State Hub

Colleges in Pennsylvania

CampusPin tracks 204 colleges in Pennsylvania — 142 universities and 62 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

204

Universities

142

Community colleges

62

Avg. in-state tuition

$27k

About college search in Pennsylvania

How Pennsylvania's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Pennsylvania has one of the deepest higher-education stacks in the country: a public research university anchor (Penn State) with branch campuses across the state, the state-owned PASSHE system serving 10 universities, an Ivy League private (Penn) and two flagship private research universities (Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh), plus an unusually broad mid-sized private liberal-arts sector. Geographic spread matters — students searching in Pennsylvania often weigh Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, and Lehigh Valley as meaningfully different regional markets.

Pennsylvania families typically face one of the higher in-state public tuition rates in the country at Penn State and Pitt; the state-owned PASSHE universities (West Chester, Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, Indiana, etc.) tend to be more affordable. The state operates 15 community colleges with formalized transfer paths to PASSHE and Penn State Commonwealth Campuses, which materially changes the affordability math for in-state students.

Penn State as multi-campus anchor

The Pennsylvania State University runs the University Park flagship plus ~20 Commonwealth Campuses across the state. Students can start at a Commonwealth Campus and complete at University Park.

Two private research powerhouses in Pittsburgh

Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh concentrate STEM, CS, and health research in one walkable Oakland-neighborhood corridor.

PASSHE state-owned system (10 universities)

PASSHE (Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education) is the state’s separate public university system after the 2022 integrations, generally more affordable than Penn State and Pitt for in-state students. Cheyney University, also part of PASSHE, is Pennsylvania’s public HBCU.

Deep private liberal-arts bench

Pennsylvania has an unusually large number of mid-sized private liberal-arts and Catholic-affiliated colleges (Lehigh, Lafayette, Villanova, Bucknell, Dickinson, Gettysburg, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and many more).

Public university system

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)

PASSHE coordinates 10 state-owned public universities after the 2022 integrations: West Chester, Millersville, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney (HBCU), Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses), and PennWest (California, Clarion, and Edinboro campuses). Penn State and Pitt are separate "state-related" institutions, not PASSHE members.

Community college network

Pennsylvania Community Colleges (15 colleges)

Pennsylvania operates 15 community colleges including Community College of Philadelphia, Community College of Allegheny County, Montgomery County CC, and Bucks County CC. Most have formal transfer agreements with PASSHE schools and Penn State Commonwealth Campuses.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Pennsylvania public tuition varies a lot by institution. Penn State and Pitt post some of the higher in-state rates among U.S. public flagships; PASSHE universities and Penn State Commonwealth Campuses post materially lower in-state numbers. Always compare net price — not sticker price — and verify residency rules with each institution.

Top metros for college search

Where Pennsylvania's higher-education density concentrates

  • Philadelphia

    Philadelphia hosts Penn (Ivy League), Drexel, Temple, Villanova nearby, La Salle, Saint Joseph’s, and Community College of Philadelphia.

  • Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh anchors Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Robert Morris, and the Community College of Allegheny County.

  • State College / Penn State Main

    State College is a college town built around Penn State University Park, the flagship campus of the Penn State system.

  • Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem / Allentown)

    The Lehigh Valley hosts Lehigh University, Lafayette (Easton), Muhlenberg, Moravian, and Cedar Crest.

  • Harrisburg / Hershey region

    Harrisburg-area institutions include Messiah, Elizabethtown, Dickinson (Carlisle), and Penn State Harrisburg.

Northeast region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Pennsylvania

Across Pennsylvania (PA), CampusPin currently indexes 204 institutions: 58 public and 146 private, split between 142 universities and 62 community colleges. Students often need to weigh dense geography, cost variation, and the difference between urban access and residential campus feel.

Compare commute realities, housing expectations, and total cost, not just sticker price.
Separate highly selective options from practical-fit schools so shortlist decisions stay grounded.
Use public-system and transfer routes when you want flexibility without abandoning strong outcomes.

Browse by major

Pennsylvania colleges by program

Jump straight to Pennsylvania colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Pennsylvania.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Pennsylvania

Showing 60 of 204 — use search or filters to see the rest.

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How to use the Pennsylvania hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Pennsylvania so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Pennsylvania

Explore all colleges in PennsylvaniaView community colleges in PennsylvaniaView online programs in PennsylvaniaRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Pennsylvania

Which is the public flagship university in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) at University Park is the state’s primary public flagship. Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln are "state-related" institutions; the state-owned public system is separate and called PASSHE.
What is the difference between Penn State and PASSHE universities?
Penn State is a state-related institution governed by its own board; the state appropriates funds but does not own it. PASSHE (Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education) is the state-owned system of 10 universities after the 2022 integrations: West Chester, Millersville, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, IUP, Cheyney (HBCU), Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg / Lock Haven / Mansfield campuses), and PennWest (California / Clarion / Edinboro campuses). PASSHE schools generally post lower in-state tuition than Penn State.
How many community colleges are in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has 15 community colleges. Most have formal transfer agreements with PASSHE universities and Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, allowing students to complete an associate degree and transfer with junior-year standing.
Which Pennsylvania universities are in the Ivy League?
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn), located in Philadelphia, is the state’s only Ivy League university. Penn is private — not to be confused with Penn State, which is a public state-related university.
What are the most affordable colleges in Pennsylvania for in-state students?
PASSHE universities (West Chester, Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, etc.) and Penn State Commonwealth Campuses typically post lower in-state tuition than Penn State University Park or Pitt. Pennsylvania community colleges are the lowest-cost path overall. Always compare net price after aid rather than sticker price.
Can transfer students move from Pennsylvania community colleges to Penn State?
Yes. Penn State publishes program-by-program transfer credit policies and partners with all 15 Pennsylvania community colleges through articulation agreements. Verify program-specific transfer requirements with both your community college and the Penn State campus you plan to attend.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Pennsylvania search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Pennsylvania

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.