best small colleges in pennsylvania

Last Updated on December 15, 2022

Pennsylvania has some of the finest colleges in the nation that offer a quality education, wonderful resources and a great value. To be deemed one of the best you also want to be small in comparison to some of the larger schools. The emphasis here is on offering an enriching educational experience without feeling overwhelmed or lost in the shuffle. These are small colleges with less students and made a mark by offering an exceptional experience.

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overview of Best Small Colleges In Pennsylvania

Small colleges are as varied in quality and cost as large ones are. Each state has many small colleges, and we’ve put together a ranking of the top 20 small colleges in the state of Pennsylvania.

There are many reasons to attend a small college. Whether you want a close-knit environment, a small school with a certain religious affiliation, or a low student-to-faculty ratio, small colleges offer many advantages. They are often in a position to be more focused than large universities, and because of this, there is sometimes a higher concentration of students attending for the specific degree you may be interested in. Smaller colleges make it easier to integrate into your campus community, participate in student government, and get access to your professors when you need it. They often (but not always) place less emphasis on research, which means that most of their professors will actually be teaching more than one or two token classes.

list of Best Small Colleges In Pennsylvania

#1. Swarthmore College

Website
Score: 100

Swarthmore College is one of the nation’s top liberal arts universities, and it takes the top spot on our list of best small colleges in Pennsylvania. The school has a student population of just over 1,500 and an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Among its many programs, Swarthmore boasts an ABET-accredited engineering program, the highest level of accreditation for engineering. Swarthmore has partnerships with Haverford College and Bryn Mawr (both top five colleges in this ranking) and the University of Pennsylvania (a top ivy league school) that allow students to take courses at any of the partner institutions once enrolled.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #3
20yr Net Return on Investment: $746,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $54,456
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 94%

#2. Haverford College

Website
Score: 92.11

Haverford College has an undergraduate student population of just over 1,300 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1. Like its partner institution Swarthmore, Haverford was started by the Religious Society of Friends, but it has since dropped its religious affiliation. Haverford has the same partnership with the University of Pennsylvania that Swarthmore does. Among Haverford’s graduates are 4 Nobel Prize winners, 6 Pulitzer Prize winners, and numerous Rhodes Scholars and Fulbright Scholars.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #15
20yr Net Return on Investment: $628,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $59,162
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 94%

#3. Washington & Jefferson College

Website
Score: 74.16

Washington & Jefferson College is a small liberal arts college with an undergraduate student population of just over 1,200 students with a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Washington & Jefferson College accepts roughly 38% of applicants and uses a traditional liberal arts curriculum. The school offers 33 majors and 34 minors in areas like accounting, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, and philosophy.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #96
20yr Net Return on Investment: $330,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $50,169
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 96%

#4. Ursinus College

Website
Score: 72.50

Ursinus College is a small liberal arts college located in the aptly named Collegeville, Pennsylvania. The school has a student population of just over 1,400 and a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Ursinus offers a variety of majors and minors including programs in anthropology, applied physics, art history, biology, economics, international relations, mathematics, physics, and sociology.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts Colleges #84
20yr Net Return on Investment: $402,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $55,210
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 81%

#5. Bryn Mawr College

Website
Score: 72.15

Bryn Mawr is a small liberal arts college located near Philadelphia, PA, and it ranks high on our list of the best small colleges in Pennsylvania. Like its two sister colleges, Haverford and Swarthmore, it was originally associated with the Religious Society of Friends but eventually dropped all religious affiliation. The student population is just over 1,700 with a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Bryn Mawr shares the same relationship with the University of Pennsylvania as the other two schools.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #28
20yr Net Return on Investment: $274,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $54,440
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 84%

#6. Juniata College

Website
Score: 70.02

Juniata College is located in central PA, in the town of Huntingdon. The school has a student population just over 1,400 and an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Juniata College is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. Instead of majors, Juniata College has programs of emphasis. These allow students to design their own undergraduate degree. While there are pre-set programs of emphasis to use as guides, students are free to alter any program to meet their needs and interests.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #84
20yr Net Return on Investment: $371,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $49,175
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 78%

#7. Elizabethtown College

Website
Score: 68.76

Elizabethtown College is another small liberal arts college affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. Located in Elizabethtown, PA, the school has an undergraduate student population of 1,729 and an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. If you’re interested in a more traditional academic structure that uses majors and minors then Elizabethtown College is a great choice. The school offers majors in areas like actuarial science, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice, economics, digital media production, fine arts, and graphic design.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #113
20yr Net Return on Investment: $384,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $32,960
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 69%

#8. Lycoming College

Website
Score: 68.63

100% of Lycoming College’s 1,140 undergraduate students receive financial aid and scholarships. 98.3% of graduates in 2019 found employment within a year of graduation. Lycoming College is one of the first 50 colleges established in the United States and is still affiliated with the Methodist Church, which founded the school. Lycoming College is on an upward trend in the rankings, having climbed 37 spots in the U.S. News ranking to its current position. Lycoming College offers over 60 majors, and offers students an interdisciplinary program that allows them to design their own major if they wish.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #117
20yr Net Return on Investment: $255,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $42,939
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 92%

