Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.

Catholic colleges with the strongest campus culture in Pennsylvania

Catholic colleges ranked by the campus culture pillar: ministry staff, retreats, student groups, housing, and visitation rules.

19 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Pennsylvania.
  • Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
  • Has a graded campus culture pillar and a complete Compass Score.
  • Ordered by the campus culture pillar score alone, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    University of Scranton

    Scranton, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Many retreats
  2. 1

    Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Many retreats
  3. 3

    Saint Francis University

    Loretto, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Some retreats
  4. 4

    Villanova University

    Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Many retreats
  5. 5

    Duquesne University

    Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Some retreats
  6. 6

    King's College

    Wilkes-Barre, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade A
    • Some retreats
  7. 7

    Mercyhurst University

    Erie, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  8. 8

    Marywood University

    Scranton, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  9. 9

    Immaculata University

    Immaculata, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Many retreats
  10. 10

    La Salle University

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Many retreats
  11. 11

    Mount Aloysius College

    Cresson, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  12. 12

    Neumann University

    Aston, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  13. 13

    Alvernia University

    Reading, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  14. 14

    DeSales University

    Center Valley, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  15. 15

    Carlow University

    Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  16. 16

    Gwynedd Mercy University

    Gwynedd Valley, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade B
    • Some retreats
  17. 17

    Saint Vincent College

    Latrobe, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade C
    • Many retreats
  18. 18

    Chestnut Hill College

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade C
    • Some retreats
  19. 19

    Holy Family University

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
    • Campus culture: grade D
    • Some retreats

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
University of Scranton$32,568$27,000$74,65280%
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$29,689$25,500$86,88179%
Saint Francis University$23,526$27,000$62,10174%
Villanova University$43,756$25,874$100,42392%
Duquesne University$37,730$26,244$74,74277%
King's College$23,093$27,000$59,49860%
Mercyhurst University$19,444$25,305$47,45260%
Marywood University$23,388$26,186$55,81772%
Immaculata University$24,258$27,000$75,70171%
La Salle University$19,409$25,000$67,41657%
Mount Aloysius College$22,344$24,287$46,16557%
Neumann University$27,804$27,000$57,81754%
Alvernia University$28,138$27,000$55,05556%
DeSales University$31,643$25,788$61,29572%
Carlow University$20,786$25,500$51,05160%
Gwynedd Mercy University$27,483$25,000$67,14557%
Saint Vincent College$23,510$27,000$59,98269%
Chestnut Hill College$27,970$26,389$52,01549%
Holy Family University$13,143$25,125$62,23561%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →