83 Best colleges for Development Studies in Pennsylvania

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Pennsylvania ranked based on their research performance in Development Studies. A graph of 3.06M citations received by 96.4K academic papers made by 83 universities in Pennsylvania was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#8 in the United States

#9 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park

For Development Studies

#18 in the United States

#20 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#27 in the United States

#29 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#54 in the United States

#62 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

5. Temple University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#61 in the United States

#69 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

6. Drexel University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#105 in the United States

#122 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,801

7. Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#146 in the United States

#166 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $29,325

8. California University of Pennsylvania

California

For Development Studies

#153 in the United States

#174 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

9. Villanova University

Villanova

For Development Studies

#202 in the United States

#230 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1453
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,201

10. Lehigh University

Bethlehem

For Development Studies

#203 in the United States

#231 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $34,154

11. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Hershey

For Development Studies

#223 in the United States

#252 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

12. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#250 in the United States

#282 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,917

13. Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana

For Development Studies

#311 in the United States

#346 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1075
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 100%

14. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore

For Development Studies

#328 in the United States

#363 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,469

15. West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester

For Development Studies

#333 in the United States

#368 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 88%

16. Widener University

Chester

For Development Studies

#335 in the United States

#371 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1185
Net Price: $26,778
Receiving Aid: 100%

17. Bucknell University

Lewisburg

For Development Studies

#346 in the United States

#383 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,003

18. Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr

For Development Studies

#366 in the United States

#406 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $33,221

19. Lafayette College

Easton

For Development Studies

#414 in the United States

#456 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,442

20. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#447 in the United States

#492 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $31,205

21. University of Scranton

Scranton

For Development Studies

#462 in the United States

#508 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1239
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $34,234

22. University of the Sciences

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#467 in the United States

#513 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Net Price: $29,948
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $14,493

23. Robert Morris University

Moon Township

For Development Studies

#493 in the United States

#539 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Net Price: $23,933
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $27,629

24. La Salle University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#504 in the United States

#551 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 97%
Net Price: $18,069
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $30,880

25. Allegheny College

Meadville

For Development Studies

#520 in the United States

#567 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1266
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $26,420

26. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg

For Development Studies

#528 in the United States

#578 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $6,347
Enrollment: 7,500

27. Gettysburg College

Gettysburg

For Development Studies

#534 in the United States

#584 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $32,769

28. Haverford College

Haverford

For Development Studies

#556 in the United States

#609 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,535

29. Dickinson College

Carlisle

For Development Studies

#557 in the United States

#610 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,483

30. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#566 in the United States

#620 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Net Price: $28,588
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,590

31. Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster

For Development Studies

#568 in the United States

#622 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Average SAT: 1387
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $43,987

32. Geneva College

Beaver Falls

For Development Studies

#589 in the United States

#644 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $23,528
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $21,913

33. Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville

For Development Studies

#593 in the United States

#649 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1115
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,143

34. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield

For Development Studies

#599 in the United States

#655 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $8,863
Enrollment: 1,784

35. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock

For Development Studies

#618 in the United States

#676 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1085
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 96%

36. King's College - Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre

For Development Studies

#619 in the United States

#677 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1170
Net Price: $23,689
Receiving Aid: 100%

37. American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr

For Development Studies

#622 in the United States

#680 in North America

Enrollment: 5,514
Male:Female: 72:28
Founded: 1927

38. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown

For Development Studies

#628 in the United States

#686 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1215
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $7,420

39. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg

For Development Studies

#642 in the United States

#700 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $6,756

40. York College of Pennsylvania

York

For Development Studies

#650 in the United States

#708 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $20,096

41. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Scranton

For Development Studies

#669 in the United States

#730 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $23,384
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $2,461

42. Chatham University

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#671 in the United States

#732 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1183
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $31,280

43. Arcadia University

Glenside

For Development Studies

#672 in the United States

#733 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1165
Net Price: $30,037
Receiving Aid: 99%

44. Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre

For Development Studies

#678 in the United States

#740 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $28,511

45. Gannon University

Erie

For Development Studies

#694 in the United States

#757 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Net Price: $23,123
Receiving Aid: 85%
Average Aid: $29,799

46. Lincoln University

Lincoln University

For Development Studies

#720 in the United States

#783 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 890
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $13,750

47. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#734 in the United States

#798 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 2,901
Male:Female: 36:64

48. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion

For Development Studies

#751 in the United States

#816 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $8,127
Enrollment: 3,070

49. Moravian College

Bethlehem

For Development Studies

#753 in the United States

#818 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1178
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $31,743

50. Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove

For Development Studies

#770 in the United States

#835 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $26,444

51. Misericordia University

Dallas

For Development Studies

#772 in the United States

#837 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Net Price: $26,747
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $27,066

52. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg

For Development Studies

#773 in the United States

#838 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1090
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

53. Saint Francis University

Loretto

For Development Studies

#790 in the United States

#856 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $28,326

54. Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown

For Development Studies

#803 in the United States

#872 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1208
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $27,760

