Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 50
- Schools
- $56,384
- Avg. Earnings
- 57%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,638
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,066
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $37,439 to $86,881, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Bucks County Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $47,324 in median earnings against $6,389 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Westmoreland County Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,167 a year in net price.
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Swarthmore College graduates 93% of its students, versus a 57% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Swarthmore College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.22× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Swarthmore College ($80,257 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia ($86,881), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Westmoreland County Community College costs $5,167 a year and Misericordia University costs $37,485. Yet their graduates earn $37,439 and $64,313, nowhere near the $32,318 price gap.
- On value, Bucks County Community College beats Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Bucks County Community College and Swarthmore College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 $56K 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 Swarthmore College #1 overall | $80,257 ▲ +42% vs avg | $23,149 | 93% | 80 |
| 2 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania #2 overall | $53,775 ▼ -5% vs avg | $21,331 | 54% | 75 |
| 3 Holy Family University #3 overall | $62,235 ▲ +10% vs avg | $13,143 | 61% | 74 |
| $75,701 ▲ +34% vs avg | $24,258 | 68% | 74 | |
| $55,246 ▼ -2% vs avg | $20,787 | 56% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,384 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 57% and an average net price of $21,638.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bucks County Community College — Net Price: $6,389 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Swarthmore College — 93% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia — Median alumni earnings: $86,881
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$55,983
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$23,121
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Education programs feed a workforce defined by paradox: chronic teacher shortages and high social value on one side, modest pay and high attrition on the other. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The programs that matter most reliably move graduates into classrooms and keep them there.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $55,983 ten years after they first enrolled, about $7,983 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 60%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $23,121 a year, with about $25,162 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 32% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: districts compete hard for credentialed teachers, but the pay ceiling makes affordability decisive. With median earnings near $55,983 and a typical net price of $23,121, value in this field is driven as much by low cost as by salary.
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
Swarthmore College lands at #1 with a 80/100 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, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 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 #2
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #2 with a 75/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,331 a year. 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 #3
Holy Family University lands at #3 with a 74/100 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, 10% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Immaculata University lands at #4 with a 74/100 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, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 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
Millersville, PA · 86% accepted · $20,787 net
Why it ranks #5
Millersville University of Pennsylvania lands at #5 with a 74/100 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, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,787 a year. 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
West Chester, PA · 78% accepted · $23,331 net
Why it ranks #6
West Chester University of Pennsylvania lands at #6 with a 73/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,331 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
East Stroudsburg, PA · 92% accepted · $18,134 net
Why it ranks #7
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #7 with a 72/100 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, 0% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Carlow University lands at #8 with a 72/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,786 a year. 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 #9
Messiah University lands at #9 with a 72/100 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, 4% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Elizabethtown College lands at #10 with a 71/100 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, 11% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Shippensburg, PA · 87% accepted · $23,726 net
Why it ranks #11
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #11 with a 71/100 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, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,726 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 #12
Waynesburg University lands at #12 with a 71/100 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, 4% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Juniata College lands at #13 with a 70/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,988 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 #14
Washington & Jefferson College lands at #14 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, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,002 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 #15
Gwynedd Mercy University lands at #15 with a 69/100 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, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,483 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 #16
Susquehanna University lands at #16 with a 69/100 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% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Scranton lands at #17 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, 32% 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 #18
Indiana University of Pennsylvania lands at #18 with a 69/100 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, 10% 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 #19
Seton Hill University lands at #19 with a 69/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,204 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 #20
Bucks County Community College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,324 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,389 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 #21
Lebanon Valley College lands at #21 with a 68/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,979 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 #22
Arcadia University lands at #22 with a 68/100 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, 3% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
King's College lands at #23 with a 68/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,093 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 #24
Marywood University lands at #24 with a 68/100 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, 1% 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 #25
Manor College lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $46,825 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,078 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 #26
Robert Morris University lands at #26 with a 68/100 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, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,003 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 #27
Wilkes University lands at #27 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, 13% 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 #28
