- Universities in Philadelphia
- Ranked in at least one ranking
- Different Rankings list
- Universities in Philadelphia
- (29 institution and 11 subject rankings)
- Global Rankings rank
- Universities in Philadelphia
- Among TOP 200
Philadelphia offers its inhabitants an endless array of natural spaces in places like Fairmount Park, Citizens Bank Park, or the chance to take a walk by the canal.
‘Philly’ residents enjoy a good standard of living for the most part, thanks to having access to some of the most affordable housing in the country, reliable public transport, and a rich selection of research universities for students to choose from.
PROS
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The housing situation is in general very affordable compared to other major US cities, with modern, 3-bedroom apartments available close to the University of Pennsylvania in the range of $1,000-$1,400, for example. Prices vary according to which neighbourhood you’re interested in, but there are options for every price point in Philadelphia.
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A city that offers plenty of options for activities to enjoy in your free time, such as varied nightlife venues for the party goers, or Valley Forge Historical National Park for those who want to take a break from the city surroundings and enjoy its roughly 3,500 acres of woodlands, meadows and monuments. However you like to spend your free time, there is something for everyone here.
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Students in the city have the possibility of using the SEPTA Student Fare Discount Initiative, which is offered through universities participating in the scheme. Students should consult their university’s Bursar’s office for more information.
CONS
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One of the most recurring negative comments made about Philadelphia is its high crime rates, especially drug-related crime.
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The job market in Philadelphia is known for being fiercely competitive in recent years, with even entry level positions receiving hundreds of applications from qualified job seekers. The general consensus is that it will take at least 6 months to get a job after moving to Philadelphia.
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The cost of living in Philadelphia is higher than the national average, which is calculated without rent. The figure is calculated using groceries, gasoline, energy bills, and public transport rates.
For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in Philadelphia, USA
- 28 Nov, 2022: Urap published most recent results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Includes 4 universities from Philadelphia.
- 23 Nov, 2022: Publication of THE Global Employability University Ranking. University of Pennsylvania ranked #121.
- 16 Nov, 2022: THE Times Higher Education, UK published most recent results of THE World Reputation Rankings. University of Pennsylvania achieves position 22.
- 26 Oct, 2022: THE Times Higher Education, UK published most recent results of THE World University Rankings by Subject (Computer Science). Includes 32 universities from Philadelphia.
Highest subject rankings of universities in Philadelphia
Rankings of universities in Philadelphia, USA 2023

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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 08 June, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 08 June, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 08 June, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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QS University Rankings: Arab Region
[Published 12 October, 2021] |
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UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Arabic-Speaking Universities
[Published 11 August, 2022] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value
[Published 16 May, 2022] |
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Moore College of Art and Design

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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |

Chestnut Hill College

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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value
[Published 16 May, 2022] |
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Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Erivan K. Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph's University
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Student Opinions About Studying in Philadelphia
“People moving to Philadelphia who want to save a little money on rent should look for apartments just outside the boundaries of the more expensive, trendy neighbourhoods, which means you get the price reduction for not living in the chic neighbourhoods, but you can still get there easily on foot. The rent you pay here well-situated apartments is just incredible”
“The live music scene in Philadelphia is great. I was able to see a show in the city roughly every two weeks when I was studying for my degree at Temple. Great way to meet new people off campus.”
“Summers in Philadelphia gave me a lot of positive memories. There’s always some free or very cheap music show to attend, as well as lots of little bars with tons of character and charm. You’ll never be stuck for ideas on how to spend your free time, there’s always something going on.”
Philadelphia Key Facts for International Students
Population: 1604000
Elevation: 12 m. above sea level
Time: GMT -5
District/province: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County
* 100 = prices in London
- Living costs without accommodation 97* (3% cheaper than London)
- All costs including accommodation 83* (17% cheaper than London)
- Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 88* (12% cheaper than London)
- Average Big Mac price 5.15 US$
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- Residential voltage: 120 V
- Frequency: 60 Hz
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- Residential voltage: 120 V
- Frequency: 60 Hz
Map with location of universities in Philadelphia



