
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” So said former South African president Nelson Mandela, whose words have more weight today than in any prior point in the history of humankind. A good education from a pedigreed school, after all, can make all the difference when, say, applying for a job, competing for a promotion or simply knowing how to think and react in a complex, ever-changing world.
On the following pages is a “tale of the tape” for the locally based colleges and universities that are helping students of all ages—from recent high school grads to working adults seeking an edge in an increasingly competitive applicant pool to ambitious seniors looking to learn something new—expand their minds and hone their skills. One thing should be clear: With so many excellent schools in Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, students who earn their undergraduate or advanced degrees close to home truly have the power to make a difference with the knowledge they will attain in pursuit of higher education.
Following are dozens of the top colleges and universities based in the Philadelphia area, from Center City to the suburbs to across the river in New Jersey. The schools are listed alphabetically, with data to illustrate each school’s on-campus “personality.” Plus, insight into how parents can prepare their students for life on a college campus.
Arcadia University
450 S. Easton Road, Glenside
215-572-2900 | arcadia.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,932
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,211 (Men - 29.3% | Women - 70.7%)
Degrees conferred: Bachelor’s - 475 | Master’s/Doctorates - 700
Tuition and fees: $35,620
Books and supplies: $1,400
On-campus room and board: $12,150
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
801 Tomlinson Road, Bryn Athyn
267-502-6000 | brynathyn.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 244
Undergraduate enrollment: 234 (Men - 41.0% | Women - 59.0%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 24 | Bachelor’s - 20 | Master’s - 5 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $16,878
Books and supplies: $750
On-campus room and board: $6,300
Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr
610-526-5000 | brynmawr.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,785
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,313 (Men - N/A | Women - 100.0%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 319 | Master’s - 111 | Doctorates - 18
Tuition and fees: $42,246
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $13,340
Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Road, Newtown
215-968-8000 | bucks.edu
Type: Public, 2 year
Total enrollment: 10,300
Undergraduate enrollment: 10,300 (Men - 44.2% | Women - 55.8%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 807 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $3,722 (in district); $6,770 (in state); $9,818 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,700
On-campus room and board: N/A
Cabrini College
610 King of Prussia Road, Radnor
610-902-8100 | cabrini.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,325
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,400 (Men - 36.6% | Women - 63.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 387 | Master’s - 729 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $29,000
Books and supplies: $1,050
On-campus room and board: $11,859
Cairn University
200 Manor Ave., Langhorne
215-752-5800 | cairn.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,179
Undergraduate enrollment: 914 (Men - 46.9% | Women - 53.1%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 342 | Master’s - 110 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $21,705
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $8,525
Chestnut Hill College
9601 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
215-248-7000 | chc.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,309
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,548 (Men - 28.6% | Women - 71.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 1 | Bachelor’s - 306 | Master’s - 205 | Doctorates - 7
Tuition and fees: $30,165
Books and supplies: $1,050
On-campus room and board: $9,616
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
1837 University Circle, Cheyney
610-399-2275 | cheyney.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,200
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,141 (Men - 48.0% | Women - 52.0%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 155 | Master’s - 41 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $8,602 (in state); $12,966 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $8,910
Community College of Philadelphia
1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia
215-751-8000 | ccp.edu
Type: Public, 2 year
Total enrollment: 19,751
Undergraduate enrollment: 19,751 (Men - 34.8% | Women - 65.2%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 1,677 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $4,800 (in district); $9,120 (in state); $13,440 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,200
On-campus room and board: N/A
Curtis Institute of Music
1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
215-893-5252 | curtis.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 165
Undergraduate enrollment: 123 (Men - 52.0% | Women - 48.0%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 27 | Master’s - 4 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $2,350
Books and supplies: $ 1,575
On-campus room and board: $13,660
Delaware County Community College
901 S. Media Line Road, Media
610-359-5000 | dccc.edu
Type: Public, 2 year
Total enrollment: 13,248
Undergraduate enrollment: 13,248 (Men - 43.6% | Women - 56.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 998 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $4,660 (in district); $7,870 (in state); $11,080 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,700
On-campus room and board: N/A
Delaware State University
1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover
302-857-6060 | desu.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 4,154
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,744 (Men - 37.6% | Women - 62.4%)
Tuition and fees: $7,336 (in state); $15,692 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $10,607
Delaware Valley College
700 E. Butler Ave., Doylestown
215-345-1500 | delval.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,253
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,983 (Men - 39.7% | Women - 60.3%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 3 | Bachelor’s - 370 | Master’s - 91 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $31,746
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $11,262
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
215-895-2000 | drexel.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 24,860
Undergraduate enrollment: 15,047 (Men - 53.7% | Women - 46.3%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 26 | Bachelor’s - 2,734 | Master’s - 1,869 | Doctorates - 572
Tuition and fees: $36,090
Books and supplies: $2,000
On-campus room and board: $13,920
Eastern University
1300 Eagle Road, Saint Davids
610-341-5800 | eastern.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 4,464
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,798 (Men - 29.7% | Women - 70.3%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 96 | Bachelor’s - 517| Master’s - 446 | Doctorates - 33
Tuition and fees: $27,174
Books and supplies: $1,200
On-campus room and board: $9,330
Gratz College
7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park
215-635-7300 | gratz.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 794
