Swarthmore was founded by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1864. It's a private liberal arts school, but has one of the largest endowments in the United States, which enables it to admit students regardless of their ability to pay. Swarthmore offers courses of study in many areas, including linguistics, modern languages, Islamic studies, mathematics and statistics, dance, computer science and education. The college has about 100 student organizations and clubs. Among Swarthmore's graduates, 90 percent go on to graduate or professional schools.
Swarthmore College
500 College Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
610-328-8000
swarthmore.edu
Pennsylvania State is part of a large state college system, with campuses in 19 cities. Penn State was ranked as one of the top 15 public universities in the country for 2010 by U.S. News & World Report. The university belongs to the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I-A, and it has won 65 national collegiate team championships. Penn State offers bachelor's and master's degrees in many areas, including animal science, ecology, law, electrical engineering, music, physics and special education.
Pennsylvania State University Park
201 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-4700
psu.edu
Carnegie Mellon began as a small technical school and it has grown into a large and prominent university. Carnegie Mellon has seven major divisions: the Carnegie Institute of Technology, the Tepper School of Business, the School of Computer Science, Heinz College, Mellon College of Science, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Fine Arts. The university's alumni include mathematician John Forbes Nash, director George Romero, artist Andy Warhol and Academy Award winner Holly Hunter.
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-268-2000
cmu.edu
Misericordia University was founded in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy. It's a private Catholic school, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1. The university has 30 majors in three main colleges: arts, health sciences, and professional studies and social sciences. Misericordia has a special program for single mothers who want to complete their education. The Women and Children Program gives mothers a chance to live on-campus with their children and receive subsidized child care while they study.
Misericordia University
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
570-674-6400
misericordia.edu