Ranking publishers
4icu
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Universities:
- 11087
- Published:
- 08 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
- Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%
- Universities:
- 1001
- Published:
- 23 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:
- Employer reputation 30%
Alumni outcomes 25%
Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25%
Employer/Student Connections 10%
Graduate employment rate 10%
- Universities:
- 341
- Published:
- 12 October, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS University Rankings: Arab Region:
- Academic reputation 30%
Employer reputation 20%
Faculty/student ratio 15%
International research network 10%
- Universities:
- 700
- Published:
- 26 October, 2022
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Universities:
- 6000
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
- Research Performance 40%
Quality of Education 25%
Alumni Employment 25%
Quality of Faculty 10%
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Universities:
- 3718
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
- Academic research publication
Forbes
- Universities:
- 1098
- Published:
- 30 August, 2022
Kiplinger
- Universities:
- 500
- Published:
- 31 July, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:
- Quality Criteria 55%
Cost Criteria 45%
MONEY
- Universities:
- 48
- Published:
- 16 May, 2022
- Universities:
- 50
- Published:
- 25 August, 2020
- Universities:
- 1362
- Published:
- 16 May, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:
- Quality of education 33.33%
Affordability 33.33%
Outcomes 33.33%
- Universities:
- 50
- Published:
- 25 August, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Colleges That Add the Most Value:
- Quality of education 33.33%
Affordability 33.33%
Outcomes 33.33%
NTU ranking
- Universities:
- 2059
- Published:
- 02 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
- Research excellence 40%
Research impact 35%
Research productivity 25%
- Universities:
- 354
- Published:
- 20 October, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU North America:
- Research productivity 25%
Research impact 35%
Research Excellence 40%
Nature Index
- Universities:
- 9200
- Published:
- 16 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
- Article count (AC)
Fractional count (FC)
Weighted fractional count (WFC)
Payscale
- Universities:
- 2688
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):
- Ranking is based on ROI
- Universities:
- 3158
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)
- Universities:
- 828
- Published:
- 16 September, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Research Performance Ranking:
- Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20%
Citation per papers 20%
Papers per academic and research staff 20%
International research reputation 20%
Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%
- Universities:
- 1699
- Published:
- 16 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:
- Teaching Reputation 50%
Research Reputation 50%
- Universities:
- 2721
- Published:
- 04 March, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
- Teaching 40%
Research 40%
International Diversity 10%
Financial Sustainability 10%
Scimago Institutions
- Universities:
- 12387
- Published:
- 04 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
- Research 50%
Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Universities:
- 12016
- Published:
- 15 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
- Alumni winning research prizes 10%
Staff winning research prizes 20%
Research paper publications 20%
Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded and Social Science Citation Index 20%
Per capita academic performance 10%
StuDocu
- Universities:
- 556
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 12328
- Published:
- 12 October, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
- Teaching 30%
Research (volume, income and reputation) 30%
Citations 30%
International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5%
Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%
- Universities:
- 735
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
- Employability (survey) 100%
- Universities:
- 627
- Published:
- 16 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:
- Research Reputation 66,6%
Teaching Reputation 33,3%
- Universities:
- 365
- Published:
- 19 January, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities - Times Higher Education:
- Proportion of international students 25%
Proportion of international staff 25%
Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25%
University’s international reputation 25%
- Universities:
- 348
- Published:
- 10 May, 2022
- Universities:
- 3144
- Published:
- 11 May, 2022
The Princeton Review
- Universities:
- 50
- Published:
- 26 April, 2022
Thomson Reuters
- Universities:
- 100
- Published:
- 23 October, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities:
- Patent Volume 33%
Patent Citations 34%
Industry Article Citation Impact 11%
Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11%
Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11%
Urap
- Universities:
- 9002
- Published:
- 28 November, 2022
Us News
- Universities:
- 2820
- Published:
- 11 September, 2022
- Universities:
- 5248
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 1593
- Published:
- 14 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:
- Outcomes 40% (employability)
Resources 30%
Engagement 20% (teaching)
Environment 10% (diversity)
Washington Monthly
- Universities:
- 1222
- Published:
- 28 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Washington Monthly - National Universities:
- Social Mobility 33.33%
Research 33.33%
Community and National Service 33.33%
Webometrics
- Universities:
- 36007
- Published:
- 01 January, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
- Visibility 50%
Excellence 35%
Transparency 10%
Presence 5%