Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shows: median public in-state tuition $26,255 (+376.3% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $65,572 (+20.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 85.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $18,765 (+39.7% vs U.S.) 75,415 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 34 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 75,415 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $26,255 (+376.3% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $65,572 (+20.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 85.8% (-2.1 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $25,437 (+155.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $18,765 (+39.7% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $13,000
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 59.3%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 82.5%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Pennsylvania and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Philadelphia vs Pennsylvania & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $26,255 | $25,437 | $18,765 | 59.3% | 75,415 |
| Pennsylvania (state median) | $11,486 | $17,754 | $17,500 | 57.9% | 469,126 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $65,572 | 85.8% | 82.5% | 3.4% | — | 76.4% | 0.38 |
| Pennsylvania (state median) | $62,101 | 87.2% | 78.6% | 4.5% | — | 79.3% | 0.43 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Pennsylvania (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $26,255 | $25,437 | $18,765 | 59.3% | 75,415 | $65,572 | 85.8% |
| Pittsburgh | $18,463 | $25,509 | $15,667 | 63.1% | 51,847 | $52,410 | 90.2% |
| Bethlehem | $36,006 | $27,006 | $15,495 | 79.8% | 16,100 | $83,722 | 81.4% |
| Harrisburg | $20,645 | $14,924 | $18,583 | 33.9% | 10,347 | $52,374 | 86.9% |
| Reading | $15,972 | $22,190 | $20,885 | 50.7% | 9,432 | $58,700 | 88.3% |
| Media | $15,029 | $12,213 | $16,500 | 23.5% | 9,216 | $63,435 | 87.2% |
| Scranton | $18,400 | $21,354 | $18,075 | 75.7% | 8,482 | $65,234 | 80.9% |
| Erie | $20,645 | $22,553 | $18,500 | 60.2% | 8,356 | $58,845 | 87.2% |
| Lancaster | $31,070 | $20,407 | $18,250 | 68.6% | 7,065 | $44,096 | 78.9% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 9 | $67,416 | 85.5% | 81.5% | 3.2% | — | 75.6% |
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 96.5%, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 78.8%, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 78.2%, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 75.0%, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 68.6%, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 60.9%, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 57.1%, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
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Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 57.1%, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 9, Graduation Rate, 48.8%, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 10, Graduation Rate, 10.0%, Peirce College
Peirce College
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.7%, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 87.1%, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 86.9%, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 86.6%, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 86.0%, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 85.5%, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 85.3%, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 85.0%, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 80.7%, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 76.9%, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Top 10 most selective colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 5.4%, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 56.5%, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 71.0%, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 74.5%, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 79.4%, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 80.4%, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 81.0%, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 8, Admission Rate, 88.8%, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 9, Admission Rate, 96.6%, La Salle University
La Salle University
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $146,204, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $89,418, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $86,109, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,656, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $84,400, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $83,363, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $69,807, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,352, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 9, Entry-Level Earnings, $50,408, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 10, Entry-Level Earnings, $27,107, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $241,380, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $122,633, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $121,832, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $106,225, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $104,311, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $100,679, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $95,869, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $80,579, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 9, Early-Career Earnings, $74,451, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 10, Early-Career Earnings, $38,831, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $90,555, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $69,063, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $66,438, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $64,335, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,285, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $53,701, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,860, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,221, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,647, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $30,512, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $100,118, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $79,235, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $76,633, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $68,761, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $62,234, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $60,439, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $59,076, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $49,924, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,368, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,544, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $111,371, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $86,881, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $84,648, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $77,449, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $67,416, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $63,727, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,235, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,015, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,660, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,839, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $346,980, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $239,493, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $209,383, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $205,810, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $196,896, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $195,508, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $162,672, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $143,938, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $95,982, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $-35,230, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $12,148, Peirce College
Peirce College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $13,143, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $19,409, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $28,198, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $27,970, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $28,699, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 7, Net Price, $28,928, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 8, Net Price, $29,689, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 9, Net Price, $38,509, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 10, Net Price, $43,086, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 98.9%, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 89.5%, Drexel University
Drexel University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 88.7%, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 82.6%, Temple University
Temple University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 82.5%, Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 80.6%, Moore College of Art and Design
Moore College of Art and Design
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 77.7%, Holy Family University
Holy Family University
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Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 73.9%, La Salle University
La Salle University
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Rank 9, First-Year Retention, 62.4%, Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College
In-state tuition: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania median in-state tuition is $26,255, +376.3% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $18,765 (+39.7% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $13,000.
Median earnings (10 years out): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania center around $65,572 (+20.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 85.8% at the median Philadelphia, Pennsylvania campus (-2.1 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania median public in-state tuition is $26,255, about +376.3% vs the national median. Versus the Mid East region, tuition is +255.7%.
Median graduate debt is $18,765 (+39.7% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are $65,572, about +20.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 85.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-2.1 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 82.5% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.4% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 76.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Holy Family University (91.7%), Chestnut Hill College (87.1%), Thomas Jefferson University (86.9%), Temple University (86.6%), La Salle University (86.0%), Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia (85.5%), Peirce College (85.3%), Drexel University (85.0%), Moore College of Art and Design (80.7%), University of Pennsylvania (76.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $67,416 (9 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is 59.3% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Philadelphia?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 34 campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Philadelphia?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Philadelphia is $26,255 and median net price is $25,437. For Pennsylvania overall, medians are $11,486 and $17,754; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Philadelphia?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Philadelphia is $65,572 vs $62,101 for Pennsylvania and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Philadelphia colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Philadelphia is $18,765 vs $17,500 for Pennsylvania and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Philadelphia?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include University of Pennsylvania (graduation) and University of Pennsylvania (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Philadelphia?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 34 campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Lincoln Technical Institute-Philadelphia and ASPIRA City College; 6 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (4), Interdenominational (1), Jewish (1).
Sources & related
- Pennsylvania college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON