Is College Worth It? Here's What Schools Like Gannon, Mercyhurst, LECOM Deliver

Thomas P. Foley, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), writes:  

We're optimistic about the promise of 2025, and this new year, we're betting on Pennsylvania. Here's why: The state is on an upswing and benefiting from a stellar reputation as a magnet for talent. If that comes as a surprise to you, then here are facts and stories from 2024 you may have missed about how independent nonprofit higher education is transforming Pennsylvania and setting us up for success in the new year. Pennsylvania is the second most popular destination in the USA for out-of-state freshman college students, and two in three of those students move here to attend one of the state's 85 independent nonprofit colleges and universities (called "AICUP"). Why are students choosing Pennsylvania over alternatives like Florida or California?