Skip to main content

NCAA Division III Colleges in Pennsylvania

50 schools in Pennsylvania. See our methodology.

Carnegie Mellon University anchors Pennsylvania's Division III market with graduates earning $114,862 annually, nearly double the state's division average. The 58 schools in this sector show remarkable variation, from Swarthmore's 6.9% acceptance rate to institutions welcoming over 90% of applicants. Net costs span from $16,630 to $39,061, reflecting Pennsylvania's mix of small liberal arts colleges and specialized institutions. These schools feed directly into the state's major employment sectors, with healthcare giant UPMC, telecommunications leader Comcast, and pharmaceutical companies actively recruiting graduates. Pennsylvania's State Grant program helps make these opportunities accessible across economic backgrounds. The graduation rate spread tells an interesting story, ranging from 43% to 94%, often correlating with institutional selectivity and student support systems. Schools like Haverford and Swarthmore maintain elite academic standards while institutions like Pennsylvania College of Technology focus on career-ready programs with 50.4% graduation rates but strong employment outcomes in technical fields. The geographic distribution across Pennsylvania means students can access quality education from Pittsburgh's tech corridor to Philadelphia's finance center, with smaller towns like Carlisle and Lancaster offering tight-knit campus experiences.
50
Schools
$25,309
Avg. Net Price
$61,756
Avg. Earnings
64.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

NCAA Division III Colleges in Pennsylvania

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 7,187 $31,671 92.5% 11.3%
2 1,627 $18,686 94.1% 6.9%
3 1,421 $25,210 89.4% 14.2%
4 1,904 $39,061 86.0% 36.2%
5 2,157 $32,191 83.4% 34.9%
6 1,265 $29,464 64.5% 69.7%
7 2,209 $30,086 82.7% 56.3%
8 4,254 $26,084 50.4%
9 1,154 $25,544 71.4% 88.1%
10 1,815 $26,198 77.1% 81.1%
11 1,141 $27,141 58.5% 58.4%
12 3,589 $30,528 80.8% 84.4%
13 1,777 $30,314 80.2% 65.5%
14 1,264 $23,331 72.1% 73.4%
15 1,081 $25,157 60.5% 75.6%
16 2,318 $27,686 78.5% 79.4%
17 1,632 $24,829 69.2% 88.7%
18 2,113 $30,465 71.0% 77.2%
19 980 $16,630 43.4% 93.6%
20 1,821 $22,222 72.5% 80.8%
21 1,970 $29,843 71.1% 67.0%
22 1,477 $30,485 76.6% 82.2%
23 3,187 $19,685 59.7% 95.6%
24 1,670 $28,132 72.5% 76.7%
25 3,172 $22,951 45.7% 95.4%
26 2,042 $28,329 58.5% 59.0%
27 1,051 $20,800 65.9% 75.3%
28 1,252 $25,717 66.2% 66.3%
29 1,322 $17,034 39.6% 97.6%
30 1,978 $25,885 56.0% 63.2%
31 1,000 $21,043 61.5% 79.1%
32 1,209 $21,900 66.5% 69.7%
33 2,120 $26,539 74.1% 76.7%
34 782 $29,577 65.2% 81.0%
35 1,511 $22,870 71.4% 97.2%
36 466 $20,356 43.5% 75.6%
37 1,799 $25,866 64.0% 77.6%
38 2,765 $30,470 63.5% 87.7%
39 1,123 $20,748 55.6% 86.0%
40 1,893 $27,700 60.3% 94.1%
41 471 $27,499 56.1% 82.4%
42 1,049 $19,258 59.6% 75.2%
43 870 $21,461 41.2% 80.7%
44 1,175 $27,663 68.9% 76.2%
45 1,296 $21,664 42.2% 84.9%
46 857 $22,909 58.2% 84.3%
47 4,154 $23,478 29.3% 95.6%
48 786 $21,972 57.7% 97.4%
49 1,519 $23,281 60.1% 96.0%
50 3,074 $17,818 22.2% 93.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out among Pennsylvania Division III schools?

Carnegie Mellon graduates earn $114,862 annually, significantly higher than other Division III institutions in Pennsylvania. With a 92.5% graduation rate and 11.3% acceptance rate, the university combines selectivity with outstanding career outcomes, particularly in technology and engineering fields that align with Pittsburgh's growing tech sector.

How affordable are Pennsylvania's Division III colleges compared to other options?

Net costs range from $16,630 to $39,061 annually across Pennsylvania's 58 Division III schools. The Pennsylvania State Grant program helps reduce costs further, making schools like Washington & Jefferson College at $25,544 net cost accessible while providing strong alumni earning potential of $67,918.

Is admission competitive at Pennsylvania Division III schools?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Swarthmore's highly selective 6.9% to schools accepting over 90% of applicants. Mid-tier institutions like Dickinson College maintain 34.9% acceptance rates while still achieving 83.4% graduation rates, offering balanced selectivity with strong academic outcomes.

Where do Pennsylvania Division III graduates typically find employment?

Graduates often join Pennsylvania's major employers including UPMC healthcare system, Comcast telecommunications, and pharmaceutical companies throughout the state. The earnings range of $52,567 to $114,862 reflects the varied career paths available in Pennsylvania's finance, healthcare, and technology sectors.

Does school size affect graduation rates at Pennsylvania Division III colleges?

Smaller schools often show higher graduation rates, with Swarthmore's 1,627 students achieving 94.1% graduation compared to larger institutions. However, Pennsylvania College of Technology with 4,254 students maintains 50.4% graduation rates while focusing on technical career preparation rather than traditional liberal arts.

What graduation rate should students expect at Pennsylvania Division III schools?

Graduation rates span 43.4% to 94.1% across Pennsylvania's Division III institutions. Schools like Haverford and Swarthmore consistently exceed 89%, while specialized colleges like Pennsylvania College of Technology achieve 50.4% but emphasize immediate workforce entry in technical fields.

Related

NCAA Division III Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Pennsylvania Cheapest Programs in Pennsylvania

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.