Best Colleges in Pennsylvania + Full List of Schools

Looking for the best colleges in Pennsylvania? Check out our ranking of the state’s top colleges and universities, including every school in the state.
Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
By
Edited by
Updated December 18, 2024
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From its Ivy League university to its top-ranked liberal arts colleges, the Keystone State has something for every student. But what are the best colleges in Pennsylvania?

Whether you’re looking for an affordable public university, a picturesque college town, or a prominent private college, Pennsylvania has it.

Ready to check out which schools made the list? Then, keep reading for our ranking of the best colleges in Pennsylvania.

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Best Colleges in Pennsylvania of 2023

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

BestColleges Top-Ranked- Badge
  • Affordability (30%)
  • Student outcomes (30%)
  • Reputation (20%)
  • Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$53,166

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,166

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

9%

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

Pennsylvania's only Ivy League university, the University of Pennsylvania dates back to 1740. Today, more than 13,000 undergrads attend UPenn, with around half in the College of Arts and Sciences. Wharton and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also enroll around 3,500 undergrads.

Nearly 55,000 students applied to UPenn for the Class of 2026, and only 6% received an admission offer. That makes the private university one of the most selective in the state.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$37,678

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,678

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

26,552

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,166

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,166

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,166

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,166

Acceptance Rate

9%

Online Enrollment

85%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$37,678

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,678

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

26,552

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Pennsylvania's only Ivy League university, the University of Pennsylvania dates back to 1740. Today, more than 13,000 undergrads attend UPenn, with around half in the College of Arts and Sciences. Wharton and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also enroll around 3,500 undergrads.

Nearly 55,000 students applied to UPenn for the Class of 2026, and only 6% received an admission offer. That makes the private university one of the most selective in the state.

#2

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA4 yearCampus

$54,256

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,256

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

9%

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

With its tree-filled campus, this liberal arts college feels like an escape from urban life. But top-ranked Swarthmore College is just 11 miles from Philadelphia. 

Swarthmore offers more than 40 majors, plus the option to design your own major. And while the private college sets high standards, first-year students enroll in classes pass/fail for their first semester. 

At Swarthmore, you'll take a hands-on approach to learning with fieldwork and internship opportunities. You can conduct an undergraduate research project, study abroad, or escape to Parrish Beach — a student lawn hangout that's only missing water.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

1,437

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,256

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,256

Swarthmore, PA4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,256

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,256

Acceptance Rate

9%

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

1,437

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

With its tree-filled campus, this liberal arts college feels like an escape from urban life. But top-ranked Swarthmore College is just 11 miles from Philadelphia. 

Swarthmore offers more than 40 majors, plus the option to design your own major. And while the private college sets high standards, first-year students enroll in classes pass/fail for their first semester. 

At Swarthmore, you'll take a hands-on approach to learning with fieldwork and internship opportunities. You can conduct an undergraduate research project, study abroad, or escape to Parrish Beach — a student lawn hangout that's only missing water.

#3

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

17%

Acceptance Rate

3%

Online Enrollment

Founded as a technical school in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University ranks as one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania. Over 14,500 students attend the private university, which stands out for its research and interdisciplinary programs.

You can study engineering, information science, or computer science at Carnegie Mellon. Or dive into business, the social sciences, or the humanities. The university's experiential learning focus is one reason that top companies like Google, Deloitte, and Pixar recruit at Carnegie Mellon.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,441

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

13,519

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,560

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$57,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,560

Acceptance Rate

17%

Online Enrollment

3%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,441

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,441

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

13,519

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Founded as a technical school in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University ranks as one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania. Over 14,500 students attend the private university, which stands out for its research and interdisciplinary programs.

You can study engineering, information science, or computer science at Carnegie Mellon. Or dive into business, the social sciences, or the humanities. The university's experiential learning focus is one reason that top companies like Google, Deloitte, and Pixar recruit at Carnegie Mellon.

#4

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$54,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

50%

Acceptance Rate

6%

Online Enrollment

The Lehigh Valley is one of Pennsylvania's most scenic spots. And Lehigh University brings around 7,400 students to the scenic town of Bethlehem. You choose from over 100 majors, including over a dozen interdisciplinary programs. Lehigh encourages innovation and hands-on learning in its programs.

As a private university, Lehigh offers many need-based financial aid programs. The college also reports that the average starting salary for its 2022 graduates reached $75,000.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

7,067

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,790

Bethlehem, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$54,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$54,790

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

6%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

7,067

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

The Lehigh Valley is one of Pennsylvania's most scenic spots. And Lehigh University brings around 7,400 students to the scenic town of Bethlehem. You choose from over 100 majors, including over a dozen interdisciplinary programs. Lehigh encourages innovation and hands-on learning in its programs.

