# Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-pennsylvania

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Pennsylvania

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When it comes to higher education in Pennsylvania, affordability is a major consideration for students and families. The schools on this list share a commitment to keeping costs low, making college more accessible without sacrificing quality. For many prospective students, the net price — the amount students actually pay after financial aid — is a crucial factor in their decision-making process.

What sets these colleges apart is not just their low net prices, but also their outcomes. Graduating on time, securing good jobs, and managing student debt are all vital metrics. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions stand at $52,694, while the average graduation rate is 39%. These figures give us a clearer picture of what students can expect after they leave school, emphasizing the importance of balancing cost with future earning potential.

For example, Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood offers a net price of $5,167 and graduates 28% of its students, leading to average earnings of $37,439. In contrast, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has a slightly higher net price of $6,200 but boasts a better graduation rate of 39% and higher earnings at $38,752. These differences highlight the trade-offs that students must consider as they weigh their options in pursuit of a degree.

## Key Findings

- Westmoreland County Community College has the lowest net price at $5,167.
- Graduates from Bucks County Community College earn an average of $47,324.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 39%.
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has the highest graduation rate at 39%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Westmoreland County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westmoreland-county-community-college) | Youngwood, PA | 28% | $37,439 | $5,167 | $11,000 | 0.29x |
| 2 | [Bucks County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bucks-county-community-college) | Newtown, PA | 30% | $47,324 | $6,389 | $12,000 | 0.25x |
| 3 | [Butler County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/butler-county-community-college) | Butler, PA | 34% | $38,891 | $6,233 | $10,020 | 0.26x |
| 4 | [Pennsylvania Highlands Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-highlands-community-college) | Johnstown, PA | 39% | $38,752 | $6,200 | $11,000 | 0.28x |
| 5 | [Delaware County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delaware-county-community-college) | Media, PA | 22% | $45,391 | $6,576 | $13,250 | 0.29x |
| 6 | [Community College of Beaver County](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-beaver-county) | Monaca, PA | 17% | $45,090 | $6,937 | $14,923 | 0.33x |
| 7 | [Williamson College of the Trades](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williamson-college-of-the-trades) | Media, PA | 74% | N/A | $1,545 | N/A | N/A |
| 8 | [Lehigh Carbon Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lehigh-carbon-community-college) | Schnecksville, PA | 29% | $42,436 | $9,203 | $11,000 | 0.26x |
| 9 | [Reading Area Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/reading-area-community-college) | Reading, PA | 30% | $39,082 | $9,228 | $8,750 | 0.22x |
| 10 | [Luzerne County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/luzerne-county-community-college) | Nanticoke, PA | 22% | $40,437 | $9,433 | $11,000 | 0.27x |
| 11 | [Montgomery County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montgomery-county-community-college) | Blue Bell, PA | 26% | $46,108 | $11,124 | $12,349 | 0.27x |
| 12 | [Holy Family University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/holy-family-university) | Philadelphia, PA | 61% | $62,235 | $13,143 | $25,125 | 0.4x |
| 13 | [Manor College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/manor-college) | Jenkintown, PA | 25% | $46,825 | $13,078 | $19,000 | 0.41x |
| 14 | [Community College of Philadelphia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-philadelphia) | Philadelphia, PA | 22% | $40,852 | $11,911 | $10,750 | 0.26x |
| 15 | [Northampton County Area Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northampton-county-area-community-college) | Bethlehem, PA | 22% | $41,566 | $12,119 | $15,495 | 0.37x |
| 16 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-pa) | Lincoln University, PA | 48% | $43,167 | $14,977 | $28,250 | 0.65x |
| 17 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-fayette-eberly) | Lemont Furnace, PA | 36% | $63,435 | $14,596 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 18 | [Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thaddeus-stevens-college-of-technology) | Lancaster, PA | 65% | $54,681 | $14,104 | $9,990 | 0.18x |
| 19 | [Community College of Allegheny County](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-allegheny-county) | Pittsburgh, PA | 24% | $39,449 | $13,970 | $12,680 | 0.32x |
| 20 | [Cheyney University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cheyney-university-of-pennsylvania) | Cheyney, PA | 24% | $37,837 | $14,265 | $21,785 | 0.58x |
