Find a Job You Really Want In
Top 10 Colleges for Job Prospects in Pennsylvania for 2026
For incoming college freshmen, selecting the right institution significantly impacts future job opportunities. As the job market evolves, so do the factors that enhance employability. In 2026, with economic fluctuations and technological advancements, students need to consider how their college choice can influence their career trajectory.
Pennsylvania stands out as a state with diverse educational offerings, including prestigious research universities, reputable state schools, and programs tailored to meet the demands of a competitive job market. As the workforce adapts, graduates from these institutions can leverage their skills to thrive in various sectors.
To identify which colleges in Pennsylvania are most effective at preparing students for successful careers, we analyzed data from IPEDS and the College Scorecard. Our findings highlight the institutions that excel in job placement rates for their graduates.
Below, we present the top ten colleges in Pennsylvania that are best positioned to enhance your job prospects:
- Lebanon Valley College
- Washington & Jefferson College
- Gettysburg College
- Muhlenberg College
- Susquehanna University
- University of Scranton
- Elizabethtown College
- Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies
- Lehigh University
- Moravian College
If you’re considering enrollment at one of these schools, you’re likely aware of the advantages they offer. For those unfamiliar with these institutions, let’s explore the specific programs that contribute to their strong job placement records.
How We Identified the Best Schools in Pennsylvania for Job Placement
Using data from the College Scorecard, we evaluated colleges across Pennsylvania based on their job placement ratings, focusing on employment levels ten years post-graduation. Our analysis was restricted to 121 public and non-profit, four-year institutions that confer at least a bachelor’s degree.
Each college was ranked according to the percentage of graduates employed within a decade of completing their degree. Ratings were rounded to two decimal points for clarity. Lebanon Valley College topped the list, earning the title of the ‘Best College for Jobs in Pennsylvania.’
Best Colleges for Career Success in Pennsylvania
| Rank | College | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebanon Valley College | 95.63% |
| 2 | Washington & Jefferson College | 95.36% |
| 3 | Gettysburg College | 94.92% |
| 4 | Muhlenberg College | 94.57% |
| 5 | Susquehanna University | 94.32% |
| 6 | University of Scranton | 94.21% |
| 7 | Elizabethtown College | 94.19% |
| 8 | Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies | 94.19% |
| 9 | Lehigh University | 94.15% |
| 10 | Moravian College | 94.13% |
| 11 | Duquesne University | 94.12% |
| 12 | Juniata College | 93.97% |
| 13 | King’s College | 93.84% |
| 14 | Lafayette College | 93.81% |
| 15 | Villanova University | 93.77% |
| 16 | Saint Joseph’s University | 93.73% |
| 17 | Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) | 93.70% |
| 18 | Wilkes University | 93.68% |
| 19 | Westminster College | 93.52% |
| 20 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 93.52% |
| 21 | Thomas Jefferson University | 93.42% |
| 22 | York College of Pennsylvania | 93.36% |
| 23 | DeSales University | 93.24% |
| 24 | Saint Vincent Seminary | 93.23% |
| 25 | Saint Vincent College | 93.23% |
| 26 | Saint Francis University | 93.23% |
| 27 | Misericordia University | 93.17% |
| 28 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | 93.16% |
| 29 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 93.13% |
| 30 | Albright College | 93.05% |
| 31 | Seton Hill University | 93.03% |
| 32 | Bucknell University | 93.00% |
| 33 | Franklin and Marshall College | 92.99% |
| 34 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | 92.65% |
| 35 | University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | 92.65% |
| 36 | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | 92.65% |
| 37 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 92.65% |
| 38 | University of the Sciences | 92.39% |
| 39 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 92.38% |
| 40 | Drexel University | 92.25% |
| 41 | Gannon University | 92.22% |
| 42 | Gwynedd Mercy University | 92.22% |
| 43 | Holy Family University | 92.14% |
| 44 | Robert Morris University | 92.10% |
| 45 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | 92.06% |
| 46 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton | 92.02% |
| 47 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley | 92.02% |
| 48 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | 92.02% |
| 49 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver | 92.02% |
| 50 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | 92.02% |
| 51 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | 92.02% |
| 52 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine | 92.02% |
| 53 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York | 92.02% |
| 54 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly | 92.02% |
| 55 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton | 92.02% |
| 56 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | 92.02% |
| 57 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto | 92.02% |
| 58 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | 92.02% |
| 59 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | 92.02% |
| 60 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre | 92.02% |
| 61 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois | 92.02% |
| 62 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango | 92.02% |
| 63 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | 92.02% |
| 64 | Pennsylvania State University-College of Medicine | 92.02% |
| 65 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | 92.02% |
| 66 | Pennsylvania State University-Dickinson Law | 92.02% |
| 67 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great Valley | 92.02% |
| 68 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | 92.02% |
| 69 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | 92.02% |
| 70 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 92.02% |
| 71 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 91.95% |
| 72 | Lock Haven University | 91.87% |
| 73 | Ursinus College | 91.83% |
| 74 | La Salle University | 91.83% |
| 75 | Dickinson College | 91.82% |
| 76 | Delaware Valley University | 91.82% |
| 77 | Thiel College | 91.56% |
| 78 | Marywood University | 91.42% |
| 79 | Cedar Crest College | 91.36% |
| 80 | Waynesburg University | 91.25% |
| 81 | Lycoming College | 91.12% |
| 82 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | 90.94% |
| 83 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | 90.94% |
| 84 | Widener University | 90.88% |
| 85 | Mercyhurst University | 90.66% |
| 86 | La Roche University | 90.62% |
| 87 | Allegheny College | 90.61% |
| 88 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | 90.56% |
| 89 | Cabrini University | 90.54% |
| 90 | Point Park University | 90.40% |
| 91 | Neumann University | 90.29% |
| 92 | University of Pennsylvania | 90.28% |
| 93 | California University of Pennsylvania | 90.19% |
| 94 | Temple University | 90.14% |
| 95 | Arcadia University | 89.96% |
| 96 | Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | 89.91% |
| 97 | Clarion University of Pennsylvania | 89.69% |
| 98 | Carlow University | 89.29% |
| 99 | Carnegie Mellon University | 89.08% |
| 100 | Keystone College | 88.57% |
| 101 | Alvernia University | 88.43% |
| 102 | Chestnut Hill College | 88.43% |
| 103 | Messiah College | 88.31% |
| 104 | Rosemont College | 88.31% |
| 105 | Eastern University | 88.17% |
| 106 | The University of the Arts | 88.08% |
| 107 | Mount Aloysius College | 87.46% |
| 108 | Swarthmore College | 87.45% |
| 109 | Immaculata University | 87.23% |
| 110 | Moore College of Art and Design | 87.20% |
| 111 | Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 86.98% |
| 112 | Wilson College | 86.55% |
| 113 | Lincoln University | 86.27% |
| 114 | Bryn Mawr College | 86.11% |
| 115 | Chatham University | 85.56% |
| 116 | Geneva College | 85.51% |
| 117 | University of Valley Forge | 85.37% |
| 118 | Peirce College | 84.28% |
| 119 | Cairn University-Langhorne | 83.47% |
| 120 | Lancaster Bible College | 83.24% |
| 121 | Clarks Summit University | 82.82% |
Choosing the right college can set the stage for a successful career. The schools listed above not only offer quality education but also equip students with the skills and networks that employers seek. As the landscape of work continues to change, these institutions remain committed to preparing graduates for the demands of the future workforce.
In conclusion, as you weigh your options for higher education, consider the strong job placement rates of these Pennsylvania colleges. They represent a pathway to not just academic achievement, but robust career prospects in an evolving job market.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
