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.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics *visitphilly.com *Wikipedia, “Philadelphia” *pa.govBest Four Year Universities in Philadelphia
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
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1 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
University of Pennsylvania offers 501 Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 9,954 students graduated with students earning 4,804 Master's degrees, 3,673 Bachelor's degrees, 1,357 Doctoral degrees, 119 Certificates degrees, and 1 Associate's degree. | Based on 56 Reviews |
Read more: University of Pennsylvania Reviews
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2 | Swarthmore College | Swarthmore, PA |
Swarthmore College offers 196 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 531 students graduated with students earning 531 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Swarthmore College Reviews
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3 | Haverford College | Haverford, PA |
Haverford College offers 73 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 328 students graduated with students earning 328 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 12 Reviews |
Read more: Haverford College Reviews
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4 | University of Delaware | Newark, DE |
University of Delaware offers 354 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 6,288 students graduated with students earning 4,681 Bachelor's degrees, 951 Master's degrees, 331 Doctoral degrees, and 325 Associate's degrees. | Based on 40 Reviews |
Read more: University of Delaware Reviews
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5 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ |
Rowan University offers 91 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 3,884 students graduated with students earning 2,809 Bachelor's degrees, 591 Master's degrees, 468 Doctoral degrees, and 16 Certificates degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Rowan University Reviews
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6 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA |
Drexel University offers 401 Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 8,336 students graduated with students earning 3,989 Bachelor's degrees, 2,956 Master's degrees, 752 Doctoral degrees, 616 Certificates degrees, and 23 Associate's degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews |
Read more: Drexel University Reviews
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7 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA |
Temple University offers 420 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 9,502 students graduated with students earning 6,329 Bachelor's degrees, 1,649 Master's degrees, 1,309 Doctoral degrees, 214 Certificates degrees, and 1 Associate's degree. | Based on 36 Reviews |
Read more: Temple University Reviews
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8 | University of the Sciences | Philadelphia, PA |
University of the Sciences offers 57 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a large city. In 2015, 916 students graduated with students earning 471 Bachelor's degrees, 330 Doctoral degrees, 104 Master's degrees, and 11 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: University of the Sciences Reviews
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9 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers 201 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 4,287 students graduated with students earning 3,475 Bachelor's degrees, 729 Master's degrees, and 83 Certificates degrees. | Based on 16 Reviews | ||
10 | Arcadia University | Glenside, PA |
Arcadia University offers 200 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,298 students graduated with students earning 549 Bachelor's degrees, 475 Master's degrees, 271 Doctoral degrees, and 3 Certificates degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Arcadia University Reviews
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Best Community Colleges in Philadelphia
Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
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1 | Manor College | Jenkintown, PA |
Manor College offers 22 Degree programs. It's a small private college in a large suburb. In 2015, 159 students graduated with students earning 149 Associate's degrees, and 10 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Manor College Reviews
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2 | Rowan College at Burlington County | Pemberton, NJ |
Rowan College at Burlington County offers 62 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a outlying rural. In 2015, 1,380 students graduated with students earning 1,331 Associate's degrees, and 49 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Rowan College at Burlington County Reviews
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3 | Rowan College at Gloucester County | Sewell, NJ |
Rowan College at Gloucester County offers 51 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 959 students graduated with students earning 897 Associate's degrees, and 62 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Rowan College at Gloucester County Reviews
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4 | Delaware County Community College | Media, PA |
Delaware County Community College offers 111 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,743 students graduated with students earning 1,478 Associate's degrees, and 265 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Delaware County Community College Reviews
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5 | Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA |
Montgomery County Community College offers 92 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,616 students graduated with students earning 1,338 Associate's degrees, and 278 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Montgomery County Community College Reviews
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6 | Camden County College | Blackwood, NJ |
Camden County College offers 112 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,951 students graduated with students earning 1,489 Associate's degrees, and 462 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Camden County College Reviews
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7 | Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA |
Community College of Philadelphia offers 100 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large city. In 2015, 2,490 students graduated with students earning 1,977 Associate's degrees, and 513 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Community College of Philadelphia Reviews
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8 | Bucks County Community College | Newtown, PA |
Bucks County Community College offers 91 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a outlying rural. In 2015, 1,052 students graduated with students earning 864 Associate's degrees, and 188 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Bucks County Community College Reviews
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9 | Cecil College | North East, MD |
