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2022 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

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University of Pennsylvania

#8 PENNSYLVANIA

University of Pennsylvania is a very large private university located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 8th in the US. It has a total of 14,000 full-time undergraduate students and is highly competitive, with a 7.66% acceptance rate. University of Pennsylvania offers 355 different majors and is best known for its Finance, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, and Philosophy programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $51,156 per year, University of Pennsylvania is exceptionally pricey. 81.13% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn more or less $85,900 per year, which is 107% greater than the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

www.upenn.edu

A+

Rating

8%

Acceptance

29,813

Students

#8

Ranking

$51,156

Tuition

Carnegie Mellon University

#21 PENNSYLVANIA

Carnegie Mellon University is a large private university located in Pittsburgh, PA ranked 21st in the nation. It has a total of 7,068 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting hardly above 1/7 of applicants. Carnegie Mellon University offers 321 different majors and is best known for its Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Statistics, and Information Technology programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $55,816 per year, Carnegie Mellon University is extremely high-priced. 78.26% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to earn around $83,600 per year, which is 101% over the national median.

Pittsburgh, PA

www.cmu.edu/

A+

Rating

15%

Acceptance

15,143

Students

#21

Ranking

$55,816

Tuition

Swarthmore College

#27 PENNSYLVANIA

Swarthmore College is a small private liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, PA ranked 27th in the United States. It has a total of 1,660 full-time undergraduate students and is highly competitive, accepting around one out of ten applicants. Swarthmore College offers 89 different majors and is best known for its Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Classical and Ancient Studies, and Mathematics programs (nationally ranked 5th, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,256 per year, Swarthmore College is exceptionally expensive. 88.55% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to bring in close to $56,700 per year, which is 37% over the national median.

Swarthmore, PA

www.swarthmore.edu

A+

Rating

9%

Acceptance

1,660

Students

#27

Ranking

$54,256

Tuition

Haverford College

#42 PENNSYLVANIA

Haverford College is a small private liberal arts college located in Haverford, PA ranked 42nd in the US. It has a total of 1,368 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 16.32% of applicants. Haverford College offers 39 different majors and is best known for its Urban Planning, Visual and Performing Arts, and Chemistry programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 12th, and 13th respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,200 per year, Haverford College is exceptionally pricey. 87.06% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn near $60,700 per year, which is 46% greater than the national median.

Haverford, PA

https://www.haverford.edu

A+

Rating

16%

Acceptance

1,368

Students

#42

Ranking

$56,200

Tuition

Lafayette College

#50 PENNSYLVANIA

Lafayette College is a small private liberal arts college located in Easton, PA ranked 50th in the US. It has a total of 2,672 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 31.48% acceptance rate. Lafayette College offers 39 different majors and is best known for its Film, Women's Studies, and International Relations and Affairs programs (nationally ranked 20th, 31st, and 32nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,512 per year, Lafayette College is exceptionally costly. 89.32% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to generate around $68,600 per year, which is 65% over the national median.

Easton, PA

https://www.lafayette.edu/

A+

Rating

31%

Acceptance

2,672

Students

#50

Ranking

$54,512

Tuition

Lehigh University

#57 PENNSYLVANIA

Lehigh University is a mid-sized private university located in Bethlehem, PA ranked 57th in the United States. It has a total of 5,289 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 32.1% of applicants. Lehigh University offers 187 different majors and is best known for its Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management, and Managerial Economics programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,790 per year, Lehigh University is very costly. 83.47% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, entering the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to make around $81,900 per year, which is 97% over the national median.

