The Best Business Schools in Philadelphia for 2026
The best business schools in Philadelphia are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 289 accredited business programs in Philadelphia and the surrounding metro and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year, a $59,122 spread for the same credential.
University of Pennsylvania leads with a 98.5 Hakia Score on a 97% graduation rate, at $60,920 a year. Across all 18 ranked business schools in Philadelphia the average graduation rate is 70%, ranging from 49% to 97%. 3 of the 18 are public and 15 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in Philadelphia: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers the Pennsylvania side of the Philadelphia area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania ranks first among business schools in Philadelphia with a 98.5 Hakia Score and a 97% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked business schools in Philadelphia spans $7,716 to $66,838 a year, a $59,122 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked business schools in Philadelphia graduate 70% of students on average, from 49% to 97%.
- 3 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Pennsylvania residents actually pay.
- 6 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 289 accredited business programs in Philadelphia and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best Business Schools in Philadelphia, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $60,920 | 97% | 5% | 98.5 |
| 2 | Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA | Nonprofit | $66,838 | 92% | 27% | 95.8 |
| 3 | Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Public | $21,989 | 75% | 80% | 93.0 |
| 4 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $53,060 | 79% | 89% | 91.0 |
| 5 | Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $60,042 | 78% | 79% | 88.4 |
| 6 | West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA · online option | Public | $7,716 | 71% | 78% | 86.6 |
| 7 | Widener UniversityChester, PA | Nonprofit | $54,660 | 68% | 71% | 84.5 |
| 8 | American College of Financial ServicesKing of Prussia, PA · online option | Nonprofit | NR | NR | NR | 83.6 |
| 9 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $46,175 | 69% | 81% | 83.6 |
| 10 | Immaculata UniversityImmaculata, PA | Nonprofit | $28,130 | 71% | 86% | 80.9 |
| 11 | Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $34,080 | 61% | 71% | 80.2 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great ValleyMalvern, PA | Public | NR | NR | NR | 79.0 |
| 13 | Arcadia UniversityGlenside, PA | Nonprofit | $48,760 | 67% | 80% | 78.7 |
| 14 | Ursinus CollegeCollegeville, PA | Nonprofit | $60,360 | 73% | 92% | 76.3 |
| 15 | Neumann UniversityAston, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $37,020 | 54% | 81% | 75.1 |
| 16 | University of Valley ForgePhoenixville, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $23,800 | 49% | 61% | 74.7 |
| 17 | Chestnut Hill CollegePhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $39,200 | 49% | 74% | 73.5 |
| 18 | Strayer University-PennsylvaniaTrevose, PA · online option | For-profit | $13,725 | NR | NR | 73.4 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in Philadelphia at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Business Schools in Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 97%
- Admit rate
- 5%
- In-state
- $60,920
- Out-of-state
- $60,920
Penn graduates 97% of its students, above the 70% average across this ranking, on a 98.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 98.5, #1 of 18
- 97% graduation rate
- $60,920 tuition
- Most selective program here
Penn is a private, nonprofit institution in Philadelphia, PA. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 18 analyzed here with a 98.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 83.2 group average. The program graduates 97% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Penn admits 5% of applicants, more selective than the 70% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 29,109 students.
On cost, Penn charges $60,920 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 92%
- Admit rate
- 27%
- In-state
- $66,838
- Out-of-state
- $66,838
Villanova graduates 92% of its students, above the 70% average across this ranking, on a 95.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 95.8, #2 of 18
- 92% graduation rate
- $66,838 tuition
- Admits just 27% of applicants
Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #2 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 95.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 2.7 points behind top-ranked Penn. The program graduates 92% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Villanova admits 27% of applicants, more selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 10,041 students overall.
On cost, Villanova charges $66,838 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $21,989
- Out-of-state
- $37,789
At $21,989 a year in-state, Temple is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 93.0 Hakia Score on a 75% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 93.0, #3 of 18
- 75% graduation rate
- $21,989 in-state vs $37,789 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
Temple is a public institution in Philadelphia, PA. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 18 analyzed here with a 93.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 5.5 points behind top-ranked Penn. The program graduates 75% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Temple admits 80% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 29,640 students.
