Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- 50
- Schools
- $68,081
- Avg. Earnings
- 71%
- Avg. Graduation
- $26,426
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,596
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $43,167 at the low end to $114,862 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Holy Family University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $62,235 against $13,143 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Holy Family University at $13,143 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $62,235, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 71% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Pennsylvania: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Pennsylvania ($111,371 earnings), not the highest earner, Carnegie Mellon University ($114,862). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Holy Family University ($13,143/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $62,235 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $30,613 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Holy Family University outperforms Carnegie Mellon University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Holy Family University and University of Pennsylvania. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Pennsylvania #1 overall | $111,371 ▲ +64% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 81 |
| 2 Carnegie Mellon University #2 overall | $114,862 ▲ +69% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 78 |
| 3 Swarthmore College #3 overall | $80,257 ▲ +18% vs avg | $23,149 | 93% | 78 |
| $79,966 ▲ +17% vs avg | $25,314 | 90% | 77 | |
| $91,410 ▲ +34% vs avg | $34,433 | 88% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $68,081 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 71% and an average net price of $26,426.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Holy Family University — Net Price: $13,143 | Graduation Rate: 61%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carnegie Mellon University — Median alumni earnings: $114,862
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Pennsylvania Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Pennsylvania?
$62,317
Median earnings (10yr)
70%
Median graduation rate
$26,131
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Pennsylvania serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 70%. Median graduate earnings reach $62,317 ten years after enrollment, roughly $14,317 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $26,131 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,831. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.5%.
For Pennsylvania, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $26,131 and graduates earning a median of $62,317, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Pennsylvania lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 64% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #2 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 69% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Swarthmore College lands at #3 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Haverford College lands at #4 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Lafayette College lands at #5 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Lehigh University lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Franklin and Marshall College lands at #7 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $76,124 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,425 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Bryn Mawr College lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Villanova University lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Bucknell University lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Gettysburg College lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $71,517 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,490 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Muhlenberg College lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $69,107 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,905 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Immaculata University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
West Chester, PA · 78% accepted · $23,331 net
Why it ranks #14
West Chester University of Pennsylvania lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $61,258 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,331 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Washington & Jefferson College lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,918 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,002 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Dickinson College lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $70,204 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,607 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Holy Family University lands at #17 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Allegheny College lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $62,069 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,940 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Lycoming College lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $56,210 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,140 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Millersville, PA · 86% accepted · $20,787 net
Why it ranks #20
Millersville University of Pennsylvania lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,246 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,787 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Ursinus College lands at #21 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,721 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,536 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
East Stroudsburg, PA · 92% accepted · $18,134 net
Why it ranks #22
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,148 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
La Salle University lands at #23 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $67,416 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,409 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Seton Hill University lands at #24 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,748 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,204 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of Scranton lands at #25 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $74,652 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,568 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Robert Morris University lands at #26 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,003 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Indiana University of Pennsylvania lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $51,019 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,804 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Carlow University lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,051 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,786 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Juniata College lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $56,918 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,988 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,775 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,331 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Shippensburg, PA · 87% accepted · $23,726 net
Why it ranks #31
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #31 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $56,351 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,726 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Susquehanna University lands at #32 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $61,723 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,819 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Moravian University lands at #33 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,860 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,670 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Elizabethtown College lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $62,399 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,598 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Philadelphia, PA · 89% accepted · $29,689 net
Why it ranks #35
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia lands at #35 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $86,881 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,689 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Widener University lands at #36 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $70,920 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,759 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Messiah University lands at #37 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,064 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,502 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
La Roche University lands at #38 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,341 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,794 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Chatham University lands at #39 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $52,410 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,954 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Waynesburg University lands at #40 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $58,537 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Gannon University lands at #41 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,845 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,553 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
King's College lands at #42 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $59,498 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,093 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Gwynedd Mercy University lands at #43 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $67,145 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,483 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Lebanon Valley College lands at #44 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $62,621 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,979 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Albright College lands at #45 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,700 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,024 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Lincoln University lands at #46 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Temple University lands at #47 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $63,727 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,198 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
DeSales University lands at #48 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $61,295 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,643 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Alvernia University lands at #49 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $55,055 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,138 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Thomas Jefferson University lands at #50 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $77,449 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,928 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a bachelor's program in Pennsylvania can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Each of these programs shares a commitment to strong academic outcomes and student success, making them worth considering for anyone looking to further their education.
What sets these schools apart are their outcomes related to earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and mobility. Students at the top institutions not only graduate at high rates but also enter the workforce with impressive earnings. The list below highlights schools that excel in these areas, giving you a clear view of where you might find the best return on your investment.
For instance, the University of Pennsylvania stands out with average earnings of $111,371, significantly higher than the state average of $70,576. In contrast, Haverford College, while prestigious, offers lower earnings at $79,966, but has a lower net price and debt. These differences illustrate how financial decisions can impact future earning potential and overall college experience.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 48 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Temple University leads the group at 3.3%, with Robert Morris University (2.5%) and Carlow University (2.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. King's College leads at 20%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 33.2% across this list. Lafayette College posts the highest success rate at 58.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.71 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Pennsylvania reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Comparing Carnegie Mellon University and Swarthmore College reveals a stark contrast in outcomes. Carnegie Mellon graduates earn an impressive $114,862, while Swarthmore graduates earn $80,257. However, Carnegie Mellon students have an average debt of $21,750 compared to Swarthmore's $17,500. This difference highlights the tradeoff between potential earnings and financial burden.
As you weigh these options, consider how each school's strengths align with your personal priorities. Factors like location, campus culture, and specific program offerings can significantly impact your college experience. Make a list of what matters most to you and see how these schools stack up against those criteria.
Ultimately, the data underscores the importance of choosing a college that aligns with your financial and professional goals. One family's decision to prioritize earning potential over debt could lead to greater financial security in the future. Every choice shapes the path to a stable life post-graduation.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania ranking? +
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $111,371 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 97% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Carnegie Mellon University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $114,862 ten years after enrollment, well above the $68,081 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Holy Family University leads: graduates earn a median $62,235 against net price of about $13,143 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 71% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $26,426 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Holy Family University is among the most affordable at roughly $13,143. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
