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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #141 | Rosemont CollegePrivate | Rosemont, PA | $59,674 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,124 | 76.3% | 57.1% |
| #142 | Elizabethtown CollegePrivate | Elizabethtown, PA | $66,236 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,776 | 77.9% | 76.2% |
| #143 | Westminster CollegePrivate | New Wilmington, PA | $54,065 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,226 | 92.6% | 64.5% |
| #144 | Eastern UniversityPrivate | Saint Davids, PA | $54,681 Median Earnings (4yr) | $26,557 | 90.8% | 54.0% |
| #145 | Allegheny CollegePrivate | Meadville, PA | $56,294 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,495 | 54.6% | 72.5% |
| #146 | Arcadia UniversityPrivate | Glenside, PA | $60,044 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,127 | 80.2% | 66.7% |
| #147 | Johnstown, PA | $43,600 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,103 | — | — | |
| #148 | Johnstown, PA | $25,166 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,295 | — | — | |
| #149 | Mount Aloysius CollegePrivate | Cresson, PA | $62,211 Median Earnings (4yr) | $21,530 | 82.0% | 56.9% |
| #150 | Seton Hill UniversityPrivate | Greensburg, PA | $53,942 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,143 | 79.5% | 67.4% |
| #151 | Juniata CollegePrivate | Huntingdon, PA | $55,079 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,729 | 78.9% | 73.5% |
| #152 | Point Park UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,024 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,436 | 96.9% | 58.5% |
| #153 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | Selinsgrove, PA | $58,506 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,757 | 81.4% | 81.7% |
| #154 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | Mechanicsburg, PA | $58,620 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,393 | 79.0% | 75.0% |
| #155 | Bryn Athyn, PA | $46,074 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,271 | 82.9% | 67.7% | |
| #156 | Ursinus CollegePrivate | Collegeville, PA | $65,033 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,622 | 91.8% | 73.3% |
| #157 | Curtis Institute Of MusicPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $20,026 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | 4.6% | 96.2% |
| #158 | Saint Vincent CollegePrivate | Latrobe, PA | $56,796 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,249 | 61.7% | 68.6% |
| #159 | Lancaster Bible CollegePrivate | Lancaster, PA | $44,774 Median Earnings (4yr) | $24,486 | 55.9% | 66.7% |
| #160 | Geneva CollegePrivate | Beaver Falls, PA | $53,795 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,283 | — | 61.0% |
