Pennsylvania’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
What are the best colleges and universities in Pennsylvania if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.
Colleges and universities in Pennsylvania deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.
Pennsylvania’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.
Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.
How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Pennsylvania’s Colleges and Universities
As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Pennsylvania’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.
- Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
- Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
- We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
- Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.
Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.
Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families
The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:
- A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
- Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
- Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
- The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
- Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
Pennsylvania’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
- #15 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #16 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #25 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #6 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #8 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2024
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
91%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/34
Career Outlook for degree at Haverford College
Cost of Degree: $63,348Expenses: $21,120Starting Salary: $75,100Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Haverford College known for?
Haverford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Economics
- History
- Psychology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$50K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
74%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
Career Outlook for degree at Washington & Jefferson College
Cost of Degree: $50,192Expenses: $15,724Starting Salary: $60,100Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Washington & Jefferson College known for?
Washington & Jefferson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #10 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #12 Best Online Master's Programs in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
62%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Chestnut Hill College
Cost of Degree: $39,410Expenses: $18,474Starting Salary: $46,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chestnut Hill College known for?
Chestnut Hill College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- History
- Education
- Literature
- Sociology
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Law
Most Influential Alumni
- #17 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #20 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #8 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2024
- #10 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees
- #2 Top 7 Best Online Social Work PhDs (DSW Programs) 2024
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Pennsylvania 2024
- #17 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
83%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1387/31
Career Outlook for degree at Bryn Mawr College
Cost of Degree: $59,330Expenses: $20,050Starting Salary: $61,000Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bryn Mawr College known for?
Bryn Mawr College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- History
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Work
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #14 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
940/17
Career Outlook for degree at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
Cost of Degree: $11,910Expenses: $15,448Starting Salary: $36,200Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Lincoln University, Pennsylvania known for?
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Education
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Anthropology
- History
- Sociology
- Communications
- Literature
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #15 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #5 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2024
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
Career Outlook for degree at Swarthmore College
Cost of Degree: $59,328Expenses: $20,686Starting Salary: $70,000Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Swarthmore College known for?
Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
69%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Geneva College
Cost of Degree: $30,990Expenses: $13,650Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Geneva College known for?
Geneva College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Communications
- Business
- Education
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
71%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/28
Career Outlook for degree at Juniata College
Cost of Degree: $54,336Starting Salary: $56,800What is Juniata College known for?
Juniata College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Biology
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Computer Science
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
73%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/30
Career Outlook for degree at Ursinus College
Cost of Degree: $58,016Expenses: $17,946Starting Salary: $61,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Ursinus College known for?
Ursinus College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #22 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #12 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates) #16 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
59%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern University
Cost of Degree: $36,464Expenses: $18,068Starting Salary: $48,100Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Eastern University known for?
Eastern University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Pennsylvania #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2024 #11 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #19 Best Online Master's Programs in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
61%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Immaculata University
Cost of Degree: $27,750Expenses: $18,720Starting Salary: $54,700Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Immaculata University known for?
Immaculata University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Immaculata University’s Online Degrees
BS in Allied Health for Clinical Professionals
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Care Management
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Behavior
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Resources Management
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency Planning and Management
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Leadership
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Management
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
76%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/27
Career Outlook for degree at Elizabethtown College
Cost of Degree: $35,700Expenses: $14,792Starting Salary: $55,000Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Elizabethtown College known for?
Elizabethtown College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- History
- Business
- Biology
- Education
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
56%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Carlow University
Cost of Degree: $33,500Expenses: $16,496Starting Salary: $44,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Carlow University known for?
Carlow University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
84%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Dickinson College
Cost of Degree: $61,326Expenses: $19,190Starting Salary: $64,100Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Dickinson College known for?
Dickinson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
68%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1243/26
Career Outlook for degree at Allegheny College
Cost of Degree: $53,610Expenses: $17,296Starting Salary: $56,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Allegheny College known for?
Allegheny College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Political Science
- Communications
- History
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Business
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
68%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/25
Career Outlook for degree at Chatham University
Cost of Degree: $42,125Expenses: $15,719Starting Salary: $43,400Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chatham University known for?
Chatham University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Biology
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Communications
- Medical
- History
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Pennsylvania #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
81%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1245/28
What is Grove City College known for?
Grove City College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Education
- Literature
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
72%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Francis University
Cost of Degree: $40,520Expenses: $18,452Starting Salary: $57,400Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Saint Francis University known for?
Saint Francis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Communications
- Medical
- History
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Engineering
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$66K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
86%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
Career Outlook for degree at Franklin & Marshall College
Cost of Degree: $65,844Expenses: $17,510Starting Salary: $69,200Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Franklin & Marshall College known for?
Franklin & Marshall College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Political Science
- Economics
- History
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Physics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
89%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1405/31
Career Outlook for degree at Lafayette College
Cost of Degree: $58,618Expenses: $19,486Starting Salary: $80,500Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Lafayette College known for?
Lafayette College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #10 Best Research Universities in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
70%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Gannon University
Cost of Degree: $36,706Expenses: $19,398Starting Salary: $55,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Gannon University known for?
Gannon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #9 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
82%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1395/30
Career Outlook for degree at Gettysburg College
Cost of Degree: $61,760Expenses: $17,140Starting Salary: $66,300Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Gettysburg College known for?
Gettysburg College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
64%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1204/26
Career Outlook for degree at Arcadia University
Cost of Degree: $47,130Expenses: $16,320Starting Salary: $48,000Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arcadia University known for?
Arcadia University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Medical
- History
- Literature
- Education
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Business
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's of Theology Degree Programs in 2024 #5 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
68%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/26
Career Outlook for degree at DeSales University
Cost of Degree: $42,600Expenses: $18,674Starting Salary: $54,700Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is DeSales University known for?
DeSales University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degree #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
62%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at La Salle University
Cost of Degree: $33,890Expenses: $16,550Starting Salary: $61,100Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is La Salle University known for?
La Salle University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- History
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Business
- Communications
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Pennsylvania’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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?
- 15 Research Universities
- 80 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 34 Graduate Schools
- 21 Public Colleges & Universities
- 76 Private Colleges & Universities
- 44 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 78 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 27 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 20 Community Colleges
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