Background: In Problem-based learning (PBL), students work cooperatively to solve complex, real-world problems. It is considered as the most significant educational innovation in the past 35 years. PBL is a powerful class room activity, which uses real-world problems to motivate students to identify and apply research concepts and information, work collaboratively and communicate effectively. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of problem-based learning versus the traditional lecture and assess the learning styles of the undergraduate students in nursing education. Design: Quiz-experimental research design was adopted for this study. A convenient sample of all 80 undergraduate nursing students in the Faculty of Nursing Sohag University were included in the study from March to May 2015.Tools: Data were collected using Focus-group interview method and two questionnaire sheets. Results: The current study showed that there was an improvement in the achievement outcome in the post-test in PBL group (9.83%) than in the lecture group (7.57%). High percentage of students (58.8%) preferred visual style of learning while audio and tactile styles were preferred among 31.2%and 10.0% respectively. Conclusion: PBL is effective and improved students' achievement outcome. Recommendation: Applying the new PBL curriculum and introducing students to the PBL program help them to work cooperatively in identification of the appropriate learning questions.