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 106 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 391 students graduated with students earning 391 Bachelor's degrees.
Haverford College offers 50 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 348 students graduated with students earning 348 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 2023, 466 students graduated with students earning 315 Bachelor's degrees, 83 Master's degrees, 56 Certificates, and 12 Doctoral degrees.
Curtis Institute of Music offers 13 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 50 students graduated with students earning 27 Bachelor's degrees, 18 Certificates, and 5 Master's degrees.
University of Delaware offers 330 degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 5,922 students graduated with students earning 4,202 Bachelor's degrees, 1,123 Master's degrees, 337 Doctoral degrees, and 260 Associate's degrees.
Drexel University offers 509 degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 6,909 students graduated with students earning 3,474 Bachelor's degrees, 2,277 Master's degrees, 733 Doctoral degrees, and 425 Certificates.
Ursinus College offers 36 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 355 students graduated with students earning 355 Bachelor's degrees.
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia offers 1 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 28 students graduated with students earning 28 Bachelor's degrees.
Rutgers University-Camden offers 83 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 1,841 students graduated with students earning 1,298 Bachelor's degrees, 354 Master's degrees, and 189 Doctoral degrees.
Best Community Colleges in Philadelphia
Valley Forge Military College offers 13 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 37 students graduated with students earning 37 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 2023, 334 students graduated with students earning 306 Certificates, and 28 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 2023, 51 students graduated with students earning 46 Certificates, and 5 Associate's degrees.
Delaware College of Art and Design offers 6 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a small city. In 2023, 46 students graduated with students earning 46 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 2023, 145 students graduated with students earning 138 Certificates, and 7 Associate's degrees.
Harcum College offers 30 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 299 students graduated with students earning 299 Associate's degrees.
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 2023, 9 students graduated with students earning 7 Certificates, and 2 Associate's degrees.
Rowan College at Burlington County offers 75 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 2,111 students graduated with students earning 1,334 Associate's degrees, and 777 Certificates.
Salem Community College offers 42 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 245 students graduated with students earning 195 Associate's degrees, and 50 Certificates.
Camden County College offers 93 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,026 students graduated with students earning 967 Associate's degrees, and 59 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 | 28,711 | |
|
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA | 6 : 1 | 1,644 | |
|
Haverford College Haverford, PA | 8 : 1 | 1,424 | |
|
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA | 9 : 1 | 1,666 | |
|
Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PA | 5 : 1 | 159 | |