Best Colleges In Pennsylvania

Are you a student (or parent) living in the northeast and looking for the perfect undergraduate college? Look no further than the great state of Pennsylvania! In this article, you'll find some of the best universities and colleges in Pennsylvania for your future college admissions plans. 

Whether searching for renowned research institutions, technologically savvy schools, or small-town charm with big-city vibes, there is something that matches everyone's needs and ambitions.

From Ivy League Universities to community colleges, this comprehensive roundup will help guide you to decide where to pursue your higher education goals. Read on to learn more about each college and discover what makes them unique!

Pennsylvania is a beautiful place that's rich in American history. But apart from its magnificent past, you'll find more than 100 contemporary institutions of higher education available throughout the state. Therefore, there are plenty of options which you and your child can choose from during senior year of high school.

With the many options available, however, settling for one can be daunting. Therefore, this list is created to help you find a suitable or the best colleges in Pennsylvania to earn your degree. Research is the first step to narrowing down your final list.

Below is a list of the different universities and colleges in Pennsylvania you and your child can consider during your college search:

A well-known Ivy League school, and an obvious first on our list, is the University of Pennsylvania. UPenn is consistently ranked as one of the top ten schools in the United States. Therefore, you can expect that this state school will have top-tier academic programs across many disciplines. Its lively academic body also makes it a perfect spot for socializing with other students.

Since UPenn has a lively social environment, you can choose from several clubs, fraternities, sororities, and organizations. It also offers 12 schools within the university system featuring various highly ranked graduate programs, such as Wharton School. Several notable icons came from these schools, such as John Legend and Elon Musk.

More Information About UPenn:

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Setting: Urban
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Undergrad enrollment: 23,431
• Tuition and fees: $63,452

Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is one of the most impressive colleges in Pennsylvania. It's a private institution that was founded in 1900 by it’s namesake, Andrew Carnegie. The academic calendar at CMU is based on semesters. While it specializes in technical courses, such as engineering, the school also offers excellent creative fields, such as drama.

Currently, Carnegie Mellon University supports several exceptional schools and colleges. One great example is the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. However, it also has graduate programs, like the revered Tepper School of Business.

More information about Carnegie Mellon University:

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Setting: Urban
• Acceptance rate: 17%
• Undergrad enrollment: 15,818
• Tuition and fees: $61,344

One of the most distinguished private colleges in PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school with an urbanized setting. It's located in Bethlehem, PA. This university owns a medium-sized campus that sits on 2,355 acres of land. First-year students are required to live on campus, while sophomores need to stay in Greek housing or residence halls on campus as well.

Lehigh University has five schools ideal for business majors and more: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Education, and the College of Health. 

More information about Lehigh:

• Location: Bethlehem, PA
• Setting: City
• Acceptance rate: 46%
• Undergrad enrollment: 7,263
• Tuition and fees: $59,930

Another one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania is Villanova University. It's located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and boasts a cozy suburban setting with a small campus of only 260 acres. 

The university is affiliated with the Augustinian Order and was named after the Spanish Augustinian St. Thomas of Villanova. It also has abundant academic majors within six different colleges. One of its graduate programs is the Charles Widger School of Law.

More information about Villanova University:

• Location: Villanova, PA
• Setting: Suburban
• Acceptance rate: 25%
• Undergrad enrollment: 10,870
• Tuition and fees: $61,868

Students who want to earn their bachelor's degree in the northeast US can enjoy Swarthmore College's benefits. It has a small student size, which means it's a tight-knit community. The Quakers originally founded it, although it shed its religious affiliation many years ago. But what makes Swarthmore College one of the most notable colleges in PA is that it allows its students to create and design their own course plans and majors.

Its 86% freshman retention rate means students like the college's atmosphere and environment. Furthermore, it is one of the most exceptional schools nationwide and received the top 5% of all colleges and universities.

More information about Swarthmore:

• Location: Swarthmore, PA
• Setting: Suburban
• Acceptance rate: 9%
• Undergrad enrollment: 1,437
• Tuition and fees: $46,621

The University of Pittsburgh, colloquially known as “Pitt,” is another one of the most sought-after colleges in Pennsylvania. It's a public institution founded in 1787 with an urban setting on 145 acres. It offers numerous chances for its students to specialize within their 82 majors.

With its Greek community encompassing about 40 fraternities and sororities, it’s one of the ideal colleges in Pennsylvania for students to socialize at panhellenic events. Moreover, their Pitt Pride allows them access to a sizable active alumni network for resource guidance.

More information about Pitt:

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Setting: Urban
• Acceptance rate: 67%
• Undergrad enrollment: 29,238
• Tuition and fees: $36,000

The Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, remains one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania today. Its campus size is a whopping 7,958 acres, with a city setting. Apart from that, it landed the #77 rank for Best Colleges in National Universities during the 2022-2023 edition. With its large capacity, it's home to about 45,000 total students.

If you want many choices, Penn State is one of the colleges that should be near the top of your list. It has 275 majors and 1,000 student organizations, which you can consider. Plus, there's never a dull moment here—known as Happy Valley, this college offerso many possibilities for a solid social life while earning more resources.

More information about Penn State:

• Location: University Park, PA
• Setting: City
• Acceptance rate: 58%
• Undergrad enrollment: 47,560
• Tuition and fees: In-state tuition and fees are $18,898, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,476

Founded in 1891, Drexel University is another one of the most popular colleges in Pennsylvania, with a relatively tiny campus size of only 96 acres. However, it has an overall ranking of #105 in the Best Colleges in National Universities 2022-2023 edition. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar, meaning students must take classes for three months a quarter. Some students find this accelerated pace helps them learn more within a short amount of time.

Plus, Drexel University is one of the colleges in PA that offers its students various professional connections with companies and graduates all over the world. Hence, it provides excellent opportunities for their future career paths or even further education. With its on-the-job experience and in-class education, students can get a mix of both before they graduate. It allows students to experience the real world job market before they're even ready to search!

More information about Drexel University:

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Setting: Urban
• Acceptance rate: 83%
• Undergrad enrollment: 12,834
• Tuition and fees: $58,965

A small liberal arts college, Haverford College is one of Pennsylvania's high-quality colleges that's part of the Tri-College and Quaker Consortium. It's a private institution with a small population, but it landed the #7th spot for the 2023 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. 

It has a simple 8:1 student-to-faculty, meaning students have more chances to work closely with their professors for a more in-depth experience. Therefore, teachers can better their students for academic engagement and success.

More information about Haverford College:

• Location: Haverford, PA
• Setting: Suburban
• Acceptance rate: 18%
• Undergrad enrollment: 1,307
• Tuition and fees: $60,940

As a parent or a student who's thinking ahead, you may be wondering what degree you'll get 

and where to earn it. Fortunately, the state of Pennsylvania offers hundreds of private and public institutions for you to choose from.

But if you're still on the fence, Empowerly is here to give you a consultation. We'll help you choose the best colleges in Pennsylvania that will bring out your talents and skills as you achieve your dreams.