Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
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.
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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.
Did you know that one of the country’s oldest universities is in Pennsylvania? A private Ivy League school, the University of Pennsylvania, was founded in 1740. But if you’re looking for the state’s most affordable colleges, know first that the average tuition is $63,452 or higher than the $41,568 national average.
College-bound students who want to enjoy the benefits of higher education without crippling student debt can look into colleges and universities in the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Commonwealth System of Higher Education. Both of these systems not only offer affordable tuition and other fees but also have a wide range of financial aid options.
Furthermore, the colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare students for successful careers and productive lives. Many also have job training programs that prepare students for competitive industries like health science, business administration, and criminal justice.
Founded on July 1, 1983, the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the state agency responsible for overseeing state-owned universities.
As a group, these universities are the largest providers of higher education in Pennsylvania with more than 90,000 students in their degree programs alone. Students and alumni contribute to the socio-economic progress of their local communities, the commonwealth, and the country.
Every member university in the PASSHE is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in higher education. Affordable cost of college education is among the universities’ primary means of enabling students to achieve personal and professional advancement.
The PASSHE is also committed to ideal student to faculty ratio in their member schools, which allows students a higher rate of success in their studies.
The 10 state-owned universities within PASSHE are:
Note that starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, consolidations were made between several universities. Pennsylvania Western University is composed of the former Clarion University, California University, and Edinboro University. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania consists of the former Mansfield University, Bloomsburg University, and Lock Haven University.
Nearly 80% of students enrolled in PASSHE universities receive financial aid with the typical financial assistance package consisting of scholarships, loans, and work-study employment. The Board of Governors has also voted for a tuition freeze—the fourth in a row—for the 2022-2023 academic year.
While each university has its in-state and out-of-state tuition structure, housing and board packages, and other mandatory fees, the typical undergraduate tuition and other costs for students are:
Students must also consider on-campus housing and other incidental expenses. Housing plans are between $3,488 and $11,884, while board plans are in the $1,640-$4,924 range.
The Commonwealth System of Higher Education designates state-related status on four universities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, namely:
The unique public-private hybrid university system allows Pennsylvania residents/students to benefit from tuition discounts, thanks to annual financial appropriations from the state. Note, however, that PASSHE universities still have more affordable tuition than universities in the Commonwealth System of Higher Education.
There are 27 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Pennsylvania is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
75%
Student body
31K
Temple University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
56%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/21
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’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
$10K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
73%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/23
West Chester University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
48%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1020/20
PennWest California’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
$13K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
58%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
59%
Student body
8K
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/23
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1060/20
PennWest Edinboro’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
54%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/20
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
57%
Student body
6K
Millersville University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Graduation
41%
Student body
<1K
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
49%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/19
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Graduation
32%
Student body
1K
Lackawanna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
55%
Student body
4K
PennWest Clarion’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
54%
Student body
3K
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
46%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
985/23
Keystone College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
34%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/22
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Graduation
11%
Student body
<1K
Peirce College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: