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 | $124,586 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$3,012 | 5.4% | 96.5% |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $132,971 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,097 | 11.7% | 94.1% |
| #3 | Temple UniversityPublic | Philadelphia, PA | $67,232 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,694 | 80.4% | 75.0% |
| #4 | Philadelphia, PA | $50,788 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,728 | — | — | |
| #5 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $101,748 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,917 | 25.9% | 87.9% |
| #6 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $91,041 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,055 | 79.4% | 78.2% |
| #7 | Media, PA | $79,194 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,545 | 21.9% | — | |
| #8 | University Park, PA | $76,659 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,372 | 91.1% | 86.1% | |
| #9 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $87,195 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,537 | 81.0% | 68.6% |
| #10 | Holy Family UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $82,892 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,721 | 71.0% | 60.9% |
| #11 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | Villanova, PA | $104,228 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,823 | 27.0% | 91.9% |
| #12 | Philadelphia, PA | $114,014 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #13 | Reading, PA | $84,524 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | 29.3% | — | |
| #14 | Media, PA | $56,647 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,591 | — | — | |
| #15 | Harrisburg, PA | $79,778 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #16 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | Lewisburg, PA | $96,035 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,980 | 28.9% | 86.3% |
| #17 | West Chester, PA | $64,804 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,018 | 78.4% | 70.5% | |
| #18 | Bloomsburg, PA | $58,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,374 | 93.1% | 54.5% | |
| #19 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | Easton, PA | $91,758 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,716 | 31.4% | 87.6% |
| #20 | Bethlehem, PA | $49,408 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,986 | — | — |
