Top 20 Most Affordable Small Colleges in Pennsylvania

Small colleges are as varied in quality and cost as large ones are. Each state has many small colleges. 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. They offer many advantages:

Featured Programs

a close-knit environment
a small school with a certain religious affiliation
a low student/faculty ratio

They are often in a position to be more focused than large universities. Because of this, there is sometimes a higher concentration of students attending for the degree you may be interested in. Smaller colleges make it easier to:

integrate into your campus community
participate in student government
get access to your professors when you need it

They often (but not always) place less emphasis on research. This means that most of their professors will actually be teaching more than one or two token classes.

Ranking the 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 8:1 student/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
Bryn Mawr
The University of Pennsylvania

These partnerships 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/faculty ratio of 8:1. 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
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. It has a 10:1 student/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
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 Collegeville, Pennsylvania. The school has a student population of just over 1,400 and a 10:1 student/faculty ratio. Ursinus offers a variety of majors and minors including programs in:

anthropology
applied physics
art history
biology
economics
international relations
mathematics
physics
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. 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. It eventually dropped all religious affiliation. The student population is just over 1,700 with a 9:1 student/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 11:1 student/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. There are pre-set programs of emphasis to use as guides. However,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 11:1 student/faculty ratio. If you’re interested in a more traditional academic structure that uses majors and minors, 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
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. It’s climbed 37 spots in the U.S. News ranking to its current position. Lycoming College offers over 60 majors. It 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 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The school has just over 1,700 students and an 11:1 student/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
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 10:1 student/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
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
nursing

The school has 1,964 undergraduate students and a 10:1 student/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 11:1 student/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
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 about 1,300 undergraduate students and an 11:1 student/faculty ratio. Geneva has a variety of programs you don’t see everywhere, including programs in:

aviation business administration
aviation/missions
aviation/independent

The school also offers programs in:

computer information systems
computer science
biblical studies
communication
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 9:1 student/faculty ratio. Immaculata offers majors in:

art
business
education
emergency planning
communication
exercise science
fashion
global languages & cultures
history
music
nursing
philosophy & theology, among 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. The school has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. Waynesburg offers a variety of programs 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
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/faculty ratio of 10:1. Eastern University offers degrees 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
engineering, among 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. The student/faculty ratio is 11:1 with 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. It has about 1800 undergraduate students and a 12:1 student/faculty ratio. The school offers over 50 majors. 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
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. It has a 13:1 student/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
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 14:1 student/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
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is graduation rate important? Why do you also add the transfer rate to the score?

One might think that graduation rate just shows how many students had the ability or wherewithal to complete their programs. But the reality is that some schools are better at helping their students succeed than others. Graduation rate shows the industriousness and quality of the students. It also shows how well the college supports their students and provides for their physical, mental, and academic wellbeing.

The transfer rate indicates that when students feel a school is not a good fit for them, the school can help them transfer to a school that fits them better. Some schools are designed to allow students to transfer easily to other schools once they complete their first year or two of school. A student who transfers hasn’t dropped out, they’ve just decided a different school is a better fit for them personally.

Why is tuition a part of your metric?

Well, we are a website that creates content in line with our name. Great College Deals strives to ensure that students have the information to choose a quality school. This also means choosing the school that has the highest chance of setting them up for success. Part of this means factoring in the cost of the school. A great degree can still set you back if you owe so much in student loans that you have trouble paying them off in a reasonable time. So we make sure to factor in the cost when we create our rankings.

What exactly is this return on investment category? Why is it important?

The first thing to understand is that the return on investment we feature here isn’t a guarantee. It’s simply the average 20 year net return on investment as reported by graduates of the university. This is useful information because it helps paint a picture of how well a school sets up its students for success, on average.

The return on investment factors in:

the cost of the school
the average student loan debt of the graduating students
the out-of-pocket costs after the average financial aid is applied
the money you lose in the four years attending the school instead of working

Then they calculate how much more graduates earn, on average, than people who didn’t go to college but entered the workforce immediately. Essentially, it indicates whether or not, and by how much, students who attend the given school come out ahead financially than those who did not attend college.

Are there colleges and universities with a negative ROI? Schools where the average graduates are worse off financially than people who didn’t go to college at all?

The answer is yes

We exclude those schools from our rankings based on this sole factor. In our estimation, it doesn’t matter how well you do in all the other categories if you come out worse off than if yoiu had just skipped college.

That’s not a great deal.

Why do you include the ranking of a school by U.S. News & World Report in your evaluation?

U.S. News provides a different service than we do. They rank just about all the schools that they can get proper data for. It’s a useful tool, but its overall rankings are rather broad in scope. Our ranking articles are more specific. They make it easy to find niche ranking categories without filtering through an overwhelming number of schools that aren’t relevant to your college search.

This article is a good example. We factor in financial aspects more heavily because we focus on helping you find the best deals available. However, if you’re reading this article, I hope you’re looking for a small college in the state of Pennsylvania. That’s a lot of highly specific criteria. Essentially, our goal is to do the work of filtering through a ton of data to and then featuring the best schools and the data we found to make your search easier.

Methodology

The weights for each category are as follows.

Tuition: 10%
Graduation Rate: 30%
Return on Investment: 30%
National Ranking: 30%
Regional Ranking: 20%

No schools are ranked regionally and nationally at the same time. We evaluate regional rankings to be of ⅔ the value of national rankings. Why? Because these schools only compete against a smaller pool of schools in their specific region that are not nationally ranked.

For tuition, the points are awarded according to how much less a school’s tuition is compared to the most expensive school in the entire pool of schools considered. We do this even if the most expensive school in the pool did not make it into the final ranking.

With this methodology, no school can score 100 because no school has $0 tuition or 100% graduation rate. Once all the schools’ points are calculated, the top school is curved to a score of 100. Then each other school’s score is curved up by adding the same percentage of its own score to its score.

Sources:

College ROI: Payscale
U.S. News Rankings: U.S. News and World Report
Tuition and Graduation Rate: National Center for Education Statistics

This concludes our article on the best small colleges in Pennsylvania.

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