It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual has developed its Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
Our analysis looked at 81 schools in Pennsylvania to determine which ones have the best bachelor's 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
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. Recent students who earned a bachelor's degree in Pennsylvania entered the job market making an average of $40,741 while those in the top 25 schools on our list made an average of $46,277.
Starting Salary ( 32318 to 55381 )
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 bachelor's degree.
During their time at college, bachelor's degree seekers from schools in Pennsylvania take out an average of $27,572.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's 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 bachelor's 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.
University of Pennsylvania tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Pennsylvania for overall quality. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,499 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UPenn is $61,681 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $16,455. This translates to an average monthly payment of $547 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carnegie Mellon University. The school came in at #2 in Pennsylvania on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,953 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon make an average of $74,627 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,648.
A rank of #3 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Pennsylvania list means Swarthmore College is a great place for students working on their degree. Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 481 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore go into careers with an average salary of $60,066 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $17,633 in student loans.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Lehigh University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Pennsylvania. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,423 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Lehigh make an average of $65,912 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $24,413 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $621 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Out of the 81 bachelor’s degree schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Villanova University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,251 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Villanova is $55,387 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,086 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $594 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 5,522 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Pitt is $40,794 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,494 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $448.
With a ranking of #7, Bucknell University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1,077 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell is $56,780 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,145. This translates to an average monthly payment of $741 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Drexel University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #8. Drexel is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,440 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Drexel is $51,887 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $29,046 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $737 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #9, Lafayette College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Lafayette College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Easton, Pennsylvania that handed out 720 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette make an average of $53,246 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $19,218. Average monthly loan payments are around $616 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #10, Thomas Jefferson University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,163 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $50,369 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $30,556. Average monthly loan payments are around $535 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Saint Joseph’s University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. St. Joe’s is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,358 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from St. Joe’s is $44,539 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,397. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $685.
Temple University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,572 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Temple make an average of $38,923 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,152 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $368 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Haverford College landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 365 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Haverford make an average of $43,850 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $19,035.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. WCUPA is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,694 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from WCUPA is $41,017 during the early years of their career.
Duquesne University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Duquesne is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,590 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne make an average of $39,249 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,524. This translates to an average monthly payment of $654 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #16, Gettysburg College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 717 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,869 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,729. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $565.
Lancaster Bible College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #17. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 326 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Lancaster Bible College make an average of $29,140 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,518.
Muhlenberg College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. Muhlenberg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 662 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,545 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,250. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $513.
Dickinson College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 627 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson go into careers with an average salary of $39,656 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $19,000 in student loans.
Widener University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Widener University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 711 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Widener make an average of $47,312 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,122 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $614.
Gwynedd Mercy University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 503 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Gwynedd - Mercy go into careers with an average salary of $49,234 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $29,169 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $375 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of Scranton came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 885 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from University of Scranton go into careers with an average salary of $35,821 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,707 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $590 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #23, Ursinus College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania list. Ursinus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 385 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $29,561 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,000. Average monthly loan payments are around $506 for a 10-year repayment plan.
La Salle University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #24. La Salle is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 954 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from La Salle is $41,746 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,754 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $410 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Franklin and Marshall College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Franklin and Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that handed out 699 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall is $35,704 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $20,552.
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%.
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