Cheapest Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences Colleges in Pennsylvania

Saint Francis University charges just $19,173 in net costs for Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences programs, making it Pennsylvania's most affordable option by a significant margin. The $18,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs reflects the stark difference between smaller private colleges and major research universities. Pennsylvania's massive healthcare infrastructure, anchored by UPMC's 40 hospitals and major pharmaceutical companies like GSK, creates strong demand for specialized health professionals beyond traditional nursing and medicine. Programs range from $19,173 at Saint Francis to $35,487 at Saint Joseph's University, with graduation rates varying from 43.5% at Thiel College to 84.3% at University of Pittsburgh. Most schools maintain acceptance rates above 80%, suggesting accessible entry points into Pennsylvania's $50 billion healthcare sector.

Programs

$19,173 – $37,208

Net Price Range

$42,682

Avg. Program Earnings

67.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173	$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
2	La Roche University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$21,972	$33,120	57.7%	97.4%
3	Marywood University Scranton, Pennsylvania	$22,222	$39,570	72.5%	80.8%
4	Thiel College Greenville, Pennsylvania	$22,746	$36,864	43.5%	82.3%
5	Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania	$23,206	$37,951	69.5%	80.9%
6	King's College Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	$23,281	$42,600	60.1%	96.0%
7	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791	$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
8	Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	$26,198	$36,842	77.1%	81.1%
9	Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$28,163	$45,683	68.2%	88.9%
10	Alvernia University Reading, Pennsylvania	$28,329	$42,810	58.5%	59.0%
11	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
12	DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania	$30,465	$44,800	71.0%	77.2%
13	Widener University Chester, Pennsylvania	$30,470	$53,638	63.5%	87.7%
14	University of Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania	$30,528	$52,309	80.8%	84.4%
15	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$35,487	$51,340	79.8%	88.7%
16	Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Lancaster, Pennsylvania	$37,208	$31,866	67.0%	45.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Saint Francis University so much cheaper than other Pennsylvania health programs?

Saint Francis University's $19,173 net cost reflects its rural Loretto location and smaller scale compared to urban competitors. The school maintains a 73% graduation rate while keeping costs nearly $3,000 below the next cheapest option, La Roche University at $21,972. Its 73% acceptance rate provides reasonable selectivity without the premium pricing of larger research institutions.

How do public and private health program costs compare in Pennsylvania?

University of Pittsburgh stands as the only public option, charging $30,074 in net costs but offering in-state tuition of just $21,524. Private colleges dominate this field, with 14 of 15 programs coming from nonprofit institutions. The public option delivers Pennsylvania's highest graduation rate at 84.3% and maintains greater selectivity with a 49% acceptance rate.

Does program location affect costs for health professions students in Pennsylvania?

Pittsburgh-area schools show notable cost variation, from La Roche's $21,972 to Point Park's $24,791, despite serving the same metropolitan market. Philadelphia programs like Thomas Jefferson ($28,163) and Saint Joseph's ($35,487) command higher prices in the state's largest healthcare market. Rural schools like Saint Francis and Thiel College offer the lowest net costs statewide.

What graduation rates can students expect from affordable health programs?

Affordable programs show mixed graduation outcomes, ranging from Thiel College's concerning 43.5% rate to Saint Francis University's solid 72.8% performance. Schools charging under $25,000 average around 60% graduation rates, while mid-range programs like Elizabethtown College achieve 77.1%. The data suggests that cost alone doesn't determine academic success in Pennsylvania health programs.

More Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other 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.