collageWe are a top-ranked business school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of specializations. Our programs will prepare you to become a leader in today’s competitive business world.
The Pennsylvania State University is a public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the flagship state-related institution of the Pennsylvania State University system, which also includes Penn State Altoona, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Penn State Harrisburg.
The university traces its roots back to a series of lectures delivered in 1840 by J.D. Alexander to a group of citizens in a local church. Its charter was granted on April 22, 1855, and the school opened as a preparatory school for the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in 1859. In 1865 it was renamed Pennsylvania College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (PCAM). By 1907 it had become Pennsylvania State College (PSC), and by 1953 had developed into one of the leading state universities in the United States.
In 1966, with support from Governor William Scranton’s administration, PSC was chosen to be the location for the newly founded Pennsylvania State University System’s second campus. The following year Scranton and his wife donated 500 acres (2 km²), mostly wooded land in central Pennsylvania that became known as “the Arboretum.” Today it serves as an environmental education center on campus
At [school name], we pride ourselves on our small class sizes and engaging learning environment, which allows us to provide students with individualized attention from their professors. Our students have access to all the resources they need to succeed, including industry-leading facilities and technology, as well as world-class faculty who are experts in their fields.
Our mission is simple: We want to help our students achieve their goals by giving them the tools they need for success. Whether that means preparing them for a career as an accountant or helping them launch their own business, we believe that education should be accessible and affordable for everyone—and that’s why we offer scholarships every year!
Right here on Churchgist, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on top business schools in pennsylvania, best business schools, university of pennsylvania and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Business schools in pA
Pennsylvania offers prospective students numerous options for studying business at either the undergraduate or graduate level and boasts some of the most prestigious programs for business degrees in the country. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), of the 119 public and non-profit schools in the state, 31 have accredited undergraduate business programs, and 41 have accredited graduate business programs.1 the Association accredits all schools to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).2,3,4 The Pennsylvania schools listed below are all public and non-profit and also regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).5
Accreditation by external institutions is an essential consideration when choosing a school. Program accreditation ensures that the program has clear goals and proven outcomes and follows national and international standards. Accredited schools must also prove engagement with business practitioners, allowing students to learn contextually and in the real world.
Below you can find all the information you will need to decide on a school, based on various criteria, such as tuition cost, financial aid amount, average entrance exam score, acceptance rate, and more. The three sections that follow cover undergraduate programs, graduate schools, and job prospects for business school graduates in Pennsylvania.
Best Business Schools in Pennsylvania
Fast facts on some of the best business schools in Pennsylvania according to US News Rankings.
- Carnegie Mellon University – #17 in Best Business Schools, #25 in Best National Universities, #33 in Best Value Schools, #7 in Best Business Programs, #5 in Most Innovative Schools
- Temple University – #53 in Best Public Schools, #45 in Best Business Programs, #12 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- Pennsylvania State University-University Park – #31 in Best Business Schools, #21 in Best Business Programs, #52 in Best National Universities, #14 in Top Public Schools
- University of Pittsburgh – #52 in Best Business Schools, #31 in Best Business Programs, #68 in Best National Universities, #24 in Top Public Schools
- Drexel University – #85 in Best Business Schools, #70 in Best Value Schools, #109 in Best Undergraduate Business Programs, #25 in Most Innovative Schools, #61 in Best Online MBA Programs
- La Salle University – #27 in Best Value Schools, #216 in Best Undergraduate Business Programs, #143 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
Undergraduate Business Schools in Pennsylvania
The average cost of an undergraduate business degree in the Keystone State, before financial aid, is $29,423, and 15 schools offer undergraduate programs that are more affordable than this average. The most affordable options for business degrees in Pennsylvania on our list are the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, which has a tuition of $9,618 and an average offered financial aid of $5,684, and the West Chester University of Pennsylvania, with tuition and average financial aid figures of $9,720 and $5,623 respectively. The most expensive programs are at the Tepper School at Carnegie Mellon University, Bucknell University, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University, each of which has a tuition of just over $50,000; of these, the Wharton School offers the most financial aid at around $37,000, while Drexel offers the least at about $21,000.
Acceptance rates are generally high at most Pennsylvania undergraduate business schools, with all but five schools having acceptance rates over 50%, and 20 schools having over 70% acceptance. The Clarion University of Pennsylvania has the highest acceptance rate, at 94%, while the exclusive Wharton School has the lowest acceptance rate at just 9%.