Bethlehem, PA

www.lehigh.edu

A+

Rating

32%

Acceptance

7,330

Students

#57

Ranking

$54,790

Tuition

Bucknell University

#67 PENNSYLVANIA

Bucknell University is a small private liberal arts college located in Lewisburg, PA ranked 67th in the nation. It has a total of 3,756 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting barely over 1/3 of applicants. Bucknell University offers 80 different majors and is best known for its Accounting and Finance, Italian Studies, and Early Childhood Education and Teaching programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 2nd, and 7th respectively). With an annual tuition of $57,882 per year, Bucknell University is extremely high-priced. 86.66% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, joining the labor force. Open graduating, alumni go on to take home approximately $70,800 per year, which is 70% above the national median.

Lewisburg, PA

www.bucknell.edu

A+

Rating

34%

Acceptance

3,842

Students

#67

Ranking

$57,882

Tuition

Villanova University

#91 PENNSYLVANIA

Villanova University is a large private institution located in Villanova, PA ranked 91st in the nation. It has a total of 7,676 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 28.24% of applicants. Villanova University offers 167 different majors and is best known for its Physical Sciences, Management Science, and Organizational Leadership programs (nationally ranked 4th, 6th, and 9th respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,550 per year, Villanova University is exceptionally high-priced. 60.52% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, entering the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to generate close to $77,900 per year, which is 88% over the national median.

Villanova, PA

www.villanova.edu

A+

Rating

28%

Acceptance

12,719

Students

#91

Ranking

$54,550

Tuition

Franklin and Marshall College

#92 PENNSYLVANIA

Franklin and Marshall College is a small private liberal arts college located in Lancaster, PA ranked 92nd in the nation. It has a total of 2,460 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 30.39% of applicants. Franklin and Marshall College offers 42 different majors and is best known for its Behavioral Sciences, German Language and Literature, and Creative Writing programs (nationally ranked 4th, 12th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $58,615 per year, Franklin and Marshall College is very pricey. 82.95% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to make approximately $58,900 per year, which is 42% greater than the national median.

Lancaster, PA

WWW.FANDM.EDU

A+

Rating

30%

Acceptance

2,460

Students

#92

Ranking

$58,615

Tuition

Bryn Mawr College

#93 PENNSYLVANIA

Bryn Mawr College is a small private liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, PA ranked 93rd in the United States. It has a total of 1,457 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting just shy of 1 in 3 applicants. Bryn Mawr College offers 55 different majors and is best known for its Archeology, Urban Studies, and Mathematics programs (nationally ranked 1st, 10th, and 15th respectively). With an annual tuition of $53,180 per year, Bryn Mawr College is exceptionally high-priced. 85.03% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to make approximately $54,600 per year, which is 31% greater than the national median.

Bryn Mawr, PA

www.brynmawr.edu

A+

Rating

33%

Acceptance

1,799

Students

#93

Ranking

$53,180

Tuition

Dickinson College

#103 PENNSYLVANIA

Dickinson College is a small private liberal arts college located in Carlisle, PA ranked 103rd in the nation. It has a total of 2,464 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting just north of 2/5ths of applicants. Dickinson College offers 41 different majors and is best known for its International Business, Archeology, and Russian Language and Literature programs (nationally ranked 6th, 9th, and 10th respectively). With an annual tuition of $55,948 per year, Dickinson College is exceptionally pricey. 87.61% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor force. Open graduating, alumni go on to bring in about $57,400 per year, which is 38% greater than the national median.

Carlisle, PA

https://www.dickinson.edu

A

Rating

40%

Acceptance

2,467

Students

#103

Ranking

$55,948

Tuition

Gettysburg College

#123 PENNSYLVANIA

Gettysburg College is a small private liberal arts college located in Gettysburg, PA ranked 123rd in the United States. It has a total of 2,679 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 48.04% of applicants. Gettysburg College offers 43 different majors and is best known for its Exercise Physiology, Public Policy Analysis, and Global Studies programs (nationally ranked 10th, 33rd, and 39th respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,390 per year, Gettysburg College is very pricey. 86.23% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn more or less $56,100 per year, which is 35% over the national median.