As a private university, Lehigh offers many need-based financial aid programs. The college also reports that the average starting salary for its 2022 graduates reached $75,000.

#5

Haverford College

Haverford, PA4 yearCampus

$58,402

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$58,402

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

18%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Looking for a liberal arts college with quick access to a major city? Haverford College boasts a 200-acre arboretum campus that's a 20-minute train ride to Philadelphia. At Haverford, you choose from over 50 majors and complete a senior thesis. Nearly half of the 1,400 undergrads receive grants to pay for their degrees.

Just how many trees fill the Haverford campus? The private college reports a 6-to-1 tree-to-student ratio.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

1,307

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$58,402

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$58,402

Haverford, PA4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$58,402

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$58,402

Acceptance Rate

18%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

1,307

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Looking for a liberal arts college with quick access to a major city? Haverford College boasts a 200-acre arboretum campus that's a 20-minute train ride to Philadelphia. At Haverford, you choose from over 50 majors and complete a senior thesis. Nearly half of the 1,400 undergrads receive grants to pay for their degrees.

Just how many trees fill the Haverford campus? The private college reports a 6-to-1 tree-to-student ratio.

#6

Villanova University

Villanova, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$56,730

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,730

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

31%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

It's the only Augustinian Catholic university in the U.S. Villanova University offers personalized attention with a global perspective. You choose from over 60 majors, with several options for a joint bachelor's and master's degree. 

Located 12 miles from Philadelphia, Villanova enrolls 6,700 undergrads. The school's 260-acre campus offers easy access to the city with three campus rail stops. You can qualify for merit-based scholarships and need-based grants at this private university.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,619

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,619

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

11,032

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,730

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,730

Villanova, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,730

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,730

Acceptance Rate

31%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,619

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,619

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

11,032

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

It's the only Augustinian Catholic university in the U.S. Villanova University offers personalized attention with a global perspective. You choose from over 60 majors, with several options for a joint bachelor's and master's degree. 

Located 12 miles from Philadelphia, Villanova enrolls 6,700 undergrads. The school's 260-acre campus offers easy access to the city with three campus rail stops. You can qualify for merit-based scholarships and need-based grants at this private university.

#7

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr, PA4 yearCampus

$53,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

38%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

It's one of the top women's colleges in the country. Bryn Mawr College offers undergraduate programs for women and coed graduate schools. Thanks to its partnerships with Swarthmore, Haverford, and UPenn, Bryn Mawr students can expand their course options. 

You benefit from a residential college feel with easy access to Philadelphia. The liberal arts college provides grant-based financial aid to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for undergrads.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$45,240

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,240

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

1,634

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,180

Bryn Mawr, PA4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,180

Acceptance Rate

38%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$45,240

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,240

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

1,634

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

It's one of the top women's colleges in the country. Bryn Mawr College offers undergraduate programs for women and coed graduate schools. Thanks to its partnerships with Swarthmore, Haverford, and UPenn, Bryn Mawr students can expand their course options. 

You benefit from a residential college feel with easy access to Philadelphia. The liberal arts college provides grant-based financial aid to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for undergrads.

#8

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$18,628

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,656

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

64%

Acceptance Rate

23%

Online Enrollment

This public university has multiple regional campuses in the greater Pittsburgh area. The University of Pittsburgh boasts over 650 degree and certificate programs through its 16 schools and colleges. 

And the college offers a high-quality education at an affordable price for Pennsylvania residents. Thanks to the Pitt Pell Plus program, students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant receive a match from Pitt. Over 5,000 students take advantage of the program, with an average grant award of $4,500.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,530

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,898

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

32,277

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,628

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,656

Pittsburgh, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,628

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,656

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

23%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,530

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,898

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

32,277

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

This public university has multiple regional campuses in the greater Pittsburgh area. The University of Pittsburgh boasts over 650 degree and certificate programs through its 16 schools and colleges. 

And the college offers a high-quality education at an affordable price for Pennsylvania residents. Thanks to the Pitt Pell Plus program, students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant receive a match from Pitt. Over 5,000 students take advantage of the program, with an average grant award of $4,500.

#9

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard of this Pennsylvania college. Pennsylvania State University is also the state's largest, with over 100,000 enrolled students when counting those enrolled at regional and online campuses.

You have over 275 majors to choose from at Penn State. Or expand your options with Penn State World Campus, which has more than 175 degrees and certificates. As a distance learner, you can pay a flat tuition rate and you'll also qualify for federal financial aid.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

0

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

0

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard of this Pennsylvania college. Pennsylvania State University is also the state's largest, with over 100,000 enrolled students when counting those enrolled at regional and online campuses.

You have over 275 majors to choose from at Penn State. Or expand your options with Penn State World Campus, which has more than 175 degrees and certificates. As a distance learner, you can pay a flat tuition rate and you'll also qualify for federal financial aid.