Graduation rates generally tend to be inversely related to acceptance rates, with the most selective programs rewarding those students who do get in with a high chance of graduating with a degree. The Wharton School leads the pack with a 95% graduation rate, followed by the Tepper School (which has the second-lowest acceptance rate) at 90%. The lowest graduation rate, 44%, is at Penn State Brandywine. Perhaps the combination of acceptance and graduation rates with the best odds for the average prospective student can be found at Saint Joseph’s University, which accepts 78% of applicants and graduates 80% of those entering the program.
Below you will find a table showing essential data about undergraduate business schools, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid received per student, acceptance rates, median SAT and ACT scores of accepted students, and graduation rates. You can click on any column header to sort the table based on those values.
| School | City | Tuition | Aid | Median SAT | Median ACT | Accept. Rate | Grad. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple University | Philadelphia | $16,274 | $8,463 | 52% | 71% | ||
| Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg | $10,154 | $5,729 | 870-1070 | 18-23 | 78% | 62% |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | $51,960 | $29,013 | 1200-1380 | 28-32 | 30% | 88% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | $52,310 | $29,306 | 1380-1550 | 31-34 | 22% | 90% |
| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion | $10,287 | $5,969 | 840-1040 | 17-23 | 94% | 50% |
| DeSales University | Center Valley | $34,850 | $16,344 | 940-1180 | 22-27 | 76% | 68% |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | $51,030 | $21,061 | 1080-1300 | 25-30 | 75% | 70% |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | $35,062 | $18,655 | 1055-1230 | 24-29 | 74% | 77% |
| King’s College | Wilkes-Barre | $34,720 | $18,656 | 71% | 65% | ||
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown | $9,618 | $5,684 | 880-1080 | 18-22 | 80% | 55% |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | $41,100 | $25,124 | 870-1080 | 19-25 | 77% | 65% |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem | $48,320 | $32,696 | 1230-1420 | 29-32 | 26% | 89% |
| Penn State Abington | Abington | $14,172 | $5,715 | 870-1130 | 20-27 | 82% | 47% |
| Penn State Altoona | Altoona | $14,828 | $5,598 | 900-1110 | 20-24 | 89% | 69% |
| Penn State Beaver | Monaca | $13,678 | $5,822 | 880-1170 | 20-25 | 86% | 48% |
| Penn State Berks | Reading | $14,828 | $5,139 | 870-1110 | 19-24 | 87% | 57% |
| Penn State Brandywine | Media | $14,134 | $5,403 | 860-1080 | 18-25 | 83% | 44% |
| Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown | $14,828 | $5,987 | 930-1210 | 22-27 | 85% | 63% |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park | $17,900 | $7,101 | 1090-1300 | 25-29 | 56% | 86% |
| Philadelphia University | Philadelphia | $37,950 | $19,569 | 960-1130 | 20-26 | 61% | 58% |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township | $28,250 | $16,150 | 940-1140 | 21-26 | 80% | 61% |
| Saint Joseph’s University | Philadelphia | $43,020 | $19,743 | 1050-1230 | 23-28 | 78% | 80% |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg | $11,452 | $5,850 | 870-1070 | 18-23 | 88% | 56% |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | $43,720 | $26,969 | 68% | 74% | ||
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $51,464 | $36,971 | 1380-1570 | 32-35 | 9% | 95% |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | $18,618 | $10,891 | 1190-1380 | 27-32 | 55% | 81% |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | $42,162 | $22,052 | 1030-1220 | 23-28 | 75% | 79% |
| Villanova University | Villanova | $49,280 | $29,532 | 1220-1420 | 30-32 | 44% | 90% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | West Chester | $9,720 | $5,623 | 970-1150 | 21-25 | 64% | 70% |
| Widener University | Chester | $42,870 | $23,255 | 930-1130 | 21-26 | 70% | 57% |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | $33,568 | $19,514 | 895-1130 | 20-25 | 76% | 62% |
AdvertisementI WANT MY Select a degree Associate’sBachelor’sMaster’sDoctorateNon-Degree CoursesCertificate / DiplomaGraduate CertificatesBootcamps IN Select a category Art & DesignBusiness & ManagementComputers & TechnologyCriminal Justice & LegalEducation & TeachingLiberal Arts & HumanitiesNursing & HealthcarePsychology & CounselingScience & EngineeringTrades & Careers FOCUSING ON Select a subject AccountingBusiness AdministrationBusiness IntelligenceBusiness LawDigital MarketingEconomicsEntertainment ManagementEntrepreneurshipFinanceForensic AccountingHospitality ManagementHuman ResourcesInternational BusinessManagementManagement Information SystemsMarketingNegotiation & Conflict ManagementNon-Profit ManagementOrganizational LeadershipProject ManagementPublic RelationsReal EstateRetail & Sales ManagementRisk ManagementSmall BusinessSports ManagementSupply Chain & LogisticsSustainabilityTaxationTraining & Development
Graduate Business Schools in Pennsylvania
To complement their baccalaureate studies, many students choose to obtain graduate-level business degrees (usually MBAs). Pennsylvania offers many excellent choices; the state currently has 41 schools offering accredited graduate business degrees. The average cost of a graduate business degree in Pennsylvania is $40,750. Still, there’s a wide range of affordability: Geneva College’s graduate program costs just $8,520, while a graduate degree in business from Carnegie Mellon will set you back $124,460.
