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2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

28 Ranked Colleges
1,014 Degrees Awarded
$24,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 1,014 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Education Schools

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The general education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

1
LCCC crest
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lehigh Carbon Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Schnecksville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College is $6,897 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at LCCC

2
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 134 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $25,046 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Education at University of Pennsylvania

3

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general education degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is $27,058 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Pitt General Education Report

4
Holy Family crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Holy Family University landed the #4 spot on the list. Holy Family University is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 34 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Holy Family also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Holy Family is $14,854 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Holy Family General Education Report

5
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Temple University landed the #5 spot on the list. Temple University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Temple has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $23,888 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at Temple

6
Cal U crest
California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 63 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for California University of Pennsylvania is $19,117 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Cal U

7
YCP crest
York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, York College of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in York, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 36 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

YCP also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend YCP is $22,233 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full YCP General Education Report

8
Westminster New Wilmington crest
Westminster College Pennsylvania
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Westminster College Pennsylvania ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2020-2021.

Westminster New Wilmington also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Westminster College Pennsylvania is $20,603 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Westminster College Pennsylvania General Education Report

9
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, La Salle University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 128 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, La Salle has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $25,819 for pennsylvania general education students with aid per year to attend La Salle.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at La Salle University

10
Cabrini University crest
Cabrini University
Radnor, Pennsylvania

Cabrini University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cabrini University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Radnor, Pennsylvania. It awarded 46 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Cabrini University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Cabrini University is $21,020 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Cabrini University

11
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #11, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 31 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Millersville has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville is $23,133 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Millersville

12
Wilson crest
Wilson College
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Wilson College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 62 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilson also made our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Wilson is $21,852 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Wilson

13
Cedar Crest crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Cedar Crest College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Cedar Crest College is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Cedar Crest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cedar Crest is $21,706 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Cedar Crest General Education Report

14
Juniata crest
Juniata College
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Juniata College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 4 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Juniata has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Juniata is $21,241 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Education at Juniata College

15
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Messiah University is a small school located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 20 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Messiah has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Messiah University is $26,864 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Messiah University

16
Mercyhurst crest
Mercyhurst University
Erie, Pennsylvania

Mercyhurst University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Mercyhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Mercyhurst has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mercyhurst is $27,283 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at Mercyhurst University

17
Gwynedd - Mercy crest
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania

Gwynedd Mercy University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Gwynedd Mercy University is a small school located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania that handed out 10 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Gwynedd - Mercy also made our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Gwynedd Mercy University is $25,146 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Gwynedd - Mercy

18
Susquehanna crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 7 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Susquehanna, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Susquehanna University is $25,396 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Susquehanna University General Education Report

19
Neumann crest
Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Aston, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Neumann did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Neumann University is $27,871 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at Neumann

20
Saint Francis crest
Saint Francis University
Loretto, Pennsylvania

Saint Francis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Loretto, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Saint Francis has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Francis is $29,962 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Saint Francis

21
Alvernia crest
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania

Alvernia University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Alvernia has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Alvernia is $30,641 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Alvernia University

22
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Duquesne is a medium-sized school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

Duquesne did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $31,383 for pennsylvania general education students with aid per year to attend Duquesne.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Education at Duquesne University

23
Arcadia crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Arcadia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Arcadia University is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania general education students with aid list, Arcadia has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $28,574 for Pennsylvania General Education students with aid per year to attend Arcadia University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Arcadia University General Education Report

24
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. St. Joe’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Joe’s not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Joe’s is $33,492 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Saint Joseph’s University General Education Report

25
Rosemont crest
Rosemont College
Rosemont, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, Rosemont College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Rosemont College is a small school located in Rosemont, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 ’s general education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Rosemont is $17,825 for pennsylvania general education students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Rosemont

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