Major Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to some of the best community colleges in the nation, offering students a range of educational opportunities. The major community colleges in Pennsylvania are Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), and Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC).
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is a public system that includes 14 universities across the state. PASSHE provides students with access to over 500 career and academic programs, including associate degrees and certificates. It also offers distance learning opportunities for those unable to attend on campus classes.
The Community College of Philadelphia is located right in downtown Philadelphia and offers over 200 degree, certificate, and transfer programs for students to choose from. CCP also has several student clubs and organizations as well as athletic teams that compete at the NCAA Division III level. Additionally, it has an extensive library system with over 500,000 e-books available for student use.
Montgomery County Community College is located just outside Philadelphia and provides students with access to more than 140 degree programs along with numerous certificate options. MCCC also has several student clubs and organizations as well as an athletics program competing at the NJCAA Division III level. It also houses an extensive library system with a variety of resources available for student use.
Lastly, Lehigh Carbon Community College is located in Schnecksville, PA and offers more than 100 degree programs along with numerous certificate options for students to choose from. LCCC also has several student clubs and organizations as well as an athletics program competing at NJCAA Division III level. Additionally, it has an extensive library system with over 200,000 books available for student use. All four community colleges offer excellent educational opportunities for individuals looking to pursue higher education while staying close to home.
Top 3 Counties in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a diverse state with many unique counties to explore. From the rolling hills of the Allegheny Mountains in the north to the bustling cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in the south, Pennsylvania has something for everyone. Here are three of the top counties in Pennsylvania that offer a wide range of attractions and activities:
1. Lancaster County – Located in south-central Pennsylvania, according to COUNTRYAAH, Lancaster County is home to Amish country, where visitors can experience a unique slice of Americana. Visitors can explore quaint towns such as Lititz and Intercourse, take buggy rides along back roads, and browse shops filled with handmade crafts. The county also boasts a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities such as camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, and more. Additionally, there are numerous historical sites to visit including covered bridges and museums dedicated to local history.
2. Berks County – Located just north of Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania is Berks County. This vibrant county offers a variety of activities for visitors such as visiting local wineries and breweries or enjoying live music at one of several venues throughout the area. There are also plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails at French Creek State Park or kayaking on Maiden Creek Reservoir or Schuylkill River Trail. There are also numerous historic sites to visit throughout Berks County including Daniel Boone Homestead and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
3. Allegheny County – Home to Pittsburgh – one of America’s most livable cities – Allegheny County offers visitors an array of attractions from professional sports teams like the Steelers and Pirates to world-renowned cultural institutions like Carnegie Museum or Andy Warhol Museum. The city’s three rivers offer plenty of recreational opportunities including biking trails along the Monongahela River or kayaking on the Ohio River Trail. There are also several outdoor parks throughout Allegheny County where visitors can enjoy picnics or take part in recreational activities like fishing or horseback riding at North Park Horse Trails & Stables.
No matter what type of adventure you’re looking for, Pennsylvania has something for everyone. From its bustling cities to its charming small towns these three counties offer something special for everyone who visits this great state.
Top 3 Universities in Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,019, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 299 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The University of Pennsylvania’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #8. Its tuition and fees are $57,770 (2020-21).
Penn offers a wide range of academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students across four schools: Arts & Sciences; Engineering & Applied Sciences; Nursing; and Wharton School (Business). The University also offers specialized programs such as its renowned School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine. Penn has produced many notable alumni including seven U.S. presidents and over 40 Nobel laureates.
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University (commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU) is a public land-grant research university with 24 campuses throughout Pennsylvania as well as an online World Campus option for distance learners. Founded in 1855, PSU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 49,826 across its various campuses, making it one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment size. Its tuition and fees are $19,080 for state residents and $35,664 for out-of-state students (2020-21).
PSU offers over 160 degree programs at the bachelor’s level including agricultural science; business; engineering; health sciences; humanities & social sciences; information sciences & technology; law; medicine & nursing; science & mathematics; visual & performing arts; and more. The university also has several highly ranked graduate programs such as its College of Education which ranks #1 nationally among public universities according to U.S News & World Report 2021 rankings. PSU also has an active Greek life on campus with over 60 fraternities and sororities that participate in philanthropy events throughout the year.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university located in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood with satellite campuses located throughout Pennsylvania including Harrisburg, Lancaster County and Malvern/Exton regions. Founded in 1891 by Anthony J Drexel, Drexel has total undergraduate enrollment 8, 556. It utilizes quarter – based academic calendar. Drexel’s ranking in 2021 edition Best Colleges is National Universities # 77. Its tuition and fees are $ 53, 940 ( 2020 – 21 ).
Drexel offers over 80 degree programs at the bachelor’s level including business; engineering; health sciences; humanities & social sciences; information science; law; medicine; nursing; science; technology; visual arts; digital media design, hospitality management, computer science game design among others. It also offers highly ranked graduate programs such as its LeBow College Of Business which ranks # 15 nationally according to US News & World Report 2021 rankings. Drexel encourages student involvement through various student organizations on campus such as Greek life, clubs, honor societies among others.