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Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Swarthmore College stands out dramatically among Pennsylvania's engineering programs with a net price of just $18,686 despite charging $62,412 in full tuition, making it more affordable than many public universities after financial aid. This reflects the college's need-blind admissions and generous aid packages, though with only a 6.93% acceptance rate, gaining admission requires strong credentials. The earnings data reveals significant variation, from Robert Morris University graduates earning $48,041 to Elizabethtown College alumni commanding $62,508 annually. Pennsylvania's engineering job market benefits from major employers like UPMC, Comcast, and pharmaceutical giants in the Philadelphia region, creating strong demand for general engineering graduates who can work across multiple sectors. Public options like Millersville University ($20,231 net) and Temple University ($29,219 net) provide middle-ground alternatives, while the PA State Grant program helps reduce costs for in-state students at both public and private institutions.
21
Programs
$18,686 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$58,391
Avg. Program Earnings
71.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
2 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
3 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
4 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
5 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
6 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
7 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
8 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
9 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
10 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
11 $27,700 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
12 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
13 $28,714 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
14 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
15 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
16 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
17 $30,485 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
18 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
19 $32,496 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
20 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
21 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Swarthmore College so affordable despite its high sticker price?

Swarthmore College charges $62,412 in full tuition but offers a net price of only $18,686 after financial aid, representing a discount of nearly 70%. The college practices need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants rather than loans. However, gaining admission requires strong qualifications given the 6.93% acceptance rate. This makes it more affordable than many public universities while providing an elite liberal arts education.

How do earnings compare between the most affordable engineering programs?

Engineering graduates from these affordable programs earn between $48,041 and $62,508 annually, showing significant variation in post-graduation outcomes. Elizabethtown College leads with $62,508 median earnings despite a net price of $26,198. Messiah University follows closely at $60,623 with similar costs at $27,686. Robert Morris University shows the lowest earnings at $48,041 but also offers strong value with a net price of $25,747.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private engineering programs?

Public universities like Millersville ($20,231 net) and Temple ($29,219 net) generally cost less than private institutions, but the gap narrows considerably after financial aid. Some private colleges like Saint Francis University ($19,173 net) actually cost less than public options. The University of Pittsburgh represents the most expensive public option at $30,074 net price. Private colleges often provide more generous aid packages, especially for students with financial need.

Does graduation rate correlate with program affordability in Pennsylvania?

Graduation rates vary dramatically across affordable programs, from Thiel College's 43.5% to Swarthmore's strong 94.1%. Millersville University maintains a 54.4% graduation rate despite being among the most affordable at $20,231 net price. Several mid-priced private colleges like Elizabethtown (77.1%) and Messiah (78.5%) achieve strong completion rates around $27,000 net cost. Lower-cost options don't necessarily mean lower success rates, but individual school support systems matter significantly.

Where do engineering graduates find employment opportunities in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's economy offers strong engineering opportunities across healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Major employers include UPMC for biomedical engineering roles, Comcast for telecommunications and software engineering, and pharmaceutical companies like GSK and Johnson & Johnson in the Philadelphia region. The state's manufacturing base in steel, chemicals, and machinery provides traditional engineering roles. Pittsburgh's emerging tech sector and Philadelphia's growing startup scene create additional opportunities for general engineering graduates who can adapt across multiple industries.

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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.