Home to 94 ranked institutions, Pennsylvania offers a diverse higher education landscape ranging from research powerhouses like Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus to specialized regional colleges. Graduates earn a median of $60,916 ten years after enrollment, with public universities comprising 18% of the state's offerings while private colleges dominate the educational ecosystem.
Graduates from Pennsylvania institutions earn between $29,881 and $114,862 ten years after enrollment—$5,099 higher than the national average. Carnegie Mellon University produces the highest-earning graduates at $114,862, while University of Pennsylvania follows closely at $111,371, demonstrating how program selection and institutional reputation directly impact career outcomes across the state's acceptance rate spectrum.
While Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus dominates the rankings with its 1.3 Azimuth Score, students looking for more accessible admissions should consider this same institution's strategic positioning. With an 80% acceptance rate, it offers exceptional value for students prioritizing strong outcomes without the selectivity barriers typical of top-tier institutions, making quality education accessible to a broader range of in-state tuition beneficiaries.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $111,371 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,026 | 5.9% | 96.8% |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $114,862 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,460 | 11.4% | 92.5% |
| #3 | Temple UniversityPublic | Philadelphia, PA | $63,727 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,080 | 82.9% | 74.7% |
| #4 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $105,584 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,440 | 29.3% | 89.2% |
| #5 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $84,648 Median Earnings (10yr) | $27,737 | 77.5% | 77.1% |
| #6 | Swarthmore CollegePrivate | Swarthmore, PA | $80,257 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,580 | 6.9% | 94.1% |
| #7 | University Park, PA | $63,435 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,032 | 80.3% | 85.7% | |
| #8 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $77,449 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,809 | 86.1% | 68.2% |
| #9 | Holy Family UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $62,235 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,401 | 74.2% | 60.4% |
| #10 | Haverford CollegePrivate | Haverford, PA | $79,966 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,600 | 12.9% | 89.4% |
| #11 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | Villanova, PA | $100,423 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,914 | 25.1% | 92.4% |
| #12 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | Easton, PA | $91,410 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,903 | 31.5% | 88.0% |
| #13 | East Stroudsburg, PA | $56,148 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,003 | 92.9% | 43.8% | |
| #14 | West Chester, PA | $61,258 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,800 | 79.2% | 69.8% | |
| #15 | Bradford, PA | $66,125 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,352 | 90.8% | 43.4% | |
| #16 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | Lewisburg, PA | $93,807 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,406 | 32.0% | 86.2% |
| #17 | Bloomsburg, PA | $52,416 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,799 | 94.8% | 53.0% | |
| #18 | Lancaster, PA | $76,124 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,331 | 31.8% | 86.0% | |
| #19 | Pittsburgh, PA | $66,125 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,007 | 49.7% | 84.3% | |
| #20 | La Salle UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $67,416 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,702 | 86.2% | 57.9% |
