Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2026

Badge for BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Here are the best colleges and universities in Pennsylvania based on the academic achievements of faculty and alumni associated with the schools. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Key Takeaways

  • The best colleges in Pennsylvania offer state-of-the-art facilities and robust research programs, providing students with the chance to collaborate with faculty on innovative projects in fields ranging from healthcare to environmental science.
  • Many institutions in our ranking are situated on historic campuses with deep ties to Pennsylvania’s legacy, offering a unique blend of tradition and modern education in inspiring settings.
  • The best colleges in Pennsylvania emphasize interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to combine majors and minors across fields such as technology, arts, and business, tailoring their education to diverse career paths.

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

We’ve identified 97 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania that meet our criteria. The list below highlights the top 30 institutions that award bachelor’s degrees, emphasizing fully accredited public and private colleges across the state. This ranking is intended to help prospective students and advisors narrow choices based on institutional strengths rather than serve as a definitive answer for every individual.

Rankings reflect a balance of academic quality, student outcomes, faculty resources, institutional selectivity, and educational value. Use the list as a starting point: filter for programs or majors you care about, compare cost and location, and prioritize campus visits or conversations with current students to determine the best match for your goals.

Best Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania

  1. #1

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1540/35

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $66,104
    Expenses: $22,924
    Starting Salary: $121,687
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Carnegie Mellon University

    Cost of Degree: $63,274
    Expenses: $19,868
    Starting Salary: $125,257
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    University of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Pittsburgh

    Cost of Degree: $21,524
    Expenses: $16,922
    Starting Salary: $73,113
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $86,311
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #5

    Temple University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $24K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for degree at Temple University

    Cost of Degree: $21,991
    Expenses: $22,674
    Starting Salary: $71,027
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1395/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $62,560
    Expenses: $20,690
    Starting Salary: $80,291
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #7

    Lehigh University

    Bethlehem , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $68K

    Acceptance

    26%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Lehigh University

    Cost of Degree: $62,180
    Expenses: $18,970
    Starting Salary: $116,342
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #8

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1505/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $68,020
    Expenses: $22,082
    Starting Salary: $76,397
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #9

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Drexel University

    Cost of Degree: $60,663
    Expenses: $20,750
    Starting Salary: $92,338
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Villanova University

    Villanova , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    27%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1452/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Villanova University

    Cost of Degree: $64,701
    Expenses: $20,296
    Starting Salary: $115,382
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #11

    Duquesne University

    Pittsburgh , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Duquesne University

    Cost of Degree: $47,146
    Expenses: $21,018
    Starting Salary: $81,698
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Duquesne University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Computer Systems Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
  12. #12

    Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1245/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Thomas Jefferson University

    Cost of Degree: $45,533
    Expenses: $22,874
    Starting Salary: $78,311
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Thomas Jefferson University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Computer Forensics
    • Crime and Criminal Behavior
    • Criminal Justice Administration
    • Homeland Security and Emergency Management
    • Probation and Parole
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Acquisition and Contract Management
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Health Services Administration
    • Human Resource Management
    • Hospitality and Tourism Management
    • Joe Gibbs Performance Management
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Retail Management
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Management
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Information Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Management
    • IT Project Management
    • Networking
    • Software Development
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Format: Fully online
  13. #13

    Dickinson College

    Carlisle , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    42%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Dickinson College

    Cost of Degree: $63,450
    Expenses: $19,752
    Starting Salary: $83,426
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #14

    Bucknell University

    Lewisburg , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1390/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Bucknell University

    Cost of Degree: $64,772
    Expenses: $19,018
    Starting Salary: $109,954
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #15

    Lafayette College

    Easton , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $68K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Lafayette College

    Cost of Degree: $61,824
    Expenses: $20,790
    Starting Salary: $102,336
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #16

    Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

    Lincoln University , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $12,512
    Expenses: $15,993
    Starting Salary: $53,919
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. #17

    Gettysburg College

    Gettysburg , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1365/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Gettysburg College

    Cost of Degree: $64,230
    Expenses: $17,730
    Starting Salary: $80,119
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #19

    Saint Joseph's University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's University

    Cost of Degree: $51,340
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $85,980
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    28%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1386/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Franklin & Marshall College

    Cost of Degree: $68,380
    Expenses: $17,638
    Starting Salary: $81,484
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #21

    Widener University

    Chester , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Widener University

    Cost of Degree: $53,638
    Expenses: $18,828
    Starting Salary: $76,782
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. #22

    La Salle University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at La Salle University

    Cost of Degree: $35,570
    Expenses: $17,590
    Starting Salary: $71,235
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  22. Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Washington & Jefferson College

    Cost of Degree: $28,185
    Expenses: $16,110
    Starting Salary: $75,646
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. #24

    University of Scranton

    Scranton , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1239/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Scranton

    Cost of Degree: $52,034
    Expenses: $20,090
    Starting Salary: $85,590
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  24. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $11,380
    Expenses: $15,982
    Starting Salary: $57,182
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. #26

    West Chester University

    West Chester , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at West Chester University

    Cost of Degree: $10,686
    Expenses: $18,414
    Starting Salary: $66,629
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  26. #27

    Ursinus College

    Collegeville , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1292/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Ursinus College

    Cost of Degree: $59,196
    Expenses: $18,386
    Starting Salary: $74,571
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  27. #28

    Elizabethtown College

    Elizabethtown , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1207/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Elizabethtown College

    Cost of Degree: $36,842
    Expenses: $15,104
    Starting Salary: $66,572
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  28. #29

    Eastern University

    Saint Davids , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern University

    Cost of Degree: $37,420
    Expenses: $18,930
    Starting Salary: $54,281
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Eastern University known for?

    Eastern University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  29. #30

    Gannon University

    Erie , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Gannon University

    Cost of Degree: $37,951
    Expenses: $19,684
    Starting Salary: $64,498
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Gannon University known for?

    Gannon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Find the Best Colleges in Pennsylvania for Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Swarthmore College
  2. Carnegie Mellon University
  3. University of Pennsylvania
  4. Bryn Mawr College
  5. Haverford College
  6. University of Pittsburgh
  7. Westminster College, Pennsylvania
  8. Lehigh University
  9. Bucknell University
  10. Wilkes University
  11. Dickinson College
  12. Drexel University
  13. Franklin & Marshall College
  14. Pennsylvania State University
  15. Saint Francis University
  16. Elizabethtown College
  17. Villanova University
  18. Lafayette College
  19. Thomas Jefferson University
  20. Temple University
  21. Allegheny College
  22. Washington & Jefferson College
  23. Ursinus College
  24. Susquehanna University
  25. Gettysburg College
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