Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 49
- Schools
- $59,269
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,257
- Avg. Net Price
- $25,475
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $37,837 at the low end to $100,423 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $38,752 against $6,200 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, at $6,200 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Villanova University graduates 92% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Villanova University: graduates owe only 0.26× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ($6,200/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $38,752 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $37,556 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College outperforms Villanova University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Villanova University graduates 92% of its students versus 21% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Villanova University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $59K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 Villanova University #1 overall | $100,423 ▲ +69% vs avg | $43,756 | 92% | 75 |
| 2 Muhlenberg College #2 overall | $69,107 ▲ +17% vs avg | $28,905 | 81% | 73 |
| 3 Ursinus College #3 overall | $73,721 ▲ +24% vs avg | $30,536 | 75% | 71 |
| $61,723 ▲ +4% vs avg | $28,819 | 78% | 71 | |
| $75,701 ▲ +28% vs avg | $24,258 | 68% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,269 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $24,257.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Pennsylvania Highlands Community College — Net Price: $6,200 | Graduation Rate: 39%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Villanova University — 92% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Villanova University — Median alumni earnings: $100,423
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$58,619
Median earnings (10yr)
59%
Median graduation rate
$24,307
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
The value of a humanities or creative degree resists summary in a single earnings number, but that does not make it absent. These programs build critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving, the abilities employers consistently say they need most. Those skills compound over a career and narrow the early earnings gap with more vocational fields.
Start with the medians across these 49 schools. Graduates earn a median of $58,619 ten years after enrollment, or about $10,619 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 59%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $24,307 a year with about $26,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 32% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.4%.
Variability is the theme across these programs, and wide ranges in both earnings and cost make school selection especially consequential. Graduates earn a median of $58,619 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $24,307. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Villanova University lands at #1 with a 75/100 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, 69% 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 #2
Muhlenberg College lands at #2 with a 73/100 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, 17% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Ursinus College lands at #3 with a 71/100 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, 24% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Susquehanna University lands at #4 with a 71/100 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, 4% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Immaculata University lands at #5 with a 70/100 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, 28% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Washington & Jefferson College lands at #6 with a 70/100 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, 15% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #7 with a 70/100 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Allegheny College lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,940 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Millersville, PA · 86% accepted · $20,787 net
Why it ranks #9
Millersville University of Pennsylvania lands at #9 with a 69/100 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, 7% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Scranton lands at #10 with a 69/100 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, 26% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Temple University lands at #11 with a 69/100 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, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,198 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
Shippensburg, PA · 87% accepted · $23,726 net
Why it ranks #12
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #12 with a 69/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,726 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 #13
Lincoln University lands at #13 with a 69/100 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, 27% 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 #14
La Salle University lands at #14 with a 68/100 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, 14% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Indiana University of Pennsylvania lands at #15 with a 68/100 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, 14% 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 #16
Waynesburg University lands at #16 with a 67/100 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, 1% 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 #17
Elizabethtown College lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,598 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 #18
Chatham University lands at #18 with a 67/100 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, 12% 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 #19
Messiah University lands at #19 with a 67/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,502 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 #20
Wilkes University lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $63,454 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,743 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 #21
Arcadia University lands at #21 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,466 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 #22
Albright College lands at #22 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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
Philadelphia, PA · 89% accepted · $29,689 net
Why it ranks #23
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia lands at #23 with a 66/100 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, 47% 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 #24
Lancaster Bible College lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $44,096 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,480 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 #25
Alvernia University lands at #25 with a 66/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,138 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 #26
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,752 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Marywood University lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $55,817 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,388 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 #28
Point Park University lands at #28 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,856 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,942 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 #29
Neumann University lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $57,817 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,804 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 #30
Thiel College lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $49,714 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 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 #31
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania lands at #31 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,837 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 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
Eastern University lands at #32 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $51,655 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,662 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
Chestnut Hill College lands at #33 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $52,015 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,970 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
University Park, PA · 61% accepted · $32,875 net
Why it ranks #34
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus lands at #34 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,875 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
McKeesport, PA · 96% accepted · $15,521 net
Why it ranks #35
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny lands at #35 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,521 a year, well under 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
Media, PA · 98% accepted · $22,585 net
Why it ranks #36
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine lands at #36 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Slippery Rock, PA · 71% accepted · $19,608 net
Why it ranks #37
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania lands at #37 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,032 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,608 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
Bloomsburg, PA · 93% accepted · $15,699 net
Why it ranks #38
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania lands at #38 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,416 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,699 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 #39
Westminster College lands at #39 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $53,861 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,859 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 #40
Keystone College lands at #40 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $44,976 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,051 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
Saint Vincent College lands at #41 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,982 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,510 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
Erie, PA · 97% accepted · $24,558 net
Why it ranks #42
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College lands at #42 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,558 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Reading, PA · 99% accepted · $24,356 net
Why it ranks #43
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks lands at #43 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,356 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
University Park, PA · 91% accepted · $19,550 net
Why it ranks #44
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus lands at #44 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,550 a year, well under 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 #45
Duquesne University lands at #45 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (73/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $74,742 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,730 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 #46
University of Valley Forge lands at #46 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $39,016 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,265 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
New Kensington, PA · 95% accepted · $18,305 net
Why it ranks #47
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington lands at #47 with a 52/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (32/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,305 a year, well under 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
Monaca, PA · 96% accepted · $17,418 net
Why it ranks #48
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver lands at #48 with a 49/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (31/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,418 a year, well under 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 #49
Grove City College lands at #49 with a 44/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 48 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →When considering a degree in communications, students in Pennsylvania have a wealth of options. These programs not only focus on the fundamentals of effective communication but also prepare graduates for a competitive job market. In fact, the average earnings for graduates from top communications schools in the state reach $60,237, making it a viable pathway for many.
What sets apart the leading schools in this list are their outcomes: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and manageable debt levels. For instance, Villanova University stands out with a 92% graduation rate and an impressive average earning of $100,423. Meanwhile, the average graduation rate across all ranked schools is 58%, highlighting the significant gap between the top performers and the rest.
To illustrate, consider Villanova University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. While both offer solid communications programs, Villanova's graduates earn an average of $100,423 compared to Penn State's $63,435. This difference not only reflects the quality of education but also underscores the value of selecting a school with strong outcomes.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 33 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Temple University leads the group at 3.3%, with Wilkes University (2.9%) and Waynesburg University (2.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania enrolls the most, at 27.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 25.9% across the list, peaking at 58% at Villanova University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Muhlenberg College is highest at 1.87.
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
Some patterns in this data reveal significant differences between schools that might not be immediately obvious. For example, Villanova University not only boasts the highest average earnings at $100,423 but also has a graduation rate of 92%. In contrast, Washington & Jefferson College has an average earning of $67,918 but a lower graduation rate of 70%. This disparity shows how a school's commitment to student success can impact both immediate financial outcomes and long-term career paths.
As you sift through these options, consider how these numbers align with your personal priorities. Are you willing to take on more debt for potentially higher earnings, as seen with Saint Joseph's University? Or is a lower net price like that of Muhlenberg College more appealing, even if it comes with a tradeoff in earnings? Weigh your financial situation and career goals against these outcomes to find the best fit for your future.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable life hinges on these decisions. Each school listed here represents not just a degree but a potential career path. With the right choice, families can set themselves up for success — balancing quality education with financial considerations will pave the way for a more secure future.
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 Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Villanova University in Villanova, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $100,423 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 92% 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? +
Villanova University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $100,423 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,269 average across the 48 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, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College leads: graduates earn a median $38,752 against net price of about $6,200 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? +
Villanova University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 92%, compared with a 58% 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 $24,257 a year across the 48 ranked schools with cost data. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,200. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges 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 49 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
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