Cheapest Computer Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Computer Engineering programs show remarkable cost variation, with University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown offering a net price of just $18,952 while Villanova reaches $44,876. The state's tech sector, anchored by companies like Comcast and growing pharmaceutical giants, creates strong demand for engineering talent. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with three of the five cheapest options being state schools. Bucknell graduates command the highest early-career earnings at $87,604, nearly $25,000 more than Shippensburg's $63,005. Most programs maintain solid job placement rates despite varying selectivity levels.

Programs

$18,952 – $44,876

Net Price Range

$71,016

Avg. Program Earnings

76.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Computer Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, Pennsylvania	$18,952	$14,646	53.4%	97.4%
2	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173	$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
3	York College of Pennsylvania York, Pennsylvania	$19,685	$24,606	59.7%	95.6%
4	Allegheny College Meadville, Pennsylvania	$21,900	$54,960	66.5%	69.7%
5	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, Pennsylvania	$23,553	$13,544	51.6%	87.8%
6	Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	$26,198	$36,842	77.1%	81.1%
7	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
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	Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	$33,549	$62,180	89.2%	37.0%
11	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,428	$60,663	77.1%	79.6%
12	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$40,429	$64,772	86.2%	32.6%
13	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$44,876	$64,701	92.4%	23.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $25,924 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Private institutions like Villanova ($44,876) and Bucknell ($40,429) carry significantly higher net costs than public options. University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown offers the lowest net price at $18,952, with in-state tuition of just $14,646 making it particularly affordable for Pennsylvania residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Pennsylvania?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with University of Pennsylvania leading at 96.8% and Villanova at 92.4%. However, some affordable options like Elizabethtown College achieve 77.1% graduation rates at just $26,198 net cost, proving quality education doesn't always require premium pricing.

Is there a significant earnings gap between graduates from different Pennsylvania programs?

Bucknell graduates earn $87,604 early in their careers, substantially higher than the $63,005 average from Shippensburg University. This $24,599 difference often reflects the stronger alumni networks and industry connections at selective private institutions versus public regional universities.

Where do Pennsylvania Computer Engineering graduates typically find employment?

The state's major employers include UPMC for healthcare technology, Comcast for telecommunications infrastructure, and pharmaceutical companies requiring process automation expertise. Pennsylvania's mix of traditional manufacturing and emerging tech sectors creates varied opportunities for engineering graduates across different salary ranges.

More Computer Engineering Rankings

Best Value Computer Engineering in Pennsylvania Computer Engineering Under $20,000 in Pennsylvania

All Computer Engineering Programs Best Colleges in Pennsylvania Best Computer Engineering in Pennsylvania

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