We have collected average GMAT scores for those admitted from 29 graduate business schools. Of those institutions that provided data, the scores range from 444 at Lebanon Valley College to 732 at the Wharton School, with an average admittance GMAT score for all schools of 556. Information on the number of faculty with doctorate degrees is available for just over half of the accredited schools and ranges from 70% at Pennsylvania State University Erie, The Behrend College (or Penn State Behrend) to 100% at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg (or The Capital College).
Many students prefer to keep working while studying at their own pace, and there are several excellent online MBA programs in Pennsylvania that are designed for such students. The Tepper School at Carnegie Mellon University has one of the highest-rated online programs in the nation. Good options are also offered at Drexel University, La Salle University, and many others. Most of these online programs offer essentially the same curricula and courses as their offline equivalents.
The table below contains graduate business school tuition costs, average accepted applicant GMAT scores, the percentage of faculty with a doctorate, and the student-to-faculty ratios. Click on any column header to sort the table based on that data.
| School | City | Tuition | Avg. GMAT | Faculty with Doct. Degree | Student/ Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia University | Reading | $43,440 | |||
| Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg | $21,248 | 500 | 77% | 0.73 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh | $124,460 | 704 | 94% | 8.85 |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown | $121,536 | |||
| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion | $22,946 | 455 | 100% | 7.13 |
| DeSales University | Center Valley | $22,407 | 500 | ||
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | $64,000 | 562 | 81% | 2.75 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | $54,831 | 536 | 93% | 1.44 |
| Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | Edinboro | $49,938 | |||
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown | $24,840 | |||
| Gannon University | Erie | $39,800 | |||
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | $8,520 | |||
| Holy Family University | Philadelphia | $31,530 | |||
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | $25,200 | 520 | ||
| Kutztown University | Kutztown | $17,229 | 451 | 88% | 0.43 |
| La Roche College | Pittsburgh | $16,725 | 486 | ||
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | $45,000 | 520 | 75% | 7.06 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville | $43,327 | 444 | ||
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem | $40,535 | 690 | 83% | 1.66 |
| Lock Haven University | Lock Haven | $39,125 | 694 | ||
| Marywood University | Scranton | $27,900 | |||
| Neumann University | Aston | $22,751 | |||
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park | $25,436 | 617 | 86% | 5.31 |
| Pennsylvania State University at Erie | Erie | $26,220 | 530 | 70% | 0.52 |
| Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg | Middletown | $41,312 | 600 | 100% | 1.09 |
| Penn State Great Valley | Malvern | $44,580 | 587 | 93% | 1.53 |
| Philadelphia University | Philadelphia | $38,420 | 445 | ||
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township | $30,200 | 509 | 91% | |
| Saint Joseph’s University | Philadelphia | $33,099 | 560 | 76% | 3.03 |
| Saint Vincent College | Latrobe | $31,500 | 471 | ||
| Shippensburg University | Shippensburg | $18,720 | 510 | 93% | 5.44 |
| Slippery Rock University | Slippery Rock | $18,210 | |||
| Temple University | Philadelphia | $65,116 | 562 | 80% | 3.28 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $108,018 | 732 | ||
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | $51,028 | 626 | 89% | 3.41 |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | $34,940 | 535 | 89% | 1.6 |
| University of the Sciences in Philadelphia | Philadelphia | $63,830 | 628 | ||
| Villanova University | Villanova | $50,016 | 610 | 87% | 0.72 |
| West Chester University | West Chester | $16,719 | 535 | 89% | |
| Widener University | Chester | $33,056 | 87% | 5.09 | |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | $33,056 |
Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Pennsylvania
Job prospects for business graduates are excellent across the United States, with total growth of at least 5% projected in 32 out of 37 business and management occupations between 2016 and 2026, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.6 Market analysts and marketing specialists are expected to have the most growth nationwide, at 22.8% over that ten-year period, with financial managers coming in a close second place at 18.7%.6
In Pennsylvania, operations managers comprise the largest business and management sector segment, with 70,430 employed in 2016.6 Accountants and auditors come in second at 52,590 statewide, with market analysts and marketing specialists well behind in third at 24,490.6
Based on BLS data, the average annual wage in 2016 across all Pennsylvania occupations was $48,760.6 For the business-related occupations shown below, however, the weighted average annual salary was $97,502, a figure almost exactly double the state average as a whole.6 Not surprisingly, the highest-paid businesspeople were chief executives, who averaged $208,150 per year in Pennsylvania, while the lowest-paying subcategory was tax preparers at $40,660.6
| Occupation Title | BLS.gov Code | 2016 Total Employment Pennsylvania | Mean Hourly Wage Pennsylvania | Mean Annual Wage Pennsylvania | National Growth 2016-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives | 11-1011 | 9,230 | $100 | $208,150 | 0.08 |
| Operations Managers | 11-1021 | 70,430 | $60 | $125,560 | 9.1% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 11-2011 | 0,570 | $63 | $131,730 | 5.8% |
| Marketing Managers | 11-2021 | 6,250 | $74 | $154,030 | 10.0% |
| Sales Managers | 11-2022 | 8,930 | $71 | $147,110 | 7.4% |
| Public Relations Managers | 11-2031 | 1,640 | $58 | $119,900 | 10.4% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 11-3011 | 6,860 | $49 | $102,780 | 10.1% |
| Computer and IT Systems Managers | 11-3021 | 12,150 | $69 | $143,260 | 11.9% |
| Financial Managers | 11-3031 | 16,190 | $72 | $149,980 | 18.7% |
| Purchasing Managers | 11-3061 | 1,900 | $58 | $120,250 | 5.6% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | 11-3111 | 0,540 | $65 | $135,370 | 5.0% |
| Human Resources Managers | 11-3121 | 4,100 | $62 | $128,280 | 8.9% |
| Training and Development Managers | 11-3131 | 0,970 | $59 | $122,180 | 10.3% |
| Construction Managers | 11-9021 | 8,000 | $52 | $108,170 | 11.4% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 11-9041 | 5,850 | $68 | $141,100 | 5.5% |
| Business Managers of Artists and Athletes | 13-1011 | 0,140 | $27 | $55,350 | 4.9% |
| Compliance Officers | 13-1041 | 11,360 | $32 | $67,390 | 8.2% |
| Cost Estimators | 13-1051 | 9,360 | $31 | $65,400 | 10.6% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 22,520 | $32 | $66,740 | 7.1% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 13-1075 | 4,890 | $27 | $56,000 | -7.8% |
| Logisticians | 13-1081 | 6,150 | $37 | $77,040 | 6.9% |
| Management Analysts | 13-1111 | 22,750 | $43 | $88,550 | 12.0% |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 13-1121 | 3,040 | $24 | $50,380 | 10.2% |
| Compensation Job Analysis Specialists | 13-1141 | 3,240 | $32 | $66,320 | 8.5% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 13-1151 | 10,310 | $31 | $63,590 | 11.5% |
| Market Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 13-1161 | 24,490 | $32 | $66,650 | 22.8% |
| Business Operations Specialists | 13-1199 | 15,900 | $36 | $75,390 | 8.8% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 13-2011 | 52,590 | $35 | $73,500 | 10.0% |
| Budget Analysts | 13-2031 | 1,450 | $35 | $71,910 | 6.5% |
| Credit Analysts | 13-2041 | 2,400 | $34 | $71,740 | 8.4% |
| Financial Analysts | 13-2051 | 10,830 | $41 | $84,880 | 10.8% |
| Insurance Underwriters | 13-2053 | 4,900 | $37 | $77,670 | -5.2% |
| Financial Examiners | 13-2061 | 1,640 | $43 | $90,050 | 9.8% |
| Credit Counselors | 13-2071 | 1,980 | $28 | $57,570 | 13.9% |
| Loan Officers | 13-2072 | 11,800 | $33 | $69,450 | 11.5% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors | 13-2081 | 3,320 | $25 | $51,070 | -0.6% |
| Tax Preparers | 13-2082 | 1,750 | $20 | $40,660 | 10.8% |
collage