Undergraduate enrollment: 96 (Men - 25% | Women - 75%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 5 | Master’s - 278 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: N/A
Books and supplies: N/A
On-campus room and board: N/A
Gwynedd-Mercy College
1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley
215-646-7300 | gmc.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,710
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,347 (Men - 24.5% | Women - 75.5%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 224 | Bachelor’s - 342 | Master’s - 142 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $28,190
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $10,180
Harcum College
750 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr
610-525-4100 | harcum.edu
Type: Private, 2 year
Total enrollment: 1,516
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,516 (Men - 17.8% | Women - 82.2%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 311 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $20,050
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $8,600
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford
610-896-1000 | haverford.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,198
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,198 (Men - 46.2% | Women - 53.8%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 291 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $43,702
Books and supplies: $1,194
On-campus room and board: $13,290
Holy Family University
9801 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia
215-637-7700 | my.holyfamily.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,184
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,122 (Men - 26.6% | Women - 73.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 19 | Bachelor’s - 415 | Master’s - 375 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $25,590
Books and supplies: $1,040
On-campus room and board: $12,350
Hussian School of Art
The Bourse, Philadelphia
215-574-9600 | hussianart.edu
Type: Private, 2 year
Total enrollment: 133
Undergraduate enrollment: 133 (Men - 55.6% | Women - 44.4%)
Tuition and fees: $14,600
Books and supplies: $395
On-campus room and board: $9,695
Immaculata University
1145 King Road, Immaculata
610-647-4400 | immaculata.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 4,117
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,064 (Men - 22.4% | Women - 77.6%)
Degrees conferred: Undergraduate/Bachelor’s - 670 | Master’s - 171 | Doctorates - 74
Tuition and fees: $29,000
Books and supplies: $1,790
On-campus room and board: $11,790
La Salle University
1900 West Olney Ave., Philadelphia
215-951-1000 | lasalle.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 6,685
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,543 (Men - 36.4% | Women - 63.6%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 40 | Bachelor’s - 914 | Master’s - 481 | Doctorates - 17
Tuition and fees: $36,650
Books and supplies: $500
On-campus room and board: $11,710
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University
484-365-8000 | lincoln.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,240
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,749
Undergraduate enrollment by gender: Men - 41.7% | Women - 58.3%
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 277 | Master’s - 220 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $9,590 (in state); $14,756 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,475
On-campus room and board: $8,404
Manor College
700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown
215-885-2360 | manor.edu
Type: Private, 2 year
Total enrollment: 939
Undergraduate enrollment: 939
Undergraduate enrollment by gender: Men - 22.2% | Women - 77.9%
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 173 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $14,620
Books and supplies: $1,168
On-campus room and board: $6,240
Montgomery County Community College - Central Campus
340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell
215-641-6300 | mc3.edu
Type: Public, 2 year
Total enrollment: 10,745
Undergraduate enrollment: 10,735 (Men - 45.6% | Women - 54.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 1,209 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $4,050 (in district); $7,710 (in state); $11,370 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,300
On-campus room and board: N/A
Moore College of Art and Design
20th and the Parkway, Philadelphia
215-568-4515 | moore.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 526
Undergraduate enrollment: 468 (Men - N/A | Women - 100%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 117 | Master’s - 6 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $32,738
Books and supplies: $2,000
On-campus room and board: $12,298
Neumann University
One Neumann Drive, Aston
610-459-0905 | neumann.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,087
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,617 (Men - 35.2% | Women - 64.8%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 14 | Bachelor’s - 491 | Master’s - 172 | Doctorates - 24
Tuition and fees: $24,232
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $11,070
Peirce College
1420 Pine Street, Philadelphia
888-467-3472 | peirce.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,276
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,276 (Men - 27.9% | Women - 72.1%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 154 | Bachelor’s - 279 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $16,500
Books and supplies: $1,600
On-campus room and board: N/A
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
128 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia
215-972-7600 | pafa.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 349
Undergraduate enrollment: 238 (Men - 42.4% | Women - 57.6%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 154 | Bachelor’s - 279 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $29,100
Books and supplies: $1,405
On-campus room and board: N/A
Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Abington
1600 Woodland Rd, Abington
215-881-7300 | psu.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,425
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,371 (Men - 51.6% | Women - 48.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 39 | Bachelor’s - 340 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $13,356 (in state); $19,912 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,568
On-campus room and board: N/A
Pennsylvania State University - Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road, Media
610-892-1200 | psu.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,630
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,628 (Men - 58.2% | Women - 41.8%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 4 | Bachelor’s - 166 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $13,356 (in state); $19,912 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,568
On-campus room and board: N/A
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
201 Old Main, University Park
814-865-4700 | psu.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 45,628
Undergraduate enrollment: 38,954 (Men - 54.1% | Women - 45.9%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 133 | Bachelor’s - 11,496 | Master’s - 1,419 | Doctorates - 718
Tuition and fees: $16,444 (in state); $28,746 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,568
On-campus room and board: $9,702
Philadelphia University
4201 Henry Ave., Philadelphia
215-951-2700 | philau.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,540
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,888 (Men - 35% | Women - 65%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 6 | Bachelor’s - 577 | Master’s - 258 | Doctorates - 2
