Best Public Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025

Badge for BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC COLLEGES

Published: Mar 23, 2021
Updated: Oct 2, 2024

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Pennsylvania provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Key Takeaways

Pennsylvania has 101 colleges and universities, including two-year and four-year institutions. These institutions receive state and federal funding.
The most expensive public college in Pennsylvania is the University of Pittsburgh, with an average tuition fee of $20,000, while the least expensive colleges are West Chester University and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, with an average tuition fee of $10,000.
Public colleges, because of their wide range of academic programs, diverse student bodies, and prestigious research opportunities, have a higher student-to-faculty ratio than private colleges.

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2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best public colleges in Pennsylvania saw a considerable amount of shift. The Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, for example, gained nine ranking positions as the university expanded its Institute for the Advancement of Education and Workforce Development, offering students enhanced career-focused programs and partnerships with local businesses for internships and job placements. The university has also modernized its STEM facilities, adding cutting-edge labs and technology for fields like biotechnology and environmental science. Additionally, Cheyney has launched new entrepreneurship programs, providing resources and mentorship for students interested in starting their own businesses.

Pennsylvania’s Top-notch Public Colleges

Pennsylvania, often called the Quaker State or Keystone State, ranks fifth in terms of population size in the US, with a population of 12.9 million. The state is the ninth most densely populated in the union based on its size, which positions it as the thirty-third largest in the country. Due to its size, it’s evident that the state has plenty of colleges and universities to cater to students’ educational goals.

There are more than 500 Pennsylvania colleges and universities. In truth, Pennsylvania’s state university system compares favorably with the greatest public universities in the country. The state is bursting with excellent educational possibilities, with dozens of top-tier public colleges from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and University Park to Reading that offer exciting campus life and a diverse student body. But is everyone suitable to obtain a degree in the Mid-Atlantic state?

About The Public Colleges in Pennsylvania

Public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania provide students with a wide range of reasonably-priced academic programs and top-notch research facilities for prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Public schools offer world-class facilities, including the University of Pennsylvania system, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, Bloomsburg University, Millersville University, and Lincoln University.

Due to the lack of regional reciprocity agreements between Pennsylvania and other states, tuition for nonresident students may be doubled or even more in public and private schools. According to recent data, in-state undergraduate students pay an average of $8,026, while out-of-state students pay $16,576. Additionally, unlike other states, such as New York, Pennsylvania doesn’t allow out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition even after 12 months of living there.

Aside from tuition, higher learning institutions in Pennsylvania charge other fees, such as on-campus events, distance learning, technology services, and more. The net price for these fees usually goes as low as $800 to $2,000.

Pennsylvania is one of the top cities to study business administration and management, psychology, engineering, health sciences, registered nursing, information science, and computer science.

Admission to public schools is competitive. Most Pennsylvania colleges require incoming first-year students to submit standardized test scores. The SAT range for Pennsylvania colleges is SAT 1200-1350.

Students looking for test-optional admissions should consider enrolling at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Temple University. Colleges and universities not included on the list but have test-optional admissions are Thomas Jefferson University, Lafayette College, Dickinson College, Haverford College, and Bryn Mawr, among others.

Cost of Living in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s cost of living is reasonable, especially considering the high price of living in major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami.

Pennsylvania has a 1% cheaper cost of living than the rest of the US. While utilities are 8% more expensive than the national average, housing is 9% less expensive. Compared to the rest of the country, the cost of groceries is about 1% greater than it is for clothing and other needs like food.

Compared to the national average, Pennsylvania healthcare costs for procedures like dental cleanings and doctor checkups are 3% lower. At the same time, extra expenses like entertainment and grooming services have increased by 1%.

In high-end areas, such as State College, West Chester, and Doyle, you can expect to pay a great deal more, particularly for rent and buying a home, than in areas that aren’t as luxurious, such as Greenville, Edgewood, Brentwood.

Pros and Cons of Studying and Living in Pennsylvania

If you’re considering relocating to Pennsylvania, you should examine the advantages and disadvantages to make sure it’s a choice you can live with. Pennsylvania may seem like the ideal place for a change of scenery for some people, but the disadvantages might be too great for them to consider relocating there.

Pros:

Full of history and culture
High level of education
Scholarships
Easy access to other parts of the country
Diverse living styles

Cons:

Cost of living
Limited work opportunities
Competitive atmosphere
Rough winters
Subpar infrastructure
Extra taxes

This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 21 public universities in Pennsylvania. To be included in our list of the best PA state colleges, schools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.