Best colleges in Philadelphia
A Historic Future
Great things come from Philly beside cheesesteaks and the Fresh Prince
Although widely known for its rich history including the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, and the Valley Forge National Historic Park, Philadelphia’s modern attractions provide an idyllic balance that celebrates the best of the past while enjoying the exciting future.* With approximately 90 colleges and universities in the greater Philadelphia area, your options are limitless with majors including biophysics and Italian studies.* Opportunities for success in Philadelphia will have you cheering at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs: an unemployment rate lower than the national average, ranking in the nation’s top 50 cities in education, and making the top 100 Best Places for Business and Careers.*
Philadelphia earned the nickname of “City of Brotherly Love” from its Greek origins and acceptance of people. These ideals have stayed true in the city that truly celebrates community and appreciates artistic expression – in places like the PFS Roxy Theater, Venice Island Performing Arts Center, and Dilworth Park.* But it's not all about the arts. Philadelphia is home to some amazing professional sports teams to cheer for including the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, and Philadelphia 76ers.* And when you’re hankering for some local cuisine, your options are far more diverse than just the locally beloved cheesesteak. Take a dinner cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia or enjoy a meal in a historic setting at the famous M Restaurant.* With so much to do and see as an urbanite or outdoorsman, and close proximity to the best historic destinations the East Coast has to offer, you’re guaranteed to find it in Philly. The Liberty Bell is ringing – don’t miss your calling for a fantastic collegiate experience in Philadelphia.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*Bureau of Labor Statistics *visitphilly.com *Wikipedia, “Philadelphia” *pa.govBest Four Year Universities in Philadelphia
Founded in 1740 in downtown Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania is a private academic institution with a current undergraduate enrollment of roughly 25,000. The school was initially founded by Benjamin Franklin before the Declaration of Independence was drafted, making it one of only nine universities to be chartered in that era. Penn's tuition and fees total over $55,000 annually, and the school ranks among the top universities in the nation.
The university is in an urban setting with a historic gothic campus that includes a walled-in student housing complex located just north of the Schuylkill River and blocks from Rittenhouse Square. Classes follow a semester-based academic calendar, and the current student-faculty ratio is 6:1, one of the smallest ratios for a top university in the nation.
The University of Pennsylvania is home to internationally recognized colleges including the Annenberg School for Communication, The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology, and the Wharton School of Business. UPenn has academic partnerships worldwide with schools such as King’s College London, the University of Barcelona, and even in Australia at the University of Queensland. During their stay at UPenn, students can participate in a range of social clubs like the famous Penn Glee Club, or work at The Daily Pennsylvanian, the student-run newspaper. Notable alumni include former President of the United States Donald Trump, author Noam Chomsky, and architect of the Louvre Pyramid, I.M. Pei.
Swarthmore College offers 104 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 404 students graduated with students earning 404 Bachelor's degrees.
Haverford College offers 46 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 304 students graduated with students earning 304 Bachelor's degrees.
Bryn Mawr College offers 56 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 481 students graduated with students earning 295 Bachelor's degrees, 101 Master's degrees, 74 Certificates, and 11 Doctoral degrees.
Curtis Institute of Music offers 10 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 62 students graduated with students earning 39 Bachelor's degrees, 14 Certificates, and 9 Master's degrees.
University of Delaware offers 320 degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 5,910 students graduated with students earning 4,378 Bachelor's degrees, 942 Master's degrees, 332 Doctoral degrees, and 258 Associate's degrees.
Drexel University offers 490 degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 6,820 students graduated with students earning 3,441 Bachelor's degrees, 2,194 Master's degrees, 725 Doctoral degrees, and 460 Certificates.
Ursinus College offers 42 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 294 students graduated with students earning 294 Bachelor's degrees.
Based in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Temple University is a public research university founded by minister Russell Conwell. Temple has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 40,000 students who attend classes on a campus situated in the North Philadelphia neighborhood just west of the Delaware River. Temple is on a semester-based academic calendar and while Pennsylvania residents receive in-state tuition rates, the university provides ample merit and need-based scholarships to all students.
The university is made up of 15 colleges including the competitive Tyler School of Art and Architecture, as well as the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Students can live on or off-campus, but many choose to live on-campus and take advantage of amenities like the Howard Gittis Student Center, which includes a theater, food court, and computer lounge for students and faculty to study or relax.
Temple students have access to a slew of greek organizations and student-run programs like The Temple News, the school’s newspaper. Outside of school, attendees can enjoy historic Philadelphia and visit Rittenhouse Square, The Liberty Bell, and walk through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. The Temple Owls compete in the A-10 and feature regularly in the NIT and NCAA tournaments. Notable alumni include actor Bob Saget, and comedian Kevin Hart
Saint Joseph's University offers 212 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 2,794 students graduated with students earning 1,360 Bachelor's degrees, 1,066 Master's degrees, 220 Doctoral degrees, and 148 Certificates.
Best Community Colleges in Philadelphia
Jna Institute of Culinary Arts offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 9 students graduated with students earning 7 Certificates, and 2 Associate's degrees.
Pennco Tech-Bristol offers 8 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 400 students graduated with students earning 372 Certificates, and 28 Associate's degrees.
Delaware College of Art and Design offers 5 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a small city. In 2022, 27 students graduated with students earning 27 Associate's degrees.
Lansdale School of Business offers 20 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 64 students graduated with students earning 47 Certificates, and 17 Associate's degrees.
Lincoln Technical Institute-Philadelphia offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 124 students graduated with students earning 111 Certificates, and 13 Associate's degrees.
Valley Forge Military College offers 10 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 44 students graduated with students earning 44 Associate's degrees.
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers 24 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 164 students graduated with students earning 111 Certificates, and 53 Associate's degrees.
Salem Community College offers 40 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 236 students graduated with students earning 207 Associate's degrees, and 29 Certificates.
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus offers 52 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 1,015 students graduated with students earning 1,011 Associate's degrees, and 4 Certificates.
Harcum College offers 30 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 370 students graduated with students earning 363 Associate's degrees, and 7 Certificates.
Top schools offering specific degrees in Philadelphia
List of all colleges in Philadelphia
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | 20 : 1 | 28,201 | |
|
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA | 6 : 1 | 1,625 | |
|
Haverford College Haverford, PA | 8 : 1 | 1,421 | |
|
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA | 10 : 1 | 1,742 | |
|
Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PA | 4 : 1 | 151 | |