Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
Humid summers and cold winters are typical in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Keystone State, where the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, were drafted, is also known for the Carnegie Museums, National Aviary, and for creating the first zoo in the nation. There are a variety of colleges in Pennsylvania, including Bible colleges, private baccalaureate institutions, for-profit schools, doctoral colleges, and the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, which includes more than 30 colleges and universities. Pennsylvania is also home to several specialized institutions and a Talmudical college. The oldest institution in the state is the University of Pennsylvania, which also debuted the country’s first medical college in 1874. Chemical manufacturing, coal mining, and food products are key areas of Pennsylvania’s economy, while other major industries include broadcasting and telecommunication, as well as administrative and support services. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Hersheypark, and the Liberty Bell are prime attractions.
How Were the Top Schools in Pennsylvania Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League institution in Philadelphia. UPenn hosts 12 schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic fields of study. Additionally, UPenn’s Gothic-style...
I think it's the perfect school for me.
” – Katherine from Murrieta, CA
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1864. The college was founded by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and its "most selective" admissions process is also need-blind. The 425-acre...
Swarthmore is one of the toughest colleges in the country, but it pays off. Aside from major intro classes like Psch 1 and Bio 1&2, class sizes are very small. Professors are brilliant and AVAILABLE--unlike profs at huge research universities, they...
” – Some Swattie
Haverford College is a 4-year liberal arts college in the Philadelphia metro area. Founded in 1833 as a Quaker school, Haverford now grants bachelor’s degrees in 29 academic majors and all degrees culminate in a senior thesis research project. With a...
Haverford is a fantastic academic environment. In my experience, professors really care about their subject and their students. Overall, they are incredibly approachable and always interested in helping you learn and eager to discuss issues that are...
” – female from MN
Carnegie Mellon University stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and we tap into our diverse community and world-leading digital technologies across business, engineering, the sciences, the humanities and the arts to chart...
The amount of things you learn throughout your classes is amazing to me. Just this past 2 weeks, I've learned so many things about programming that it has made a noticeable change in how I approach problems.
” – Mathew from Jensen Beach, FL
Founded by a local industrialist and philanthropist, Lehigh University is a 4-year private school in eastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. Lehigh is home to colleges of Business, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, Health, and Education granting...
Even though I'm taking mostly prerequisite classes right now, they are more advanced than anything I'd taken in high school and the teaching styles of the professors are conducive to learning. The learning that occurs on campus isn't limited to...
” – Stacy from Hope Valley, RI
Lafayette College is based in Easton, PA, and is considered a “Hidden Ivy.” This private college leads all other liberal arts colleges in the US with the most Goldwater Scholarship recipients. Lafayette is ranked on several lists by The Princeton...
The professors take a genuine interest in their students and are more than willing to offer their time and assistance.
Lafayette offers a broad variety of programs to help prepare you for the future. Personal meetings with counselors help you to...
” – Amanda from Moorestown, NJ
Founded in 1787 thanks to a donation from Benjamin Franklin, Franklin & Marshall College is a 4-year liberal arts college in southeast Pennsylvania. Franklin & Marshall grants undergraduate degrees in 60 academic fields of study. For students who...
Franklin & Marshall is about the liberal arts experience. You are not there to become a doctor, or a lawyer or a business professional; you are there to learn, to create, and to explore. This school emphasizes that this is the ONE CHANCE in your life...
” – Ashley from Burlington, VT
Founded in 1842 by the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine, Villanova University is a 4-year research institution in the Philadelphia area and the oldest Catholic school in Pennsylvania. Villanova is home to six colleges and schools conferring...
The class experiences are definitely rewarding if you put the time and effort into the course material. Those who stay reasonably caught up with assigned readings and homework will get a lot out of the courses and will find they learn much more than...
” – David from Williamstown, NJ
Bucknell University is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. As one of the nation's preeminent liberal arts universities and Division I schools, Bucknell offers a world-class learning experience where...
As a small private school, Bucknell pays attention to their students. I have never had a hard time talking or staying after with professors. They truly care that you learn the material and know your name. Taking on average five courses a semester...
