Explore Pennsylvania Colleges
Explore 131 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, including 38 public institutions and 93 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
131
Colleges
38
Public
93
Private
Avg Acceptance Rate
Average acceptance rate for Pennsylvania colleges
Avg Net Price
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
For public universities
Pennsylvania has a major public university system that serve students across the state. Understanding these systems can help you find the right fit.
Pennsylvania is a diverse state with distinct college regions. Explore schools by area to find the campus environment that fits your lifestyle.
See how Pennsylvania colleges compare head-to-head on acceptance rates, costs, and outcomes.
Browse 131 colleges in Pennsylvania, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
#2 in Nursing
Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance
5%
Total Cost
$75,386
SAT
1510–1570
Ben Franklin's urban powerhouse where pre-professional hustlers chase Wharton deals, biotech breakthroughs, and Ivy ambition amid Philly's historic grit.
#5 in Liberal Arts
Swarthmore, PA
Acceptance
7%
Total Cost
$79,236
SAT
1490–1560
Swarthmore: the fiercely intellectual Quaker enclave where you'll wrestle big ideas alongside hyper-driven peers in a leafy Philly suburb.
#5 in Mathematics
Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance
12%
Total Cost
$78,030
SAT
1500–1570
At Carnegie Mellon, you'll hack code by day and improvise drama by night in Pittsburgh's reinvented steel-town grit.
#7 in Nursing
Villanova, PA
Acceptance
27%
Total Cost
$78,462
SAT
1395–1510
Philly suburb's spirited Augustinian hub where hoops frenzy meets service-driven ambition on a polished Main Line campus.
#10 in Liberal Arts
Haverford, PA
Acceptance
12%
Total Cost
$82,020
SAT
1460–1550
Quaker-forged liberal arts college where an ironclad Honor Code lets you self-schedule exams and run your own dorms in a trust-soaked bubble near Philly.
#15 in Nursing
Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance
58%
Total Cost
$33,380
SAT
1280–1460
Pitt delivers gritty urban ambition in the City of Bridges, where you'll tackle world-class research amid Pittsburgh's steel-forged revival.
#17 in Communications
University Park, PA
Acceptance
61%
Total Cost
$34,330
SAT
1240–1420
At Penn State University Park, you'll dive into the thunderous heartbeat of a massive land-grant powerhouse where Nittany Lion pride fuels everything from football frenzies to world-changing research.
#18 in Business
Bethlehem, PA
Acceptance
26%
Total Cost
$76,190
SAT
1370–1500
Nestled on a Pennsylvania mountain overlooking a reinvented steel town, Lehigh turns ambitious tinkerers into industry leaders through hands-on engineering and spirited traditions.
#22 in Nursing
Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance
79%
Total Cost
$74,691
SAT
1240–1440
Drexel turns college into a launchpad with the nation's largest mandatory co-op program, blending classes and full-time jobs from day one.
#28 in Liberal Arts
Lewisburg, PA
Acceptance
29%
Total Cost
$78,332
SAT
1310–1470
Bucknell delivers intimate liberal arts depth fused with powerhouse engineering on a postcard-perfect campus where you'll cheer for the Bison amid Pennsylvania's rolling hills.
University of Pennsylvania is the highest-ranked university in Pennsylvania, ranked #10 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at Pennsylvania colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $29,817 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $32,474. After financial aid, the average net price is $24,267.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in Pennsylvania is 77%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
Pennsylvania has a major public university system: Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Together, these systems include 10 campuses serving hundreds of thousands of students. PASSHE provides affordable public higher education through 10 universities across Pennsylvania.
To qualify for in-state tuition at Pennsylvania public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a Pennsylvania driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
Pennsylvania is located in the Northeast region of the United States. Home to the Ivy League and some of America's oldest universities, the Northeast offers a rich academic tradition with diverse urban and rural campuses.
Pennsylvania offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $24,267. Public universities in Pennsylvania provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.
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