College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Pennsylvania
There is no shortage of amazing colleges in Pennsylvania, but before you apply to one, consult Payscale’s College ROI Report to find out which Pennsylvania colleges provide the best ROI to alumni.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: University of Pennsylvania (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$969,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$327,000 | Graduation Rate:96% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$50,000 |
| Rank:2 | School Name:_50px.png) Carnegie Mellon University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$938,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$309,000 | Graduation Rate:92% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,100 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Lehigh University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$873,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$296,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$38,400 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Lafayette College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$778,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$303,000 | Graduation Rate:89% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$33,400 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Swarthmore College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$752,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$303,000 | Graduation Rate:94% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,800 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: Bucknell University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$746,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$309,000 | Graduation Rate:87% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$45,600 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Villanova University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$721,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$308,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$43,100 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Thomas Jefferson University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$660,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$253,000 | Graduation Rate:68% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,400 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Drexel University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$651,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$302,000 | Graduation Rate:78% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$43,500 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Grove City College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$560,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$126,000 | Graduation Rate:81% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$58,200 |
Students attending Pennsylvania colleges can immerse themselves in the rich cultural and historical traditions of thriving cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Keystone State is also home to stretches of the Appalachian Trail and many other beautiful natural areas. If you’re planning on attending college in Pennsylvania, make sure you’re getting a good value using Payscale’s College ROI data.
Located just three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is made up of seven colleges and independent schools. CMU is home to one of the leading robotics research institutes in the country, and that’s a skillset that is in higher demand than ever in today’s economy. (News stories of companies like Uber poaching talent from CMU’s student pool demonstrate just how valuable.) The Carnegie Mellon School of Drama is among the most highly ranked in the U.S. too. Numerous accomplished alumni, including several astronauts, eight Academy Award winners and more than 100 Emmy award winners, are graduates of the school.
The University of Pennsylvania is also a great investment for students who can get in. Founded by Benjamin Franklin, this prestigious Ivy League school was among the nine original Colonial Colleges. Located in West Philadelphia, UPenn’s 279-acre campus is dominated by a Collegiate Gothic style. The alumni list includes Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Elizabeth Banks, Warren Buffet, John Legend, Dr. Oz, and Steve Wynn.
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