Best large colleges in Pennsylvania
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in Pennsylvania6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Pennsylvania.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor RollTop 1% for earnings
- 11,611 undergraduates
- 97% graduate
- 2
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · PublicHonor RollTop 7% for graduation
- 25,171 undergraduates
- 86% graduate
- 3
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA · PublicHonor RollTop 7% for graduation
- 42,223 undergraduates
- 86% graduate
- 4
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitTop 6% for earnings
- 13,589 undergraduates
- 78% graduate
- 5
- 6
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · PublicTop 20% for graduation
- 14,344 undergraduates
- 71% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | $28,699 | $15,715 | $111,371 | 97% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $30,434 | $24,250 | $66,125 | 86% |
| Pennsylvania State University | $32,875 | $25,000 | $63,435 | 86% |
| Drexel University | $38,509 | $25,325 | $84,648 | 78% |
| Temple University | $28,198 | $24,395 | $63,727 | 75% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | $23,331 | $23,500 | $61,258 | 71% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Massachusetts 6
- Michigan 8
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- South Carolina 4
- Tennessee 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3