50 Pennsylvania Colleges, Ranked And Graded

Ever wonder about the best four-year colleges in Pennsylvania? Niche.com ranked the top 50 colleges and graded them on their academic standards and quality of life.

The list was part of the web compiler's annual "Best Colleges" list that was released this week, identifying what it considers to be the top 100 in the nation based on assessments and reviews.

Ten Pennsylvania schools were ranked in the top 100 on Niche.com's national list. They were: University of Pennsylvania (8), Haverford College (31), Carnegie Melon (32), Swarthmore College (38), Lehigh University (50), Bucknell University (58), Lafayette College (60), Penn State University (68), Bryn Mawr College (69) and Franklin and Marshall College (82).

The Pennsylvania list includes four-year colleges in the state, awarding them grades that ranged from A to C+. No college in Pennsylvania schools on the list received a D or F.

See methodology here.

The "Best Colleges" ranking is based on what the website considers a "rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education." For its national list, the website also includes millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S.

These aren't the most scientific results. Niche incorporates solid data into its rankings, but many of its metrics include some amount of online survey responses on the Niche.com website. So, an ambitious push by faculty, students and supporters can move the needle on a school's overall performance, including many of the metrics used by Niche, like school safety, student life, community ratings, diversity and more.

Below are the top 50 schools in Pennsylvania, where they were ranked, their grade and a short review for each from a student:

1. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (A+) "Very diverse undergraduate class socioeconomically and culturally. Penn's resources spanning across all 12 graduate schools are available to undergraduates, truly enhancing the learning experience."
2. Haverford College, Haverford (A+) "I love going to college at Haverford. It's almost everything I want in a college. The social life isn't overwhelming but it's always fun and exciting."
3. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (A+) "CMU is an amazing school and if you work hard, you can pretty much get whatever job you want."
4. Swarthmore College, Swarthmore (A+) "Swarthmore was the best decision of my life. I've met people and had experiences here that changed my life, and for that I'm incredibly grateful."
5. Lehigh University, Bethlehem (A+) "The program I'm taking here is very hard to find at other colleges, and is one of the best out of all the schools that offer it."
6. Bucknell University, Lewisburg (A+) "Bucknell is absolutely a top tier school and deserves to be there. Unlike many top schools though, it is difficult to get into and it remains difficult throughout the years."
7. Lafayette College Easton (A+) "Overall, Lafayette has been the best experience so far in my life. I knew I wanted to major in Biology and I have always been interested on the medical field when I was applying to colleges. However, everything has changed after the first winter term I spent on campus."
8. Penn State University, University Park (A+) "Since I transferred from the University of Findlay, I have never been happier in my life. The atmosphere and curriculum is perfect for a college student."
9. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr (A+) "I could go on about how much I love Bryn Mawr forever. The faculty are laudible, the academics are challenging and enthralling, and its reputation as well as its connections to Haverford, Swarthmore, and Penn give it the resources of a large school while maintaining its unique character."
10. Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster (A+) "I could not be happier with my choice to attend F&M. I have been granted many experiences and opportunities (both academic and social) that have enriched my life greatly."
11. Villanova University, Villanova (A) "Villanova has been an incredible experience. It was remarkably easy to find a group of genuine, smart, fun friends who respect and care for each other."
12. Gettysburg College Gettysburg (A) "I love it at Gettysburg. I don't fit in with the stereotypes here, but I still have a lot of great friends and I feel like I fit in even though I kind of don't."
13. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh (A) "I give Pittsburgh 5/5 stars. First of all, I would like to say what students put into their schooling is what they get out of it. I have friends who put in little effort and do not get as much out of college as I do."
14. University of Scranton, Scranton (A) "Overall, I could not be more satisfied with my college experience at the University of Scranton thus far. I am recieving a quality, liberal arts education consisting of excellence and creative learning."
15. Dickinson College, Carlisle (A) "I would choose the same school again if I had to, mainly because I like the location and the view of the campus during the seasonal changes."
16. Temple University, Philadelphia (A-) "Most of the professors are great and really want you to succeed. There are a few bad ones though. Look up professors before you take their classes. More about Temple University Review Your School
17. Drexel University, Philadelphia (A-) "I really do love my school! Its' great! Since it is located in the city of Philadelphia there is always something fun and exciting to do on and around campus."
18. Muhlenberg College, Allentown (A-) "I had an amazing experience while I was at Muhlenberg. I met my life long friends there and potentially my future husband. Within my major (psych) the professors were always there to help every step of the way."
19. Juniata College, Huntingdon (A-) "I love Juniata, but it's one of those cases where I feel as though I could have saved more money attending a two year school first."
20. Allegheny College, Meadville (A-) "Allegheny College has truly become my home away from home. Not only is the student body warm and welcoming to all, the professors are incredibly knowledgable and leave lasting impressions beyond the term of their classes."
21. Duquesne University, Pittsburgh (A-) "My overall experience at school so far has been amazing to say the least. I have gained countless memories and opportunities throughout my college career. My favorite experience would be joining Greek Life."
22. University of the Sciences, Philadelphia (B+) "I'm a Doctorate of Pharmacy major at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Although the course load is intense, it is the most populous major at my university. Many professors have held very important pharmaceutical presidencies and positions here, so they are very valuable for networking purposes."
23. Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove (B+) "For my major, there are plenty of opportunities to get noticed in interns. my professor is constantly giving me tips on what to do for internships."
24. Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown (B+) "Elizabethtown is great for many reasons: the food, the faculty, the people and the lab equipment. The unique nature of "Etown" is definitely found in its small student body, everyone knows each other, and we all have a sense of kinship."
25. Ursinus College, Collegeville (B+) "Professors are accommodating and want/push students to learn and do their best. Registration is easy, help is available if anyone is confused, but I wish there were more class options in the art field, like Bookmaking II, printmaking II or something else more adventurous of an art form."
26. Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia (B+) "My school is great, I enjoy all the people here and they are very caring. Everyone, including teachers and employees are helpful and want the best for your future."
27. Penn State Berks, Reading Penn State (B+) "Berks is an amazing place call a home away from home. Some of my closest friends are the students who gave me my first tour here as a high school student!"
28. West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester (B+) "Being an accounting major at WCU is great because of the high quality of the program. WCU is one of the few school that is AASCB accredited."
29. Penn State Fayette - Eberly Campus, Uniontown (B+) No Reviews.
30. Penn State York, York (B+) "All the professors are used friendly and all the courses that are offered make it really hard to pick classes because there are classes I want to take."
31. Washington & Jefferson College, Washington (B+) "When I was deciding where I wanted to go to school, it was dependent on what I wanted to major in. I felt that pharmacy would be a better major for me because I thought that I could be more successful, and like an average high school student, I wanted to have the idea that I was going to be so wealthy."
32. Penn State Erie - The Behrend College, Erie (B+) "The education is very challenging and the staff is personal. You won't get lost in the crowd and will have many opportunities to shine here."
33. Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown (B+) "I've really enjoyed my time at my school. A great part of the campus being small is being able to meet with your teachers easily."
34. Chatham University, Pittsburgh (B) "Small class sizes and many courses are discussion based. Very liberal beliefs of most at the school enable good classroom discussion with no judgement or loss of respect for anyone if beliefs differ."
35. Westminster College - Pennsylvania, New Wilmington (B) "The professors on campus are great. At least the ones I have had. They are very helpful and very knowledgeable. Some professors will push your limits and make you work hard for an A."
36. Gannon University, Erie (B) "I like the program offered at Gannon. I also love my professors. My favorite thing about Gannon is their world view on religion, despite it being a Catholic school."
37. Philadelphia University, Philadelphia (B) "Nice-sized class sizes. You know almost everyone on campus which is a blessing and a curse."
38. Penn State New Kensington, Upper Burrell (B) "I love this campus, the people, and the teachers. I would stay if they offered the major I am changing to and if i lived in the apartments. I live at home and am just ready to get out."
39. Messiah College, Mechanicsburg (B) "It has an excellent environment that is very safe and encouraging. The professors are very nice and willing to spend time with you one on one."
40. King's College - Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre (B) "It is not a bad school, but it is very small and does not have a lot of diversity. I am a foreign ethnicity and you feel lonely here. The education is overall good and teachers are very helpful."
41. Lebanon Valley College, Annville (B) "Lebanon Valley College offers a great selection of classes and can help you to find classes for your major. I think all the psychology teachers here are great and they are all willing to help me when I need it."
42. Penn State Hazleton, Hazleton (B) No reviews.
43. La Salle University, Philadelphia (B) "It is really a great school. The only concern is the safety of the campus. It is common to get a notification biweekly that a student got robbed by locals."
44. Saint Vincent College - Pennsylvania, Latrobe (B) "Professors are great, social life is fun, and all around a good school. I sometimes dislike the smallness of the school, and the strictness of it, but for the most part, I'm glad I chose this school"
45. Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre (B) "My major: Communications with a concentration in Public Relations & Organizational Com. Students get a unique insight of the professional workforce in this major upon joining Zebra Communications, a student ran public relations agency with actual clients outside of the school."
46. Lycoming College, Williamsport (B) "I am an astronomy and physics double major. The department is really friendly and helpful, and the curriculum is interesting. The new science building (including a new planetarium) should give us better facilities."
47. Mercyhurst University, Erie (B) "My experience has been great. I've met a lot of fun and interesting people from all round the world and learned a lot about their cultures. It has broadened my perspective on life and provided me with greater knowledge to use in my daily life."
48. Penn State Lehigh Valley, Center Valley (B) "I really like the major I am in. One really great thing about it is that the last semester is an internship which looks great when applying for jobs."
49. Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock (B) "I really like being in college and meeting many different people. Although coming from the inner city, college is very difficult to pay for."
50. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg (B) "I really like the atmosphere of the BU campus. The people are really nice and the faculty I have encountered so far are more than willing to help you out."

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