Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.
While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.
While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.
Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Pennsylvania using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.
#10. Lafayette College
- Location: Easton, PA
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- SAT Range: 1350-1500
#9. Bucknell University
- Location: Lewisburg, PA
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- SAT Range: 1310-1470
#8. Villanova University
- Location: Villanova, PA
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- SAT Range: 1400-1510
#7. Haverford College
- Location: Haverford, PA
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- SAT Range: 1460-1550
#6. University of Pittsburgh
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- SAT Range: 1280-1460
#5. Penn State
- Location: University Park, PA
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- SAT Range: 1240-1420
#4. Lehigh University
- Location: Bethlehem, PA
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- SAT Range: 1370-1500
#3. Swarthmore College
- Location: Swarthmore, PA
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- SAT Range: 1490-1560
#2. Carnegie Mellon University
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- SAT Range: 1500-1570
#1. University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- SAT Range: 1510-1570