Deborah McCabePicking a great college in Philadelphia is a massive step for your future. You want a campus that sets you up for an amazing career, but you also need to think about your wallet.
Luckily, our city is packed with diverse options, including historic Ivy League campuses and flexible community centers.
It’s incredibly easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices out there today. This guide breaks down the top institutions in the area so you can find your perfect fit.
How much does college cost in Philadelphia?
College tuition in Philadelphia changes quite a bit depending on whether you pick a local community college, a state school, or a private university.
| Institution Type | Annual Tuition Range |
| Public Community Colleges | $1,700 – $6,000 |
| Public and State-Related Universities | $20,000 – $45,000 |
| Private Universities and Special Schools | $32,000 – $73,000+ |
1. University of Pennsylvania
Website: https://www.upenn.edu/
Address:
Admissions Visitor Center
Claudia Cohen Hall, Ground Floor
249 S. 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: (215) 898-7507
Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Getting into this premier Ivy League school right in the city offers an incredible academic experience. University of Pennsylvania runs specialized hubs like The Lauder Institute to give you deep global knowledge and local cultural depth.
My close friend studied here. She told me the regular student fee covers a ton of useful fitness and job coaching tools. Undergrads can also get great media experience by joining the independent campus newspaper called The Daily Pennsylvanian.
They offer flexible Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) options. But master’s students face strict rules and can’t take more than five course units each term.
If you ever feel stuck in your advanced classes, you can easily find helpful math tutors in Philadelphia right near campus.
Customer Review:
Ideal school
Famous ivy college located at philadelphia, not far away from the city, full of the green areas, feel cool walking in such a hot summer day. A lots of over one hundred years buildings in the Camp, I wish I could have chance to study here. The fisher arts library, the museum, sports field, bookstore, cafe and other facilities make the university become a separate community, really enjoy the walking in the Camp, even I may have missed some nice spot without the guide. Warton business building is so modern and attractive, another must come place
Minna Zhu | Google Review
2. La Salle University
Website: http://www.lasalle.edu/
Address: 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141
Contact: 215.951.1000
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Finding a community that genuinely cares about your mental and physical health is a huge plus. La Salle University puts student well-being first by running a highly accessible clinic with round-the-clock support. You can access their helpful tele-counseling service anytime during late nights, weekends, or long holidays.
It’s incredibly easy to use their online health portal to book a medical visit on the exact same day. They also share great online tools with simple tips for better sleep and local walking trails.
A dedicated Coordinator of Intake and Operations helps you set up counseling sessions without any extra stress.
However, you have to pay a mandatory wellness fee of one hundred and fifty dollars.
Customer Review:
Wonderful people and environment
La Salle prepared me for not only an excellent career, but to think and act with integrity and to help others do the same. A great education provided by a caring faculty in a nurturing and welcoming environment, La Salle is a place that I wanted my children to attend. Whatever success that I have achieved or will achieve has been driven by the education and preparation for life provided by the wonderful people and environment of this school and La Salle College High School.
Don Rongione | Google Review
3. Community College of Philadelphia
Website: https://www.ccp.edu/
Address:
Main Campus Welcome Center
Bonnell Building
1700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Contact:
Admissions: (215) 751-8010
215.751.8000
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Saving money on your path to a higher degree is simple if you pick a local public school. At Community College of Philadelphia, local residents get a massive discount on per-credit tuition rates to help keep student debt low. They also offer excellent flexible payment plans to handle your tuition costs easily throughout the term.
They have several regional centers across town that make taking classes very convenient.
You can also take online classes for a small thirty-five-dollar fee or choose non-credit adult literacy courses.
Just watch out for the steep one-hundred-and-fifty-nine dollar prior learning assessment fee on your bill.
Customer Review:
The best experience
Achievement, to prosper throughout your academic studies is challenging though I think with a good breath of fresh air I’ll winn the race. The best experience to remember in my life time of commitment is my favorite tool from diversity to complete my academic objective. Stay prepared on the way to triumph.
Sn tr | Google Review
4. Moore College of Art & Design
Website: https://moore.edu/
Address: 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
Contact: 215.965.4015
Hours: 24 Hours
Creative minds deserve a supportive space where they can easily turn their artistic talents into a real career. Moore College of Art & Design is a historically female-focused art school that ensures every single Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student gets solid financial aid and a secured job placement.
I spoke with a recent graduate who told me the campus career office is incredibly helpful.
Every undergraduate student gets a guaranteed one-thousand-dollar fellowship for their internship to build real experience. They also offer smooth transfer paths for Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) students with matched aid and waived portfolio reviews.
You can even get large scholarships for the Master of Arts (MA) in Art Education program.
However, the school is quite small and offers only ten undergraduate majors.
Customer Reviews:
Look no further
I transferred to Moore after going to a large school and two community colleges. It was such a nice small community atmosphere. The graphic design program is excellent, with really supportive, knowledgeable professors. They also offer scholarships and competitive fellowships. If you’re a woman looking for a school with a long history of supporting female (and I believe anyone who identifies as female) artists, look no further.
Megan Rhodes | Google Review
5. Walnut Hill College
Website: http://www.walnuthillcollege.edu/
Address: 4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Contact: 215.222.4200
Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Aspiring chefs and hotel managers can find an exciting, fast-paced home at this specialized culinary school. Walnut Hill College offers a special tuition pledge that lets you finish a full four-year bachelor’s degree in just three calendar years. This setup helps you enter the job market quickly and saves you money on housing.
Your classes include amazing international travel experiences to places like France, England, or the Bahamas. You also get to sharpen your skills in real public businesses on campus, like a busy pastry shop and an active bistro.
Plus, you receive a free tablet computer that becomes yours when you graduate.
Just keep in mind that the one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar registration fee is completely nonrefundable if you change your mind.
Customer Reviews:
It offers hands-on experience
Walnut Hill College, located in Philadelphia, is renowned for its culinary and hospitality education. Founded in 1974, it offers hands-on experience in state-of-the-art kitchens and student-run restaurants. The college emphasizes a mix of technical skills and creative artistry, preparing students for careers in the food and hospitality sectors. It also hosts culinary events and workshops, enhancing the learning experience.
Anwar M Hossain | Google Review