Tuition and fees: $33,590
Books and supplies: $1,600
On-campus room and board: $10,660
Princeton University
1 Nassau Hall, Princeton, N.J.
609-258-3000 | princeton.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 7,813
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,203 (Men - 50.5% | Women - 49.5%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 1,031 | Bachelor’s - 217 | Master’s - 481 | Doctorates - 351
Tuition and fees: $39,537
Books and supplies: $1,200
On-campus room and board: $12,630
Rosemont College
1400 Montgomery Ave., Rosemont
610-527-0200 | rosemont.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 883
Undergraduate enrollment: 519 (Men - 30.6% | Women - 69.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 109 | Master’s - 133 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $30,450
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $11,900
St. Joseph’s University
5600 City Ave., Philadelphia
610-660-1000 | sju.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 8,800
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,600 (Men - 47.7% | Women - 52.3%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 7 | Bachelor’s - 1,031 | Master’s - 756 | Doctorates - 12
Tuition and fees: $37,830
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $12,800
Swarthmore College
500 College Ave., Swarthmore
610-328-8000 | swarthmore.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,545
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,545 (Men - 48.9% | Women - 51.1%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 358 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $43,080
Books and supplies: $1,180
On-campus room and board: $12,670
Temple University
1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia
215-204-7000 | temple.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 36,855
Undergraduate enrollment: 27,710 (Men - 48.5% | Women - 51.5%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 2 | Bachelor’s - 5,493 | Master’s - 1,412 | Doctorates - 1,144
Tuition and fees: $13,596 (in state); $23,422 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $11,142
Thomas Jefferson University
1020 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
215-955-6000 | jefferson.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 3,708
Undergraduate enrollment: 993 (Men - 21.7% | Women - 78.3%)
Tuition and fees: N/A
Books and supplies: N/A
On-campus room and board: N/A
University of Pennsylvania
34th and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia
215-898-5000 | upenn.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 24,832
Undergraduate enrollment: 11,765 (Men - 47.6% | Women - 52.4%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 95 | Bachelor’s - 389 | Master’s - 173 | Doctorates - 320
Tuition and fees: $43,738
Books and supplies: $1,210
On-campus room and board: $12,368
University of the Arts
320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
215-717-6000 | uarts.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 2,246
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,002 (Men - 43.3% | Women - 56.7%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 466 | Master’s - 99 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $34,840
Books and supplies: $3,700
On-campus room and board: $12,700
Ursinus College
601 E. Main Street, Collegeville
610-409-3000 | ursinus.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,776
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,776 (Men - 46.7% | Women - 53.3%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 353 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $43,270
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $10,750
Valley Forge Christian College
1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville
610-935-0450 | vfcc.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 1,128
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,101 (Men - 48.0% | Women - 52.0%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 9 | Bachelor’s - 125 | Master’s - 1 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $18,367
Books and supplies: $1,246
On-campus room and board: $7,936
Valley Forge Military College
1001 Eagle Road, Wayne
610-989-1450 | vfmac.edu
Type: Private, 2 year
Total enrollment: 294
Undergraduate enrollment: 294 (Men - 87.4% | Women - 12.6%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 53 | Bachelor’s - 0 | Master’s - 0 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $25,360
Books and supplies: $1,000
On-campus room and board: $11,145
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova
610-519-4500 | villanova.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 10,661
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,111 (Men - 49.4% | Women - 50.6%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 1 | Bachelor’s - 1,958 | Master’s - 763 | Doctorates - 737
Tuition and fees: $42,740
Books and supplies: $950
On-campus room and board: $11,393
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
University Avenue and High Street, West Chester
610-436-1000 | wcupa.edu
Type: Public, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 15,100
Undergraduate enrollment: 12,834 (Men - 41.2% | Women - 58.8%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 0 | Bachelor’s - 2,872 | Master’s - 700 | Doctorates - 0
Tuition and fees: $8,620 (in state); $18,446 (out of state)
Books and supplies: $1,500
On-campus room and board: $12,074
Widener University
One University Place, Chester
610-499-4000 | widener.edu
Type: Private, 4 year or above
Total enrollment: 4,748
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,186 (Men - 45.3% | Women - 54.7%)
Degrees conferred: Associate’s - 13 | Bachelor’s - 614 | Master’s - 325 | Doctorates - 132
Tuition and fees: $36,382
Books and supplies: $1,200
On-campus room and board: $ 15,524
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Pennsylvania Department of Education, college/university websites
Editor’s notes: Tuition and fees data are for the 2012-2013 school year for full-time, first-time undergraduates; degrees conferred data are for the most recent academic year available; and enrollment data are as of fall 2012. Suburban Life has used its best efforts to compile this information for this list but does not guarantee that the information provided is complete or accurate.