#9. Saint Vincent College

Website
Score: 68.15

Saint Vincent College is a small liberal arts college located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The school has just over 1,700 students and an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Saint Vincent is a Roman Catholic college founded and operated by Benedictine monks who were part of the first Benedictine monastery in the United States. Saint Vincent offers many degrees, among them programs in data science, education, engineering, finance, information systems, liberal arts, mathematics, nursing, philosophy, and theology.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #140
20yr Net Return on Investment: $262,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $37,604
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 93%

#10. Allegheny College

Website
Score: 65.87

Allegheny College is one of the oldest colleges in the United States, founded in 1815. The school has an undergraduate student population of 1,775 and a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. While the school is historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it doesn’t incorporate religion into the classes. Allegheny College offers 32 undergraduate majors and numerous interdisciplinary programs. The interdisciplinary programs include community & justice studies, classical studies, integrative informatics, international studies, journalism in the public interest, and environmental science & sustainability.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts #80
20yr Net Return on Investment: $293,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $50,980
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 74%

#11. Misericordia University

Website
Score: 65.36

Misericordia University is a Roman Catholic university established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924. It is located in northeastern Pennsylvania in the mountain town of Dallas. Misericordia offers 37 degree programs spread across three academic colleges. Majors include biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, healthcare analytics, healthcare management, health science, information technology, mathematics, medical imaging, and nursing. The school has 1,964 undergraduate students and a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

U.S. News Ranking: National #206
20yr Net Return on Investment: $317,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $35,940
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 94%

#12. Lebanon Valley College

Website
Score: 64.91

Lebanon Valley College is a small, private college in Annville, Pennsylvania. The school has 1,729 undergraduate students and an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Lebanon Valley College offers over 40 majors across six colleges. These programs include audio & music production, music business, digital communications, interaction design, music education, nursing, neuroscience, and political science.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #38
20yr Net Return on Investment: $337,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $46,030
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 78%

#13. Geneva College

Website
Score: 64.10

Geneva College is a small Presbyterian college located in Beaver Falls, PA. The school has almost 1,300 undergraduate students and an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Geneva has a variety of programs you don’t see everywhere, including programs in aviation business administration, aviation/missions, and aviation/independent. The school also offers programs in computer information systems, computer science, biblical studies, and communication, as well as allied health programs.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #93
20yr Net Return on Investment: $268,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $29,040
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 89%

#14. Immaculata University

Website
Score: 63.82

Immaculata University is a Roman Catholic university founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The approximately 300-acre campus is located in the small East Whitman Township in Chester County, PA. The school has just over 1,500 undergraduate students and a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Immaculata offers majors in art, business, education, emergency planning, communication, exercise science, fashion, global languages & cultures, history, music, nursing, and philosophy & theology, among many others.

U.S. News Ranking: National #241
20yr Net Return on Investment: $366,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $27,750
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 91%

#15. Waynesburg University

Website
Score: 63.78

Waynesburg University is a small, private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The undergraduate student population at Waynesburg is almost 1,300, and the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Waynesburg offers a variety of programs both for people seeking an education for a career in Christian ministry, and for those seeking a degree for their secular career. You will find degrees in children & youth ministries, Christian mission, computer science, criminal justice administration, cybersecurity & forensics, digital design, data science, healthcare management, and information technology, among others.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #62
20yr Net Return on Investment: $173,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $26,500
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 91%

#16. Eastern University

Website
Score: 61.69

Eastern University is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, but the student population is interdenominational. The school has about 1,700 undergraduate students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Eastern University offers degrees at every degree level, from undergraduate certificate and associate’s degrees up to the post-graduate level. You will find programs in marketing, organizational leadership, music education, nursing, theological studies & ethics, history, political science, mathematics, and engineering, among many others.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #83
20yr Net Return on Investment: $240,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $34,706
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 86%

#17. Westminster College

Website
Score: 61.66

Westminster College is a small liberal arts college, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The school has an undergraduate student population of nearly 1,200 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1 and an average class size of 17 students. Westminster College offers 42 majors and 13 pre-professional programs. 98% of students receive financial aid including merit and need-based scholarships.

U.S. News Ranking: National Liberal Arts Colleges #120
20yr Net Return on Investment: $256,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $37,675
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 70%

#18. Marywood University

Website
Score: 59.10

Marywood University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1915 and has just over 1800 undergraduate students and a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school offers over 50 majors, and 99% of the 2019 graduating class is employed or in graduate school. Some of the most unique undergraduate programs are art therapy, aviation, interior architecture, and music therapy.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #59
20yr Net Return on Investment: $116,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $36,928
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 90%

#19. Delaware Valley University

Website
Score: 58.56

Delaware Valley University is a small university with an undergraduate student population of just over 1,900 and a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Delaware Valley University offers a wide range of agriculture- and nature-focused programs in areas like agribusiness, animal science, conservation & wildlife management, crop science, dairy science, equine management, equine science, food science, horticulture, landscape architecture, and landscape design, to name a few.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #125
20yr Net Return on Investment: $159,000
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $40,620
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 90%

#20. Seton Hill University

Website
Score: 58.44

Seton Hill University has an undergraduate student population of 1,728 and a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. It’s a private Roman Catholic university located in Greensburg, PA and was founded by the Sisters of Charity. Seton Hill offers a wide variety of STEM majors in areas like chemistry, biology, computer science, biochemistry, cybersecurity, data analytics, graphic & interactive design, and mathematics.

U.S. News Ranking: Regional #43
20yr Net Return on Investment: $77,700
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees: $37,946
Graduation/Transfer Rate: 91%