The Best Catholic Colleges in Pennsylvania

When it comes to progressing from high school to college, many students seek institutions that align with their religious beliefs and values. In Pennsylvania, several prestigious Catholic colleges stand out for their commitment to academic excellence and spiritual development. In this article, we will delve into the top Catholic colleges in Pennsylvania, highlighting their unique offerings and contributions to education.

In order to help high school students find the best Catholic colleges in PA, BrokeScholar decided to analyze all four-year public and private not-for-profit colleges affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in the state in terms of their academic quality as well as in terms of affordability. We considered graduation rates, admission rates, and costs of tuition and required fees. All data was sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (Check out out the methodology section for more details).

Read on to find out the best Catholic colleges in PA.

The Best Catholic Colleges in PA

According to the NCES College Navigator portal, there are 26 Catholic colleges in PA. Their campus settings run the gamut from major urban centers like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to small college towns like Wynnewood and Loretto. In terms of academic quality, taking all 26 Catholic colleges together, the average graduation rate is 65%, which is better than the average for all colleges in Pennsylvania.

However, one very notable characteristic of nearly every Catholic college in PA is that only a small minority of those admitted proceed to then enroll at the college. For example, excluding Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary-Overbrook (where 100% of those admitted proceed to enroll), the school with the highest rate of students admitted who then enrolled is Villanova University, with 29%.

So, without further delay, here’s a breakdown of the best Catholic colleges in PA.

1. Villanova University

Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, Villanova University is a renowned Catholic institution known for its exceptional academic programs and commitment to community engagement. With a strong emphasis on Augustinian values, Villanova offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including business, engineering, arts, sciences, and nursing. According to NCES data, in terms of the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded last academic year, the three most popular majors at Villanova are: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 220 bachelor's degrees; Finance, General, with 208 bachelor's degrees; and Speech Communication and Rhetoric, with 145 bachelor's degrees.

With a graduation rate of 91%, Villanova University has the highest rate in the study and far above the study’s average of 65%. Only 7% of students transfer out, which reflects a strong desire for undergraduates wanting to stay there. In terms of admissions, Villanova also ranked No. 1, with a very selective undergraduate acceptance rate of 25%. Of those 25% admitted, 29% proceed to enroll. Villanova’s main drawback, however, is its cost, with tuition and required fees coming to an estimated $61,618 per year.

2. Immaculata University

Immaculata University, situated in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, has a rich history of providing a transformative education rooted in Catholic values. This liberal arts institution offers undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse disciplines, including education, nursing, business, psychology, and criminology. Immaculata's strong sense of community and focus on holistic development make it an excellent choice for students seeking a well-rounded education. Immaculata also offers distance-learning for those who want to earn a degree off-campus.

A major positive feature of Immaculata University is its comparatively affordable cost to attend. At an estimated $27,750 per year, its average cost of tuition and required fees is one of the lowest in the study. Immaculata sports an above-average graduation rate of 69% and an undergraduate admission rate of 80%. In terms of degrees awarded, Immaculata offers everything from postgraduate certificates to doctoral degrees. The most popular majors, according to NCES data, in the last academic year were: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 79 bachelor’s degrees conferred; Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other, with 21 bachelor's degrees conferred; and Health/Health Care Administration/Management, with 20 bachelor's degrees conferred.

3. Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University, located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is Pennsylvania's oldest Catholic liberal arts university. Committed to the Franciscan tradition, the university provides a nurturing environment for students to grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Saint Francis offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, health sciences, humanities, education, and the sciences. The most popular majors, according to NCES data, include Physician Assistant studies, which earned 39 bachelor's degrees last academic year; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which earned 35 bachelor's degrees; and Occupational Therapy/Therapist, which earned 33 bachelor's degrees.

Saint Francis has one of the highest graduation rates of all Catholic colleges in PA, at 74% — the fifth highest rate in the study. In terms of admissions, Saint Francis ranked No. 3 in its selectively, having an undergraduate acceptance rate of 73%, tied for the third lowest. However, a good sign is the fact that, of those 73% accepted, more than a quarter (26%) proceed to enroll at Saint Francis, which is just behind Villanova.

4. Saint Vincent College

Situated in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Saint Vincent College is a Catholic institution rooted in the Benedictine tradition. With a picturesque campus, it offers a vibrant learning environment and a strong sense of community. Saint Vincent College excels in liberal arts education and offers programs in various disciplines, including business, engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and fine arts. Saint Vincent offers programs ranging from undergraduate certification to doctoral degrees. According to NCES data, the most popular majors based on the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded last academic year were: Biology/Biological Sciences, General, with 35 bachelor's degrees conferred; Business Administration and Management, General, with 33 bachelor's degrees conferred; and Speech Communication and Rhetoric and Criminology are tired for third, with 25 bachelor's degrees conferred.

Saint Vincent College has an exceptional graduation rate of 73%, putting it right behind Saint Francis University’s 74%, and thus makes it one of the highest graduation rates in the study. And also like Saint Francis, Saint Vincent has the same undergraduate acceptance rate of 73%, tied for the third most selective of all Catholic colleges in PA. Additionally, of the 73% admitted, a solid 24% proceed to enroll at Saint Vincent College, which is also one of the highest rates in the study.

5. Alvernia University

Alvernia University, located in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a private Franciscan institution committed to providing a transformative education to its students. Alvernia is home to roughly 2,030 undergraduates and over 2,500 students in total. Known for its strong liberal arts core, Alvernia offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, nursing, criminal justice, psychology, and education. The university emphasizes practical application, service learning, and ethical leadership. According to NCES data, the top three most popular majors, based on bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year, are: Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, with 66 degrees conferred; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 65 bachelor's degrees conferred; and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, with 42 bachelor's degrees conferred.