Cecil College offers 115 Degree programs. It's a small public college in a outlying rural. In 2015, 446 students graduated with students earning 308 Associate's degrees, and 138 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Cecil College Reviews
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10 | Delaware College of Art and Design | Wilmington, DE |
Delaware College of Art and Design offers 11 Degree programs. It's a very small private college in a small city. In 2015, 86 students graduated with students earning 79 Associate's degrees, and 7 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Delaware College of Art and Design Reviews
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List of all Colleges in Philadelphia
School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 24,876 |
|
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,581 |
|
Haverford College Haverford, PA |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 1,233 |
|
University of Delaware Newark, DE |
3/5
|
21 : 1 | 22,852 |
|
Rowan University Glassboro, NJ |
3/5
|
19 : 1 | 16,155 |
|
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 25,595 |
|
Temple University Philadelphia, PA |
4/5
|
15 : 1 | 38,007 |
|
University of the Sciences Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 2,664 |
|
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA |
3/5
|
22 : 1 | 16,597 |
|
Arcadia University Glenside, PA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 3,984 |
|
La Salle University Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
17 : 1 | 5,683 |
|
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA |
5/5
|
10 : 1 | 1,692 |
|
Philadelphia University Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 3,670 |
|
Eastern University Saint Davids, PA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 3,505 |
|
Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA |
5/5
|
18 : 1 | 2,266 |
|
Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PA |
5/5
|
18 : 1 | 2,582 |
|
Rutgers University-Camden Camden, NJ |
3/5
|
16 : 1 | 6,408 |
|
Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
17 : 1 | 2,711 |
|
Immaculata University Immaculata, PA |
5/5
|
19 : 1 | 2,961 |
|
Neumann University Aston, PA |
5/5
|
18 : 1 | 2,901 |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington Abington, PA |
3/5
|
21 : 1 | 3,966 |
|
Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
22 : 1 | 8,625 |
|
The University of the Arts Philadelphia, PA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,876 |
|
Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA |
3/5
|
15 : 1 | 1,904 |
|
Rosemont College Rosemont, PA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 887 |
Top Schools offering Specific Degrees in Philadelphia
Questions About Going to College in Philadelphia
How are the career opportunities for college graduates in Philadelphia?
Home to 80 colleges and universities, grads can stay near, rather than move from the greater Philadelphia region once they have diploma in hand. Jobs abound in fields such as advertising/marketing, accounting, public relations, event communications and sales. The federal government, including the Federal Reserve Bank and U.S. Mint, is the area’s largest employer, followed by the city and its school district. Health care is one of the area’s biggest industries, with employers like Merck & Co., Independence Blue Cross, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a number of health care systems. The region is also a center for finance (MBNA and Vanguard Group Inc.), research (DuPont) and travel (Rosenbluth International). Looking for cool company culture? A survey of 35,000 Philly employees determined the top workplaces in 2015 as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, Power Home Remodeling Group (energy efficiency), The Graham Company (insurance, surety brokerage and consulting), RevZilla (motorcycle gear) and Yards Brewing Co.
Growing industries? What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Philadelphia?
Want to know the fastest-growing industries and companies in the Philadelphia region? Consult The Philly 100. The project, run by Wharton Small Business Development Center, The Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Business Journal, identifies the 100 fastest growing, privately-held entrepreneurial companies in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Those named to the list in 2015 recorded $950 million in combined revenue and an 85 percent average growth rate. The winners run the gamut of needed skills, such as business (Veterinary Practice Partners), finance (Swift Capital), tech (Arcweb Technologies), construction management (Big Sky Enterprises), sales (CRMScience), and art (Pop! Promos).
Is Philadelphia more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family? What communities are best?
Although the city is circled by two and four-year colleges and universities, and the stores and restaurants surrounding the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and University of the Sciences certainly have that campus vibe (why else would it be named University City?), Philly is a great place to stay once you get your degree. From Fishtown to Fox Chase to Fairmont, the best neighborhoods share draws such as lower rent/cost of living, less crime and higher walk scores. Not to mention awesome amenities like coffee shops, nightlife and music venues. Ready to mingle? The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce offers networking, professional development, and volunteer opportunities to ambitious young professionals throughout the region.
What do the locals in Philadelphia like to do for fun?
There’s a reason (actually a lot of reasons) why CareerBliss.com, which rates the happiness quotient of cities for the 22-35 age group, listed Philadelphia among the top 10 happiest cities for young professionals. Want to mix business with pleasure? Groups like Philadelphia Events for Young Professionals and All Events in Philadelphia have constantly-changing lists of sports, music, and business get-togethers. Join others committed to volunteerism and philanthropy through Young Professionals across Philadelphia. Channel your inter-entrepreneurial spirit by attending evening seminars about branding, public relations and social media strategies. Escape the city vibes during free networking happy hours at pubs in local neighborhoods. If you want to attend activities people in other cities only dream about, check your calendar for the Philadelphia International Auto Show, Philadelphia Film Festival, Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, and Philadelphia Folk Festival.
What's the dating scene like in Philadelphia? Will I meet my perfect mate?
Those who choose to settle in Philly may have picked it for the same reason as Forbes magazine, which ranked it 12th among the top 40 cities for singles. Center city nightlife and cultural scenes are dynamic, attracting foreigners and transplants from New York City. Not to mention, Philadelphia has strong ethnic neighborhoods of Asian, Greek, Latino, Italian Polish, and West Indian language and culture. The median age is also seven years younger than the rest of the state. Women outnumber men by a considerable margin, but that just makes the hunt for the perfect mate more interesting.