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.

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Lehigh Carbon Community College is a 2-year community college serving the greater Allentown area. In addition to the courses offered at its five campuses, LCCC offers 15 academic programs that can be taken entirely online. LCCC’s Honors Program...

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Most of the professors I have had are terrific-they are knowledgeable and personable.

” – Hannah from Allentown, PA
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Luzerne County Community College is a 2-year community college in the Pocono region of eastern Pennsylvania. LCCC confers degrees and certificates in 73 occupational programs and 25 liberal arts/transfer programs. They also host the Schulman Gallery...

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The course curriculum is mildly challenging. Expect to work for the grades you get. Several hours of study are required for each course. The tests are not easy and not all teachers give extra credit. Even though I found some courses easy, I still had...

” – Allison from Mountaintop, PA
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Established in 1991, Mercyhurst University North East Campus is a 2-year, Christ-centered institution located on an 84-acre campus in Erie County, Pennsylvania. MNE offers over 30 academic programs, including over 20 associate’s degree programs, four...

Montgomery County Community College

Montgomery County Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Along with the main campus, the college also maintains two satellite locations in Pottstown and Lansdale. Academics at MCCC feature a core...

“…

The teaching is really solid and the classes are interesting, but the quality of my fellow students is mediocre at times. It drags down the classroom environment.

” – Aly from Norristown, PA
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Northampton Community College is a 2-year community college in eastern Pennsylvania. NCC features 107 programs of study and offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates as well as an Honors Program. Graduates have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s...

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The teachers here are great. The work is challenging but I do not feel overworked. I feel that the work really relates to my major as well.

” – Ty from Chambersburg, PA
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA
Peirce College

Originally founded as Union Business College, Peirce College is an institution for adult and working students in Philadelphia and one of the first colleges in America to admit women. Peirce is home to academic departments of Business, Information...

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Reading Area Community College is a 2-year institution in southeast Pennsylvania. RACC features programs of study in six academic divisions: Business, Communications and Humanities, Foundational Studies, Health Professions, Social Studies, and STEM...

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Some things I have learned over my first two semesters is that it is crucial to listen to what the teacher is talking about and to take notes. You always want to have something to refer back to when you are at home trying to study out of the textbook...

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Westmoreland County Community College is a 2-year community college with an open admissions policy. It is based in Youngwood Pennsylvania and is home to several facilities dedicated to hands-on learning including a greenhouse, live burn building, and...

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i like that this college is inexpensive. the classes offered are of high quality for the most part. there are a lot of different opportunities here.

” – Becky
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Established in 1994, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Johnstown, with five satellite facilities throughout the state. Penn Highlands offers nearly 40 certificate, diploma, and associate’s degree...

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Established in 1953, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology is a private, 2-year institution located on two campuses in Media and Philadelphia. PIT offers 17 associate degree programs and three certificate programs, primarily in career-oriented fields...

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With a campus building certified by the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, the Academy of Vocal Arts is a music conservatory dedicated to training opera soloists. AVA’s 4-year opera curriculum culminates in artist diplomas for all students...

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The American College of Financial Services is a financial advisor-training academy in the Philadelphia metro area. ACFS offers master’s degree programs in Management and Financial Services and a PhD in Financial and Retirement Planning as well as 10...

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The Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius is a Byzantine Catholic institution in Pittsburgh dedicated to the formation of priests. The Seminary offers a master’s degree in Divinity through its Community of Formation and is also...

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Established in 2008, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is a private, medical education institution with campuses located in Scranton, Danville, Sayre, and Wilkes-Barre. Geisinger Commonwealth primarily offers a Doctor of Medicine program...

Gratz College
Melrose Park, PA
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With a campus in the Philadelphia metro area, Gratz College is the first independent college of Jewish Studies in the United States. Gratz offers bachelor’s degrees in Jewish Studies and Jewish Professional Studies as well as an undergraduate program...

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The International Institute for Restorative Practices is a graduate school in eastern Pennsylvania and the first graduate institution dedicated to the study of restorative practices. The IIRP offers a master’s degree and graduate certificate in...

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The Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Schuylkill County is a nurse training academy in eastern Pennsylvania. The McCloskey School of Nursing features a 3-year RN diploma-granting program consisting of one year...

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With campuses in Pennsylvania and Florida, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is the nation’s only osteopathic academic health center. Academics at LECOM are divided between Schools of Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, and the College of Osteopathic...

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They are very strict but you will get a very good education, be prepared for your boards and clinicals.

” – Kara from Erie, PA
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Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Lancaster Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational Christian graduate school in southeast Pennsylvania. LTS offers master’s degrees in Ministry and Divinity as well as a doctorate in Ministry and all...