Cheapest Classics and Classical Languages Colleges in Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College delivers the most affordable net price for Classics studies at $18,686, despite its $62,412 sticker price and ultra-selective 6.93% acceptance rate. This creates a $26,528 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options among Pennsylvania's 18 programs. Public universities like Temple and Pitt offer strong alternatives with net costs around $29,000-$30,000. Pennsylvania's major healthcare systems like UPMC and pharmaceutical companies increasingly value classical education graduates for their analytical skills and communication abilities. The state's finance sector, anchored by companies like PNC Financial, also recruits liberally educated candidates who can think critically about complex problems. Geneva College provides another budget-friendly path at $21,043 net cost with a 79% acceptance rate. The earnings data shows Classics graduates earning $29,685, reflecting the field's focus on developing transferable skills rather than direct vocational training.

Programs

$18,686 – $44,876

Net Price Range

$29,685

Avg. Program Earnings

84.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686	$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
2	Geneva College Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania	$21,043	$33,610	61.5%	79.1%
3	Haverford College Haverford, Pennsylvania	$25,210	$68,300	89.4%	14.2%
4	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
5	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
6	Gettysburg College Gettysburg, Pennsylvania	$30,086	$64,230	82.7%	56.3%
7	Ursinus College Collegeville, Pennsylvania	$30,485	$59,196	76.6%	82.2%
8	University of Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania	$30,528	$52,309	80.8%	84.4%
9	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$31,229	$66,104	96.8%	6.5%
10	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
11	Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania	$32,191	$63,475	83.4%	34.9%
12	Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	$33,549	$62,180	89.2%	37.0%
13	Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$34,978	$47,146	75.5%	87.5%
14	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$35,487	$51,340	79.8%	88.7%
15	Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, Pennsylvania	$39,061	$68,380	86.0%	36.2%
16	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$40,429	$64,772	86.2%	32.6%
17	Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	$40,690	$62,560	85.6%	30.8%
18	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$44,876	$64,701	92.4%	23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Swarthmore achieve such a low net price despite high tuition?

Swarthmore's generous financial aid reduces the $62,412 sticker price to just $18,686 for the average student. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans for families earning under certain thresholds. With only 6.93% acceptance rate and 94.10% graduation rate, Swarthmore attracts students who qualify for substantial need-based assistance while maintaining academic excellence.

What explains the $26,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Private colleges like Franklin and Marshall charge $39,061 net compared to Swarthmore's $18,686, primarily due to varying endowment sizes and financial aid policies. Swarthmore's $2.2 billion endowment allows more generous aid packages than smaller institutions. Public options like Temple at $29,219 fall between these extremes, offering reasonable costs without requiring strong financial circumstances.

Is Temple University a good value for Classics students?

Temple provides solid value at $29,219 net cost with strong Philadelphia connections and 74.70% graduation rate. The university's urban location offers internship opportunities with museums, historical societies, and cultural institutions. Temple's public status means more predictable costs compared to private colleges where aid can vary significantly. The 79.70% acceptance rate makes admission more accessible than highly selective alternatives.

Where do Pennsylvania Classics graduates typically find employment?

Pennsylvania's healthcare giants like UPMC value classical education for developing critical thinking and communication skills essential in patient care and administration. The state's financial sector, including PNC and regional banks, recruits liberally educated graduates for analyst and client-facing roles. Museums, libraries, and educational institutions throughout Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also provide career paths for Classics majors seeking culturally focused work.

More Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.