2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Pennsylvania
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Pennsylvania? This list ranks 315 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 262 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
Explore the leading schools below:
Carnegie Mellon University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More on Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
You'll be in good company at Lebanon Valley College, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,080. Lebanon Valley College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,767 in debt. More on Lebanon Valley College
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Elizabethtown College earned it the #4 place in Pennsylvania. Located in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Elizabethtown College
Villanova University came in at #5 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in Pennsylvania. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,184. Get the full Villanova University report
Lehigh University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Lehigh University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,008 in debt. See the full Lehigh University profile
Thomas Jefferson University placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Thomas Jefferson University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $32,256 in debt. See the full Thomas Jefferson University profile
University Of Scranton placed #8 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,500. See the full University Of Scranton profile
Saint Vincent College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Latrobe, PA. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Read more about Saint Vincent College
Westminster College Pa ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Westminster College Pa report
Saint Josephs University landed the #11 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Saint Josephs University
Wilkes University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Wilkes University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,601 in debt. More on Wilkes University
Kings College did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,100. Graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Get the full Kings College report
Arcadia University placed #14 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Based in Glenside, PA, Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Arcadia University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,921. Get the full Arcadia University report
Gannon University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Erie, PA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,656. Graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. See the full Gannon University profile
York College Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. York College Pennsylvania Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,537 in debt. More on York College Pennsylvania
Desales University placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Based in Center Valley, PA, Desales University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,800. Graduates carry a median of $27,524 in student loans. Read more about Desales University
Chatham University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,001. Graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Read more about Chatham University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Duquesne University landed the #20 spot in Pennsylvania this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,986. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,297. Read more about Duquesne University
Saint Francis University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Saint Francis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loretto, PA. Saint Francis University graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. See the full Saint Francis University profile
Wilson College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Chambersburg, PA, Wilson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wilson College graduates 48% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,100. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $34,814. Get the full Wilson College report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Robert Morris University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moon Township, PA. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Robert Morris University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,748 in debt. Read the full report on Robert Morris University
Marywood University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Scranton, PA, Marywood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marywood University graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,420. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,744. Get the full Marywood University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Pennsylvania
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Holy Family University placed #27 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit institution. Holy Family University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,562. Get the full Holy Family University report
Cedar Crest College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Allentown, PA, Cedar Crest College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $30,759. More on Cedar Crest College
Gwynedd Mercy College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Gwynedd Valley, PA, Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gwynedd Mercy College graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,838. Gwynedd Mercy College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,764 in debt. More on Gwynedd Mercy College
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary did well this year, earning the #30 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. See the full Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary profile
Temple University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Temple University
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #32 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,330. Read more about Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Drexel University landed the #33 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,838. See the full Drexel University profile
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #34 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,307. See the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania profile
Messiah College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,195. Read the full report on Messiah College
Widener University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Widener University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. See the full Widener University Main Campus profile
La Salle University landed the #37 spot in Pennsylvania this year. La Salle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about La Salle University
Seton Hill University placed #38 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Greensburg, PA, Seton Hill University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Seton Hill University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,556 in debt. Read more about Seton Hill University
Alvernia University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Alvernia University is a private not-for-profit school based in Reading, PA. Alvernia University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Alvernia University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,900 in debt. Get the full Alvernia University report
La Roche College placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, La Roche College is a private not-for-profit institution. La Roche College posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,052. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,078. See the full La Roche College profile
Waynesburg University placed #41 among Graduate Degrees schools in Pennsylvania. Waynesburg University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waynesburg, PA. Waynesburg University graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,480. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Waynesburg University report
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,486 in debt. Get the full Millersville University Of Pennsylvania report
Cabrini College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Cabrini College is a private not-for-profit school based in Radnor, PA. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,889. More on Cabrini College
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Kutztown, PA, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,867. Read the full report on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #48 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Based in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Read the full report on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Immaculata University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Immaculata University is a private not-for-profit school based in Immaculata, PA. Immaculata University graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,980. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,738. See the full Immaculata University profile
Point Park University landed the #50 spot in Pennsylvania this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Point Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Point Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,570. Point Park University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,323 in debt. Read more about Point Park University
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #53 position. This public school is set in East Stroudsburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,527. Read more about East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Chestnut Hill College came in at #54 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Students borrow a median of $30,824 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Chestnut Hill College
Neumann University did well this year, earning the #55 position. Neumann University is a private not-for-profit school based in Aston, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,100. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,450. Read more about Neumann University
Lancaster Bible College did well this year, earning the #56 position. Located in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $29,990 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,507. Read more about Lancaster Bible College
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 262 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 315 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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