Best colleges Pennsylvania

2023 best colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania holds a few gems among its public, private, and religious institutions, including Penn State University, nicknamed one of the “Public Ivies” for the exceptional quality of its academics. Beyond academics, Penn State holds several national titles for football, boxing, and other sports. One of only nine colleges founded before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the University of Pennsylvania is known just as much for its Ivy League status as its social scene. To keep with the state’s historic theme, Pennsylvania is also home to the nation’s oldest art school and museum – The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

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#1 in Pennsylvania | #18 in History nationally

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 1.98

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $25,046

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 3.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $58,114

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $22,166

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 6%
Graduation rate: 97%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Pennsylvania | #75 in History nationally

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 3.97

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $34,378

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $50,365

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $14,588

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 80%
Graduation rate: 83%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Pennsylvania | #149 in History nationally
Economic score: 5.52

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $20,639

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $40,531

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $5,122

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 90%
Graduation rate: 62%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Pennsylvania | #156 in History nationally

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 5.86

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $31,383

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 7.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $43,725

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $8,155

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 84%
Graduation rate: 81%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Pennsylvania | #172 in History nationally

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 6.23

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $19,927

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,420

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $3,009

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 79%
Graduation rate: 67%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Pennsylvania | #182 in History nationally
Economic score: 6.61

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $21,484

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 7.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,725

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $3,292

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 89%
Graduation rate: 76%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Pennsylvania | #210 in History nationally
Economic score: 7.45

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $22,828

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 8.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,285

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,908

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 94%
Graduation rate: 58%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Pennsylvania | #227 in History nationally

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 7.96

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $23,888

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 8.5 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $37,969

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,417

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 72%
Graduation rate: 75%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Pennsylvania | #239 in History nationally

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 8.48

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $30,911

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 9.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $39,009

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $3,121

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 38%
Graduation rate: 85%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Pennsylvania | #240 in History nationally

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 8.48

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $43,895

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 10.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $42,682

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $6,779

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 35%
Graduation rate: 91%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Pennsylvania | #242 in History nationally

Washington & Jefferson College

Washington, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 8.55

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $28,635

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 9.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,289

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,726

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 84%
Graduation rate: 74%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in Pennsylvania | #255 in History nationally

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 9.42

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $33,492

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 10.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $39,009

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $3,249

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 83%
Graduation rate: 81%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in Pennsylvania | #278 in History nationally
Economic score: 10.73

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $23,006

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 10.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $35,282

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $122

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 93%
Graduation rate: 60%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in Pennsylvania | #291 in History nationally

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 11.37

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $20,141

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 10.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $33,733

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $1,741

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 93%
Graduation rate: 57%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in Pennsylvania | #324 in History nationally
Economic score: 15.50

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $23,133

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 14.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,842

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $2,575

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 96%
Graduation rate: 60%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#16 in Pennsylvania | #331 in History nationally
Economic score: 17.55

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $27,058

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 16.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $32,609

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $3,030

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 67%
Graduation rate: 82%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#17 in Pennsylvania | #349 in History nationally

Albright College

Reading, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 21.93

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $19,427

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 18.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $29,685

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $5,967

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 76%
Graduation rate: 60%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#18 in Pennsylvania | #374 in History nationally

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Economic score: 39.10

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $27,936

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 31.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $28,598

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $7,278

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 56%
Graduation rate: 81%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#19 in Pennsylvania | #376 in History nationally
Economic score: 44.16

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $19,117

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 34.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $27,916

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $7,491

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 97%
Graduation rate: 56%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#20 in Pennsylvania | #380 in History nationally
Economic score: 56.53

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $23,227

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 44.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $27,765

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $7,682

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 97%
Graduation rate: 58%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

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How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in history in Pennsylvania?

Years

13.1 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in history in Pennsylvania is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 13.1 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in history earn in Pennsylvania?

Salary

$35,338

The median bachelor's degree in history graduate earns $35,338 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in history cost in Pennsylvania?

Net cost

$25,281

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in history is $25,281. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.