Best Community Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Pennsylvania offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
10 Best Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
- Manor College
- Community College of Allegheny County
- Bucks County Community College
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Montgomery County Community College
- Northampton Community College
- Harcum College
- Westmoreland County Community College
- Community College of Beaver County
- Community College of Allegheny County
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Manor College
- Bucks County Community College
- Northampton Community College
- Montgomery County Community College
- Harcum College
- Luzerne County Community College
- Westmoreland County Community College
- Johnson College 96%
- Manor College 93%
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology 91%
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville 46%
- New Castle School of Trades 20 to 1
- Northampton Community College 19 to 1
- Lehigh Carbon Community College 19 to 1
- Reading Area Community College 19 to 1
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 18 to 1
- Community College of Allegheny County 17 to 1
- Westmoreland County Community College 17 to 1
- Montgomery County Community College 16 to 1
- Community College of Beaver County 16 to 1
- Delaware County Community College 16 to 1
- Harcum College $28,240
- New Castle School of Trades $22,176
- Johnson College $20,025
- Manor College $19,414
- Triangle Tech $18,538
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville $11,568
- Community College of Beaver County $10,500
- Montgomery County Community College $8,880
- Reading Area Community College $8,700
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology $8,450
- Manor College $10,080
- Reading Area Community College
- New Castle School of Trades
- Johnson College
- Triangle Tech
- Butler County Community College
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Delaware County Community College
- Luzerne County Community College
- New Castle School of Trades
- Community College of Beaver County
- Johnson College
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Triangle Tech
- Butler County Community College
- Reading Area Community College
- Delaware County Community College
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville 46%
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology 91%
- Manor College 93%
- Johnson College 96%
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville 2 to 1
- Harcum College 4 to 1
- Triangle Tech 8 to 1
- Johnson College 8 to 1
- Manor College 11 to 1
- Butler County Community College 12 to 1
- Bucks County Community College 13 to 1
- Community College of Philadelphia 13 to 1
- Luzerne County Community College 15 to 1
- Montgomery County Community College 16 to 1
- Butler County Community College $6,840
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College $6,870
- Northampton Community College $7,200
- Community College of Allegheny County $7,320
- Lehigh Carbon Community College $7,320
- Community College of Philadelphia $7,632
- Delaware County Community College $7,800
- Bucks County Community College $7,920
- Luzerne County Community College $8,200
- Westmoreland County Community College $8,280
- Manor College $10,080
Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania
Prospective students hoping to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree have over 100 higher learning institutions to choose from. The largest public university is Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, with a tuition of $18,000, and a student population of over 95,000 across its campuses. As a private institution, the University of Pennsylvania, or simply Penn, is known for its medical, nursing, social work, and business fields. Tuition is $56,000, and the school boasts a 95% graduation rate.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
Students can also attend one of the more than 60 religiously affiliated schools, such as Villanova University or Lafayette College, each with a tuition of about $53,000. Some of the most affordable colleges in the state include the Curtis Institute of Music and the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, with tuitions set at $3,000 and $9,000, respectively. Though the average tuition for college in Pennsylvania comes in above the national average, those who practice medicine in underserved areas may qualify for up to $100,000 in loan forgiveness through the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program.
As the nation’s second state, Pennsylvania’s history runs deep. It’s here where Betsy Ross made the first American flag and where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Keystone State is also home to some culinary delights, including whoopie pies, soft pretzels, and the famous Philly cheesesteak. Students looking to earn their degree in Pennsylvania will undoubtedly enjoy what the state has to offer.
Check out the state’s top programs and learn more about earning your degree in Pennsylvania.
What are Pennsylvania’s Colleges & Universities?
- 15 Research Universities
- 80 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 34 Graduate Schools
- 21 Public Colleges & Universities
- 76 Private Colleges & Universities
- 44 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 78 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 27 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 20 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Pennsylvania’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 20 community colleges in Pennsylvania. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Pennsylvania.
Best Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
36%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Manor College
Cost of Degree: $19,414Starting Salary: $41,300What is Manor College known for?
Manor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
19%
Student body
19K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Allegheny County
Cost of Degree: $8,563Starting Salary: $35,800What is Community College of Allegheny County known for?
Community College of Allegheny County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
- Social Work
- Physics
- Biology
- Business
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Online Associate in Communications #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2024 #10 Best Online Associate in English #12 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
25%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Bucks County Community College
Cost of Degree: $9,184Starting Salary: $42,300What is Bucks County Community College known for?
Bucks County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Social Work
- Business
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
14%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
16%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Philadelphia
Cost of Degree: $8,688Starting Salary: $35,900What is Community College of Philadelphia known for?
Community College of Philadelphia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Communications
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Engineering
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Business
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$11K
Graduation
23%
Student body
15K
Career Outlook for degree at Montgomery County Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,650Starting Salary: $41,100What is Montgomery County Community College known for?
Montgomery County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Graduation
21%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Northampton Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,650Expenses: $17,701Starting Salary: $36,400Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northampton Community College known for?
Northampton Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Nursing
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Medical
- Psychology
- Education
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$28K
Graduation
34%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Harcum College
Cost of Degree: $28,240Expenses: $15,195Starting Salary: $47,700Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Harcum College known for?
Harcum College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
19%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Westmoreland County Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,324Starting Salary: $35,200What is Westmoreland County Community College known for?
Westmoreland County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
21%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Beaver County
Cost of Degree: $13,350Starting Salary: $44,900What is Community College of Beaver County known for?
Community College of Beaver County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #11 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #12 Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2024 #23 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
18%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Luzerne County Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,330Starting Salary: $35,200What is Luzerne County Community College known for?
Luzerne County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
20%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Delaware County Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,410Starting Salary: $42,000What is Delaware County Community College known for?
Delaware County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
21%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Lehigh Carbon Community College
Cost of Degree: $9,030Starting Salary: $36,400What is Lehigh Carbon Community College known for?
Lehigh Carbon Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
38%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Cost of Degree: $9,090Starting Salary: $31,600What is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College known for?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
56%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Cost of Degree: $8,450Expenses: $12,676Starting Salary: $46,700Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology known for?
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
31%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Butler County Community College
Cost of Degree: $8,550Starting Salary: $35,200What is Butler County Community College known for?
Butler County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Graduation
31%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Triangle Tech
Cost of Degree: $18,541Starting Salary: $43,700What is Triangle Tech known for?
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
54%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Johnson College
Cost of Degree: $20,025Starting Salary: $40,900What is Johnson College known for?
Johnson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$22K
Graduation
72%
Student body
<1K
What is New Castle School of Trades known for?
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
21%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Reading Area Community College
Cost of Degree: $10,470Starting Salary: $34,300What is Reading Area Community College known for?
Reading Area Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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.
- University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
- Community College of Beaver County
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Bucks County Community College
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Westmoreland County Community College
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Community College of Allegheny County
- Luzerne County Community College
- Delaware County Community College
- Northampton Community College
- Montgomery County Community College
- Butler County Community College
- Reading Area Community College