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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in Pennsylvania

1 Colleges in the United States
943 Best Degrees Awarded
$61,915 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in Pennsylvania

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in best. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 122 best degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full best program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 17 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in best from Carnegie Mellon University

3
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 10 best degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Lehigh University

4
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 23 best degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Saint Josephs University earn around $65,421 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Saint Josephs University

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 83 best students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. See the full best program report for Drexel University

6

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Get the full best details for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

7
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University landed the #7 spot for best this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern University awarded about 668 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,474 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Eastern University

8

Mercyhurst College landed the #8 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mercyhurst College awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Mercyhurst College earn around $46,009 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,705. See the full best program report for Mercyhurst College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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