| 21 | [Harrisburg Area Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harrisburg-area-community-college) | Harrisburg, PA | 21% | $42,007 | $14,471 | $17,500 | 0.42x |
| 22 | [University of Pittsburgh-Bradford](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pittsburgh-bradford) | Bradford, PA | 46% | $66,125 | $15,350 | $24,250 | 0.37x |
| 23 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-greater-allegheny) | McKeesport, PA | 23% | $63,435 | $15,521 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 24 | [Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-of-pennsylvania-main-campus) | Indiana, PA | 54% | $51,019 | $16,804 | $26,798 | 0.53x |
| 25 | [Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/commonwealth-university-of-pennsylvania) | Bloomsburg, PA | 54% | $52,416 | $15,699 | $26,000 | 0.5x |
| 26 | [Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/greater-altoona-career-technology-center) | Altoona, PA | 72% | $38,008 | $12,419 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 27 | [Harrisburg University of Science and Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harrisburg-university-of-science-and-technology) | Harrisburg, PA | 39% | $52,374 | $15,376 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 28 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-wilkes-barre) | Dallas, PA | 19% | $63,435 | $16,448 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 29 | [East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-stroudsburg-university-of-pennsylvania) | East Stroudsburg, PA | 44% | $56,148 | $18,134 | $24,218 | 0.43x |
| 30 | [York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/york-county-school-of-technology-adult-continuing-education) | York, PA | 90% | $54,322 | $13,490 | $9,500 | 0.17x |
| 31 | [Waynesburg University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/waynesburg-university) | Waynesburg, PA | 63% | $58,537 | $18,235 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 32 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-beaver) | Monaca, PA | 21% | $63,435 | $17,418 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 33 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-dubois) | DuBois, PA | 31% | $63,435 | $17,428 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 34 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-hazleton) | Hazleton, PA | 22% | $63,435 | $17,597 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 35 | [University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pittsburgh-greensburg) | Greensburg, PA | 40% | $66,125 | $17,945 | $24,250 | 0.37x |
| 36 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-abington) | Abington, PA | 21% | $63,435 | $18,071 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 37 | [University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pittsburgh-johnstown) | Johnstown, PA | 55% | $66,125 | $18,202 | $24,250 | 0.37x |
| 38 | [York College of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/york-college-of-pennsylvania) | York, PA | 62% | $61,012 | $18,556 | $26,000 | 0.43x |
| 39 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-scranton) | Dunmore, PA | 35% | $63,435 | $17,910 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 40 | [Cedar Crest College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cedar-crest-college) | Allentown, PA | 59% | $59,460 | $18,659 | $27,000 | 0.45x |
| 41 | [Lycoming College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lycoming-college) | Williamsport, PA | 60% | $56,210 | $19,140 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 42 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-lehigh-valley) | Center Valley, PA | 18% | $63,435 | $18,220 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 43 | [Pennsylvania Western University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-western-university) | California, PA | 51% | $47,295 | $18,256 | $23,725 | 0.5x |
| 44 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-new-kensington) | New Kensington, PA | 26% | $63,435 | $18,305 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 45 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-shenango) | Sharon, PA | 33% | $63,435 | $18,095 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 46 | [Pennsylvania Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-institute-of-technology) | Media, PA | 27% | $35,703 | $17,850 | $16,500 | 0.46x |
| 47 | [La Salle University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/la-salle-university) | Philadelphia, PA | 58% | $67,416 | $19,409 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 48 | [Mercyhurst University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercyhurst-university) | Erie, PA | 59% | $47,452 | $19,444 | $25,305 | 0.53x |
| 49 | [Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/slippery-rock-university-of-pennsylvania) | Slippery Rock, PA | 66% | $53,032 | $19,608 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 50 | [Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-penn-state-mont-alto) | Mont Alto, PA | 29% | $63,435 | $19,454 | $25,000 | 0.39x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-pennsylvania

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.