10 Colleges in Pennsylvania With High Acceptance Rates 2026

Pennsylvania is home to some highly exclusive schools, but it also has many colleges with high acceptance rates. These can be excellent options for students who didn't do well in high school but still want to complete their higher education.

Schools with high acceptance rates allow most students with a high school diploma to enroll, though they may have other admissions requirements. Keep reading to learn more about colleges with high acceptance rates in Pennsylvania.

Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in Pennsylvania?

There are multiple good universities in Pennsylvania that also have high acceptance rates. The school's acceptance rate is not a sole indicator of how good a university is, and as a result, many schools that provide a good education also accept most applicants.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for Colleges in Pennsylvania?

Typically, a high acceptance rate is considered anything above 50%, meaning the school accepts more than half of students. In Pennsylvania, acceptance rates span a wide range.

Of the nearly 150 nonprofit four-year institutions in the state, three accept fewer than 10% of students. On the other hand, over 40 accept over 90% of applicants.

What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Pennsylvania?

The easiest college to get into in any state is an open admissions institution. These schools will accept all applicants who meet their minimum application requirements.

There are six four-year colleges with open admissions in Pennsylvania:

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
• Geneva College
• Lackawanna College
• Pierce College
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Aside from these, other colleges in Pennsylvania with high acceptance rates include:

• Cedar Crest College: 99% acceptance rate
• Point Park University: 98% acceptance rate
• University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg: 98% acceptance rate

Best Colleges in Pennsylvania With the Highest Acceptance Rates

As mentioned, several colleges in Pennsylvania have high admissions rates and are relatively easy to get into. We've highlighted some of the Pennsylvania colleges with high acceptance rates below.

1. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, historically Black university (HBCU) in Cheyney, PA. It offers bachelor's degrees in areas like business, biological sciences, liberal arts, and social sciences.

The university has an open admissions policy. Students will need to submit their high school transcripts as well as their ACT or SAT test scores.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $10,904 per year (in-state); $18,870 per year (in-state)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Geneva College

At Geneva College, students can earn associate through master's degrees on campus and online. Areas of study include business, computer science, education, and engineering.

Geneva College, a private Christian school, is located in Beaver Falls, PA. Applicants must submit their official high school transcripts, and while test scores aren't required, they are recommended.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $33,450 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Lackawanna College

Lackawanna College offers in-person and online undergraduate degrees. The private, nonprofit college is located in Scranton, PA, and has open admissions for students with a high school diploma or GED..

Students here study fields like business, criminal justice, healthcare, and liberal arts. Those who don't have ACT or SAT test scores will need to take the Accuplacer test before registering for classes.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $18,400 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Peirce College

Associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available on campus and online through Peirce College. Areas of study include business, computer science, health sciences, and liberal arts.

Peirce College, located in Philadelphia, is a nonprofit private school. All undergraduate applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent are granted conditional acceptance.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $15,060 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Pennsylvania College of Technology

The Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) is a public school in Williamsport, PA. It offers in-person and online degrees at the associate through master's degree levels.

Degrees are available in fields like business, engineering, health sciences, and technology. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, and those who don't submit test scores will need to take a placement exam.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $17,940 per year (in-state); $25,680 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Students at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology (PIT) can earn undergraduate degrees on campus or online. Areas of study include agriculture, business, engineering, and health sciences.

PIT, a private, nonprofit college, is located in Media, PA. All applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and need to take an assessment before registering for classes.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $14,850 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Cedar Crest College

Cedar Crest College offers in-person and online bachelor's and master's degrees. Cedar Crest is a nonprofit liberal arts college in Allentown, PA. While the school was once exclusively for women, today it accepts all students.

Students here can earn degrees in fields like education, health sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. The application process requires a personal essay and a letter of recommendation, though test scores are optional.

• Acceptance rate: 99%
• Estimated tuition cost: $46,314 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. Point Park University

Associate through doctoral degrees are available on campus and online at Point Park University. Areas of study include business, communication, education, and the arts.

Point Park, located in Pittsburgh, is a private, nonprofit university. Students must submit their transcripts and have a minimum 2.5 GPA, but ACT/SAT scores are optional.

• Acceptance rate: 98%
• Estimated tuition cost: $39,570 per year
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a public college in Greensburg, PA. It offers bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• biology
• business
• computer science
• psychology

Applicants will need to submit their high school transcripts, but they are not required to submit test scores if they prefer not to. Nursing students must have a 3.2 GPA.

• Acceptance rate: 98%
• Estimated tuition cost: $14,710 per year (in-state); $26,584 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Pennsylvania State University Altoona

Through Pennsylvania State University Altoona (Penn State Altoona), students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Areas of study include business, education, engineering, and nursing.

Penn State Altoona, a public university, is located in Altoona, PA. Students must have a high school diploma or GED and submit their transcripts.

• Acceptance rate: 97%
• Estimated tuition cost: $15,972 per year (in-state); $26,958 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Pennsylvania

Even the easy colleges to get into in Pennsylvania have some basic admissions requirements. For most, that's a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. Others have additional requirements, such as:

• a minimum GPA
• ACT/SAT test scores
• personal essays
• letters of recommendation

You can typically find out more about admissions requirements on the college website.

FAQs About Colleges in Pennsylvania With High Acceptance Rates

High acceptance rate colleges can be a great opportunity for students who struggled in high school. We've answered some frequently asked questions below to help you determine if this is a good option for you.

Are There Open Admissions Colleges in Pennsylvania?

There are several open-admission colleges in Pennsylvania. In addition to community colleges, open admissions schools include:

• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
• Geneva College
• Lackawanna College
• Pierce College
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

What Is the Easiest Pennsylvania School To Get Into?

If you're looking for colleges that are easy to get into in Pennsylvania, open-admissions universities are your best bet. These schools, including those listed above, often just require a high school diploma or equivalent, although some require a minimum GPA.

What Is the Hardest School To Get Into in Pennsylvania?

The hardest school to get into in Pennsylvania is the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution in Philadelphia with an acceptance rate of 6%. Following that, the Curtis Institute of Music and Swarthmore College both have acceptance rates of 7%.

Which Colleges Have a 100% Acceptance Rate in Pennsylvania?

Open admissions colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, and there are several of these in Pennsylvania. Otherwise, the closest is Cedar Crest College, with a 99% acceptance rate, followed by Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, which both have 98% acceptance rates.

Explore Colleges in Pennsylvania

Find the perfect Pennsylvania college for you, even if your high school grades aren't great, by exploring the high-admissions options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their admissions requirements and processes.