• 1 March 2024 (Updated)

2024 Average Tuition of colleges in Pennsylvania is $14,508 for Residents and $24,029 for Others

For the academic year 2023-2024, the average tuition of public colleges in Pennsylvania is $14,508 for Pennsylvania residents and $24,029 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Pennsylvania, the average tuition & fees are $37,955 regardless of residency. For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Pennsylvania is $20,517 for Pennsylvania residents and $27,637 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Pennsylvania, the average graduate tuition is $21,990.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $16,663 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,321. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2024 average COA of the four-year colleges in Pennsylvania is $32,860 for residents and $42,381 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $56,034. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $26,446 for Pennsylvania residents and $30,188 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2024 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
2024 Average Cost of Colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges$32,860$42,381
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$26,446$30,188
Private 4 Years Colleges$56,034

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

In Pennsylvania, 317 out of 334 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 94 public and 181 private colleges in Pennsylvania. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania is $14,508 for Pennsylvania residents and $24,029 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $36,970
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $9,725 for residents and $13,466 for out-of-state students.
2024 Average Tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges$14,508$24,029
Private 4 Years Colleges$36,970
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$9,725$13,466
Less than 2 Years Schools (Trade/Technical Colleges)$19,329

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

In Pennsylvania, 120 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania is $19,274 for Pennsylvania residents and $26,244 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $21,039
2024 Average Graduate Tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
Public Schools$19,274$26,244
Private Schools$21,039

Tuition per Credit Hour

The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Pennsylvania is $539 for Pennsylvania residents and $928 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,167
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $846 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,150 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $948
2024 Average Tuition per Credit Hour of colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ResidentsOut-of-State
Undergraduate
Public 4 Years Colleges$539$928
Private 4 Years Colleges$1,167
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)$300$443
Graduate
Public Schools$846$1,150
Private Schools$948

Average Living Costs at colleges in Pennsylvania

At colleges in Pennsylvania, the average living cost is $16,663 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,321 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
2024 Average Living Cost of colleges in Pennsylvania
On-CampusOff-Campus
Public Schools$16,763$16,236
Private Schools$16,625$16,363
Most Searched Colleges in Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania

Private, Four-years
Philadelphia, PA

Villanova University

Private, Four-years
Villanova, PA

Temple University

Public, Four-years
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Private, Four-years
Philadelphia, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private, Four-years
Pittsburgh, PA

Bucknell University

Private, Four-years
Lewisburg, PA

Lehigh University

Private, Four-years
Bethlehem, PA

Duquesne University

Private, Four-years
Pittsburgh, PA