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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Lebanon Valley CollegePrivate | Annville, PA | $62,621 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,164 | 74.5% | 72.5% |
| #62 | Chatham UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $52,410 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,839 | 70.1% | 66.2% |
| #63 | Bryn Athyn, PA | $40,457 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,261 | 74.2% | 46.3% | |
| #64 | Marywood UniversityPrivate | Scranton, PA | $55,817 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,389 | 83.7% | 72.5% |
| #65 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | Selinsgrove, PA | $61,723 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,251 | 78.7% | 74.1% |
| #66 | Desales UniversityPrivate | Center Valley, PA | $61,295 Median Earnings (10yr) | $22,193 | 78.6% | 71.0% |
| #67 | Eastern UniversityPrivate | Saint Davids, PA | $51,655 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,050 | 93.6% | 56.0% |
| #68 | Cheyney, PA | $37,837 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,536 | — | 16.2% | |
| #69 | Waynesburg UniversityPrivate | Waynesburg, PA | $58,537 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,790 | 91.7% | 60.5% |
| #70 | Arcadia UniversityPrivate | Glenside, PA | $58,336 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,744 | 79.2% | 64.0% |
| #71 | King's CollegePrivate | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,498 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,178 | 93.2% | 60.1% |
| #72 | Elizabethtown CollegePrivate | Elizabethtown, PA | $62,399 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,946 | 76.8% | 77.1% |
| #73 | Geneva CollegePrivate | Beaver Falls, PA | $50,004 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,950 | — | 61.5% |
| #74 | Keystone CollegePrivate | La Plume, PA | $44,976 Median Earnings (10yr) | $21,257 | 79.6% | 41.2% |
| #75 | Juniata CollegePrivate | Huntingdon, PA | $56,918 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,472 | 71.7% | 68.9% |
| #76 | Thiel CollegePrivate | Greenville, PA | $49,714 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,731 | 70.6% | 43.5% |
| #77 | Mercyhurst UniversityPrivate | Erie, PA | $47,452 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,981 | 83.2% | 58.7% |
| #78 | Westminster CollegePrivate | New Wilmington, PA | $53,861 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,065 | 85.5% | 65.9% |
| #79 | Delaware Valley UniversityPrivate | Doylestown, PA | $55,838 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,575 | 92.5% | 52.2% |
| #80 | Lancaster Bible CollegePrivate | Lancaster, PA | $44,096 Median Earnings (10yr) | $18,652 | 95.2% | 71.4% |