55. Muhlenberg College

Allentown

For Development Studies

#805 in the United States

#874 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $34,739

56. La Roche College

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#810 in the United States

#879 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1070
Average ACT: 19
Net Price: $24,108

57. Messiah College

Mechanicsburg

For Development Studies

#826 in the United States

#895 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $29,408

58. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Harrisburg

For Development Studies

#832 in the United States

#901 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Net Price: $15,984
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $19,706

59. Marywood University

Scranton

For Development Studies

#844 in the United States

#913 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $26,217

60. Eastern University

Saint Davids

For Development Studies

#855 in the United States

#924 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Net Price: $27,422
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $26,838

61. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Erie

For Development Studies

#859 in the United States

#928 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,133
Male:Female: 42:58

62. Westminster College

New Wilmington

For Development Studies

#889 in the United States

#959 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Net Price: $20,394
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $32,553

63. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro

For Development Studies

#891 in the United States

#961 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 96%
Average Aid: $5,524
Enrollment: 4,319

64. DeSales University

Center Valley

For Development Studies

#930 in the United States

#1000 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $31,732

65. Ursinus College

Collegeville

For Development Studies

#954 in the United States

#1025 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1293
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $32,158

66. Lycoming College

Williamsport

For Development Studies

#958 in the United States

#1029 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1190
Net Price: $20,492
Receiving Aid: 100%

67. Saint Vincent College

Latrobe

For Development Studies

#973 in the United States

#1044 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $23,758

68. Salus University

Elkins Park

For Development Studies

#983 in the United States

#1055 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 1,106
Male:Female: 20:80
Founded: 1919

69. Alvernia University

Reading

For Development Studies

#995 in the United States

#1067 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1190
Net Price: $28,645
Receiving Aid: 100%

70. Carlow University

Pittsburgh

For Development Studies

#1053 in the United States

#1127 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1064
Net Price: $21,002
Receiving Aid: 100%

71. Cabrini University

Radnor

For Development Studies

#1081 in the United States

#1156 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $24,733
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $24,025

72. Albright College

Reading

For Development Studies

#1083 in the United States

#1159 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Net Price: $20,587
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $23,069

73. Lebanon Valley College

Annville

For Development Studies

#1090 in the United States

#1166 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1221
Net Price: $27,995
Receiving Aid: 100%

74. Lock Haven University

Lock Haven

For Development Studies

#1097 in the United States

#1173 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $4,862
Founded: 1870

75. Juniata College

Huntingdon

For Development Studies

#1119 in the United States

#1195 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $24,580

76. Seton Hill University

Greensburg

For Development Studies

#1123 in the United States

#1199 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $23,056

77. Holy Family University

Philadelphia

For Development Studies

#1129 in the United States

#1205 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1030
Net Price: $14,072
Receiving Aid: 100%

78. Neumann University

Aston

For Development Studies

#1133 in the United States

#1209 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $28,469
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $28,711

79. Washington & Jefferson College

Washington

For Development Studies

#1134 in the United States

#1210 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $22,702
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $20,152

80. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown

For Development Studies

#1144 in the United States

#1220 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1197
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $28,975

81. Mercyhurst University

Erie

For Development Studies

#1148 in the United States

#1224 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Net Price: $25,946
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $33,949

82. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley

For Development Studies

#1150 in the United States

#1226 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1105
Net Price: $27,960
Receiving Aid: 100%

83. Immaculata University

Immaculata

For Development Studies

#1177 in the United States

#1253 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1240
Net Price: $24,708
Receiving Aid: 99%

Closest to Pennsylvania states to learn Development Studies

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Maryland	24	3
District of Columbia	9	40
New Jersey	21	26
New York	110	6
West Virginia	9	101
Connecticut	19	12
Virginia	29	42
Ohio	44	20
Massachusetts	58	1
Rhode Island	9	45
Vermont	7	128
New Hampshire	10	63
North Carolina	33	9
Indiana	26	41
Kentucky	21	57
Michigan	25	2
South Carolina	20	62
Maine	9	234
Tennessee	24	38
Illinois	53	10
Georgia	34	35
Wisconsin	27	15
Alabama	19	67
Iowa	15	43
Missouri	25	47
Mississippi	10	181
Minnesota	24	13
Arkansas	13	141
Florida	37	31
Louisiana	21	92
Kansas	9	73
South Dakota	8	325
Nebraska	9	93
Oklahoma	13	116
North Dakota	5	232
Texas	63	25
Colorado	17	50
New Mexico	6	89
Montana	4	185
Puerto Rico	9	574
Utah	9	44
Idaho	4	215
Arizona	7	28
Nevada	5	145
Washington	20	5
Oregon	17	64
California	98	4
Alaska	3	309
Hawaii	5	109

Economics subfields in Pennsylvania

Actuarial Science14

Agricultural Economics6

Econometrics and Mathematical Economics38

Environmental Economics8

Finance59

International Economics13

International Relations and Diplomacy16

International Trade14

Investment Banking and Stock trading14

Political Economy23