” – Margaret from Islip, NY
For almost 200 years, Gettysburg College has provided a consequential education to generations of innovative, driven students and encouraged them to Do Great Work in their communities and across the world. Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is a...
Gettysburg is almost like a dream. I feel more at home here than I do anywhere else and being on campus makes me smile. I feel really lucky to get to attend this school and am really going to miss it when I graduate.
” – Kaytie from MA
Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is a women’s liberal arts institution in the greater Philadelphia area and part of the Seven Sisters. Bryn Mawr offers undergraduate degrees in 37 majors and was the first women’s college to confer a PhD...
The campus is absolutely beautiful. The academics are rigorous.
” – Mary from plano, TX
Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is a selective, private, four-year liberal arts college located in the beautiful Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania. With over 1900 students, 39 majors, 36 minors and an 9:1 student to faculty ratio, students experience...
The professors truly care about your progress and the liberal arts philosophy really allows you to challenge yourself in a variety of academic areas.
” – Samantha from Voorhees, NJ
Pennsylvania State University, Penn State, is a land-, sea-, and space-grant university with a main campus in University Park. This public research institution was founded in 1855 and is one of the largest universities in the US by student body. Its...
Penn State is a first class University. Professors are both well informed and intriguing. Even the biggest lecture classes can seem like an engaging one on one meeting. The class listings also are very various and allow for much customization in...
” – Eric from Winburne, PA
Allegheny College is a 4-year liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania dedicated to providing students an education across a variety of subjects. Allegheny grants bachelor’s degrees in 31 areas of study and all students are required to take at...
If you weren't a hand-raiser before coming to Allegheny, it just might turn you into one. Class discussions never fail to be compelling, and even lecture classes are stimulating and never too large to exclude anyone. There is admittedly a heavy...
” – Roma from Morristown, NJ
Chartered in 1783, Dickinson College is a liberal arts college in southeast Pennsylvania and the first college founded after the American Revolution. Dickinson grants bachelor’s degrees in over 45 academic fields of study and all majors include the...
Dickinson is a top-quality liberal arts institution that works to provide each student with as many opportunities as they possibly can. Academically, Dickinson is top of the line, and despite its size, it boasts huge number of wonderful opportunities...
” – Morgan from Schuylkill Haven, PA
Founded in 1876, Juniata College is a 4-year liberal arts college in central Pennsylvania affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. Instead of conventional majors, Juniata features Programs of Emphasis which challenge students to develop their own...
I'm looking to major in Biology, and this looks like a great place to go for it. The program is very diverse, and surprisingly varied for a school of its size. I haven't gotten to sit in on classes (I've been accepted, and they're at the top of my...
” – Megan from New Market, MD
Founded in 1787 as the Pittsburgh academy, the University of Pittsburgh is a 4-year state-related research institution. Pitt is composed of 16 colleges and universities granting undergraduate degrees in numerous academic majors and minors. The Pitt...
The professors are great, but in order to take advantage of all they have to offer, you have to GO to class!! Also, create a relationship with them - it may come in handy for research or internship opportunities.
” – Lauren from Harrison City, PA
Built for a future that has yet to be defined, Jefferson is crossing disciplines to bring unrivaled innovation and discovery to higher education. Through boundary-breaking collaboration, research and hands-on, experiential learning, we equip...
This school is very well developed. You learn alot of information needed for your major. Many opportunities are offered. Have excellent internship programs to help you have an idea of what to expect after graduation. Many clubs and organizations...
” – Adji from Philadelphia, PA
Founded in 1846, Saint Vincent College is a private institution operated by Benedictine monks. The college combines Catholic and Benedictine tradition with a liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Rated as having “selective” admissions, the college is...
I chose to come to St. Vincent because I knew that I wanted to major in the sciences. They have a new state of the art science center and the teachers here really know what they are talking about.
” – Sara from Scottdale, PA
With campus overlooking Perkiomen Creek, Ursinus College is a 4-year liberal arts college in the Philadelphia metro area. Ursinus grants bachelor’s degrees in 60 academic areas of study and all first year students are enrolled in the college’s...
The professors are always there for students anytime the student needs help. It is important to the university that the students truly understand the material, instead of just squeezing by. All of the professors have a wide range of knowledge and...
” – Stephanie