Colleges in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
11 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 11 colleges and universities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (5 Private nonprofit, 4 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 11 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $20,407 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 70.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 56% of applicants.
The median net price in Lancaster runs about $339 higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $20,069.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Lancaster, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$20,407
After aid
Median grad rate
70.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
56%
Median enrollment
402
Undergrad
All colleges in Lancaster
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $36,425 | 83.8% | 28% | 1,799 | Complete | |
| Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $25,480 | 66.7% | 56% | 1,569 | Complete | |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA | PA | Public, 2-year | $14,104 | 70.7% | 71% | 1,446 | Complete | |
| Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Lancaster, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $42,478 | 68.8% | 41% | 1,280 | Complete | |
| Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork Lancaster, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $11,971 | 70.0% | Not available | 402 | Partial | |
| Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Lancaster, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $30,083 | 68.5% | 99% | 400 | Complete | |
| Empire Beauty School-Lancaster Lancaster, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $17,135 | 85.3% | Not available | 85 | Partial | |
| Champ's Barber School Lancaster, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $19,837 | 71.4% | Not available | 62 | Partial | |
| Cutting Edge Barber Academy Lancaster, PA | PA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $20,407 | Not available | Not available | 22 | Partial | |
| Lancaster Theological Seminary Lancaster, PA | PA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing | |
| Harrisburg Area Community College-Lancaster Lancaster, PA | PA | Public, 2-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (5)
Private nonprofit colleges in Lancaster are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Franklin and Marshall CollegeNet price: $36,425Grad: 83.8%
- Lancaster Bible CollegeNet price: $25,480Grad: 66.7%
- Saint Joseph's University - LancasterNet price: $42,478Grad: 68.8%
- Pennsylvania College of Art and DesignNet price: $30,083Grad: 68.5%
- Lancaster Theological SeminaryNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Lancaster operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic BodyworkNet price: $11,971Grad: 70.0%
- Empire Beauty School-LancasterNet price: $17,135Grad: 85.3%
- Champ's Barber SchoolNet price: $19,837Grad: 71.4%
- Cutting Edge Barber AcademyNet price: $20,407Grad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Lancaster are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyNet price: $14,104Grad: 70.7%
- Harrisburg Area Community College-LancasterNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Top programs in Lancaster
Most-completed programs across Lancaster colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions20.2% of degrees
- Theology9.6% of degrees
- Business8.3% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts7.8% of degrees
- Personal services7.4% of degrees
- Mechanic & repair5.5% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary5.5% of degrees
- Construction trades5.1% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Lancaster
Q.How many colleges are in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
There are 11 colleges and universities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 5 Private nonprofit, 4 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Lancaster?
By undergraduate enrollment, Franklin and Marshall College is the largest institution in Lancaster with roughly 1,799 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Lancaster?
Based on average net price after aid, Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork is the most affordable institution in Lancaster at $11,971 per year.
Q.Which Lancaster college has the highest graduation rate?
Empire Beauty School-Lancaster reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Lancaster institutions at 85.3%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Lancaster?
The median net price across all 11 colleges in Lancaster is $20,407 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Lancaster?
Across Lancaster colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Theology, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Lancaster?
Yes — Lancaster includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Lancaster that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.