Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2024

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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

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  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
  1. University of Pennsylvania
  2. Carnegie Mellon University
  3. University of Pittsburgh
  4. Temple University
  5. Bryn Mawr College
  6. Lehigh University
  7. Drexel University
  8. Villanova University
  9. Thomas Jefferson University
  10. Duquesne University
  1. Wilkes University 95%
  2. Indiana University of Pennsylvania 94%
  3. Robert Morris University 94%
  4. West Chester University 89%
  5. Widener University 85%
  6. Duquesne University 84%
  7. Gannon University 84%
  8. Neumann University 84%
  9. Drexel University 83%
  10. Saint Joseph's University 83%
  1. Slippery Rock University 21 to 1
  2. West Chester University 20 to 1
  3. Indiana University of Pennsylvania 18 to 1
  4. Neumann University 14 to 1
  5. University of Pittsburgh 14 to 1
  6. Robert Morris University 14 to 1
  7. Gannon University 13 to 1
  8. Wilkes University 13 to 1
  9. Temple University 13 to 1
  10. Holy Family University 13 to 1
  1. University of Pennsylvania $61,710
  2. Villanova University $59,020
  3. Carnegie Mellon University $58,924
  4. Lehigh University $57,470
  5. Drexel University $57,136
  6. Bryn Mawr College $56,320
  7. Widener University $49,706
  8. University of Scranton $48,462
  9. Saint Joseph's University $47,940
  10. Arcadia University $46,220
  1. Bryn Mawr College $48,328
  2. Carnegie Mellon University $46,441
  3. University of Pennsylvania $38,732
  4. Drexel University $36,234
  5. Arcadia University $27,311
  6. Lehigh University $27,000
  7. Widener University $25,100
  8. Duquesne University $24,534
  9. University of Pittsburgh $24,118
  10. Wilkes University $24,000
  1. Point Park University
  2. Holy Family University
  3. Neumann University
  4. Immaculata University
  5. Wilkes University
  6. Robert Morris University
  7. Arcadia University
  8. Slippery Rock University
  9. Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania
  10. Eastern University
  1. Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania
  2. Slippery Rock University
  3. Neumann University
  4. Holy Family University
  5. Immaculata University
  6. Gannon University
  7. Arcadia University
  8. Wilkes University
  9. Point Park University
  10. Eastern University
  1. University of Pennsylvania 6%
  2. Carnegie Mellon University 14%
  3. Villanova University 25%
  4. Bryn Mawr College 39%
  5. Lehigh University 46%
  6. University of Pittsburgh 67%
  7. Eastern University 69%
  8. Temple University 72%
  9. Holy Family University 77%
  10. Thomas Jefferson University 78%
  1. Carnegie Mellon University 5 to 1
  2. University of Pennsylvania 6 to 1
  3. Bryn Mawr College 8 to 1
  4. Lehigh University 9 to 1
  5. Immaculata University 10 to 1
  6. Drexel University 11 to 1
  7. Villanova University 11 to 1
  8. Saint Joseph's University 11 to 1
  9. Arcadia University 11 to 1
  10. University of Scranton 12 to 1
  1. West Chester University $7,716
  2. Slippery Rock University $7,716
  3. Indiana University of Pennsylvania $9,570
  4. Temple University $16,488
  5. University of Pittsburgh $19,092
  6. Immaculata University $27,750
  7. Holy Family University $31,640
  8. Robert Morris University $32,770
  9. Neumann University $34,460
  10. Gannon University $34,526
  1. West Chester University $9,288
  2. Indiana University of Pennsylvania $9,288
  3. Slippery Rock University $9,288
  4. University of Scranton $11,580
  5. Holy Family University $11,851
  6. Immaculata University $12,780
  7. Eastern University $13,716
  8. Neumann University $14,400
  9. Point Park University $15,858
  10. Temple University $17,388

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 2023

  1. #1

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $63,452
    Expenses: $22,286
    Starting Salary: $131,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Carnegie Mellon University

    Cost of Degree: $60,854
    Expenses: $18,886
    Starting Salary: $103,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #5

    Lehigh University

    Bethlehem , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1346/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Lehigh University

    Cost of Degree: $59,930
    Expenses: $17,955
    Starting Salary: $94,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #6

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Drexel University

    Cost of Degree: $58,965
    Expenses: $20,180
    Starting Salary: $78,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #8

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College

    Cost of Degree: $59,330
    Expenses: $20,050
    Starting Salary: $61,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #9

    Duquesne University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Duquesne University

    Cost of Degree: $45,376
    Expenses: $18,344
    Starting Salary: $68,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #10

    Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Thomas Jefferson University

    Cost of Degree: $44,200
    Expenses: $21,469
    Starting Salary: $99,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #11

    Gannon University

    Erie , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Gannon University

    Cost of Degree: $36,706
    Expenses: $19,398
    Starting Salary: $55,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 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

  9. #13

    Widener University

    Chester , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1122/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Widener University

    Cost of Degree: $51,639
    Expenses: $18,314
    Starting Salary: $59,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #14

    Saint Joseph's University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's University

    Cost of Degree: $49,610
    Expenses: $17,656
    Starting Salary: $65,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #15

    University of Scranton

    Scranton , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Scranton

    Cost of Degree: $50,312
    Expenses: $19,662
    Starting Salary: $62,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #16

    West Chester University

    West Chester , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/23

    Career Outlook for degree at West Chester University

    Cost of Degree: $10,527
    Expenses: $17,948
    Starting Salary: $51,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #17

    Eastern University

    Saint Davids , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern University

    Cost of Degree: $36,464
    Expenses: $18,068
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 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

  14. Other Rankings

    Career Outlook for degree at Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $10,507
    Expenses: $14,778
    Starting Salary: $44,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania known for?

    Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. #19

    Arcadia University

    Glenside , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Arcadia University

    Cost of Degree: $47,130
    Expenses: $16,320
    Starting Salary: $48,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Arcadia University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. #20

    Robert Morris University

    Moon Township , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Robert Morris University

    Cost of Degree: $33,767
    Expenses: $19,024
    Starting Salary: $53,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Robert Morris University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  17. #21

    Wilkes University

    Wilkes-Barre , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Wilkes University

    Cost of Degree: $41,112
    Expenses: $20,643
    Starting Salary: $58,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #22

    Immaculata University

    Immaculata , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Immaculata University

    Cost of Degree: $27,750
    Expenses: $18,720
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Immaculata University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  19. #23

    Neumann University

    Aston , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Neumann University

    Cost of Degree: $35,700
    Expenses: $20,970
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Neumann University known for?

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

  20. #24

    Holy Family University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    975/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Holy Family University

    Cost of Degree: $32,558
    Expenses: $16,616
    Starting Salary: $54,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Holy Family University known for?

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

  21. #25

    Point Park University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1066/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Point Park University

    Cost of Degree: $36,620
    Expenses: $15,740
    Starting Salary: $42,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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

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, Pennsylvania
  22. Penn State Harrisburg
  23. Gannon University
  24. Robert Morris University
  25. Lancaster Bible College
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