The Keystone State is home to nearly 300 colleges, universities, and technical schools, offering a wide range of educational opportunities for prospective students. Our comprehensive database of 388 Pennsylvania colleges, community colleges, and trade schools includes 164 four-year institutions. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is responsible for investigating student complaints against licensed higher education institutions and private schools. Despite the abundance of educational providers, the demand for higher education in Pennsylvania has decreased significantly.
Enrollment in the state has dropped, yet it still has one of the highest institutions-to-student ratios in the country. The State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is known as the most affordable option in the state. It is committed to increasing opportunities and cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments that allow all members of the State System community to thrive. PASSHE has 20 campuses across Pennsylvania, making it by far the largest higher education presence in the state. Before its integration plan went into effect, PASSHE had 14 campuses; it now has 10 and Pitt has five.
Last summer, PASSHE merged six of its campuses into two institutions with several campuses in a process that the system called “integration”. This was done to reduce costs and focus on student success, as well as to maintain the system as an engine of workforce development and social mobility in the state. The integration plan was designed to ensure that students have access to quality education at an affordable price. It also seeks to create a more efficient system that can better serve students and employers alike. The plan includes initiatives such as expanding online learning opportunities, increasing access to career services, and providing more support for student success. The State System of Higher Education is committed to providing students with a quality education that prepares them for success in their chosen field.
With its integration plan, PASSHE is working to ensure that all students have access to a quality education at an affordable price. By focusing on student success and workforce development, PASSHE is helping to create a brighter future for Pennsylvania's higher education system.
