2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania
When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Our analysis looked at 134 schools in Pennsylvania to determine which ones were the best for veterans and active service men and women. To come up with this ranking, we look at more than 20 factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, whether or not the school has a student's veteran organization, and the school's overall quality.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
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Since one ranking on its own is not enough to give you a complete understanding of your educational options, you can refine this list by location and field of study. We've also developed a number of other tools and rankings based on other factors. These other rankings highlight colleges that excel in other factors such as value or diversity as well as schools that excel in serving different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named Duquesne University the best school in Pennsylvania for veterans working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2,739 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 8,830 students enrolled at Duquesne, 211 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 164 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $20,088. During this same period, 46 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Duquesne does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Duquesne also did well on our Best Schools in Pennsylvania list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Drexel University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 6,395 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 23,589 students enrolled at Drexel, 745 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 578 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,336. During this same period, 255 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Drexel does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low 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%. Drexel excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Pennsylvania list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized public school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1,997 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 324 of the 6,885 students enrolled at Cal U were GI Bill® students, of which 233 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,999. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Saint Joseph’s University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Pennsylvania. St. Joe’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,578 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 6,779 students enrolled at St. Joe’s, 118 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 98 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,315. On top of their other funding sources, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, St. Joe’s also did well on our Best Schools in Pennsylvania list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pennsylvania State University - University Park. It ranked #5 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list.
The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,714. Penn State University Park does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,463 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 17,719 students enrolled at WCUPA, 391 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 216 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,868. To help with additional expenses, 11 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, WCUPA also did well on our Best Schools in Pennsylvania list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Robert Morris University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1,268 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, RMU supports 4,134 students, and 211 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 182 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,345. In addition to receiving other benefits, 74 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Wilkes University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #8. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,562 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Wilkes supports 4,781 students, and 75 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 39 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,833. During this same period, 24 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Wilkes does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Gwynedd Mercy University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #9. Gwynedd - Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 840 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,737 students enrolled at Gwynedd - Mercy, 67 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,115. In addition to receiving other benefits, 5 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the fairly large public school awarded 2,685 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 347 of the 10,037 students enrolled at IUP were GI Bill® students, of which 184 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,507. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
With a ranking of #11, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the large public school awarded 8,668 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Pitt supports 32,277 students, and 513 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 419 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,875. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pitt also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
Read full report on University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
With a ranking of #12, Villanova University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 3,708 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 11,032 students enrolled at Villanova, 1,104 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 889 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,521. On top of their other funding sources, 24 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Villanova also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Pennsylvania ranking.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking. Millersville is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1,798 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 7,456 students enrolled at Millersville, 228 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 135 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,274. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in Clarion, Pennsylvania that handed out 1,348 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Clarion University supports 4,465 students, and 140 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 78 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,286. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,928 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Bloomsburg supports 8,427 students, and 260 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 132 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,342. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,413 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 8,860 students enrolled at SRU, 344 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 181 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,454. SRU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
DeSales University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking. DeSales is a private not-for-profit institution located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 991 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 87 of the 3,302 students enrolled at DeSales were GI Bill® students, of which 65 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,525. On top of their other funding sources, 9 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. DeSales does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #18, Immaculata University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. Immaculata is a private not-for-profit institution located in Immaculata, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 492 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,563 students enrolled at Immaculata, 40 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,528. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #19, La Roche University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. La Roche University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 487 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 1,292 students enrolled at La Roche, 48 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,619. On top of their other funding sources, 13 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. La Roche does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized public school is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1,416 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 6,130 students enrolled at Ship, 276 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 134 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,697. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,414 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 13,519 students enrolled at Carnegie Mellon, 107 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 80 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $19,066. On top of their other funding sources, 40 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Carnegie Mellon did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Schools in Pennsylvania list.
Temple University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,028 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 918 of the 37,236 students enrolled at Temple were GI Bill® students, of which 637 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $17,331. In addition to receiving other benefits, 12 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Mount Aloysius College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Cresson, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 317 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,806 students enrolled at Mount Aloysius, 48 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 29 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $15,061. During this same period, 7 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Mount Aloysius does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Pennsylvania State University - Erie - Behrend College landed the #24 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania ranking.
The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,429. Penn State Erie does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Pennsylvania State University - Erie - Behrend College Report
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg ranked #25 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Pennsylvania list.
The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,953. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read full report on Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Best Colleges for Veterans in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our Best Colleges for Veterans ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, PA |
| 27 | Moravian College | Bethlehem, PA |
More Pennsylvania Rankings
Best Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
Explore all the Best Schools for Veterans in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.
| State |
|---|
| New York |
| New Jersey |
| Maryland |
| District of Columbia |
| Delaware |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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