Resources › For Students and Parents Philadelphia Area Colleges and Universities Learn About 30 Colleges and Universities In and Around Philadelphia Print For Students and Parents College Admissions Choosing A College College Admissions Process College Profiles College Rankings Application Tips Essay Samples & Tips Testing Graphs College Financial Aid Advanced Placement Homework Help Private School Test Prep College Life Graduate School Business School Law School Distance Learning View More By Allen Grove Allen Grove College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 30, 2020 If you're looking for a college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you have a wide range of options. From an Ivy League university a small Christian College, the Philadelphia area offers an impressive breadth of options for higher education. Whether students choose to attend school in the city or in its suburbs, the rich cultural and historical attractions of the city are readily accessible through the area's public transportation system. The 30 colleges and universities below are all within 20 miles of Center City Philadelphia. Arcadia University Arcadia University. Montgomery County Planning Commission / Flickr Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 10 miles School Type: Private liberal arts university Distinguishing Features: 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; small classes; excellent study abroad program; Grey Towers Castle (a stunning National Historic Landmark) Learn More: Arcadia University admissions profile Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr College. Montgomery County Planning Commission / Flickr Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 11 miles School Type: private women's liberal arts college Distinguishing Features: 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; one of the top women's colleges and top Pennsylvania colleges; member of the Tri-College Consortium with Swarthmore and Haverford Learn More: Bryn Mawr College admissions profile Cabrini College Cabrini College. Photo Courtesy of Cabrini College Location: Radnor, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 15 miles School Type: Roman Catholic liberal arts college Distinguishing Features: attractive tree-lined campus; located on the Philadelphia Main Line; 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; strong focus on community service; member of the NCAA Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference Learn More: Cabrini College admissions profile Cairn University Cairn University. Desteini / Wikipedia Location: Langhorne Manor, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: private Christian university Distinguishing Features: Christian faith and biblical teachings an integral part of a Cairn education; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 18; strong religious studies program; member of the NCAA Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference Learn More: Cairn University admissions profile Chestnut Hill College Chestnut Hill College. shidairyproduct / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 14 miles School Type: Roman Catholic college Distinguishing Features: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio and a holistic approach to education; member of the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC); on of the top colleges for Harry Potter fans Learn More: Chestnut Hill College admissions profile Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney University Library. Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons Location: Cheyney, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: public historically Black university Distinguishing Features: 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; oldest historically Black college or university in the nation; member of the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Learn More: Cheyney University admissions profile Curtis Institute of Music Curtis Institute of Music on 18th and Lombard in Philadelphia. Alsandro / Wikimedia Commons Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 0 miles School Type: music conservatory Distinguishing Features: one of the best music conservatories in the country; one of the country's most selective schools; 2 to 1 student / faculty ratio; enviable location near the Avenue of the Arts Learn More: Curtis Institute of Music Website Drexel University Drexel University. Sebastian Weigand / Wikipedia Commons Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 1 mile School Type: private university Distinguishing Features: strong business, engineering and nursing programs; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association Learn More: Drexel University admissions profile Eastern University The St. David's SEPTA Station, walking distance from the Eastern University campus. Adam Moss / Flickr Location: St. Davids, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 15 miles School Type: private university affiliated with the American Baptist Churches Distinguishing Features: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; education grounded in Christian faith; popular education and nursing programs; located adjacent to Cabrini College; member of the NCAA Division III Middle Atlantic Conferences Learn More: Eastern University admissions profile Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Mercy University. Photo Credit: Jim Roese. Photo Credit: Jim Roese Location: Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: private Roman Catholic University Distinguishing Features: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 17; strengths in education, health and business; high graduation rate in relation to student profile; member of the NCAA Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference Learn More: Gwynedd Mercy University admissions profile Read More Top Pennsylvania Colleges By Allen Grove Haverford College Haverford College. Antonio Castagna / Flickr Location: Haverford, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 9 miles School Type: private liberal arts college Distinguishing Features: one of the country's top liberal arts colleges; 8 to 1 student / faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; cross-registration opportunities at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania; member of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference Learn More: Haverford College admissions profile Holy Family University The Philadelphia Skyline. Kevin Burkett / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 14 miles School Type: private Catholic university Distinguishing Features: individualized educational experience with a 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio and average class size of 14; member of the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference; popular programs in business, education, and nursing Learn More: Holy Family University admissions profile La Salle University La Salle University Library. Audrey / Wikimedia Commons Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 7 miles School Type: private Catholic university Distinguishing Features: 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; students from 45 states; popular business, communications and nursing programs; Honors Program for high achieving students; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference Learn More: La Salle University admissions profile Moore College of Art and Design Wilson Hall at the Moore College of Art and Design. Daderot / Wikimedia Commons Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 0 miles School Type: private women's college of art and design Distinguishing Features: enviable location in Philadelphia's Parkway Museums District; rich history dating to 1848; high level of job placement in students' fields of study; test-optional admissions Learn More: Moore College of Art and Design admissions profile Neumann University Neumann University. Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons Location: Aston, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: private Catholic university Distinguishing Features: 14 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an emphasis on personal attention; new Living and Learning Centers for residential students; popular business, nursing and education programs; member of the NCAA Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference Learn More: Neumann University admissions profile Peirce College Peirce College. TexasDex / Wikipedia Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 0 miles School Type: career-focused college specializing in non-traditional students Distinguishing Features: enviable location in Center City, Philadelphia; popular business, healthcare, and paralegal programs; many online offerings Learn More: Peirce College admissions profile Penn State Abington Sutherland Building at Penn State Abington. AI R / Flickr Location: Abington, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 15 miles School Type: public university Distinguishing Features: part of the Penn State network of campuses; commuter campus with most students coming from nearby counties; popular business and social psychology programs; member of the NCAA Division III North Eastern Athletic Conference Learn More: Penn State Abington admissions profile Penn State Brandywine Penn State Brandywine Commencement. Jim, the Photographer / Flickr Location: Media, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: public university Distinguishing Features: part of the Penn State network of campuses; commuter campus with easy access to public transportation; popular business, communications and human development/family studies programs; member of the Penn State University Athletic Conference Learn More: Penn State Brandywine admissions profile Thomas Jefferson University Scott Memorial Library on Thomas Jefferson University's Center City campus. Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 7 miles (medical campus in Center City) School Type: private university Distinguishing Features: popular architecture, fashion merchandising, and graphic design communication programs; over 80 student clubs and organizations; 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Learn More: Thomas Jefferson University admissions profile Rosemont College Rosemont College. RaubDaub / Flickr Location: Rosemont, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 11 miles School Type: private Catholic liberal arts college Distinguishing Features: located on the Philadelphia Main Line; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 12; popular accounting, biology and psychology programs; member of the NCAA Division III Colonial States Athletic Conference Learn More: Rosemont College admissions profile Rowan University Oak Hall at Rowan University. Kd5463 / Wikimedia Commons Location: Glassboro, New Jersey Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 20 miles School Type: public university Distinguishing Features: 87 undergraduate majors offered through eight colleges; popular music education and business administration programs; 17 to 1 student / faculty ratio; member of the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference Learn More: Rowan University admissions profile Rutgers University Camden Rutgers University Camden. Photo Credit: Henry Montesino Location: Camden, New Jersey Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 2 miles School Type: public university Distinguishing Features: one of the regional campuses of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; 15 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 22; member of the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference Learn More: Rutgers University Camden admissions profile Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's University. dcsaint / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 5 miles School Type: private Catholic university Distinguishing Features: chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; rich history dating to 1851; 75 academic programs; popular business programs; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference Learn More: Saint Joseph's University admissions profile Swarthmore College Swarthmore College. CB_27 / Flickr Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 11 miles School Type: private liberal arts college Distinguishing Features: one of the country's top liberal arts colleges; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences; 8 to 1 student / faculty ratio; opportunity to register for classes at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and the University of Pennsylvania; attractive campus is a registered national arboretum Learn More: Swarthmore College admissions profile Temple University Temple University. Steven-L-Johnson / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 2 miles School Type: public university Distinguishing Features: 125 undergraduate degree options, popular programs in business, education and media; over 170 student clubs and organizations; active Greek system; member of the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference Learn More: Temple University admissions profile University of the Arts The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 0 miles School Type: private school for visual and performing arts Distinguishing Features: located on the Avenue of the Arts; 8 to 1 student / faculty ratio; 12 gallery spaces and 7 professional performance venues Learn More: The University of the Arts admissions profile University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania. rubberpaw / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 1 mile School Type: private research university Distinguishing Features: one of the eight Ivy League schools; one of the country's most selective colleges; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; rich history (founded by Benjamin Franklin) Learn More: University of Pennsylvania admissions profile University of the Sciences Philadelphia Skyline. Kevin Burkett / Flickr Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 3 miles School Type: private pharmacy and health science university Distinguishing Features: founded in 1821; popular programs in health science, biology, occupational therapy and pharmacy; 80 student clubs and organizations; member of the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Learn More: University of the Sciences admissions profile Villanova University Villanova University. Lauren Murphy / Flickr Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 12 miles School Type: private Catholic university Distinguishing Features: oldest and largest Catholic university in Pennsylvania; one of the country's top Catholic universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference Learn More: Villanova University admissions profile Widener University Old Main at Widener University. Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons Location: Chester, Pennsylvania Distance from Center City Philadelphia: 15 miles School Type: private university Distinguishing Features: 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; emphasis with hands-on learning; three-quarters of students participate in internships or service opportunities; over 80 student clubs and organizations; member of the NCAA Division III MAC Commonwealth Conference Learn More: Widener University admissions profile Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Grove, Allen. "Philadelphia Area Colleges and Universities." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/philadelphia-area-colleges-and-universities-786985. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). Philadelphia Area Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/philadelphia-area-colleges-and-universities-786985 Grove, Allen. "Philadelphia Area Colleges and Universities." 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