Colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to an extraordinarily diverse higher education landscape — from Ivy League Penn to massive public Penn State, from research powerhouse Carnegie Mellon to hundreds of smaller liberal arts colleges. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are both major college cities with thriving job markets in healthcare, tech, and finance.
Top Colleges in Pennsylvania by Enrollment
| School | |
|---|---|
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | View → |
Temple University Philadelphia, PA · Public | View → |
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public | View → |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA · Public | View → |
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA · Public | View → |
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public | View → |
Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public | View → |
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Villanova University Villanova, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA · Public | View → |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Indiana, PA · Public | View → |
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA · Public | View → |
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA · Public | View → |
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA · Public | View → |
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA · Public | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions — Colleges in Pennsylvania
How many colleges are in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has 100+ bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities. Pennsylvania has more than 250 colleges and universities, the third-highest concentration of higher education institutions of any state.
What is the cheapest college in Pennsylvania?
Average net prices at Pennsylvania colleges range from under $10,000/year at some public schools for in-state students to over $35,000 at private institutions. Use the DecideMyCampus search to filter PA schools by net price and find the most affordable option for your income level.
What is the best public university in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania State University is widely considered the flagship public university in Pennsylvania. However, "best" depends on your major, budget, and priorities. Use DecideMyCampus to compare all PA public schools by graduation rates, earnings, and cost.
Do Pennsylvania colleges offer in-state tuition?
Yes — public universities in Pennsylvania offer significantly lower tuition for residents. In-state tuition savings can be $10,000–$25,000 per year compared to out-of-state rates. The DecideMyCampus school pages show both in-state and out-of-state tuition costs.
College Cities in Pennsylvania
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