deliver classroom instruction through online modules. Students complete coursework covering infection control, vital signs, patient rights, and basic nursing skills on their own schedule, then attend scheduled clinical sessions at a partnering nursing home, hospital, or skilled nursing facility. Most hybrid programs in the region run four to twelve weeks and cost between $800 and $1,500.

Northampton Community College operates campuses within driving distance of Scranton, offering three-week programs in Tannersville and Bethlehem for $1,499. While the college follows the standard Pennsylvania model of in-person clinical rotations, prospective students should confirm current session formats directly with the admissions office.

Employer-Sponsored Free Training in Scranton

If cost is a barrier, employer-sponsored CNA training deserves a close look. Allied Services, headquartered in Scranton with additional classes in Wilkes-Barre, runs a four-week "Earn While You Learn CNA program" at no charge. Trainees are paid $17 per hour during the program and receive $18 per hour after completion while preparing for the state competency exam. Upon passing, participants move into guaranteed full-time positions at Allied's skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers. The employer covers training fees and exam costs, making it one of seven free CNA programs currently operating statewide.

Other Pathways Worth Exploring

Adult education centers affiliated with local school districts sometimes partner with healthcare employers to offer subsidized or discounted CNA courses. Workforce development boards serving Lackawanna County may fund training through federal programs for eligible job seekers. Because these partnerships change from semester to semester, contact your county CareerLink office for current openings.

Regardless of format, every Pennsylvania program must prepare you for the same state certification exam, so focus on schedule flexibility, clinical site locations, and total out-of-pocket costs when comparing your options.

Costs, Financial Aid, and Free CNA Training in Scranton

CNA training cost is the total out-of-pocket amount you pay to complete a state-approved nurse aide program and sit for the Pennsylvania certification exam. That total is not just tuition. It also includes textbooks, scrubs, a background check, a physical with immunizations, CPR certification, and the state exam fee. In Pennsylvania, most 2026 programs land somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 for tuition, and $1,500 to $2,600 all-in once you add every mandatory expense. Some Scranton-area sources cite lower ranges (around $800 to $1,200), so the honest answer is: costs vary widely, and you need to confirm numbers directly with each school.

How to Get an Accurate Cost Breakdown

Do not rely on third-party listings or old blog posts for pricing. Go straight to the source.

• Check the official website: Every Scranton CNA provider (Lackawanna College, Geisinger, Scranton School District's adult program, and Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency) publishes tuition on its own admissions page. Look for a fee schedule, not just a headline number.
• Call or email admissions: Ask for a written, itemized cost sheet that lists tuition, textbooks, uniforms, background check, physical and immunizations, CPR, and the state exam fee. Ask which items are included in tuition and which are billed separately.
• Ask about payment options: Request information on payment plans, institutional scholarships, and any employer partnerships, including how to pay for nursing school. Community colleges and hospital-based programs often have options that are not advertised online.

For reference, itemized fees at Pennsylvania programs outside Scranton typically run $30 to $50 for uniforms, $100 or more for the physical and immunizations, and $135 for the state exam. Textbooks range from around $80 to $300 depending on the program.

Free and Subsidized Training

Free CNA training does exist in the Scranton area, but eligibility is narrow.

• Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency: Runs a free CNA program for qualifying residents. Confirm with the agency whether books, uniforms, background check, and the exam fee are also covered, since these are not always included in free tuition.
• Employer-sponsored training: Some long-term care employers in Lackawanna County will pay for your training in exchange for a work commitment after certification. Ask nursing homes and home health agencies directly.
• PA CareerLink: Lackawanna County's CareerLink office can point you to workforce development funding and grant programs for healthcare training.
• Professional associations: The Pennsylvania Health Care Association and similar groups occasionally offer scholarships for aspiring CNAs.

Before you commit, compare total costs across two or three providers, confirm the program is state-approved, and check BLS.gov for current Pennsylvania CNA wage data so you can weigh the investment against realistic starting pay.

What You'll Pay: Breaking Down the Cost of a Scranton CNA Program

How Long CNA Training Takes: 4-Week, 6-Week, and Flexible Schedules

How fast can you finish a CNA program in Scranton? As little as four weeks if you go full-time at the right program, or six to twelve weeks if you need a slower pace. Pennsylvania requires 120 total clock hours of training, split between classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice in a long-term care facility.

Scranton Program Lengths Side by Side

Three local providers show the range of options clearly:

• Geisinger Community Medical Center: 4 weeks, 100 total clock hours, 40 clinical hours. The fastest local route to sitting for the state exam.
• Lackawanna College: 6 weeks, 120 total clock hours, 40 clinical hours. One Lackawanna schedule adds 44 supplemental hours for mock testing, CPR, practice labs, and facility tours, with clinicals running 8 days, Monday through Friday, 8am to 1:30pm.
• Scranton School District CNA Program: 6 weeks, 120 total clock hours, 40 clinical hours.

Across Pennsylvania more broadly, CNA programs typically run 4 to 12 weeks depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time, with total instruction landing in the 120 to 135 hour range and clinicals between about 37 and 44 hours.

Classroom vs. Clinical Split

Expect the first two to four weeks to be classroom and skills-lab focused: infection control, vital signs, safe patient transfers, communication, resident rights, and documentation. Clinicals come toward the end, and the 40-hour block at Scranton-area programs is usually completed at a partner nursing home or hospital unit. You cannot skip clinicals or test out of them, they are a state requirement.

Evening, Weekend, and Flexible Tracks

If you already work days, evening and weekend CNA programs do exist within Pennsylvania CNA training, though not every Scranton provider publishes a dedicated night schedule. Ask directly when you call: some cohorts meet two or three evenings a week and one weekend day, stretching the same 120 hours across 8 to 10 weeks instead of 4 to 6.

