Catholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core in Pennsylvania
Catholic colleges ranked by the theology and core pillar: required theology and philosophy, Catholic content, and the core curriculum.
Catholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core in Pennsylvania18 schools
18 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 theology and core pillar and a complete Compass Score.
- Ordered by the theology and core 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
- 2Tie
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Catholic core: grade B
- 2 required theology courses
- 2Tie
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Catholic core: grade B
- 2 required theology courses
- 4
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade B
- 2 required theology courses
- 5
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Catholic core: grade B
- 1 required theology course
- 6
- 7
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade C
- 2 required theology courses
- 8
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade C
- 2 required theology courses
- 9Tie
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade C
- 1 required theology course
- 9Tie
- 11
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade D
- 1 required theology course
- 12
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade D
- 2 required theology courses
- 13
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade D
- 1 required theology course
- 14Tie
- 14Tie
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade F
- 1 required theology course
- 16
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade F
- 1 required theology course
- 17
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade F
- 1 required theology course
- 18
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's College | $23,093 | $27,000 | $59,498 | 60% |
| University of Scranton | $32,568 | $27,000 | $74,652 | 80% |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | $29,689 | $25,500 | $86,881 | 79% |
| DeSales University | $31,643 | $25,788 | $61,295 | 72% |
| Saint Francis University | $23,526 | $27,000 | $62,101 | 74% |
| Marywood University | $23,388 | $26,186 | $55,817 | 72% |
| Saint Vincent College | $23,510 | $27,000 | $59,982 | 69% |
| Immaculata University | $24,258 | $27,000 | $75,701 | 71% |
| Duquesne University | $37,730 | $26,244 | $74,742 | 77% |
| Alvernia University | $28,138 | $27,000 | $55,055 | 56% |
| Villanova University | $43,756 | $25,874 | $100,423 | 92% |
| Mount Aloysius College | $22,344 | $24,287 | $46,165 | 57% |
| Holy Family University | $13,143 | $25,125 | $62,235 | 61% |
| Mercyhurst University | $19,444 | $25,305 | $47,452 | 60% |
| La Salle University | $19,409 | $25,000 | $67,416 | 57% |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | $27,483 | $25,000 | $67,145 | 57% |
| Chestnut Hill College | $27,970 | $26,389 | $52,015 | 49% |
| Carlow University | $20,786 | $25,500 | $51,051 | 60% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.