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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Lincoln UniversityPublic | Lincoln University, PA | $43,167 Median Earnings (10yr) | $11,585 | 78.4% | 52.1% |
| #42 | Bryn Mawr CollegePrivate | Bryn Mawr, PA | $75,217 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,323 | 31.1% | 85.6% |
| #43 | Saint Vincent CollegePrivate | Latrobe, PA | $59,982 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,467 | 59.1% | 72.2% |
| #44 | Neumann UniversityPrivate | Aston, PA | $57,817 Median Earnings (10yr) | $25,012 | 76.4% | 46.1% |
| #45 | Gettysburg CollegePrivate | Gettysburg, PA | $71,517 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,666 | 47.5% | 82.7% |
| #46 | Gwynedd Mercy UniversityPrivate | Gwynedd Valley, PA | $67,145 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,013 | 93.6% | 58.5% |
| #47 | Allegheny CollegePrivate | Meadville, PA | $62,069 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,227 | 58.5% | 66.5% |
| #48 | York College Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | York, PA | $61,012 Median Earnings (10yr) | $14,792 | 94.2% | 59.7% |
| #49 | Duquesne UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $74,742 Median Earnings (10yr) | $25,943 | 78.8% | 75.5% |
| #50 | Wilkes UniversityPrivate | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $63,454 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,760 | 91.5% | 60.3% |
| #51 | Ursinus CollegePrivate | Collegeville, PA | $73,721 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,992 | 87.4% | 76.6% |
| #52 | Cabrini UniversityPrivate | Radnor, PA | $59,038 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,589 | 69.2% | 50.5% |
| #53 | Moravian UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $61,860 Median Earnings (10yr) | $26,159 | 54.0% | 71.1% |
| #54 | Chestnut Hill CollegePrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $52,015 Median Earnings (10yr) | $29,262 | 79.1% | 56.1% |
| #55 | Carlow UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $51,051 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,896 | 87.1% | 55.2% |
| #56 | Gannon UniversityPrivate | Erie, PA | $58,845 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,808 | 76.7% | 69.5% |
| #57 | Saint Francis UniversityPrivate | Loretto, PA | $62,101 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,256 | 76.9% | 72.8% |
| #58 | Misericordia UniversityPrivate | Dallas, PA | $64,313 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,361 | 84.9% | 69.2% |
| #59 | Cedar Crest CollegePrivate | Allentown, PA | $59,460 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,765 | 99.1% | 58.2% |
| #60 | Rosemont CollegePrivate | Rosemont, PA | $48,555 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,915 | 74.5% | 43.5% |
