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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

30 Ranked Colleges
3,648 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Pennsylvania is $1,938 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Pennsylvania

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bucks County Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bucks County Community College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $6,381 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bucks County Community College.

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

3
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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 $30-$48k. Community College of Allegheny County is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 487 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

CCAC also took 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 $8,933 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Community College of Allegheny County Liberal Arts General Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Community College of Beaver County. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. CCBC is a small public school situated in Monaca, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, CCBC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Beaver County is $5,042 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full CCBC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

5
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 #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. LCCC is a public institution located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LCCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $5,095 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LCCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Lehigh Carbon Community College

6

Northampton County Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Northampton County Area Community College is a public institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 172 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northampton Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $8,047 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northampton County Area Community College.

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 did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Community College of Philadelphia is a fairly large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 222 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Community College of Philadelphia is $13,594 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Community College of Philadelphia

8
Luzerne County Community College crest
Luzerne County Community College
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Luzerne County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 69 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Luzerne County Community College is $7,521 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

9
Montco crest
Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Montgomery County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Montgomery County Community College is a public institution located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 312 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,993 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Montgomery County Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Montco

10

With a ranking of #10, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pennsylvania Highlands is a small public school situated in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 127 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is $6,052 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

11
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 54 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova University is $26,460 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Villanova University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

12

Delaware County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 185 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Delaware County Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Delaware County Community College is $10,011 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

13
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.

WCUPA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for WCUPA is $16,325 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

14
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Temple has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,355 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Temple University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Temple Liberal Arts General Studies Report

15
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #15, Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harrisburg Area Community College is a fairly large school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 270 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,425 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harrisburg Area Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Harrisburg Area Community College

16
Cal U crest
California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 55 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal U also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $16,063 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Cal U

17
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #17, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edinboro is a small public school situated in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It awarded 47 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Edinboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $13,001 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Edinboro.

Full Edinboro Liberal Arts General Studies Report

18

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt is $17,691 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pitt

19

Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Clarion University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clarion University is $16,521 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Clarion University

20
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 38 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mansfield University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is $8,868 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mansfield University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

21
EU crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Eastern University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eastern University is a small school located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania that handed out 53 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

EU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,544 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EU.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern University

22
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #22, Drexel University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 60 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drexel, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Drexel is $28,998 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Drexel University

23
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

St. Joe’s did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Joseph’s University is $23,963 for pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Joseph’s University

24

With a ranking of #24, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

IUP also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend IUP is $19,003 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

25
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, La Salle has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $21,539 for Pennsylvania Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend La Salle.

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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at La Salle University

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