by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Pennsylvania? We have ranked 251 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 251 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
We analyzed 251 schools in Pennsylvania to surface the strongest return on investment. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. Read more about our methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Williamson College Of The Trades this year in Pennsylvania. Based in Media, PA, Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Out of the 251 schools in Pennsylvania in this year's value ranking, Bucks County Community College landed the #2 spot. Located in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,324. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Delaware County Community College one of the best values in Pennsylvania. Located in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $14,866. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,391 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holy Family University earned it the #4 place in Pennsylvania. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,330. Holy Family University students take on a median of $26,562 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,235. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology one of the best values in Pennsylvania. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a public school based in Lancaster, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,050. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology students take on a median of $9,915 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,681 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Westmoreland County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Youngwood, PA, Westmoreland County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. The median program debt is $11,000. Westmoreland County Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,439 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Butler, PA, Butler County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Butler County Community College students take on a median of $10,836 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,891. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Schnecksville, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt is $14,450. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,436 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Blue Bell, PA, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,108. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Nanticoke, PA, Luzerne County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $14,614. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Beaver County offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Monaca, PA, Community College Of Beaver County is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, while out-of-state students pay about $20,700. Community College Of Beaver County students take on a median of $16,802 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,090. Set against $16,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #12 spot for value in Pennsylvania this year. This public school is set in Johnstown, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students take on a median of $11,732 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,752 ten years after entry. Set against $11,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valley Forge Military College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Wayne, PA, Valley Forge Military College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,176 in tuition and fees. The median program debt is $12,000. Median earnings reach $50,798 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #14 among the best values in Pennsylvania. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Northampton County Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $18,900. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,566 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #15 among the best values in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Community College Of Philadelphia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,852 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Bloomsburg, PA, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. The median program debt is $27,128. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania alumni report median earnings of $52,416 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted.
Reading Area Community College landed the #17 spot for value in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Reading, PA, Reading Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Reading Area Community College students take on a median of $13,979 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,082 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Peirce College landed the #18 spot for value in Pennsylvania this year. Peirce College is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $15,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $44,247 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,660 ten years after entry. Set against $44,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete their program here. Community College Of Allegheny County alumni report median earnings of $39,449 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus landed the #20 spot for value in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Lemont Furnace, PA, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,408, with out-of-state students paying around $24,134. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus students take on a median of $24,398 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford landed the #21 spot for value in Pennsylvania this year. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a public school based in Bradford, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Students borrow a median of $25,970 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. Set against $25,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Based in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg students take on a median of $20,867 in debt. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg alumni report median earnings of $42,007 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Dallas, PA, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,006. The median program debt is $25,369. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 97% of those who apply are admitted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Greater Allegheny came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in McKeesport, PA, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,134. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Greater Allegheny students take on a median of $25,858 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Set against $25,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Greater Allegheny has an acceptance rate of 96%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #25 among the best values in Pennsylvania. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school based in Indiana, PA. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt is $26,513. Median earnings reach $51,019 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
Also worth considering for the money:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology | Pleasant Gap, PA | Value Report |
*Averages shown above reflect the top 251 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 251 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.