On cost, Temple charges $21,989 a year in-state, versus $37,789 for out-of-state students. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. The spread makes the program a clearer value for PA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 89%
- In-state
- $53,060
- Out-of-state
- $53,060
Saint Joseph's graduates 79% of its students, above the 70% average across this ranking, on a 91.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 91.0, #4 of 18
- 79% graduation rate
- $53,060 tuition
- Admits just 89% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Joseph's is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #4 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 91.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 7.5 points behind top-ranked Penn. The program graduates 79% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Saint Joseph's admits 89% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 7,159 students overall.
On cost, Saint Joseph's charges $53,060 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 78%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state
- $60,042
- Out-of-state
- $60,042
Drexel graduates 78% of its students, above the 70% average across this ranking, on an 88.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 88.4, #5 of 18
- 78% graduation rate
- $60,042 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #5 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 88.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 78% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Drexel admits 79% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 21,153 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Drexel charges $60,042 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $7,716
- Out-of-state
- $19,290
At $7,716 a year in-state, West Chester is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 86.6 Hakia Score on a 71% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 86.6, #6 of 18
- 71% graduation rate
- $7,716 in-state vs $19,290 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
West Chester is a public institution in West Chester, PA. Its Business program ranks #6 of the 18 analyzed here with an 86.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. West Chester admits 78% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 17,171 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, West Chester charges $7,716 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $19,290 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. The spread makes the program a clearer value for PA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Widener University
Chester, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $54,660
- Out-of-state
- $54,660
Widener ranks #7 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 84.5 Hakia Score and a 68% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 84.5, #7 of 18
- 68% graduation rate
- $54,660 tuition
- Admits just 71% of applicants
Based in Chester, PA, Widener is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #7 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 84.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, below the 70% average across the ranked schools. Widener admits 71% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 5,713 students overall.
On cost, Widener charges $54,660 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
American College of Financial Services
King of Prussia, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
American College of Financial Services ranks #8 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 83.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 83.6, #8 of 18
- Online option available
American College of Financial Services is a private, nonprofit institution in King of Prussia, PA. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 18 analyzed here with an 83.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The university enrolls 5,514 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $46,175
- Out-of-state
- $46,175
Thomas Jefferson ranks #9 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 83.6 Hakia Score and a 69% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 83.6, #9 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $46,175 tuition
- Admits just 81% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 83.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 83.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, below the 70% average across the ranked schools. Thomas Jefferson admits 81% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 8,238 students overall.
On cost, Thomas Jefferson charges $46,175 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 86%
- In-state
- $28,130
- Out-of-state
- $28,130
At $28,130 a year in-state, Immaculata is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 80.9 Hakia Score on a 71% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 80.9, #10 of 18
- 71% graduation rate
- $28,130 tuition
- Admits just 86% of applicants
Based in Immaculata, PA, Immaculata is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 80.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 83.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 70% average across the ranked schools. Immaculata admits 86% of applicants, less selective than the 70% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,512 students.
On cost, Immaculata charges $28,130 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
What Business Schools in Philadelphia Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year. West Chester University of Pennsylvania anchors the low end at $7,716 a year, while Villanova University sits at the top at $66,838. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Philadelphia is West Chester University of Pennsylvania at $7,716; the cheapest private is Strayer University-Pennsylvania in Trevose at $13,725.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $30,864 in tuition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania against about $267,352 at Villanova University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Philadelphia from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in Philadelphia
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Philadelphia do not all offer the same ones. Across the 289 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Philadelphia are business administration (28 schools), accounting (22 schools), marketing (16 schools), finance (15 schools), healthcare administration (14 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 22 of the schools analyzed in Philadelphia run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Philadelphia
3 of the 18 ranked business schools in Philadelphia are public and 15 are private, and that split drives most of the $59,122 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: West Chester University of Pennsylvania charges $7,716 in-state and $19,290 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 18 ranked schools average 70%, from 49% to 97%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in Philadelphia
Being on a campus among the business schools in Philadelphia puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
The 18 ranked schools sit across 12 towns in the metro, among them Philadelphia, Villanova, West Chester, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 6 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in Philadelphia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Philadelphia?
By Hakia Score, University of Pennsylvania ranks first among the 18 ranked business schools in Philadelphia, with a 98.5 score and a 97% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Philadelphia?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Philadelphia, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Philadelphia?
Tuition among the ranked Philadelphia schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Philadelphia living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Philadelphia does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 289 accredited business programs across Philadelphia and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Pennsylvania side of the Philadelphia area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Philadelphia instead of online?
6 of the 18 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Philadelphia this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $7,716 in-state, West Chester University of Pennsylvania is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How the Business Schools in Philadelphia Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.