For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Pennsylvania is $14,624 for Pennsylvania residents and $24,422 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Pennsylvania, the average tuition & fees are $40,341 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Pennsylvania is $21,114 for Pennsylvania residents and $28,707 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Pennsylvania, the average graduate tuition is $22,144.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $17,495 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $17,486. 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.
You can compare all Pennsylvania colleges in various ways:
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 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Pennsylvania is $33,727 for residents and $43,525 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $59,072. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $27,621 for Pennsylvania residents and $31,574 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Pennsylvania Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $33,727 | $43,525 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $59,072 | |
| Community Colleges | $27,621 | $31,574 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Pennsylvania, 314 out of 327 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 94 public and 180 private colleges in Pennsylvania. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania is $13,069 for Pennsylvania residents and $22,729 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $38,955
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $8,845 for residents and $12,654 for out-of-state students.
| Pennsylvania Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $13,069 | $22,729 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $38,955 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $8,845 | $12,654 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $20,986 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Pennsylvania, 110 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Pennsylvania is $19,869 for Pennsylvania residents and $27,316 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $21,112
| Pennsylvania Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $19,869 | $27,316 |
| Private Schools | $21,112 | |
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 $536 for Pennsylvania residents and $940 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,174
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $867 for Pennsylvania residents and $1,189 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $891
| Pennsylvania Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $536 | $940 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,174 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $297 | $441 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $867 | $1,189 |
| Private Schools | $891 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Pennsylvania
At colleges in Pennsylvania, the average living cost is $17,495 when a student lives on campus facility and $17,486 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $17,780 | $17,571 |
| Private Schools | $17,392 | $17,442 |
