List Of Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States, known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture. It is also home to some of the best small colleges in the country, offering students a personalized and intimate educational experience. These colleges are known for their strong academic programs, supportive faculty, and tight-knit communities. In this article, we will bring you a List of the Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges. We will also cover relevant subtopics like; the University of Pennsylvania, Small public colleges in Pennsylvania, Small Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania, Private Colleges in Pennsylvania, Small Colleges in Western Pennsylvania, Small Colleges in Maryland, and Best small colleges.

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Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 1,600, Swarthmore offers a rigorous academic curriculum. It majors in a variety of fields including engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is also popular for its strong commitment to social justice and global awareness, with a range of service-learning opportunities and study abroad programs.

Haverford College

Haverford College is a private liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 1,300, Haverford offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and intellectual inquiry. The college is also prominent for its close-knit community, with a range of student-led clubs and organizations, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College is a women’s liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 1,300, Bryn Mawr offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with majors in a variety of fields including humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is also famous for its strong commitment to women’s education and empowerment, with a range of academic and co-curricular programs designed to support women’s leadership and success.

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Ursinus College

Ursinus College is a private liberal arts college located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 1,500, Ursinus offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with majors in a variety of fields including humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is prominent for its strong commitment to undergraduate research, with a range of opportunities for students to engage in research and scholarly inquiry.

Lafayette College

Lafayette College is a private liberal arts college located in Easton, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 2,500, Lafayette offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with majors in a variety of fields including humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is famous for its strong commitment to community engagement, with a range of service-learning opportunities and partnerships with local organizations.

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Gettysburg College

Gettysburg College is a private liberal arts college located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 2,600, Gettysburg offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with majors in a variety of fields including humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is famous for its strong commitment to experiential learning, with a range of internships, study abroad programs, and research opportunities.

Juniata College

Juniata College is a private liberal arts college located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. With a student body of around 1,400, Juniata offers a rigorous academic curriculum, with majors in a variety of fields including humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The college is popular for its strong commitment to experiential learning, with a range of internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs.

This is a List of the Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges. Please note that there are several other options not on the list here.

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University of Pennsylvania


The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a prominent polymath.

The University of Pennsylvania offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in a wide range of fields, including business, engineering, law, medicine, social sciences, and humanities. Its undergraduate program is highly selective, and the university is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the United States by various national and international rankings.

Some notable programs at the University of Pennsylvania include the Wharton School, which is consistently ranked as one of the best business schools in the world, and the Perelman School of Medicine, which is renowned for its research and clinical care.

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The university has a strong commitment to research, and its faculty and students are working in cutting-edge research in fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, and sustainability. The university also has a number of research centers and institutes, including the Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics, the Penn Center for Energy Innovation, and the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions.

The University of Pennsylvania also has a vibrant campus life, with a wide range of student clubs and organizations, athletic teams, and cultural events. Interestingly, the university is located in the heart of Philadelphia, a city known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and world-class dining and shopping.

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Small public colleges in Pennsylvania

There are several small public colleges in Pennsylvania, each with its own unique programs, student body, and campus culture. In this article “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”, we shall list a few examples:

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Mansfield University

Located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, Mansfield University is a small public college that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as education, social sciences, natural sciences, and business. The college also has a strong commitment to sustainability and outdoor recreation. Interestingly, it is located in the heart of the scenic Pennsylvania Wilds region.

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Lock Haven University

Lock Haven University, located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, is a small public college with undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as education, health sciences, business, and liberal arts. The university is notable for its strong teacher education program and its commitment to community engagement.

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Clarion University

Clarion University, located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, is a small public college with undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts. The college is also popular for its strong music program and its commitment to experiential learning.

Bloomsburg University

Bloomsburg University, located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, is a small public college with undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts. The university is also notable for its strong commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

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These are just a few examples of small public colleges in Pennsylvania. Other notable institutions include California University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University, and Shippensburg University. There are many others not on the list in this article “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”

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Small Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to many small liberal arts colleges. Here are some examples:

  • Swarthmore College
  • Haverford College
  • Bryn Mawr College (women’s college)
  • Franklin & Marshall College
  • Gettysburg College
  • Dickinson College
  • Lafayette College
  • Ursinus College
  • Muhlenberg College
  • Juniata College

Each of these colleges offers a unique educational experience. However, all are notable for their emphasis on undergraduate education, small class sizes, and a broad-based liberal arts curriculum. There are several other Small liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania not on the list in this article “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”

Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

There are many private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Here are some examples:

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Swarthmore College
  • Haverford College
  • Bryn Mawr College (women’s college)
  • Franklin & Marshall College
  • Drexel University
  • Villanova University
  • Lehigh University
  • Duquesne University
  • Saint Joseph’s University
  • Messiah University
  • Widener University
  • La Salle University
  • Gannon University
  • Elizabethtown College
  • Grove City College
  • Point Park University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • Chatham University (women’s college)

These private colleges and universities offer a wide range of educational experiences, from research-focused universities to small liberal arts colleges, and from specialized schools in fields like business or health sciences to broader-based institutions with a range of majors and programs. Also, note that they are several other Colleges not listed in this article “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”

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Small Colleges in Western Pennsylvania

There are several small colleges in western Pennsylvania. Here are some of them:

Grove City College – A private Christian liberal arts college located in Grove City, PA.

Washington & Jefferson College – A private liberal arts college located in Washington, PA.

Thiel College – A private liberal arts college located in Greenville, PA.

Chatham University – A private university located in Pittsburgh, PA that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Westminster College – A private liberal arts college located in New Wilmington, PA.

Allegheny College – A private liberal arts college located in Meadville, PA.

Slippery Rock University – A public university located in Slippery Rock, PA that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

Clarion University – A public university located in Clarion, PA that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

Edinboro University – A public university located in Edinboro, PA that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.

Only a few of the small colleges in western Pennsylvania are listed in the article “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”

Frequently Asked Questions

We shall also answer some FAQs in this article titled “List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges”

What is the number 1 college in Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania

What are small colleges?

Typically, community colleges are smaller educational institutions that equip students with skills for employment or an associate degree. They usually operate as two-year colleges, although a few may provide bachelor’s degrees.

Why small colleges are better?

Colleges and universities with an enrolment of 1,000 students or fewer provide a more personalized educational experience. Class sizes are smaller, and it is uncommon to have large lecture halls. As a result, students are more likely to establish connections with their professors and engage with their peers on campus.

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Conclusion

These are some of the best small colleges in Pennsylvania, known for their strong academic programs, supportive faculty, and tight-knit communities. Each of these colleges offers a unique educational experience, with a range of opportunities for their students.

We hope this article on the List of Best Small Pennsylvania Colleges was informative enough. We covered subtopics like; the University of Pennsylvania, Small public colleges in Pennsylvania, Small Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania, Private Colleges in Pennsylvania, Small Colleges in Western Pennsylvania, Small Colleges in Maryland, Best small colleges

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