In terms of graduation rates, Alvernia’s graduation rate of 65% is exactly the average graduation rate for all Catholic colleges in PA. On the admissions side of things, Alvernia University is rather selective. Alvernia’s undergraduate acceptance rate is only 58%, making it the second hardest college to get into of Pennsylvania’s Catholic colleges.

6. Saint Joseph's University

Saint Joseph's University, situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a Jesuit institution renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to social justice. Often just called Saint Joe’s, Saint Joseph’s University is home to nearly 4,200 undergraduate students and just under 6,500 students in total. The school is also well-known for its excellent basketball program. When it comes to academic quality, Saint Joseph’s is certainly one of the top Catholic colleges in PA, sporting the second highest graduation rate in the study, at 83%. The school’s main drawback is that it’s on the more expensive side, costing roughly $49,610 per year in tuition and required fees.

With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, arts, sciences, and health sciences, Saint Joseph's provides a comprehensive education grounded in the Jesuit tradition. The university's urban location offers students unique opportunities for internships and community engagement. The most popular majors at Saint Joseph’s, according to NCES data, are Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, which earned 125 bachelor’s degrees last academic year; Marketing/Marketing Management, General, which earned 111 bachelor's degrees; and Finance, General , which earned 102 bachelor's degrees.

7. Marywood University

Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Marywood University is a Catholic institution known for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus community. Marywood offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, business, health and human services, and education. The university fosters an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Marywood University is slightly on the smaller side, having about 1,800 undergraduate students and over 2,600 students in total. 

In academic terms, Marywood University is definitively one of the best Catholic colleges in PA. It boasts a graduation rate of 70%, as well as a strong retention rate of 80%. Marywood isn’t too selective with admissions, having an undergraduate acceptance rate of 82%. However, a large percentage — 22% — of those admitted go on to enroll. Marywood offers programs ranging from earning an undergraduate certificate to a doctoral degree. According to NCES data, the top majors last year in terms of the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 39 degrees; Architecture, which earned 34 bachelor's degrees; and Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, which earned 23 bachelor's degrees.

8. Duquesne University

Duquesne University, at home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic institution that integrates intellectual, moral, and spiritual development into its educational programs. Duquesne’s name traces back to colonial times when the French controlled western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh was known as Fort Duquesne. With an undergraduate population of over 5,000 and around 8,300 students total, Duquesne is definitely one of the larger Catholic colleges in PA. Despite its larger size, Duquesne maintains an excellent graduation rate of 78%, the fourth best graduation rate in the study. 

With a strong commitment to experiential learning and global engagement, Duquesne offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as business, health sciences, liberal arts, law, and the sciences. According to NCES data, the most popular majors in terms of bachelor’s degrees awarded last academic year were: Nursing Science, with 257 bachelor's degrees; Biology/Biological Sciences, General, with 109 bachelor's degrees; and Marketing/Marketing Management, General, with 79 bachelor's degrees. 

9. Misericordia University

Misericordia University, located in Dallas, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic institution rooted in the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy. Offering a supportive and inclusive environment, Misericordia University is known for its strong academic programs and dedication to service-oriented education. The university provides undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as health sciences, business, humanities, social sciences, and education. Misericordia University's commitment to compassion and social justice prepares students to make a positive impact in their communities. Health sciences is especially prominent at Misericordia; according to NCES data, the top major is nursing, with Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse earning 100 bachelor’s degrees last academic year.

Misericordia university has a better-than-average graduation rate of 71%. In terms of admissions, the Misericordia undergraduate acceptance rate is 89%, with 19% of those admitted enrolling at the college. As for its cost, the estimated cost of tuition and required fees is just under $36,000 per year, which is cheaper than the study’s overall average of $37,862 for all 26 Catholic colleges in PA.

10. Seton Hill University

Seton Hill University, situated in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic liberal arts institution known for its innovative programs and emphasis on personalized education. With a student-centered approach, Seton Hill offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, and the performing arts. The university's commitment to fostering creativity and critical thinking prepares students for success in their chosen fields. 

Seton Hill University offers a wide range of degrees, running from undergraduate certification to doctoral programs. According to NCES data, the most popular majors based on the number of bachelor’s degrees conferred last academic year were: Pre-Physician Assistant, with 33 bachelor's degrees awarded; Business Administration and Management, General, with 24 bachelor's degrees awarded; and Biology/Biological Sciences, General, with 22 bachelor's degrees awarded.

The Bottom Line on the Best Catholic Colleges in PA

Pennsylvania is home to several outstanding Catholic colleges that provide students with a combination of rigorous academic programs and a nurturing environment that fosters spiritual and personal growth. From the prestigious Villanova University to the service-oriented Misericordia University and the innovative Seton Hill University, each institution offers unique opportunities for students to excel academically while deepening their faith and values. Below is a table detailing all the data used in the study:

Whether students seek a strong foundation in liberal arts, specialized professional programs, or a well-rounded education, these Catholic colleges in Pennsylvania provide an enriching and supportive environment to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. The strong emphasis on community engagement, ethical leadership, and social responsibility ensures that graduates of these institutions are equipped to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Methodology

This study of the best Catholic colleges in PA was based on data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Factors analyzed included the following:

• Graduation rate

• Admission rate

• In-state cost of tuition and required fees (2023 academic year)

• Out-of-state cost of tuition and required fees (2023 academic year)

Each college was given a score for these factors, with the scores then added up, and finally ranked from best to worst.