Cheapest Social Sciences Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's public universities offer Social Sciences, Other programs at surprisingly low net costs, with University of Pittsburgh-Bradford leading at just $16,630 annually. This represents a dramatic contrast to elite private options like Swarthmore College, which costs $18,686 despite its $62,412 sticker price through generous aid. The state's healthcare and finance sectors, anchored by employers like UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies, create strong demand for social science graduates who can navigate complex organizational and policy challenges. Earnings potential varies significantly across programs, ranging from $29,685 to $41,937, with Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduates commanding the highest starting salaries.

Programs

$16,630 – $32,496

Net Price Range

$33,667

Avg. Program Earnings

71.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Social Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Bradford, Pennsylvania	$16,630	$14,620	43.4%	93.6%
2	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Indiana, Pennsylvania	$17,216	$11,380	52.4%	91.9%
3	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686	$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
4	Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, Pennsylvania	$20,231	$12,262	54.4%	92.4%
5	Mount Aloysius College Cresson, Pennsylvania	$20,748	$26,156	55.6%	86.0%
6	Keystone College La Plume, Pennsylvania	$21,461	$17,850	41.2%	80.7%
7	Marywood University Scranton, Pennsylvania	$22,222	$39,570	72.5%	80.8%
8	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
9	Gettysburg College Gettysburg, Pennsylvania	$30,086	$64,230	82.7%	56.3%
10	Ursinus College Collegeville, Pennsylvania	$30,485	$59,196	76.6%	82.2%
11	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$31,229	$66,104	96.8%	6.5%
12	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
13	Lafayette College Easton, Pennsylvania	$32,496	$62,574	88.1%	33.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Pittsburgh-Bradford so affordable for social sciences students?

The campus offers the lowest net cost at $16,630 annually, with in-state tuition at just $14,620. Despite a 43.40% graduation rate and 93.55% acceptance rate, graduates earn $33,993 starting salaries, making it an accessible entry point into Pennsylvania's social sciences field.

How do private colleges like Swarthmore make their programs affordable?

Swarthmore College reduces its $62,412 sticker price to an $18,686 net cost through substantial financial aid packages. The school maintains a 94.10% graduation rate with only 6.93% acceptance, demonstrating how selective private institutions use aid to attract top students.

Is there a significant earnings gap between Pennsylvania social sciences programs?

Yes, starting salaries range from $29,685 at Millersville University and Lafayette College to $41,937 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This $12,252 difference highlights how program focus and regional connections impact graduate outcomes in Pennsylvania's job market.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee better graduation rates?

The data reveals mixed patterns, with University of Pennsylvania achieving 96.80% graduation rates at $31,229 net cost. However, Marywood University reaches 72.50% graduation rates at just $22,222, proving that mid-tier private colleges can deliver strong completion rates without premium pricing.

More Social 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.