#10

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$16,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,992

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

This public university dates back to 1884, when it was founded as a night school. Today, Temple University is the largest college in Philadelphia. The top-ranked school also offers over 500 academic programs at an affordable tuition rate. 

The Philadelphia skyline shines from Temple's main campus. Or you can earn a Temple degree online. Over half of Temple students receive merit-based scholarships, and the school awards over $100 million in scholarship annually.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,346

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

37,236

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,992

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,992

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,346

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

37,236

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

This public university dates back to 1884, when it was founded as a night school. Today, Temple University is the largest college in Philadelphia. The top-ranked school also offers over 500 academic programs at an affordable tuition rate. 

The Philadelphia skyline shines from Temple's main campus. Or you can earn a Temple degree online. Over half of Temple students receive merit-based scholarships, and the school awards over $100 million in scholarship annually.

List of All Colleges in Pennsylvania

We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in Pennsylvania. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Schools with fewer than 500 undergrads were not included in this list.

All Colleges in Pennsylvania
SchoolTotal Student EnrollmentAvg. Annual Net PriceAcceptance RateNumber of Applicants
Albright College1,498$21,49685%5,578
Allegheny College1,353$26,71970%4,148
Alvernia University2,484$27,09159%5,703
Arcadia University3,026$29,69278%6,321
Bryn Mawr College1,742$39,07231%3,594
Bucknell University3,787$39,96533%11,707
Cabrini University1,613$21,98179%3,403
Cairn University-Langhorne1,031$25,92381%468
Carlow University2,104$17,43793%1,124
Carnegie Mellon University16,002$33,49911%34,261
Cedar Crest College1,324$23,50084%946
Chatham University2,387$28,32266%3,514
Chestnut Hill College1,420$25,35798%1,543
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania697$11,588100%N/A
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania12,074$17,41294%9,570
Delaware Valley University2,178$29,25695%2,299
DeSales University2,991$29,10477%3,662
Dickinson College2,137$37,61035%8,261
Drexel University22,344$39,26780%37,040
Duquesne University8,107$33,91987%12,376
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania5,143$17,27894%5,679
Eastern University5,769$26,66963%2,994
Elizabethtown College2,021$26,72381%2,977
Franklin and Marshall College1,990$31,13536%8,923
Gannon University4,665$22,20081%6,678
Geneva College1,232$20,99979%1,575
Gettysburg College2,854$33,88256%5,696
Grove City College2,316$23,53871%2,174
Gwynedd Mercy University2,091$28,12258%1,063
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology3,082$10,02284%1,160
Haverford College1,421$23,47614%5,657
Holy Family University2,912$12,37977%1,986
Immaculata University2,361$29,18870%2,188
Indiana University of Pennsylvania8,816$20,20592%8,603
Juniata College1,212$29,92676%2,563
Keystone College1,131$15,55981%1,572
King’s College1,993$25,86996%3,216
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania7,455$20,77696%7,248
La Roche University2,068$24,23397%3,222
La Salle University4,049$17,55294%5,214
Lafayette College2,729$37,18634%10,500
Lancaster Bible College2,066$21,41597%351
Lebanon Valley College2,080$26,74377%3,130
Lehigh University7,394$30,45337%15,163
Lincoln University1,824$15,50281%6,699
Lycoming College1,059$19,69775%3,039
Marywood University2,729$22,50481%2,645
Mercyhurst University2,801$24,93581%3,625
Messiah University3,231$24,12079%2,438
Millersville University of Pennsylvania6,775$21,07692%6,506
Misericordia University2,242$27,03389%2,196
Moravian University2,533$31,16867%3,284
Mount Aloysius College2,752$20,56486%1,865
Muhlenberg College1,959$32,92666%4,329
Neumann University2,155$28,70785%3,501
Peirce College856$9,621100%N/A
Penn State (Pennsylvania State University)50,028$26,74755%85,784
Penn State Abington3,090$20,46093%6,463
Penn State Altoona2,577$20,62196%7,523
Penn State Beaver522$18,11393%1,707
Penn State Berks2,077$21,72897%5,605
Penn State Brandywine1,196$21,60096%2,440
Penn State Erie-Behrend College3,295$21,96895%4,363
Penn State Harrisburg4,572$22,09696%9,925
Penn State Lehigh Valley888$18,14294%1,806
Penn State Mont Alto670$19,83891%678
Penn State Schuylkill623$17,25286%928
Penn State Scranton875$16,59494%2,297
Penn State World Campus13,979$19,55182%857
Penn State York718$18,91093%2,005
Pennsylvania Western University12,778$18,52794%8,463
Point Park University3,288$24,70282%6,033
Robert Morris University3,431$23,57294%4,684
Saint Francis University2,857$27,45973%2,167
Saint Joseph’s University7,861$33,77789%9,708
Saint Vincent College1,536$23,12173%2,163
Seton Hill University1,988$24,57678%2,558
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania5,162$21,46288%6,367
Slippery Rock University8,221$17,87374%5,591
Susquehanna University2,231$28,60577%6,375
Swarthmore College1,625$20,7157%14,707
Temple University33,196$23,93580%38,666
The University of the Arts1,313$42,46780%1,086
Thiel College907$22,73282%1,878
Thomas Jefferson University8,286$28,11089%5,723
University of Pennsylvania28,201$26,1237%54,588
University of Pittsburgh33,767$24,28649%53,072
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford1,074$16,50594%5,071
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg1,328$18,19498%3,003
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown2,043$17,54597%3,470
University of Scranton4,731$35,52684%9,530
University of Valley Forge583$25,82582%370
Ursinus College1,527$33,54682%3,237
Villanova University10,383$34,83723%23,835
Washington & Jefferson College1,151$25,63688%3,414
Waynesburg University1,366$22,28176%2,157
West Chester University of Pennsylvania17,275$22,97388%14,778
Westminster College1,211$22,64575%2,225
Widener University5,416$32,18588%5,961
Wilkes University5,207$27,91894%4,798
Wilson College1,360$23,92394%739
York College of Pennsylvania3,656$20,91696%4,529
Source: NCES

