Top 25 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania for 2021

Drexel is a private research university located in Philadelphia. The university's academic programs include more than 80 undergraduate options and about 100 master's, doctoral, and professional programs.

Unlike other universities in Pennsylvania, Drexel delivers one of the nation's oldest and most expansive cooperative programs. Students in the co-op program can obtain 18 months of paid work experience with established corporations. Drexel also offers adult education programs and summer institutes for high-achieving high school students.

Undergraduate applicants must submit the Common Application or Coalition Application, an essay, high school transcripts, recommendation letters, and ACT or SAT scores. Standardized test scores are optional for students applying for the fall 2021 semester. Applicants to certain programs may need to provide additional materials. For example, prospective fine arts students submit a portfolio, and incoming dance majors must audition.

Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private liberal arts college located in Carlisle, Dickinson College offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees. The college fosters career-focused learning environments and delivers liberal arts curricula. Students participate in internships, externships, research experiences, and service-learning programs. According to data from Dickinson College, 98% of graduates secure employment or enter graduate school within one year of graduation.

All students complete a first-year seminar, during which they develop skills in critical thinking, writing, and library research. Learners work with an advisor during their first academic year, and they can live in a residential learning community with peers who share their interests. Applicants must submit high school transcripts and recommendations from a counselor and a teacher. The college does not consider standardized test scores.

Dickinson College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private liberal arts college, Gettysburg delivers programs that emphasize self-awareness and broad implications of classroom concepts. All students take a first-year seminar with a small residential learning community comprising students with shared interests. Learners can also conduct research and study abroad.

Gettysburg offers more than 65 majors and minors and maintains an average class size of 17 students. The college delivers programs in areas such as leadership, public service, and music. Students can participate in internships, externships, summer fellowships, and service-learning experiences.

Prospective students must submit the Common Application, high school transcripts, a teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report, and SAT or ACT scores.

Gettysburg College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

SJU is a private Jesuit University based in Philadelphia and Lower Merion. The university offers a variety of degree options, including more than 100 undergraduate majors and minors. Students can also pursue graduate degrees and certificate programs. SJU reports an 11-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a 9-to-1 graduate student-to-faculty ratio.

Learners can study fields including business and science. SJU also offers degree-completion programs and dual-degree options. Students can study abroad, and the university maintains a co-op program.

Undergraduate applicants must submit high school transcripts, a recommendation letter from a teacher or counselor, and a personal essay. Standardized test scores are optional for most applicants, but homeschooled applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores. Graduate applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students should apply directly to their prospective program or department.

Saint Joseph's University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A women's liberal arts college, Bryn Mawr offers an array of degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university participates in the Tri-College Consortium, allowing learners to take courses through participating universities in Pennsylvania. Bryn Mawr also maintains a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania.

Learners can participate in undergraduate research and study-abroad programs. Students can also enroll in special academic programs that provide opportunities to engage with specialized topics, participate in community-based learning and fieldwork, and collaborate with faculty and peers.

Undergraduate applicants must submit the Common Application or Coalition Application, a supplemental essay, transcripts, two teacher recommendations, a counselor recommendation, and midyear and final reports. Optionally, applicants can submit SAT or ACT scores.

Bryn Mawr University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private liberal arts college located in Collegeville, Ursinus College offers more than 60 majors and minors in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Popular fields of study include business and economics, biology, psychology, English, health and exercise physiology, and international relations.

Ursinus College reports an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and facilitates individualized learning environments. Students receive access to opportunities such as cooperative programs, service learning, and exchange programs. A partnership between Ursinus College and the University of Sciences simplifies the process of enrolling in graduate-level Pennsylvania programs.

Applicants must submit high school transcripts, a school report, and a counselor recommendation. Ursinus College does not require standardized test scores. However, applicants with a minimum 1280 SAT score or 28 ACT score automatically qualify for the Gateway Scholarship.

Ursinus College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

USciences offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in health sciences fields, with a focus in pharmacy. USciences offers a pre-health program for students interested in medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary school. The university's undeclared program allows students to explore majors. Eligible undergraduate students can take up to 15 credits of graduate coursework at no additional cost.

The university offers master's and Ph.D. programs in disciplines such as biochemistry, chemistry, and pharmacology. Students can also enroll in professional graduate programs in fields such as occupational therapy, pharmacy, and physical therapy.

Undergraduate applicants must submit high school transcripts, an application essay, and recommendation letters. UScience does not require standardized test scores. Applicants to professional programs need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Graduate admission requirements vary by program and department.

University of the Sciences is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Pitt offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs through 16 schools and colleges. Learners can study fields such as business, engineering, computing and information, and nursing. The University Honors College offers a bachelor of philosophy in a variety of majors.

