Public Universities in Pennsylvania: A Complete List
Over a quarter of a million college students attend public universities in Pennsylvania. Are you ready to join them?
The Keystone State has many affordable, top-ranked public colleges. You can choose a large, urban college like Pitt or Temple, or get the college-town experience in rural Pennsylvania.
Learn more about popular public universities, and check out our full list of public colleges in Pennsylvania to find the best fit for you.
5 Popular Public Universities in Pennsylvania
The following public colleges in Pennsylvania offer a wealth of student resources, boast top-notch reputations, and provide a rigorous academic experience.
1. Pennsylvania State University
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $26,747
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Total Student Enrollment: 50,028
If you know anything about public universities in Pennsylvania, you’ve probably heard of Penn State. Known for its college athletics, Penn State is also the largest university in the Keystone State. Including its 24 regional campuses and the online World Campus, the public university enrolls nearly 100,000 students.
Penn State offers more than 275 majors from its main campus. You can also participate in internships, undergraduate research projects, and student organizations to round out your education.
2. Temple University
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $23,935
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Total Student Enrollment: 33,196
Philadelphia’s public university is also the largest college in the City of Brotherly Love. In between classes, Temple students take advantage of Philly’s sports, art, and food culture. The bustling campus overlooks the city’s skyline, offering historical and state-of-the-art architecture with a residential feel.
You’ll have 17 schools and colleges to learn from at Temple, with over 500 academic programs. Complete a community service project, join a student club, or hop on the Broad Street Line to explore the city.
3. University of Pittsburgh
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $24,286
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Total Student Enrollment: 33,767
One of the largest universities in Pennsylvania, Pitt dates back to 1787, when it began as a log cabin. Today, the public college enrolls over 33,000 students and offers nearly 650 degree and certificate options.
Want to dive into student life? The campus is always active thanks to an energized student community. You can choose from over 600 student organizations at Pitt. You’ll get hands-on experience along with classroom learning, since 84% of undergrads complete an internship.
Featured Online Programs
4. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $20,205
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Total Student Enrollment: 8,816
IUP is one of the most affordable public colleges in Pennsylvania. The school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, a small town an hour northeast of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania residents can earn their degree for around just $7,000 per year in tuition and fees.
Here, you can choose from over 160 undergraduate and graduate programs. The 374-acre campus is crisscrossed by rivers, and you can also enroll in a study abroad program. IUP encourages personal growth in its students.
5. Slippery Rock University
- Avg. Annual Net Price: $17,873
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Total Student Enrollment: 8,221
A mid-sized public college in western Pennsylvania, SRU dates back to 1889. An hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh, the 660-acre campus offers a college-town feel. You’ll share the rural town of Slippery Rock with 3,000 residents.
Over 90% of first-year students live on campus, and nearly 90% of undergrads come from Pennsylvania. SRU offers a significant tuition discount for out-of-state students with a 3.0 GPA, who pay around $4,000 more than in-state tuition and fees.
List of All Public Universities in Pennsylvania
We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit public universities in Pennsylvania. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Note that schools with fewer than 500 undergrads were excluded from this list.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 697 | $11,588 | 100% | N/A |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | 12,074 | $17,412 | 94% | 9,570 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 5,143 | $17,278 | 94% | 5,679 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | 8,816 | $20,205 | 92% | 8,603 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 7,455 | $20,776 | 96% | 7,248 |
| Lincoln University | 1,824 | $15,502 | 81% | 6,699 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 6,775 | $21,076 | 92% | 6,506 |
| Pennsylvania State University | 50,028 | $26,747 | 55% | 85,784 |
| Penn State Abington | 3,090 | $20,460 | 93% | 6,463 |
| Penn State Altoona | 2,577 | $20,621 | 96% | 7,523 |
| Penn State Beaver | 522 | $18,113 | 93% | 1,707 |
| Penn State Berks | 2,077 | $21,728 | 97% | 5,605 |
| Penn State Brandywine | 1,196 | $21,600 | 96% | 2,440 |
| Penn State Erie-Behrend College | 3,295 | $21,968 | 95% | 4,363 |
| Penn State Harrisburg | 4,572 | $22,096 | 96% | 9,925 |
| Penn State Lehigh Valley | 888 | $18,142 | 94% | 1,806 |
| Penn State Mont Alto | 670 | $19,838 | 91% | 678 |
| Penn State Schuylkill | 623 | $17,252 | 86% | 928 |
| Penn State Scranton | 875 | $16,594 | 94% | 2,297 |
| Penn State World Campus | 13,979 | $19,551 | 82% | 857 |
| Penn State York | 718 | $18,910 | 93% | 2,005 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | 12,778 | $18,527 | 94% | 8,463 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | 5,162 | $21,462 | 88% | 6,367 |
| Slippery Rock University | 8,221 | $17,873 | 74% | 5,591 |
| Temple University | 33,196 | $23,935 | 80% | 38,666 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 33,767 | $24,286 | 49% | 53,072 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | 1,074 | $16,505 | 94% | 5,071 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | 1,328 | $18,194 | 98% | 3,003 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | 2,043 | $17,545 | 97% | 3,470 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 17,275 | $22,973 | 88% | 14,778 |
Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
How much does it cost to live and study in Pennsylvania? The cost of living in Pennsylvania is in line with many other states; however, cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh report higher costs of living than rural areas.
Cost of living is a great factor to consider when choosing a college. Average incomes can also tell you how much you can potentially earn after finishing school. For example, Pennsylvania households earn an average of around $75,000 per year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
The largest expenses for Pennsylvania residents include housing, transportation, and food, followed by healthcare and utilities.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Pennsylvania
After graduating from a public university in Pennsylvania, you’ll qualify for many high-paying careers that require a bachelor’s degree.
The state’s best-paying jobs without a graduate degree include roles in finance, management, tech, and engineering. Many of these job titles report median salaries of over $120,000 per year, as the table shows.
| Job | Median 2022 Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors | $163,400 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $155,290 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $153,000 |
| Financial Managers | $149,150 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $145,290 |
| Public Relations Managers | $130,490 |
| Actuaries | $122,910 |
| Nuclear Engineers | $122,440 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $120,530 |
| Database Architects | $120,180 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Universities in Pennsylvania
How many public universities are in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has over 30 public nonprofit four-year universities, including branch campuses of universities like Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh. The public colleges in Pennsylvania enroll more than 225,000 students, according to NCES data.
Penn State is the largest public university, with around 50,000 students. Excluding other Penn State campuses, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, an HBCU, is the smallest public school in Pennsylvania, with around 700 students.
What is the No. 1 public college in Pennsylvania?
Penn State and Pitt are both considered top public colleges in Pennsylvania. They’re also two of the most selective universities in Pennsylvania. Penn State received over 85,000 applications in fall 2022 and admitted 55% of applicants. Pitt received roughly 53,000 applications and admitted 49% of applicants.
What is the largest university in Pennsylvania?
Penn State is the largest university in Pennsylvania by enrollment. The university reports that nearly 89,000 students enroll across all of its campuses, with additional students attending the online World Campus. The main campus in University Park welcomed just over 50,000 students in fall 2022, according to NCES.
Pitt and Temple are the next largest public colleges in Pennsylvania. Pitt enrolls just under 34,000 students, while Temple enrolls 33,000.
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