25 Best Universities In Pennsylvania For International Students 2026

Pennsylvania is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 87 universities and colleges in Pennsylvania, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 87 universities in Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University are the top-performing schools in Pennsylvania. This list covers both public and private institutions in Pennsylvania.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Pennsylvania. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Pennsylvania.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Pennsylvania?

Applying to the universities in Pennsylvania involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Pennsylvania to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Pennsylvania?

Tuition fees at Pennsylvania’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 73,100 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 USD to 84,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Pennsylvania!

As we cover the best universities in Pennsylvania for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Pennsylvania for International Students

The University of Pennsylvania is the fourth-oldest educational institution in the United States. Founded in 1740 by none other than Benjamin Franklin, this prestigious university boasts of nurturing minds to make an impact in society. The University of Pennsylvania is among the renowned Ivy League schools and offers around 400 undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student body.

The Pennsylvania State University or Penn State is one of the most prestigious public universities in the US. Founded in 1855, the university’s history started with the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania. It has nearly 89,000 students and over 10% international students.

Carnegie Mellon University is well-known as one of the best research and higher education institution in the United States. The university was established by the merger of two technical schools; the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. It offers a range of first-class interdisciplinary degree programs and mainly specializes in the field of computer science, machine learning, and robotics. The university is also a management science pioneer and houses the country’s first degree-granting drama institution.

For over 235 years, the University of Pittsburgh continues to provide high-quality education and research to both local and international students. They have been acknowledged for their programs in various fields as they produced excellent graduates that are known today. Additionally, they are one of the leading research universities in the world.

Due to its excellent reputation in business, arts, and health programs, Temple University has become popular with students who want to study in the United States. The university offers a safe space where individuals can unleash their fullest potential through intensive training and research program. At present, Temple University aims to continue its legacy through constant innovation and improvement.

Drexel University is a world-class research institution that provides education in courses related to science, medicine, and arts. It aims to train students comprehensively in order to prepare them for the professional world. Since its establishment, the university did not fail in accomplishing its mission and is already well-known to numerous employers and industry leaders.

Lehigh University is one of Pennsylvania’s most renowned private and research-intensive institutions. Comprised of five colleges, the university offers 111 programs for both undergrads and grad students. Its programs include business administration, engineering, sciences, and health-related courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is only 9:1, ensuring that utmost attention is given to each individual’s education and training.

Thomas Jefferson University offers competitive programs in architecture, business, engineering, and the health sciences. Education and training at Jefferson are not only hands-on but interprofessional, as well. This allows students to have maximum exposure in preparation for their future professions while being able to practice collaboration with others, too.

Villanova University is a Catholic university founded and managed by the Augustinians. It comprises six colleges and schools for the liberal arts, sciences, business, law, engineering, nursing, and professional studies. Villanova is a well-ranked institution, placing 151st in the US by QS rankings.

Swarthmore College is a prominent private liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. It is ranked 3rd among national liberal arts colleges by US News and 29th among US colleges by Times Higher Education. Swarthmore stands out among other liberals arts colleges with its high-quality education and training and the provision of engineering programs. With a small student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, individuals are assured of personalized, interactive, and attentive teaching.

Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Bucknell University is well-known for its excellent programs in business, engineering, and liberal arts. It has been recognized as one of the universities with the most beautiful campuses. The university has also produced several notable alumni holding influential positions in different industries.

Bryn Mawr College is a small, residential women’s college established in 1885 in the state of Pennsylvania. It also offers graduate and post-baccalaureate programs which admit both men and women students. The college is known for collaborating with different local organizations to provide services to the community and train students to become socially aware and responsible individuals. 

Duquesne University is one of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded it; thus, it may also be called the Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. As a small, private institution, the student-to-faculty ratio is only 14:1, allowing them to provide attentive training and numerous opportunities. National rankings place Duquesne at 301st (QS Rankings), 264th (Times Higher Education), and 148th (US News).

For over a decade, Pennsylvania Western University has earned a prominent reputation in the Northeast region as one of the leading colleges in the area. In addition to affordable and high-quality education, Pennwest California is also dedicated to providing personalized support to each of its students at every step of their academic journey. Its programs focus on hands-on learning and offer several opportunities for students to participate in internships and career development programs.

Haverford College is a private institution that offers 37 undergraduate programs. Although it doesn’t have any graduate programs, Haverford College has partnerships with other universities to offer master’s degree programs through an accelerated path that allows students to complete the graduate degree in just one year once they finish their studies at Haverford. This college is also part of the Quaker Consortium, so students can take individual courses in the other universities that are part of the consortium. The college’s education focuses on developing critical thinking skills by emphasizing the importance of class discussions and having a mandatory thesis or research project as part of the requirements to graduate.

Gettysburg College is a privately owned institution that offers higher education in liberal arts. It has 65 undergraduate programs; some of its popular programs include political science, business, management studies, and health sciences. Moreover, lectures are held in small groups, and the student-teacher ratio is about 10:1; this will significantly benefit students as professors will be able to aid each student’s needs.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania, more commonly known as West Chester University (WCU), is a public institution that offers interdisciplinary educational programs at all levels. The university has a long and rich history that dates back to 1871. It was initially owned by a private entity which has transformed into a public institution as there was an increase in demand to open more public education at that time. Since its humble beginnings, WCU has flourished to become one of the top universities in Pennsylvania. Currently, the university continues to thrive to provide the highest quality of education to its students.

The Indiana University of Pennsylvania aims to meet the changing needs of society. Because of that, it has advanced equipment and multiple research centers for students to use. Since its establishment, the university has already undergone numerous reforms to serve its constituents in a better way.

Dickinson College is among the top 50 national liberal arts colleges in the United States. One of the first colleges established when the country was formed, the institution was first known as the Carlisle Grammar School. The college has a rich and solid history of producing critical thinkers and intelligent students molded by quality and professional training.

Lafayette College is a private university situated in the quaint town of Easton, Pennsylvania. A top-performing liberal arts college, it offers more than 30 bachelor programs in humanities, sciences, and engineering. Lafayette College boasts of distinct program combinations to equip students with a holistic appreciation for technical and liberal arts.

Saint Joseph’s University is a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is one of the region’s leading academic institutions. It was originally a men’s college when it was established back in 1851, but started admitting women students in 1970. The university currently offers over 200 study programs in a wide range of disciplines and is known for the high employability of its graduates.

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 80 areas of study. All programs are available on-campus, but there also are many online degree opportunities. This university is known for its breathtaking campus that mixes Victorian architecture with green areas and modern facilities, which include a ration station, a health clinic, outdoor recreational spaces, and a TV studio.

Franklin and Marshall College is a residential and liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. It only provides undergraduate education through its varying fields of study. The college has a rich history that goes back to an institution established by a contribution from Benjamin Franklin, the Franklin College. Franklin College would later merge with Marshall College, a separate institution founded in 1836, to form the present Franklin and Marshall College, which is ranked 42nd among national liberal arts colleges in the US.

Many universities in the United States have the name Lincoln in them, but this Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania, is a cut above the rest. Lincoln University is considered a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), which not only caters to African-Americans but also further strengthens diversification in the United States as international students are also a large part of their community. Aside from their exemplary service and education, their athletics program is also excellent with NCAA Division II in 11 of their teams in sports and cheerleading. With diversity in population, as well as excellence in both academics and sports, Lincoln University is an exemplary school for everyone.

Messiah University is one of the prominent Christian universities in Pennslyvania. It offers very informative coursework that will enhance not just the critical thinking of the students but also their skills. The university maintains a faith-based community where everyone gets the same opportunities to succeed in life.