Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

Humid summers and cold winters are typical in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Keystone State, where the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, were drafted, is also known for the Carnegie Museums, National Aviary, and for creating the first zoo in the nation. There are a variety of colleges in Pennsylvania, including Bible colleges, private baccalaureate institutions, for-profit schools, doctoral colleges, and the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, which includes more than 30 colleges and universities. Pennsylvania is also home to several specialized institutions and a Talmudical college. The oldest institution in the state is the University of Pennsylvania, which also debuted the country’s first medical college in 1874. Chemical manufacturing, coal mining, and food products are key areas of Pennsylvania’s economy, while other major industries include broadcasting and telecommunication, as well as administrative and support services. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Hersheypark, and the Liberty Bell are prime attractions.

How Were the Top Schools in Pennsylvania Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Universities in Pennsylvania with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

College placeholder image

Founded in 1913 with a student body consisting of two people, Citizens School of Nursing is one of the longest running coeducational nursing schools in Pennsylvania. Affiliated with the Allegheny Health Network, Citizens School of Nursing offers a 2...

College placeholder image

Originally founded as the Pennsylvania Business College, Central Penn College is a for-profit college with two Pennsylvania-based locations. Central Penn offers bachelor’s degrees in 18 fields of study and 13 associate degree-granting programs. To...

College placeholder image

The St. Margaret School of Nursing is a nurse training academy serving 50 surrounding municipalities affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. St. Margaret features a 16-month nursing curriculum that emphasizes seeing each patient...

“…

***** This school is a great, the staff make sure you know your skills before you graduate and believe me they make sure you're going to graduate!!!!!!

College placeholder image

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, joint museum and educational institution established in Philadelphia. PAFA offers several types of BFA and MFA programs in five areas of study: drawing, illustration, painting, printmaking, and...

“…

The small size classes allow for more focused concentration to get projects done. There is a close network of students and instructors. The school's location is great. Major museums such as the Rodin museum, The Barnes Foundation, and The...

” – Matilda from Philadelphia, PA
College placeholder image

Orleans Technical College is a technical and adult education-centered institution in northeast Philadelphia. Operated by a non-profit social service agency called JEVS Human Services, Orleans Tech features courses in five building trades training...

College placeholder image

Mercy Hospital School of Nursing is a nursing school in Pittsburgh sponsored by UPMC Mercy Hospital. MHSN provides a faith-based nursing education and gives students a chance to encounter hands-on experiences with patients at UPMC Mercy in their...

Manor College

Manor College is a private college affiliated with the Ukranian Catholic Church of the Eastern tradition that was founded by The Sisters of Saint Basil the Great. The campus hosts an on-campus Ukranian Heritage Studies Center (UHSC), as well as the...

“…

Tight-knit community providing excellent support to lay the foundation for post-secondary education. Manor makes the transition into the academic arena gradual and easy while providing excellent opportunities to grow personally as well as...

” – Jeanine from Philadelphia, PA
College placeholder image

The Workforce Institute’s City College is a technical and vocational school in Philadelphia designed for adult and working students. WFI City College offers degree and diploma-granting programs in Web Design, Computer Support, and Medical Office...

College placeholder image

Valley Forge Military College is an independent institution established in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The college is connected to a preparatory boarding school that serves students from grades 7 to 12. Students enrolling in VFMC have the option of...

“…

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2468704/valley_forge_military_… has a three pages about my time there.

” – Theodore from Colorado Springs, CO
College placeholder image

The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science is a funeral service training academy with an emphasis on contemporary funeral arrangements. PIMS offers associate degree programs in Specialized Business and Specialized Technology with an emphasis on...

College placeholder image

Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing is a private, 2-year institution located in Pennsylvania. GLHSON offers a six-semester Registered Nurse program, with the opportunity for eligible LPNs to enter with pre-awarded credit for the first...

College placeholder image

DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is a hospital in western Pennsylvania and home to several educational facilities for future medical professionals. The medical center hosts six schools of medicine offering degree and certificate-granting...

Johnson College

Johnson College is a private, 2-year institution on 44-acres in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1912 as a trade school, Johnson has developed into a college offering 14 associate’s degree programs in technology, health sciences, and business...

“…

johnson college works diligently to help their students get farther in their lives. they have a service for your every need. also, they work with their students to make them successful.

” – Brianna from Scranton, PA
College placeholder image

Butler County Community College is a 2-year institution with six locations in western Pennsylvania. BC3 is home to four academic divisions--Business, STEM, Health Care, and Humanities & Social Sciences--offering degrees in 55 academic programs...

“…

BC3 has taught me a lot, not just about my classes but also about how to succeed in the future! There are so many resources for everyone and anyone, and you'll feel welcomed right away.

” – Kristin from Grove City, PA
College placeholder image

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a two-year residential technical college and the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania. The school’s mission is to provide an education to “economically and socially disadvantaged” students. Only students who...

“…

Thaddeus Stevens is a small and comfortable campus. Most of all your class are under 30 students, which allows for plenty of one on one time. Most of the teachers are fun and always come excited ready to teach.

” – Ronald from New Holland, PA
College placeholder image

Originally founded as a school of engineering, Pittsburgh Technical College is a technical and vocational school in the Pittsburgh metro area. PTC is home to 10 career-focused schools offering over 30 academic programs granting bachelor’s degrees...

College placeholder image

Rosedale Technical College is a trade school in western Pittsburgh. All Rosedale Tech courses are centered around hands-on training to prepare students for careers in the automotive, diesel, electrical, and HVAC industries. Students have the option...

Walnut Hill College
College placeholder image

Lackawanna College is a private, 4-year institution located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Along with the college’s main campus, it also maintains satellite facilities in Towanda, Sunbury, Hazleton, New Milford, Hawley, and Covington Township. Lackawanna...

“…

I took a class here as part of their GED/Career Gateway program through the adult education department. What you're going to learn based on what I took away from that class and what I can see from my current curriculum is the basics. So, while you...

” – Shawn from Scranton, PA
College placeholder image

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine is a medical teaching institution established in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The college puts emphasis on research, and all students in either the Master’s programs or PhD programs are required to complete...

“…

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a renowned tertiary care center, a level I trauma center (the region's only such center for adults and children), a teaching hospital and a medical school (with the first Humanities Department in the...

” – Krista from Mechanicsburg, PA