Best Colleges in Pennsylvania + Full List of Schools

Pennsylvania's only Ivy League university, the University of Pennsylvania dates back to 1740. Today, more than 13,000 undergrads attend UPenn, with around half in the College of Arts and Sciences. Wharton and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also enroll around 3,500 undergrads.

Nearly 55,000 students applied to UPenn for the Class of 2026, and only 6% received an admission offer. That makes the private university one of the most selective in the state.

With its tree-filled campus, this liberal arts college feels like an escape from urban life. But top-ranked Swarthmore College is just 11 miles from Philadelphia. 

Swarthmore offers more than 40 majors, plus the option to design your own major. And while the private college sets high standards, first-year students enroll in classes pass/fail for their first semester. 

At Swarthmore, you'll take a hands-on approach to learning with fieldwork and internship opportunities. You can conduct an undergraduate research project, study abroad, or escape to Parrish Beach — a student lawn hangout that's only missing water.

Founded as a technical school in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University ranks as one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania. Over 14,500 students attend the private university, which stands out for its research and interdisciplinary programs.

You can study engineering, information science, or computer science at Carnegie Mellon. Or dive into business, the social sciences, or the humanities. The university's experiential learning focus is one reason that top companies like Google, Deloitte, and Pixar recruit at Carnegie Mellon.

The Lehigh Valley is one of Pennsylvania's most scenic spots. And Lehigh University brings around 7,400 students to the scenic town of Bethlehem. You choose from over 100 majors, including over a dozen interdisciplinary programs. Lehigh encourages innovation and hands-on learning in its programs.

As a private university, Lehigh offers many need-based financial aid programs. The college also reports that the average starting salary for its 2022 graduates reached $75,000.

Looking for a liberal arts college with quick access to a major city? Haverford College boasts a 200-acre arboretum campus that's a 20-minute train ride to Philadelphia. At Haverford, you choose from over 50 majors and complete a senior thesis. Nearly half of the 1,400 undergrads receive grants to pay for their degrees.

Just how many trees fill the Haverford campus? The private college reports a 6-to-1 tree-to-student ratio.

It's the only Augustinian Catholic university in the U.S. Villanova University offers personalized attention with a global perspective. You choose from over 60 majors, with several options for a joint bachelor's and master's degree. 

Located 12 miles from Philadelphia, Villanova enrolls 6,700 undergrads. The school's 260-acre campus offers easy access to the city with three campus rail stops. You can qualify for merit-based scholarships and need-based grants at this private university.

It's one of the top women's colleges in the country. Bryn Mawr College offers undergraduate programs for women and coed graduate schools. Thanks to its partnerships with Swarthmore, Haverford, and UPenn, Bryn Mawr students can expand their course options. 

You benefit from a residential college feel with easy access to Philadelphia. The liberal arts college provides grant-based financial aid to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for undergrads.

This public university has multiple regional campuses in the greater Pittsburgh area. The University of Pittsburgh boasts over 650 degree and certificate programs through its 16 schools and colleges. 

And the college offers a high-quality education at an affordable price for Pennsylvania residents. Thanks to the Pitt Pell Plus program, students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant receive a match from Pitt. Over 5,000 students take advantage of the program, with an average grant award of $4,500.

If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard of this Pennsylvania college. Pennsylvania State University is also the state's largest, with over 100,000 enrolled students when counting those enrolled at regional and online campuses.

You have over 275 majors to choose from at Penn State. Or expand your options with Penn State World Campus, which has more than 175 degrees and certificates. As a distance learner, you can pay a flat tuition rate and you'll also qualify for federal financial aid.

This public university dates back to 1884, when it was founded as a night school. Today, Temple University is the largest college in Philadelphia. The top-ranked school also offers over 500 academic programs at an affordable tuition rate. 

The Philadelphia skyline shines from Temple's main campus. Or you can earn a Temple degree online. Over half of Temple students receive merit-based scholarships, and the school awards over $100 million in scholarship annually.