Colleges in Pennsylvania
8 schools · official College Scorecard data
Among the 8 Pennsylvania colleges we track, the lowest average net price is at Temple University ($28,198/yr), the highest median graduate earnings are at Carnegie Mellon University ($114,862), and the best earnings-to-cost ROI signal belongs to University of Pennsylvania (3.9×). Compare net price, graduation rates, earnings and ROI for every school below.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Pennsylvania colleges compared
| School | Type | Net price/yr | Median earnings (10yr) | Grad rate | ROI signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | Public | $32,875 | $63,435 | 86.1% | 1.9× |
| Temple University | Public | $28,198 | $63,727 | 75.0% | 2.3× |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Public | $30,434 | $66,125 | 85.5% | 2.2× |
| University of Pennsylvania | Private (nonprofit) | $28,699 | $111,371 | 96.5% | 3.9× |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Private (nonprofit) | $31,944 | $114,862 | 94.1% | 3.6× |
| Villanova University | Private (nonprofit) | $43,756 | $100,423 | 91.9% | 2.3× |
| Lehigh University | Private (nonprofit) | $36,931 | $105,584 | 87.9% | 2.9× |
| Bucknell University | Private (nonprofit) | $40,766 | $93,807 | 86.3% | 2.3× |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Data as of June 2026.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Public domain (U.S. Government work)), snapshot June 2026. ROI signal = median 10-year earnings ÷ average annual net price (methodology). Estimates — verify before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
Which college in Pennsylvania has the lowest net price?
Of the 8 Pennsylvania schools we track, Temple University has the lowest average net price at $28,198 per year (after grants and scholarships). Your own price depends on your family income, so always run the school's net price calculator.
Which Pennsylvania college has the highest graduate earnings?
Carnegie Mellon University reports the highest median earnings 10 years after entry among Pennsylvania schools in our data, at $114,862. Earnings reflect federally-aided students across all majors, so they are an outcome signal rather than a guarantee.
What is the best-value college in Pennsylvania?
By our ROI signal (median earnings ÷ annual net price), University of Pennsylvania leads Pennsylvania schools at 3.9×. This is a simple value gauge that rewards both strong earnings and low cost — see the methodology for its limits.
Where does this Pennsylvania college data come from?
All figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, a public-domain federal dataset. We commit a dated snapshot and link the source so you can verify every number.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20