When the time comes to decide on where to transfer from community colleges in Pennsylvania, it can be both exciting and nerve racking. You want to make the right choice for what you want to major in when transferring from your community college in Pennsylvania. Many things play into the community college transfer process. Cost, location, quality of education, and housing are just a few of the concerns of students and parents alike. But, location doesn’t always have to be hard to decide on. I can firmly attest to this. I went to College in Pennsylvania. I attended Temple University in Philadelphia as Journalism major and I am 100% positive that I made the right choice for me. The choices of colleges in PA are numerous. The following is a rundown of Pennsylvania’s smaller colleges and universities.
Aside from transferring to Ivy League universities, these are some great schools that you may want to transfer to from community colleges in Pennsylvania:
Allegheny College is in Meadville, PA, It is fairly small by college standards with just over 2,000 students. It is a private Liberal Arts school. There is a 14:1 student/faculty ratio with an average class size of just 22. Smaller classes are very appealing to some students. If that’s the case, Allegheny may be the right choice for you.
Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, PA and is a private women’s liberal arts school. It is also small, with only 1,700 or so students. There is a 9:1 student/faculty ratio. It is also one of the 7 original “sister” colleges and ranked as one of the top women’s colleges in the United States.
Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, PA. It’s a small school with just over 3,000 students. There is 10:1 student/faculty ratio and has a small liberal arts school feel while offering a comprehensive academic education.
Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA. There are over 10,000 students that attend the school and there is an 11:1 student/faculty ratio. Carnegie Mellon is a comprehensive research university that boasts top ranked science and engineering programs. It has a membership in the American Association of Universities due to its strengths in research.
Gettysburg College is found in Gettysburg, PA. It has an all undergraduate student body of just over 2,000. This private liberal arts college has an 11:1 student/faculty ratio and an average class size of just 18 students. One of the best aspects of Gettysburg College is its location. It is found in one of our country’s most historic areas. There is a new athletic center, music conservatory, and a professional performing arts center on campus.
Haverford College is found in Haverford, P. It is a private liberal arts school with only just over 1,000 students. It’s one of the country’s best liberal arts schools. There is an 8:1 student/faculty ratio which is a very appealing statistic. Haverford College offers students the opportunity to take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Juniata College is in Huntingdon, PA. It is a private liberal arts college with only 1,500 students. There is a 13:1 student/faculty ratio and the average class size is just about 14 students. Juniata College does not offer the typical “major” of study. Instead they have what they call “programs of emphasis”. There is a large nature preserve on Main Campus and there is a large environmental studies field station located there as well.
You can find Alvernia University in Melrose Park, PA. It is a small Catholic University with about 3,000 students. There is a 14:1 student/faculty ratio with most classes having only 20 students. Alvernia received University status in 2008. Alvernia has two satellite locations, one in Philadelphia, and one in Pottsville. There is a generous offering of over 50 majors and minors from liberal arts to professional programs.
So, if you are considering one of the small Colleges in PA, this brief list of some of the best ones my home state has to offer may help narrow down your list. I may be biased, but there is nothing better than a Pennsylvania College or University!
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Stephen Craig and his team have contributed to many blog sites. Follow him @SCraigSEO.
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Thank you for the excellent information. In Pittsburgh, many international students start at Community College of Allegheny County which has a transfer agreement with many excellent universities in the Pittsburgh area. I recommend this area for everyone!