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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

27 Ranked Colleges
2,233 Degrees Awarded
$19,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 366,996 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 2,233 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

1
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Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Community College of Allegheny County. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. CCAC is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CCAC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend CCAC is $9,284 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Community College of Allegheny County

2
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Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bucks County Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Bucks County Community College is located in Newtown, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bucks County Community College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $8,336 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Bucks County Community College.

Full Bucks County Community College Liberal Arts Report

3
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid list, UPenn has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UPenn is $25,046 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Pennsylvania

4
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Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Schnecksville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid list, LCCC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $6,897 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Full Lehigh Carbon Community College Liberal Arts Report

5
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Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Community College of Philadelphia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Community College of Philadelphia is a fairly large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 222 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid list, Community College of Philadelphia has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Community College of Philadelphia is $13,384 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Full Community College of Philadelphia Liberal Arts Report

6

Northampton County Area Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northampton Community College is a public institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northampton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Northampton County Area Community College is $9,162 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Northampton Community College

7
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Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Luzerne County Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Luzerne County Community College is a public institution located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Luzerne County Community College is $8,423 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Full Luzerne County Community College Liberal Arts Report

8
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Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, Montgomery County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 312 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,581 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Montco.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Montgomery County Community College

9
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. WCUPA is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 156 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

WCUPA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $21,484 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full West Chester University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts Report

10

Delaware County Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Delaware County Community College is a medium-sized school located in Media, Pennsylvania that handed out 97 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Delaware County Community College also took the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Delaware County Community College is $10,459 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Full Delaware County Community College Liberal Arts Report

11

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $27,058 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Pitt.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

12
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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 47 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Edinboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $16,363 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts Report

13
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Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 29 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,888 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Temple.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Temple University

14
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California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 55 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal U also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $19,117 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Cal U.

Read more about Liberal Arts at California University of Pennsylvania

15

Clarion University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 116 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Clarion University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania is $19,452 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Clarion University

16
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Mansfield University is a small public school situated in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. It awarded 38 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Mansfield University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $11,793 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

17

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. IUP is a medium-sized public school situated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. It awarded 35 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid list, IUP has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IUP is $22,828 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

18
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Lackawanna College
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Lackawanna College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lackawanna College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lackawanna College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lackawanna College is $19,916 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Lackawanna College Liberal Arts Report

19
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La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Salle is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 34 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

La Salle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for La Salle is $25,819 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at La Salle University

20
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Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Neumann is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Aston, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Neumann also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Neumann University is $27,871 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Neumann

21
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Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. EU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

EU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern University is $24,011 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at EU

22
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Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, this small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend LHU is $21,245 for pennsylvania liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LHU

23
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Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, Pennsylvania

Mount Aloysius College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Cresson, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 16 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Mount Aloysius not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $23,842 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Mount Aloysius College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Mount Aloysius College

24
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Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #24, Villanova University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Villanova University is a fairly large school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 30 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova University is $43,577 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Villanova Liberal Arts Report

25
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Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Drexel is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 54 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Drexel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Drexel University is $35,963 for Pennsylvania Liberal Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Drexel University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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