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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

30 Ranked Colleges
3,648 Degrees Awarded
$12,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 3,648 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,278 and $24,713 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The liberal arts 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 Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 37 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pennsylvania is $580 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 UPenn Liberal Arts General Studies Report

2
Bucks County Community College crest
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bucks County Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 31 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bucks County Community College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $5,920 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bucks County Community College.

Full Bucks County Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3
CCAC crest
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Community College of Allegheny County. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. CCAC is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 487 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CCAC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Allegheny County is $7,891 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Community College of Allegheny County

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Community College of Beaver County. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Monaca, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

CCBC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for CCBC is $4,994 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full CCBC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

5
LCCC crest
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 101 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, LCCC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LCCC is $4,307 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LCCC

6

Northampton County Area Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northampton Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that handed out 172 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Northampton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Northampton County Area Community College is $7,658 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northampton County Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

7
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community College of Philadelphia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 222 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,455 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Community College of Philadelphia.

Full Community College of Philadelphia Liberal Arts General Studies Report

8
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Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

Montgomery County Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Montco is a medium-sized school located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania that handed out 312 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Montgomery County Community College is $5,755 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Montgomery County Community College

9
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $24,907 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Villanova.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Villanova

10
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $15,718 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCUPA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, 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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at WCUPA

11
Luzerne County Community College crest
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Luzerne County Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Luzerne County Community College is $7,219 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Luzerne County Community College

12

Delaware County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Delaware County Community College is a public institution located in Media, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 185 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Delaware County Community College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Delaware County Community College is $8,659 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Delaware County Community College

13

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johnstown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,437 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

14

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is $15,084 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Liberal Arts General Studies Report

15
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Temple has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,173 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Temple University

16
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a small public school situated in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It awarded 47 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Edinboro, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $12,212 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Edinboro Liberal Arts General Studies Report

17
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Drexel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Drexel University is $24,508 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Drexel University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

18
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harrisburg Area Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 270 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,741 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend HACC.

Full Harrisburg Area Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

19
Cal U crest
California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal U has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,854 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal U.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at California University of Pennsylvania

20

Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 116 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Clarion University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clarion University of Pennsylvania is $15,501 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts General Studies Report

21
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 38 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Mansfield University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Mansfield University is $9,043 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Mansfield University

22

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUP is a medium-sized school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 35 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

IUP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,397 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IUP.

Full IUP Liberal Arts General Studies Report

23
Neumann crest
Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania

Neumann University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Neumann University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Aston, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Neumann not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Neumann University is $24,094 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Neumann University

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

Saint Joseph’s University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Joe’s is a medium-sized school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 26 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Joe’s, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St. Joe’s is $24,313 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Joseph’s University

25
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, La Salle University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, La Salle has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend La Salle University is $24,098 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at La Salle

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