Pennsylvania Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Pennsylvania College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Pennsylvania institutions.
Top Pennsylvania Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State University (University Park) | Public 4-yr | $20,084 | $40,192 | 41,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Public 4-yr | $20,502 | $38,958 | 19,500 |
| Temple University | Public 4-yr | $17,136 | $31,608 | 25,000 |
| West Chester University | Public 4-yr | $9,470 | $21,990 | 14,600 |
| Indiana University of PA | Public 4-yr | $10,548 | $14,070 | 6,800 |
| Shippensburg University | Public 4-yr | $9,536 | $15,696 | 4,400 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Private | $66,104 | $66,104 | 9,600 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Private | $63,829 | $63,829 | 7,500 |
| Drexel University | Private | $58,842 | $58,842 | 14,500 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Community | $5,340 | $10,680 | 16,000 |
Pennsylvania State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
PA State Grant
PHEAA's primary need-based grant program for PA residents. One of the largest state grant programs in the country.
PA Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)
Grants for PA residents pursuing approved nursing, healthcare, or technical training programs.
Ready to Succeed Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for PA residents in the top 25% of their class with family income under $110,000.
Pennsylvania Chafee Education & Training Grant
For PA residents who were in foster care. Covers educational expenses up to age 23.
Student Loan Options for Pennsylvania Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Pennsylvania have a state student loan program?
Yes. Pennsylvania runs the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), which offers a non-profit options for PA residents. PA Forward is the loan program option for Pennsylvania residents. These programs often price below major private banks. Pennsylvania residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Pennsylvania state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for Pennsylvania students and families.
How much does college cost in Pennsylvania?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Pennsylvania public four-year universities is about $13,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $28,900 on campus for Pennsylvania residents and $41,700 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $39,400. Total outstanding federal student debt for Pennsylvania residents is approximately $63.8 billion.
Does Pennsylvania offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. PHEAA administers the PA State Grant (up to $5,750 per year, one of the largest state grant programs in the U.S.), PA-TIP for workforce training, Ready to Succeed for middle-income merit students, and the Chafee Grant for foster youth.
Does Pennsylvania have a state student loan program?
Yes. Pennsylvania offers the PA Forward loan program.
Which Pennsylvania colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
PA community colleges average $5,340 per year. West Chester is the lowest-priced in-state four-year at $9,470, followed by Shippensburg. Penn State University Park and Pitt are the most expensive in-state publics at over $20,000.
What scholarships are available for Pennsylvania residents?
Key awards include the PA State Grant, PA-TIP, Ready to Succeed, and the Chafee ETG. Penn, Carnegie Mellon, and Drexel offer substantial institutional aid.
Related Pennsylvania Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Pennsylvania public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- PHEAA program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller