Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2023

Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Pennsylvania offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania

  1. University of Pennsylvania
  2. Carnegie Mellon University
  3. University of Pittsburgh
  4. Temple University
  5. Lehigh University
  6. Drexel University
  7. Villanova University
  8. Bryn Mawr College
  9. Duquesne University
  10. Thomas Jefferson University

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?

Pennsylvania’s Best Overall


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There are 34 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Pennsylvania. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Pennsylvania is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2022

  1. #1

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA
    #9 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #11 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #12 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #12 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    28K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    What is University of Pennsylvania known for?

    University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    #9 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #9 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #9 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2023 #12 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    What is Carnegie Mellon University known for?

    Carnegie Mellon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. #13

    Widener University

    Chester , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1122/23

    What is Widener University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  22. #19

    Arcadia University

    Glenside , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/24

    What is Arcadia University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  23. #20

    Robert Morris University

    Moon Township , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/26

    What is Robert Morris University known for?

    Robert Morris University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  25. #21

    Wilkes University

    Wilkes-Barre , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    What is Wilkes University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  26. #22

    Immaculata University

    Immaculata , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    What is Immaculata University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  27. #23

    Neumann University

    Aston , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/18

    What is Neumann University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  28. #24

    Holy Family University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    975/19

    What is Holy Family University known for?

    Holy Family University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  29. #25

    Point Park University

    Pittsburgh , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1066/22

    What is Point Park University known for?

    Point Park University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Pennsylvania’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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. University of Pennsylvania
  2. Carnegie Mellon University
  3. University of Pittsburgh
  4. Pennsylvania State University
  5. Temple University
  6. Drexel University
  7. Bryn Mawr College
  8. Lehigh University
  9. Villanova University
  10. Wilkes University
  11. Thomas Jefferson University
  12. Duquesne University
  13. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  14. Widener University
  15. University of Scranton
  16. Saint Joseph's University
  17. Point Park University
  18. Arcadia University
  19. West Chester University
  20. Eastern University
  21. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
  22. Penn State Harrisburg
  23. Gannon University
  24. Robert Morris University
  25. Lancaster Bible College
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