Most
Popular Colleges in Lancaster in 2027

Business Administration

Studying business administration in Lancaster, PA, builds skills in management, finance, marketing, and organizational leadership. Typical courses include accounting, economics, business law, human resources, statistics, entrepreneurship, and strategic planning. Students can explore programs at Lancaster Bible College and Harrisburg Area Community College's Lancaster campus, which offer business-related study options. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as administrative coordinator, marketing assistant, human resources specialist, sales representative, or operations supervisor; experience may lead to management positions across industries.

Psychology

Studying psychology in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, explores human behavior, development, and mental health. Typical courses include research methods, statistics, social, cognitive, developmental, and abnormal psychology. Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster Bible College offer psychology programs in Lancaster; nearby Millersville University is another option. Graduates commonly become case managers, behavioral health technicians, human resources assistants, research assistants, or community support workers. Clinical and counseling careers generally require graduate education and licensure for advanced professional practice roles.

Computer Science

Studying computer science in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, combines programming, mathematical reasoning, and software development. Typical courses include algorithms, data structures, programming languages, databases, computer systems, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Franklin & Marshall College offers computer science study in Lancaster, while Harrisburg Area Community College's Lancaster campus provides computer science coursework and transfer pathways. Graduates pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, web developers, database administrators, cybersecurity analysts, or support specialists, working across technology, healthcare, and education.

Counseling

Studying counseling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, combines psychology, human development, counseling theories, ethics, assessment, and supervised practicum or internship experience. Programs may prepare students to work with children, families, schools, or adults facing mental-health and substance-use challenges. Lancaster Bible College offers counseling-related study in the city, while Millersville University provides graduate counseling programs nearby. Graduates pursue roles as school counselors, mental-health counselors, behavioral-health specialists, case managers, or substance-use counselors; independent practice requires supervised hours and state licensure.

Nursing

Studying nursing in Lancaster, PA, offers pathways from associate to bachelor's degrees. Programs commonly include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical care, pediatrics, mental health, and clinical practice. Lancaster-based options include Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and HACC's Lancaster campus. Graduates often work as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community health, or pursue roles in emergency care, pediatrics, public health, or nurse education based on their interests and training.

Best Colleges in Lancaster, PA Ranking Summary & Conclusions

• The median total cost of studying is $30,250, compared with $55,161.60 at schools in the top 10%, a difference of $24,911.60.
• On average, 100% of students receive financial aid across the schools, compared with 59% at top-10% schools.
• The average acceptance rate is 59%. Schools receive an average of 2,795.6 applicants, while top-10% schools average 6,621.4 applicants. The median number of applicants is 812 men and 455 women.
• Average test scores are 1,110 on the SAT and 23 on the ACT.
• Schools average 1,524 enrolled students, including an average of 204 enrolled men and 133.4 enrolled women.
• The average graduation rate is 72%, compared with 78.8% at top-10% schools. Median graduation rates are 71% for men and 68% for women.
• Four institutions offer associate's degrees, four offer bachelor's degrees, two offer master's degrees, and one offers a doctor's degree.
• There are five coeducational schools, no schools for men, and no schools for women.
• For prospective students, compare the median cost and financial-aid availability with your budget, and consider acceptance rates, applicant competition, test scores, enrollment, graduation outcomes, degree offerings, and school type when choosing a college.

How much does studying at a college in Lancaster, PA cost?

The average total cost of studying in Lancaster, PA, is about $34,372.20. This gives you a useful planning benchmark as you compare local options such as Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University, Lancaster Bible College, and Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

• Average tuition and fees: $35,838.40
• Average room and board: $14,142.50
• Average books and supplies: $1,140.00

Treat these as separate planning benchmarks, not amounts to add together: the reported tuition-and-fees average is higher than the total-cost average. Your bill can vary with program, enrollment, housing, meals, and financial aid. Compare campus and off-campus housing to find a comfortable fit. Before choosing, ask each college's aid office about grants, scholarships, work-study, and payment plans, and verify current charges. Lancaster's range of colleges lets you explore different academic styles and student communities while building a budget that feels manageable and keeps your degree goal within reach with confidence.