Lehigh Carbon Community College lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,436 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,203 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
Chestnut Hill College lands at #29 with a 67/100 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, 8% 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
Why it ranks #30
Lancaster Bible College lands at #30 with a 67/100 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, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,480 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 #31
La Roche University lands at #31 with a 67/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,794 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 #32
Chatham University lands at #32 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, 7% 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 #33
Thiel College lands at #33 with a 66/100 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, 12% 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 #34
Montgomery County Community College lands at #34 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,108 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,124 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 #35
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College lands at #35 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, 31% 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 #36
Northampton County Area Community College lands at #36 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $41,566 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,119 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 #37
Neumann University lands at #37 with a 66/100 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, 3% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Philadelphia, PA · 89% accepted · $29,689 net
Why it ranks #38
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia lands at #38 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, 54% 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 #39
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,945 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 #40
Eastern University lands at #40 with a 66/100 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, 8% 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 #41
Delaware County Community College lands at #41 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,576 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
Westmoreland County Community College lands at #42 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,439 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,167 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 #43
DeSales University lands at #43 with a 65/100 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, 9% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Temple University lands at #44 with a 65/100 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, 13% 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
Why it ranks #45
Community College of Philadelphia lands at #45 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,852 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,911 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
Geneva College lands at #46 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $50,004 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,890 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 #47
Lackawanna College lands at #47 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,000 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,951 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
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown lands at #48 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,202 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
Misericordia University lands at #49 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (25/100). Graduates earn a median $64,313 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,485 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
Slippery Rock, PA · 71% accepted · $19,608 net
Why it ranks #50
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania lands at #50 with a 64/100 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, 6% 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
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 an education college can feel overwhelming, especially when considering the range of options in Pennsylvania. With 50 institutions to evaluate, students and families are looking for programs that not only prepare future educators but also provide solid outcomes after graduation. For many, factors like earnings and graduation rates are crucial in making this decision.
The best education colleges in Pennsylvania stand out based on their strong outcomes, including high earnings, graduation rates, manageable debt, and the potential for upward mobility. As you explore the list below, keep in mind the average earnings of $57,243 and an overall graduation rate of 55%. These figures reflect the realities of what students can expect as they transition from their studies into their careers.
Take, for example, Swarthmore College and the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Swarthmore boasts impressive earnings of $80,257 and a graduation rate of 93%, while Pitt-Johnstown's earnings sit at $66,125 with only a 55% graduation rate. This contrast highlights the range of outcomes available, underscoring the importance of considering not just the programs offered but also their effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce.
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 46 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.5%. 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 Community College of Philadelphia (2.8%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.9% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Community College of Philadelphia enrolls the most, at 24.1%, 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 23.4% across the list, peaking at 49.1% at Swarthmore College.
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 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Swarthmore College is highest at 1.84.
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
When comparing the schools on this list, it's clear that outcomes vary significantly. For instance, Swarthmore College leads with both high earnings and graduation rates, while the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford shows lower graduation rates at 46% and similar earnings of $66,125. This suggests that while some institutions may attract students with lower costs, they might not provide the same level of support to ensure student success.
As you sift through these 50 schools, consider what matters most to you—whether it's location, financial aid, or campus culture. Weigh the data against your own priorities. For example, if affordability is a top concern, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford offers a net price of $15,350, but keep in mind its lower graduation rate.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on making informed choices. The right education program can pave the way not just for a job but for a fulfilling career. A family may invest in their child’s education, and that decision should align with practical outcomes that support long-term success. Every choice we make today shapes the opportunities available tomorrow.
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 Education Colleges in Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $80,257 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% 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? +
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,881 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,384 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, Bucks County Community College leads: graduates earn a median $47,324 against net price of about $6,389 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? +
Swarthmore College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93%, compared with a 57% 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 $21,638 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Westmoreland County Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,167. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education 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 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
