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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Wilkes UniversityPrivate | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $69,197 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,062 | 90.6% | 63.2% |
| #102 | Springville, PA | $40,825 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,847 | — | — | |
| #103 | Chatham UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $65,078 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,675 | 62.0% | 63.1% |
| #104 | Immaculata UniversityPrivate | Immaculata, PA | $72,836 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,539 | 85.8% | 71.0% |
| #105 | King's CollegePrivate | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $67,122 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,283 | 93.1% | 59.9% |
| #106 | Desales UniversityPrivate | Center Valley, PA | $74,078 Median Earnings (4yr) | $24,007 | 77.1% | 72.2% |
| #107 | Johnson CollegePrivate | Scranton, PA | $51,602 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,861 | 97.9% | — |
| #108 | Oil City, PA | $40,955 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,102 | 38.5% | — | |
| #109 | Willow Grove, PA | $67,387 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,075 | 80.8% | — | |
| #110 | Towanda, PA | $52,914 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,909 | 74.5% | — | |
| #111 | Washington, PA | $66,045 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,265 | 80.6% | 69.5% | |
| #112 | Duquesne UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $74,665 Median Earnings (4yr) | $29,986 | 83.6% | 77.5% |
| #113 | Scranton, PA | $81,984 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,173 | — | — | |
| #114 | Robert Morris UniversityPrivate | Moon Township, PA | $70,755 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,548 | 89.9% | 65.7% |
| #115 | Chambersburg, PA | $57,737 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,762 | 100.0% | — | |
| #116 | Clearfield, PA | $44,483 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,614 | — | — | |
| #117 | Lewistown, PA | $47,805 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,413 | — | — | |
| #118 | Lackawanna CollegePrivate | Scranton, PA | $45,609 Median Earnings (4yr) | $18,142 | — | 36.7% |
| #119 | Washington, PA | $73,675 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #120 | Manor CollegePrivate | Jenkintown, PA | $50,232 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,135 | 94.9% | 25.7% |
