It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top Pennsylvania Colleges for an Associate ranking - to help you make that decision.
Our analysis looked at 55 schools in Pennsylvania to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Early-Career Salaries Are Higher
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a associate degree from the school. Recent students who earned a associate degree in Pennsylvania entered the job market making an average of $35,360 while those in the top 18 schools on our list made an average of $36,547.
Starting Salary ( 29455 to 45973 )
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Pennsylvania have accumulated an average of $19,957 in student debt.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
If you'd rather work on your associate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. Also, check out our other college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Our analysis found Thomas Jefferson University to be the best school for associate degrees in Pennsylvania in this year’s ranking. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 54 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Thomas Jefferson University make an average of $47,661 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $36,635.
A rank of #2 on our Best Associate Degree in Pennsylvania list means University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a great place for students working on their degree. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 49 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Pitt make an average of $43,591 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $20,875 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $270 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 428 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology make an average of $40,004 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,606 in student loans.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Penn College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Central Penn is located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,533 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $22,334. This translates to an average monthly payment of $190 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
The excellent associate degree programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Pennsylvania. IUP is a public institution located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 21 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Alvernia University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Alvernia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Reading, Pennsylvania that handed out 83 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Gannon University landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Gannon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Delaware Valley University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #8. Doylestown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
Widener University landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 19 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $13,104 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $23,500 after getting their degree.
Pennsylvania College of Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the small public school handed out 764 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Penn College go into careers with an average salary of $39,334 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,743 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $410 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Pittsburgh Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #12. Pittsburgh Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. It awarded 440 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Pittsburgh Technical College is $34,592 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $18,775 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $228.
Holy Family University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Holy Family is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Associate students leave the school with an average of $22,000 in student loans.
With a ranking of #14, Community College of Allegheny County did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school handed out 1,830 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from CCAC make an average of $33,493 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $16,104 after getting their degree.
Harcum College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 340 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,059 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $25,761 after getting their degree.
La Salle University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. La Salle University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 34 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $25,846 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $4,762.
Community College of Philadelphia ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Community College of Philadelphia is a fairly large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,669 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Community College of Philadelphia make an average of $34,346 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $15,966 after getting their degree.
Gwynedd Mercy University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. Gwynedd Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Gwynedd - Mercy go into careers with an average salary of $45,032 during the early years of their career.
Saint Francis University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Eastern University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. EU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. It awarded 59 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $28,139 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,720 in student loans.
Mount Aloysius College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Cresson, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 174 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Mount Aloysius go into careers with an average salary of $44,599 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,667. This translates to an average monthly payment of $213 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Mercyhurst University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #22. Mercyhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 117 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Mercyhurst go into careers with an average salary of $43,908 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $19,899 after getting their degree.
Harrisburg Area Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school handed out 1,876 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from HACC make an average of $36,370 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $20,905 after getting their degree.
Delaware County Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,258 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Delaware County Community College make an average of $34,360 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,537.
With a ranking of #25, Montgomery County Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,208 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Montco is $34,868 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $14,295 after getting their degree.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.