Gettysburg, PA

https://www.gettysburg.edu

A

Rating

48%

Acceptance

2,679

Students

#123

Ranking

$56,390

Tuition

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

#157 PENNSYLVANIA

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university located in Pittsburgh, PA ranked 157th in the US. It has a total of 20,856 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting virtually 5 in every 9 applicants. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers 422 different majors and is best known for its Rhetoric and Composition, Bioinformatics, and Biological and Physical Sciences programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $18,628 for in-state students and $32,656 for those from out-of-state, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is reasonably high-priced. 67.18% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to take home about $53,900 per year, which is 30% over the national median.

Pittsburgh, PA

www.pitt.edu

A

Rating

57%

Acceptance

31,667

Students

#157

Ranking

$32,656

Tuition

Muhlenberg College

#167 PENNSYLVANIA

Muhlenberg College is a small private liberal arts college located in Allentown, PA ranked 167th in the nation. It has a total of 2,443 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 66.24% acceptance rate. Muhlenberg College offers 89 different majors and is best known for its Drama and Dance programs, which are both ranked 18th in the nation. With an annual tuition of $53,865 per year, Muhlenberg College is exceptionally pricey. 80.21% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to earn around $59,400 per year, which is 43% over the national median.

Allentown, PA

www.muhlenberg.edu

A

Rating

66%

Acceptance

2,443

Students

#167

Ranking

$53,865

Tuition

Drexel University

#174 PENNSYLVANIA

Drexel University is a very large private university located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 174th in America. It has a total of 17,591 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 74.7% of applicants. Drexel University offers 360 different majors and is best known for its Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Business Management, and Culinary Arts programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $52,146 per year, Drexel University is extremely high-priced. 56.25% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn approximately $68,800 per year, which is 66% above the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

https://drexel.edu

A

Rating

75%

Acceptance

28,249

Students

#174

Ranking

$52,146

Tuition

Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences

#178 PENNSYLVANIA

Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences is a very small private university located in Reading, PA ranked 178th  in the nation. It has a total of 436 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 22.86% of applicants. Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences offers 4 different majors. With an annual tuition of $9,855 per year, Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences is relatively low-priced. 73.28% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn approximately $63,800 per year, which is 54% over the national median.

Reading, PA

www.readinghealth.org

A

Rating

23%

Acceptance

436

Students

#178

Ranking

$9,855

Tuition

Thomas Jefferson University

#187 PENNSYLVANIA

Thomas Jefferson University is a mid-sized private medical school located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 187th in the US. It has a total of 3,980 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 65.88% of applicants. Thomas Jefferson University offers 125 different majors and is best known for its Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Ultrasound Technology, Interior Architecture, and Fashion Merchandising programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $40,680 per year, Thomas Jefferson University is rather expensive. 73.57% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After finishing college, alumni go on to take in about $80,300 per year, which is 93% greater than the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

www.jefferson.edu

A

Rating

66%

Acceptance

8,773

Students

#187

Ranking

$40,680

Tuition

Saint Joseph's University

#198 PENNSYLVANIA

Saint Joseph's University is a mid-sized private college located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 198th in the nation. It has a total of 5,109 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting faintly below three fourths of applicants. Saint Joseph's University offers 142 different majors and is best known for its Insurance, Management Science, and Criminology programs (nationally ranked 6th, 7th, and 11th respectively). With an annual tuition of $46,350 per year, Saint Joseph's University is exceptionally high-priced. 73.11% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn close to $59,600 per year, which is 43% greater than the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

https://www.sju.edu

A

Rating

75%

Acceptance

8,805

Students

#198

Ranking

$46,350

Tuition

University of the Sciences

#208 PENNSYLVANIA

University of the Sciences is a small private college located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 208th in the United States. It has a total of 1,193 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting slightly north of 7 out of every 10 applicants. University of the Sciences offers 52 different majors and is best known for its Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Clinical Laboratory Science programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 4th, and 31st respectively). With an annual tuition of $23,300 per year, University of the Sciences is somewhat moderately pricey. 70.68% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to bring home more or less $91,600 per year, which is 121% greater than the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