The school accepts the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and a university application. Prospective first-year undergraduate students must submit their self-reported academic record and SAT or ACT scores. For the fall 2021 admission cycle, standardized test scores are optional for all applicants except prospective nursing students.

Application requirements vary by graduate program. Graduate students can apply for financial support in the form of teaching fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.

University of Pittsburgh is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Duquesne offers programs at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional levels. The university delivers 85 undergraduate options and 90 graduate programs through nine schools. Learners can study disciplines including biomedical engineering, business, education, health sciences, and law.

A private Catholic university, Duquesne delivers a core curriculum that combines Catholic values with a liberal arts education. Undergraduate students take required courses in English composition, mathematics, natural science, philosophy, theology, and ethics. Degree-seekers may also complete coursework in the creative arts, faith and reason, global diversity, and social justice.

Health science students at all degree levels can access internship and clinical opportunities. Learners in the field can study disciplines such as athletic training, health administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation sciences. Undergraduate applicants must submit transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, a recommendation letter, and personal essay.

Duquesne University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private Jesuit university, Scranton offers 67 bachelor's programs and more than 30 master's programs. Learners can pursue academic programs through colleges of arts and sciences, management, and professional studies. Students can participate in honors and special programs, such as the special Jesuit liberal arts program and the faculty student research program.

Freshman applicants must submit the Common Application, high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and recommendation letters. The university waives standardized test score requirements for applicants who graduated either in the top 30% of their high school class or with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Candidates who do not provide test scores may need to participate in an interview, and applicants to certain programs, such as nursing programs, must submit test scores regardless of their academic background.

University of Scranton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private liberal arts college located in Huntingdon, Juniata delivers undergraduate and graduate programs. Instead of choosing majors and minors, students select programs of emphasis. Learners work with an advisor to identify areas of interest and construct a curriculum that aligns with their goals.

Students choose from programs of emphasis in disciplines including accounting, biology, art history, communication, geology, and international studies. Learners can customize their program of emphasis to prepare for additional education and careers in their specific area of interest.

The Juniata core curriculum includes a first-year experience course, a connections class, and courses exploring self and the world. Learners also complete a senior capstone, which may involve an independent research project, an internship, or extracurricular Pennsylvania programs.

Undergraduate applicants can submit the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Applicants also submit high school transcripts, at least one recommendation letter, and an application essay. Standardized test scores are optional.

Juniata College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Penn State is a public research university with 24 campuses across the state, including a graduate school, two law schools, and a medical school. The university comprises 16 academic colleges and additional schools. Students choose from more than 275 undergraduate majors and 300 graduate and professional programs.

Undergraduate applicants must submit the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with high school transcripts. Candidates also provide their self-reported academic record and SAT or ACT scores. Students applying for admission during summer or fall 2021 do not need to submit standardized test scores. The university does not require a minimum GPA and evaluates applications based on a variety of factors. Learners can also enroll in fully online programs.

Pennsylvania State University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Elizabethtown College offers 61 undergraduate majors and more than 100 minors. The college reports a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, delivering personalized educational experiences. Students can access learning opportunities including a first-year experience seminar, mentorship programs, and pre-professional and cooperative Pennsylvania programs.

The core program includes coursework on topics including the power of language, mathematics, creative expression, cultural heritage, natural and physical sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Students can also participate in residential learning communities, which help them connect with peers with similar interests.

Applicants must submit a recommendation letter, high school transcripts, and a writing sample. Applicants for the fall 2021 semester do not have to submit SAT or ACT scores. Some programs require an interview, including the honors program and the occupational therapy program.

Elizabethtown College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Temple offers more than 400 academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The university houses 17 schools and colleges in disciplines including art and architecture, business, dentistry, and law. Eligible students can pursue accelerated, dual-degree, and honors programs.

Temple considers each undergraduate applicant's high school performance, standardized test scores, application essay, and extracurricular activities. Candidates can provide an optional recommendation letter. Temple does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate-level admission requirements vary by program. For example, applicants to the master of business administration (MBA) program should demonstrate work experience and leadership potential. Most MBA applicants must submit GMAT scores.

Temple University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A private liberal arts college based in Meadville, Allegheny offers a variety of majors and minors. Learners can pursue pre-professional, dual-degree, and cooperative programs. The college's curricula emphasize supervised research, and undergraduate programs culminate with a senior research project.

Learners take first-year experience seminars on a variety of topics before declaring a major. Seniors design, implement, and defend an original research project. Allegheny partners with other institutions to provide combined dual-degree programs, which help students transition smoothly to graduate programs.

Applicants can submit the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the college's application. Prospective students must provide high school transcripts, a personal essay, recommendations from a counselor and a teacher, and a school report. Optional application materials include SAT or ACT scores, and candidates may undergo an interview process.

Allegheny College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.