Start Dates for 2026

Most Pennsylvania CNA programs open a new cohort every 6 to 8 weeks. For the remainder of 2026, expect start dates in September, October, November, and December. Seats fill fastest for 4-week accelerated cohorts, so if speed matters, apply at least a month before your target start.

CNA Program Admission Requirements in Scranton

Admission requirements vary by provider, but most Scranton-area CNA programs share a few common checkpoints.

1. Age

   Pennsylvania sets a 16-year minimum for nurse aide training and the competency exam, but individual programs may require 17 or 18. Northampton requires 18+, and PANAT requires 17+.
2. Education

   A high school diploma or GED is commonly required by local providers, though it is not a state certification rule. Ask the program about exceptions.
3. Health & immunizations

   Expect a physical exam and TB clearance, typically a negative two-step Mantoux or equivalent screening. Some programs also request immunization records such as MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B.
4. Background & drug screening

   Pennsylvania requires a criminal history check before training. Many providers add a PA State Police check, and FBI fingerprinting if you have not lived in Pennsylvania for two consecutive years. A drug screen or offense-free record may also be required.
5. CPR certification

   CPR is not a standard admission requirement for most Scranton-area CNA programs, but some clinical sites or employers may ask for BLS for Healthcare Providers. Verify before applying.

Accreditation, Exam Pass Rates, and Job Placement in Scranton

Think of accreditation in two layers: the Pennsylvania Department of Education approval you must have to test, and voluntary national accreditation that adds a quality signal. In Scranton, checking both helps you avoid a program that cannot lead to certification.

Pennsylvania Approval vs. National Accreditation

State approval is the non-negotiable piece. A CNA program must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for graduates to sit for the state competency exam and be listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. National accreditation, such as CAAHEP, is a separate, optional review. It can signal broader institutional quality, but it does not substitute for state approval. Some employers prefer graduates from programs with additional national accreditation, but state approval remains the hard requirement. Always confirm a program's current approval status before you pay a deposit.

Where Scranton Programs Stand

• Allied Services SNF: Listed as a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved Nurse Aide Training Program at 303 Smallacombe Drive in Scranton. Graduates of this approved program are eligible to test for state certification.
• Revolutionary Education Center: Also listed as a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved Nurse Aide Training Program, located at 829 Scranton Carbondale in Eynon. It appears on the same public registry.
• Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County: Holds MSA-CESS institutional accreditation valid from 2021 through 2031. Current Pennsylvania Department of Education nurse aide approval was not confirmed in the public listings reviewed, so confirm that approval directly with the school.
• Marywood University and Mountain View Care Center: Pennsylvania Department of Education approval for CNA training is not established in the sources reviewed. Ask either program to show its current approval listing before committing.

Exam Pass Rates and Job Placement

Published Pennsylvania CNA exam pass rates for Scranton-area programs were not available in the sources reviewed. Job placement rates, employer partnerships, and job fair participation were also not consistently published. Some schools may offer certified nursing assistant career support, but no verified placement rates were found. Request official pass rate documentation from the program or the Pennsylvania Department of Education, since no aggregated Scranton-specific rates were published in the materials reviewed. Treat any advertised placement claim as something to confirm in writing before enrolling.

Starting Pay in Scranton

Federal data for the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metro area lists 3,080 nursing assistant jobs with a median annual wage of $43,980. Because a local starting hourly wage is not published, avoid relying on a single advertised number. For planning purposes, compare CNA salary offers across multiple facilities rather than a single posted rate. Ask employers or program staff for current entry-level pay at Scranton facilities.

From CNA to LPN/RN: Your Scranton Career Ladder

Advancing from CNA to LPN or RN is a realistic path in the Scranton area, especially if you already hold an active CNA certification. Use this ladder to see typical entry points, credentials, and local bridge options at each stage.

The 7 Best CNA Programs Serving Scranton Students

Below are the top CNA programs serving Scranton students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. Each program on this list is approved for Pennsylvania certification and admits students from Lackawanna County, though none are located directly in Scranton. Use the program details to compare costs, scheduling, and support services.

Next Steps: Choosing and Applying to Scranton CNA Programs

Pennsylvania requires 120 hours of combined classroom and clinical training before you can sit for the state competency exam, so choosing among accredited CNA programs should be your first critical decision.

Evaluate Your Options

Narrowing your choices becomes easier when you focus on four key factors:

• Accreditation: Confirm the program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and learn how to verify cna program accreditation online; only approved programs qualify you for the state registry exam.
• Pass rates: Programs with consistently high exam pass rates indicate quality instruction and adequate clinical preparation.
• Cost and aid: Compare tuition, fees, and available financial assistance. Some employers and nursing homes offer free training in exchange for a work commitment.
• Schedule fit: Match program length and class times to your life. Evening, weekend, and accelerated formats exist throughout the Scranton area.

Follow the Application Process

Once you have identified a program, these steps to become a CNA will guide you from inquiry to certification:

1. Contact the admissions office to confirm enrollment deadlines, required documents, and any prerequisite courses. 2. Complete health screenings, background checks, and immunization records as requested. 3. Submit your application along with any deposits or tuition payments. 4. Finish all classroom and clinical hours, then register for the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Examination through Prometric or your program coordinator.

Verify Before You Commit

Program details, tuition, and schedules can change between enrollment cycles. Always confirm current information directly with the training provider before submitting your application.

Start Today

Scranton's healthcare employers are actively hiring certified nursing assistants, and training programs have openings throughout the year. Reach out to admissions offices this week, gather your documents, and take the first step toward a stable career in patient care.

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