What Is the Cost of College in Pennsylvania?

Cost of College in Pennsylvania in 2021
Institution TypeAverage Tuition & Required Fees
Public 4-Year (In-State)$14,532
Public 4-Year (Out-of-State)$25,697
Private 4-Year$43,926
Public 2-Year (In-State)$5,441
Public 2-Year (Out-of-State)$12,808
Source: NCES

4 Benefits of Studying in Pennsylvania

Whether you’re interested in colleges in Pennsylvania’s scenic, forested valleys or its bustling cities, here are some of the benefits of studying in the Keystone State.

  • Top-Ranked Colleges: PA has some of the best colleges in the country. If you’re looking for an Ivy League experience, check out UPenn. If you want the state’s biggest, most sports-dominant public university, turn to Penn State. And for a liberal arts college experience, there’s Swarthmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and more.
  • Financial Aid: The cost of college in Pennsylvania is slightly higher than the national average, according to NCES data. But you can make college affordable by researching schools with lower tuition rates and looking into financial aid opportunities. Many colleges also offer grants and scholarships, like the Pitt Pell Plus Program, which matches Pell Grants.
  • Internship Opportunities: Pennsylvania is home to many Fortune 500 companies and smaller businesses. And many of those companies partner with colleges in Pennsylvania to offer internships. Gain hands-on experience by interning at a finance, healthcare, or engineering company.
  • History and Culture: Interested in historic sites? Pennsylvania has it covered, from Independence Hall to the Gettysburg battlefield. Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are also known for their art, culture and food. When you’re not hitting the books, you’ll benefit from everything Pennsylvania has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Pennsylvania

How many colleges are in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has nearly 300 colleges, universities, and technical schools. Six Pennsylvania colleges boast ranks in the top 100 nationwide. The state offers nearly 100 four-year nonprofit public and private colleges. Pennsylvania also has over a dozen community colleges that charge affordable tuition rates.

What are the best colleges in Pennsylvania?

The best colleges in Pennsylvania include private colleges like UPenn and Carnegie Mellon. Public universities like Pitt and Penn State are also great options for college students. And the Keystone State has many outstanding liberal arts colleges, including Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr.

What is the hardest college to get into in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has many selective colleges. According to NCES data, both Swarthmore and UPenn reported a 7% admission rate in fall 2022. That means that only 7 in 100 applicants receive an admission offer. Carnegie Mellon is the next hardest to get into, with an 11% acceptance rate.

What’s the most affordable college in PA?

Peirce College boasts the lowest average annual net price of all four-year nonprofit colleges in Pennsylvania, at just $9,621 in fall 2022. Many public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania offer affordable tuition rates as well, including Lincoln University ($15,502 net price) and the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford ($16,505 net price).

Two-year colleges in Pennsylvania are even more affordable, with in-state students paying around $5,440 per year.

What is the biggest college in Pennsylvania?

Penn State is by far the biggest college in Pennsylvania. The public university reports a population of around 88,000 students in fall 2022 across its Pennsylvania campuses, with even more students enrolling in online programs through Penn State World Campus. The main campus in University Park, Pennsylvania, enrolls around 50,000 students.

Other large colleges in Pennsylvania include the University of Pittsburgh, with 33,800 students; Temple University, with 33,200 students; and the University of Pennsylvania, with 28,200 students.

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