www.usciences.edu

A

Rating

71%

Acceptance

2,422

Students

#208

Ranking

$23,300

Tuition

Allegheny College

#209 PENNSYLVANIA

Allegheny College is a small private liberal arts college located in Meadville, PA ranked 209th in the US. It has a total of 1,830 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 62.15% of applicants. Allegheny College offers 37 different majors and is best known for its Community Organization and Advocacy program, which is ranked 5th in the United States. With an annual tuition of $48,760 per year, Allegheny College is exceptionally expensive. 73.43% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to make about $50,900 per year, which is 23% above the national median.

Meadville, PA

https://allegheny.edu

A

Rating

62%

Acceptance

1,830

Students

#209

Ranking

$48,760

Tuition

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

#230 PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a very large public university located in University Park, PA ranked 230th in the US. It has a total of 42,805 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 75.94% of applicants. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers 481 different majors and is best known for its Architectural Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, and Foreign Language Teacher Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $17,416 for students from Pennsylvania and $34,480 for those from out-of-state, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is reasonably expensive. 60.08% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn around $50,100 per year, which is 21% above the national median.

University Park, PA

www.psu.edu/

A-

Rating

76%

Acceptance

49,935

Students

#230

Ranking

$34,480

Tuition

Temple University

#253 PENNSYLVANIA

Temple University is a very large public university located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 253rd in America. It has a total of 31,632 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting just about three out of every five applicants. Temple University offers 493 different majors and is best known for its Organizational Communication, Recreational Therapy, and Social Studies Teacher Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With an annual tuition of $16,080 for students from Pennsylvania and $28,992 for those from out-of-state, Temple University is somewhat moderately high-priced. 69.66% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to take in around $50,500 per year, which is 22% over the national median.

Philadelphia, PA

www.temple.edu

A-

Rating

60%

Acceptance

43,154

Students

#253

Ranking

$28,992

Tuition

Duquesne University

#254 PENNSYLVANIA

Duquesne University is a mid-sized private university located in Pittsburgh, PA ranked 254th in the nation. It has a total of 6,503 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting in the neighborhood of 75% of applicants. Duquesne University offers 191 different majors and is best known for its Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, and Web Design programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $39,992 per year, Duquesne University is rather expensive. 77.23% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring in more or less $58,500 per year, which is 41% greater than the national median.

Pittsburgh, PA

www.duq.edu

A-

Rating

74%

Acceptance

10,319

Students

#254

Ranking

$39,992

Tuition

Ursinus College

#270 PENNSYLVANIA

Ursinus College is a small private liberal arts college located in Collegeville, PA ranked 270th in the United States. It has a total of 1,472 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 79.09% of applicants. Ursinus College offers 44 different majors and is best known for its Applied Economics and Exercise Physiology programs, which are respectively ranked 3rd and 11th in America. With an annual tuition of $53,610 per year, Ursinus College is extremely high-priced. 74.62% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to earn near $55,200 per year, which is 33% greater than the national median.

Collegeville, PA

www.ursinus.edu

A-

Rating

79%

Acceptance

1,472

Students

#270

Ranking

$53,610

Tuition

University of Scranton

#292 PENNSYLVANIA

University of Scranton is a mid-sized private college located in Scranton, PA ranked 292nd in the US. It has a total of 3,801 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting just about three in four applicants. University of Scranton offers 122 different majors and is best known for its Broadcast Journalism, Operations Management and Supervision, and Human Services programs (nationally ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th respectively). With an annual tuition of $45,390 per year, University of Scranton is exceptionally costly. 73.18% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to take in approximately $57,500 per year, which is 38% greater than the national median.

Scranton, PA

www.scranton.edu

A-

Rating

76%

Acceptance

5,922

Students

#292

Ranking

$45,390

Tuition