Small colleges in Pennsylvania are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.
Did you know that one of the outstanding small colleges in Pennsylvania on our list is only 41 years younger than the University of Pennsylvania, the Keystone State’s oldest institution of higher education? Established in 1781, Washington & Jefferson College started as three colleges in log cabins that became two competing colleges—Washington College and Jefferson College. By 1865, the two colleges merged to become W&J College.
Dickinson College (1783) is the second-oldest in our list of Pennsylvania’s best small colleges in Pennsylvania, followed by Franklin & Marshall College (1787), Lycoming College (1812) Allegheny College (1815), and Lafayette College (1826). Indeed, Pennsylvania has a solid history of higher education that continues to strengthen its society, economy, and culture!
Bryn Mawr College, ranked #3 on our list, is also notable for being part of the so-called Seven Sisters colleges, a group of highly selective liberal arts colleges known for being historically women’s colleges.
With the exception of Gannon University, the top 10 best small colleges in Pennsylvania are private liberal arts colleges. This is a strong indication that Pennsylvania places immeasurable value on liberal arts in higher education!
What makes for a liberal arts college in the first place? Liberal arts colleges emphasize the study of liberal arts and sciences in their undergraduate programs. Their programs of study encourage students to develop broad general knowledge and skills, particularly in terms of general intellectual abilities.
These are typically four-year undergraduate institutions with a wide range of bachelor’s degree programs in liberal arts. But many also offer graduate programs at the master’s and doctoral degree levels.
Students may choose a particular major or discipline but gain a comprehensive exposure to a wide range of subjects. These can include social and natural sciences, arts and humanities, and mathematics, but can also include subjects not traditionally taught under a liberal arts curriculum.
Examples include computer science, business administration, and accounting, even engineering. Swarthmore College and Bucknell University, for example, have undergraduate engineering programs.
While vocational, technical, and professional programs of study emphasize the development of technical skills (i.e., skills specific to the profession or occupation), the emphasis in liberal arts is on transferable skills. Students acquire soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills, as well as problem-solving skills, which are vital to life, citizenship, and work.
Most of the best small colleges in Pennsylvania are also private institutions; the exceptions are Lincoln University and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, both of which are state-related institutions. Note that private colleges in Pennsylvania aren’t directly funded by the state and federal governments, meaning these colleges have greater reliance on diverse revenue sources. These include tuition and fees, donations, and endowments.
For this reason, many prospective students turn away from private liberal arts schools due to the higher cost of education compared with public institutions. However most of the best small colleges in Pennsylvania offer generous merit and need-based scholarships in addition to federal aid.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also offers several scholarship programs for its college students, many of which are available to students in private small colleges, too. Examples include:
Pennsylvania also has loan forgiveness programs available for students pursuing degrees in high-demand professions that are, at their core, award-for-service programs. Explore the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
If you’re into liberal arts and its study, you will find that Pennsylvania is the perfect place to satisfy your curiosity and even make new discoveries!
Known as the Keystone State for its pivotal role in US history, Pennsylvania appeals to history buffs with its abundance of historic landmarks and attractions. The Independence National Historical Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, and Carnegie Museum of Natural History are a few examples.
Let’s not forget that Pennsylvania is also a hub for higher education with many of the world’s best universities located here! The University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university, and the University of Pittsburgh are a few examples—and, of course, the best small colleges featured here.
The cost of living in Pennsylvania is also affordable! At 1% lower than the national average, the Quaker State is a student-friendly place, indeed.
And the employment opportunities abound for graduates, too! Pennsylvania is home to several Fortune 500 corporations like H.J. Heinz, GE Transportation, and Walmart.
Among its largest industries are the coal, steel, and railroad industries; the agriculture industry particularly in mushrooms, apples, Christmas trees, milk and chickens, grapes and wines; and broadcasting and telecommunications.
Known as the Snack Food Capital of World, job opportunities are also present in its 2,300+ food manufacturing companies. There’s even a thriving casino gambling industry!
Indeed, now is the best time to consider enrolling in one of the best small colleges in Pennsylvania! You will not only get a well-rounded education in liberal arts and in other fields, but you can put your skills to good use
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.
The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Pennsylvania is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 78 small colleges in Pennsylvania. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in Pennsylvania. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1467/32
Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
18%
Graduation
90%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/33
Haverford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
39%
Graduation
87%
Student body
1K
Bryn Mawr College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
82%
Student body
2K
Dickinson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
88%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/30
Bucknell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
88%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1345/30
Lafayette College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
76%
Student body
1K
Washington & Jefferson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
83%
Student body
2K
Franklin & Marshall College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
82%
Student body
3K
Gettysburg College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
64%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/23
Gannon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
58%
Student body
4K
La Salle University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
68%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1122/23
Widener University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
944/16
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
79%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/25
University of Scranton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
88%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1236/27
Grove City College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
75%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/23
Elizabethtown College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
72%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/27
Ursinus College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
60%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/22
Eastern University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
63%
Student body
1K
Chestnut Hill College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
82%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1260/28
Muhlenberg College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
75%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1245/27
Allegheny College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
62%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/24
Arcadia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/26
Robert Morris University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
69%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/25
DeSales University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Chatham University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
36%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1047/21
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
61%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
Wilkes University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
76%
Student body
1K
Juniata College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
67%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/23
Lycoming College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
47%
Student body
1K
Albright College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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.