Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2026

Badge for BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA PRIVATE COLLEGES

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Pennsylvania.

Key Takeaways

  • The best private colleges in Pennsylvania emphasize a well-rounded liberal arts education while offering specialized programs in fields like healthcare, business, and technology, preparing students for both broad intellectual development and specific career paths.
  • Many of the best private colleges in Pennsylvania are housed in historic campuses with beautiful, architecturally significant buildings, creating a unique and inspiring environment for learning.
  • With low student-to-faculty ratios, the best private colleges in Pennsylvania prioritize individualized learning, fostering close relationships between students and professors to enhance academic and personal growth.

This list ranks the 30 best private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania for students seeking bachelor’s degrees, emphasizing institutions that are nonprofit, fully accredited, and offer a broad range of undergraduate programs. We drew our pool from the set of 76 private universities in the state and applied consistent inclusion criteria—accreditation, institutional type, and breadth of bachelor’s offerings—so the selections reflect institutional quality and program diversity rather than a single metric.

Use these profiles to compare academic strengths, campus size and character, program availability, and typical student-fit considerations so you can narrow choices quickly. The list is intended to guide decisions about where to investigate further, not to replace campus visits or conversations with admissions and academic advisors.

Best Private Colleges 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

    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
  4. #4

    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
  5. #5

    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
  6. #6

    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
  7. #7

    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
  8. #8

    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
  9. #9

    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
  10. #10

    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
  11. #11

    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
  12. #12

    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
  13. #13

    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
  14. #14

    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
  15. #15

    Muhlenberg College

    Allentown , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1330/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Muhlenberg College

    Cost of Degree: $60,240
    Expenses: $17,605
    Starting Salary: $76,444
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #17

    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
  17. 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
  18. #19

    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
  19. #20

    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
  20. 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
  21. #22

    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
  22. #23

    Allegheny College

    Meadville , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1265/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Allegheny College

    Cost of Degree: $54,960
    Expenses: $17,296
    Starting Salary: $68,228
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. #24

    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
  24. #25

    Chestnut Hill College

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chestnut Hill College

    Cost of Degree: $39,410
    Expenses: $19,444
    Starting Salary: $59,414
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. #26

    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
  26. #27

    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

  27. #28

    Robert Morris University

    Moon Township , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Robert Morris University

    Cost of Degree: $34,740
    Expenses: $18,334
    Starting Salary: $69,633
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 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

  28. #29

    Arcadia University

    Glenside , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Arcadia University

    Cost of Degree: $48,290
    Expenses: $18,850
    Starting Salary: $62,618
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 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

  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

Back to Top

Pennsylvania’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area 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. Westminster College, Pennsylvania
  7. Lehigh University
  8. Bucknell University
  9. Wilkes University
  10. Dickinson College
  11. Drexel University
  12. Franklin & Marshall College
  13. Saint Francis University
  14. Elizabethtown College
  15. Villanova University
  16. Lafayette College
  17. Thomas Jefferson University
  18. Allegheny College
  19. Washington & Jefferson College
  20. Ursinus College
  21. Susquehanna University
  22. Gettysburg College
  23. University of Scranton
  24. Duquesne University
  25. La Salle University

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here