by our College Data Analytics TeamLancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences ranks #1 of 84 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 54% six-year graduation rate and $70,009 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Pennsylvania, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **84** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 84 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences leads the 84 ranked colleges in Pennsylvania, followed by Widener University Main Campus (#2) and University Of Scranton (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences this year in Pennsylvania. Set in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,933 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,496. The median student debt is $26,402.
A rank of #2 makes Widener University Main Campus one of the top colleges in Pennsylvania. Based in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,864. Typical student debt is $26,561.
You'll be in good company at University Of Scranton, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,861. Graduates carry a median of $26,476 in student loans.
Out of the 84 colleges in Pennsylvania in this year's ranking, Thomas Jefferson University landed the #4 spot. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,243. Thomas Jefferson University students take on a median of $32,256 in debt.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Pennsylvania. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,926. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
Williamson College Of The Trades came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Media, PA, Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Lancaster, PA, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,050. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,859. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete a degree here.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a public school based in University Park, PA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,523. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete a degree here.
The Commonwealth Medical College placed #9 among the best colleges in Pennsylvania. Set in Scranton, PA, The Commonwealth Medical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,751 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,758.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Williamsport, PA, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public institution. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates 45% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,133. Pennsylvania College Of Technology students take on a median of $24,371 in debt.
Alvernia University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Reading, PA, Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alvernia University graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. Alvernia University students take on a median of $31,900 in debt.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete a degree here.
Gannon University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $73,658. The median student debt is $26,934.
Saint Francis University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Loretto, PA, Saint Francis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Francis University graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,388. Median early-career earnings reach $63,097. Graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in University Park, PA. Pennsylvania State University World Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 34%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,674. The median student debt is $26,062.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot in Pennsylvania this year. This public school is set in Bloomsburg, PA. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,730. The median student debt is $27,128.
La Salle University landed the #17 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. La Salle University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,618. Graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State New Kensington ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in New Kensington, PA, Pennsylvania State University Penn State New Kensington is a public institution. Pennsylvania State University Penn State New Kensington graduates 22% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,408, with out-of-state students paying around $24,134. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,276. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete a degree here.
Holy Family University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,330. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,355. Holy Family University students take on a median of $26,562 in debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #20 spot in Pennsylvania this year. This public school is set in Erie, PA. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,450. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College students take on a median of $25,296 in debt.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #21 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in California, PA, Pennsylvania Western University is a public institution. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,448. Typical student debt is $28,263.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto did well this year, earning the #22 position. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto is a public school based in Mont Alto, PA. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto posts a six-year graduation rate of 28%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Median early-career earnings reach $45,899. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Mont Alto students take on a median of $25,134 in debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Hazleton, PA. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton posts a six-year graduation rate of 21%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,109 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,239.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Fayette Eberly Campus is a public school based in Lemont Furnace, PA. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,408, with out-of-state students paying around $24,134. Median early-career earnings reach $48,279. Students borrow a median of $24,398 to complete a degree here.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Dallas, PA. About 19% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,006 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,475 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,369.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 84 in Pennsylvania. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.