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Christian higher education in Pennsylvania spans from Villanova's selective 23.4% acceptance rate to the affordable $12,251 net price at Holy Family University. The state's 56 faith-based institutions serve over 50,000 students, with graduates earning between $54,064 and $100,423 annually. Pennsylvania's healthcare economy creates strong demand for Christian college graduates, particularly from specialized programs like Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, where 67% of graduates enter fields serving UPMC and other major health systems. Lafayette College in Easton demonstrates how Christian liberal arts education connects to the state's finance sector, with graduates averaging $91,410 in earnings. Saint Joseph's University maintains an 88.7% acceptance rate while still producing graduates who earn $86,881 annually, reflecting Pennsylvania's balanced approach to accessible Christian education. The state's Christian colleges benefit from Pennsylvania State Grant funding, helping students manage costs that range widely across institutions. From small colleges like Saint Vincent in Latrobe with 1,264 students to larger universities like Villanova with 7,005 students, these institutions prepare graduates for Pennsylvania's key industries including pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services centered in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
50
Schools
$25,730
Avg. Net Price
$59,302
Avg. Earnings
62.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania

College listings
# School Affiliation Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 Roman Catholic 7,005 $44,876 92.4%
2 Presbyterian Church (USA) 2,746 $32,496 88.1%
3 Roman Catholic 1,548 $37,208 67.0%
4 Roman Catholic 1,265 $29,464 64.5%
5 Roman Catholic 4,742 $35,487 79.8%
6 Roman Catholic 1,141 $27,141 58.5%
7 Roman Catholic 3,589 $30,528 80.8%
8 Roman Catholic 1,525 $19,173 72.8%
9 Roman Catholic 5,216 $34,978 75.5%
10 Evangelical Lutheran 1,777 $30,314 80.2%
11 Roman Catholic 1,264 $23,331 72.1%
12 Presbyterian Church (USA) 1,081 $25,157 60.5%
13 Interdenominational 2,318 $27,686 78.5%
14 Roman Catholic 2,298 $12,251 60.4%
15 Roman Catholic 2,467 $23,206 69.5%
16 Roman Catholic 1,632 $24,829 69.2%
17 Roman Catholic 2,113 $30,465 71.0%
18 Roman Catholic 1,821 $22,222 72.5%
19 Moravian 1,970 $29,843 71.1%
20 United Methodist 1,670 $28,132 72.5%
21 Roman Catholic 2,042 $28,329 58.5%
22 Presbyterian Church (USA) 1,051 $20,800 65.9%
23 Roman Catholic 1,581 $22,558 71.0%
24 American Baptist 1,978 $25,885 56.0%
25 Roman Catholic 1,966 $21,409 57.9%
26 Roman Catholic 41 $38,775 44.4%
27 Reformed Presbyterian 1,000 $21,043 61.5%
28 United Methodist 1,209 $21,900 66.5%
29 Evangelical Lutheran 2,120 $26,539 74.1%
30 Roman Catholic 645 $24,051 50.5%
31 Roman Catholic 466 $20,356 43.5%
32 Roman Catholic 1,123 $20,748 55.6%
33 Baptist 331 $21,873 54.2%
34 Assemblies of God 471 $27,499 56.1%
35 United Methodist 1,049 $19,258 59.6%
36 United Methodist 1,296 $21,664 42.2%
37 Undenominational 2,221 79.7%
38 Roman Catholic 786 $21,972 57.7%
39 Roman Catholic 1,519 $23,281 60.1%
40 Roman Catholic 1,336 $20,822 55.2%
41 Roman Catholic 1,574 $28,714 46.1%
42 Roman Catholic 2,217 $27,263 58.7%
43 Other (not classified) 273 $19,600 46.3%
44 Presbyterian Church (USA) 745 $21,241 51.8%
45 Roman Catholic 931 $29,944 56.1%
46 Evangelical Lutheran 773 $22,746 43.5%
47 Other (not classified) 462 $16,521 24.4%
48 Roman Catholic
49 Other (not classified)
50 United Church of Christ

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Villanova University stand out among Pennsylvania's Christian colleges?

Villanova maintains the most selective admissions with a 23.4% acceptance rate and produces the highest-earning graduates at $100,423 annually. The university's 92.4% graduation rate leads all Christian institutions in the state, while its 7,005 students make it one of the largest faith-based universities in Pennsylvania.

How affordable are Christian colleges in Pennsylvania compared to other states?

Net prices range from $12,251 at Holy Family University to $44,876 at Villanova, creating options for various budgets. Thirteen institutions charge under $30,000 annually, while Pennsylvania State Grant funding helps residents reduce costs further across all 56 Christian colleges statewide.

Where do graduates from Pennsylvania's Christian colleges typically find employment?

Many graduates enter Pennsylvania's healthcare systems like UPMC, pharmaceutical companies, and financial services firms in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences specifically prepares students for the state's medical sector, while graduates from institutions like Lafayette College often pursue careers in regional finance and technology companies.

What graduation rates can students expect at Pennsylvania's Christian colleges?

Graduation rates span from 58.5% at Gwynedd Mercy University to 92.4% at Villanova University. Ten institutions maintain graduation rates above 75%, including Lafayette College at 88.1% and University of Scranton at 80.8%, indicating strong student support and academic preparation across the sector.

How competitive is admission to Christian colleges in Pennsylvania?

Acceptance rates vary significantly, from Villanova's selective 23.4% to Saint Joseph's University's accessible 88.7%. Most institutions accept between 65% and 85% of applicants, with 45 of the 56 colleges maintaining acceptance rates above 50%, providing multiple entry points for prospective students.

Does enrollment size affect the quality of education at Pennsylvania's Christian colleges?

Both large and small Christian colleges achieve strong outcomes in Pennsylvania. Villanova serves 7,005 students with a 92.4% graduation rate, while smaller Saint Vincent College enrolls 1,264 students and maintains a 72.1% graduation rate, showing that institutional size doesn't determine academic success.

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.