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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

30 Ranked Colleges
3,648 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts 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 has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 3,648 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,278 and $24,713 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

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

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

1

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 Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. CCAC is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 487 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

CCAC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Community College of Allegheny County is $9,284 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at CCAC

2
Bucks County Community College crest
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bucks County Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Bucks County Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $8,336 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Bucks County Community College.

Full Bucks County Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Community College of Beaver County. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. CCBC is located in Monaca, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

CCBC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Beaver County is $6,934 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full CCBC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

4
LCCC crest
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 Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. LCCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 101 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

LCCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for LCCC is $6,897 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LCCC

5
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 37 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $25,046 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 General Studies at University of Pennsylvania

6
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community College of Philadelphia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Community College of Philadelphia is a fairly large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 222 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Community College of Philadelphia is $13,384 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Community College of Philadelphia

7

Northampton County Area Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Northampton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 172 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Northampton Community College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northampton County Area Community College is $9,162 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Northampton Community College

8
Luzerne County Community College crest
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Luzerne County Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Nanticoke, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,423 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Luzerne County Community College.

Full Luzerne County Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

9

Montgomery County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 312 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Montco is $8,581 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Full Montco Liberal Arts General Studies Report

10
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

WCUPA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend WCUPA is $21,484 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full West Chester University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts General Studies Report

11

Delaware County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Media, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Delaware County Community College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $10,459 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Delaware County Community College.

Full Delaware County Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

12

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Pennsylvania Highlands is a small school located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that handed out 127 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is $7,790 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

13

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Pitt has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $27,058 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Liberal Arts General Studies Report

14

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Edinboro is a small school located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania that handed out 47 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Edinboro, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro is $16,363 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Edinboro

15
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. HACC is a fairly large public school situated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 270 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,608 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend HACC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Harrisburg Area Community College

16
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Temple University

17

With a ranking of #17, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. California, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Cal U has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $19,117 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cal U

18

Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a small public school situated in Clarion, Pennsylvania. It awarded 116 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Clarion University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clarion University is $19,452 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

19

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 38 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Mansfield University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Mansfield University is $11,793 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Full Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts General Studies Report

20

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

IUP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,828 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at IUP

21
Lackawanna College crest
Lackawanna College
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Lackawanna College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Lackawanna College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 69 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid list, Lackawanna College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lackawanna College is $19,916 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Lackawanna College

22
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. La Salle University is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 35 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at La Salle, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for La Salle University is $25,819 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at La Salle

23
Neumann crest
Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #23, Neumann University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Neumann University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Aston, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Neumann also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Neumann is $27,871 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Neumann

24
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 53 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EU is $24,011 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full EU Liberal Arts General Studies Report

25
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. LHU is a public institution located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend LHU is $21,245 for pennsylvania liberal arts students with aid.

Full LHU Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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References

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