How long does it take to finish college in Lancaster, PA?

In Lancaster, PA, a bachelor's degree typically takes about four years of full-time study, while an associate degree usually takes two. Your timeline may vary with program requirements, part-time study, and accepted transfer credits.

At local options such as Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University, Lancaster Bible College, and HACC's Lancaster campus, ask advisers how summer classes, approved transfer credits, AP/CLEP exams, or heavier course loads could help you finish sooner. These routes can reduce repeated coursework, though availability and degree requirements differ by school.

Graduation-rate figures offer a useful snapshot: the average is 72.0%, rising to 78.8% among the top 10% of schools. The average is 77.0% for men and 71.0% for women. These rates suggest many students complete, but they are not a guarantee of your personal finish date; planning early with an academic adviser can make your path clearer and more encouraging and help you feel confident.

Salary

Graduates of colleges and universities in Lancaster, PA, have a median alumni salary of $46,934. At schools in the top 10% by alumni salary, the median is about $57,407, offering an encouraging benchmark as you consider the return on your degree.

Your own earnings will depend on factors such as your field of study, experience, and the role you pursue. Lancaster students can explore local options including Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, then compare programs and career paths to find a fit for their goals.

People also ask

What is the most attended college in Lancaster?

For the Lancaster area, Millersville University is generally the largest college by student enrollment, with roughly 7,000 students. Its campus is in Millersville, just outside Lancaster city. If you mean institutions within the city limits, the answer may differ, so it's worth comparing campus locations as well as enrollment when planning a visit.

What is the richest university in Lancaster?

If "richest" means the size of its endowment, Franklin & Marshall College is a strong answer among Lancaster-area institutions. Its substantial endowment supports academics, campus resources, and student aid. Endowment figures change over time, and wealth is not the same as affordability, so prospective students should also compare each school's financial-aid offers and total costs.

Top 5 Colleges in the Most Popular Colleges Ranking in Lancaster, PA Ranking in 2026-2027

Franklin and Marshall College offers Lancaster-area students a small undergraduate setting, with 1,778 enrolled students and an 84% graduation rate. Its 28% acceptance rate indicates selective admission. The reported total study cost is $70,566, while median alumni salary is $46,934. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the college lets students pursue a degree close to the city's cultural and community resources. Consider whether its higher listed cost and strong completion rate fit your academic goals, budget, and plans after graduation in Lancaster.

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster provides a university option in the Lancaster area, enrolling 1,439 students. Its 69% graduation rate and 41% acceptance rate offer useful points for comparing access and completion. Total study cost is $32,055, and median alumni salary is $63,129, the highest figure among these five schools. For a prospective local student, this campus may be worth investigating for degree study near home; confirm current programs, campus arrangements, and costs before applying to make an informed enrollment decision.

Lancaster Bible College is a Lancaster-based institution for students considering faith-centered higher education. It enrolls 2,519 students, the largest enrollment in this group, and reports a 67% graduation rate. Its acceptance rate is 56%. Total study cost is $29,990, and median alumni salary is $41,788. Students comparing degrees in Lancaster, PA, can weigh its community scale and reported outcomes against personal academic priorities, affordability, and preferred campus environment; ask the college about current programs, costs, and student services before applying.

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology gives Lancaster students a technology-focused college option in their own city. Enrollment is 1,470, with a 71% graduation rate and a 71% acceptance rate. Its listed total study cost, $9,000, is the lowest among the five institutions, while median alumni salary is $48,825. If you are pursuing a degree in Lancaster, PA, compare its affordability and completion figures with your preferred field, and verify program availability, expenses, and admission details directly with the college first.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a specialized art and design college in Lancaster, PA, offering local students a creative-focused setting for degree study. It enrolls 414 students, the smallest total in this group, and reports a 69% graduation rate. Its 99% acceptance rate is the highest listed. Total study cost is $30,250, and median alumni salary is $25,629. Prospective students should compare those figures with their artistic goals, portfolio expectations, and the specific programs currently available before enrolling.