Pennsylvania (PA)

Known as the "Keystone State," Pennsylvania is a blend of history, natural beauty, and urban excitement. From the founding of America in Philadelphia to the rolling hills of Amish country and the steel legacy of Pittsburgh, the state offers a rich cultural experience, outdoor adventures, and vibrant city life.

• Population: ~12.9 million
• Weather: Cold winters (20-40°F); warm, humid summers (70-85°F).
• Famous Sites: Liberty Bell, Gettysburg National Military Park, Hershey Park, Fallingwater, Poconos Mountains.
• Top Activities: Historical tours, hiking, skiing, amusement parks, museum visits, sports events.

Pennsylvania has a strong job market with opportunities in healthcare, technology, finance, and skilled trades. These industries offer competitive salaries and job security. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in Pennsylvania based on earnings and job availability. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Pennsylvania, known for its rich history and cultural diversity, offers vibrant city life paired with bustling college communities. Many of the state's largest cities host well-known universities, attracting thousands of students every year. The following table lists the 10 biggest cities in Pennsylvania along with their approximate populations and college student enrollments.

Pennsylvania is home to some of the best public and private universities, offering diverse programs in business, engineering, healthcare, and the liberal arts.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) – A highly ranked research university known for its strong engineering, business, and medical programs.
• University of Pittsburgh – A leader in healthcare and biomedical research, with strong law and business programs.
• Temple University – Offers excellent business, law, communications, and healthcare programs.
• West Chester University – A top-ranked public university with strong education, business, and health sciences programs.
• Kutztown University – Known for high-quality liberal arts, business, and education programs.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Pennsylvania

• University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) – An Ivy League university known for its top-ranked business, law, and medical programs.
• Carnegie Mellon University – A prestigious institution with world-renowned programs in computer science, business, and engineering.
• Villanova University – A respected Catholic university known for strong business, engineering, and law programs.
• Swarthmore College – A top-ranked liberal arts college offering rigorous academics and a focus on social impact.
• Bucknell University – Known for its strong engineering, business, and liberal arts programs.

Pennsylvania is home to some of the best high schools in the country, offering students outstanding academic programs, extracurricular activities, and college preparation. Whether public or private, these schools provide a strong foundation for future success.

Top Public High Schools in Pennsylvania

• Julia R. Masterman Secondary School, Philadelphia – A highly ranked magnet school that excels in academics, offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses and rigorous college prep.
• Downingtown STEM Academy, Downingtown – Known for its focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, this school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
• Conestoga Senior High School, Berwyn – Consistently ranked among Pennsylvania’s top schools, with strong academic programs and impressive college acceptance rates.
• Radnor High School, Radnor – Recognized for its extensive AP course offerings, arts programs, and athletic achievements.
• Harriton Senior High School, Rosemont – A top-performing school known for academic rigor, technology integration, and student leadership opportunities.

Top Private High Schools in Pennsylvania

• Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia – A prestigious Quaker school that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and strong academic performance.
• Episcopal Academy, Newtown Square – Offers a well-rounded education with rigorous academics, arts, and athletics in a supportive environment.
• Haverford School, Haverford – A top boys’ school known for strong academics, character development, and leadership training.
• The Hill School, Pottstown – A distinguished boarding school with a strong college preparatory curriculum, leadership focus, and global perspective.
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia – Offers innovative academic programs, including entrepreneurship and STEAM education.

Pennsylvania is home to several major professional sports teams across all four major leagues: the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. The state has a rich sports history, with passionate fans supporting their teams through thick and thin.

Here are Pennsylvania's top professional sports teams:

• Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) – One of the most successful teams in football history, with six Super Bowl victories and a fiercely loyal fan base known as the "Steelers Nation."
• Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) – A team with a devoted following, the Eagles won their first Super Bowl in 2018, cementing their place in NFL history.
• Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) – With multiple Stanley Cup championships, the Penguins have been one of the most dominant hockey teams in recent decades.
• Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) – A historic team known for their tough style of play and loyal fan base, the Flyers have won two Stanley Cups.
• Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) – A baseball team with a deep history and five World Series titles, though they have struggled in recent years.
• Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) – With passionate fans and two World Series championships, the Phillies are one of the most recognized baseball teams in the league.
• Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) – A powerhouse team that has won multiple championships, producing legendary players like Allen Iverson and Julius Erving.

Pennsylvania also has multiple minor league and semi-pro teams competing in baseball, soccer, and hockey:

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Pennsylvania

Baseball 🏟️

• Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A – Philadelphia Phillies affiliate) – A well-supported team with a strong fan base.
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A – New York Yankees affiliate) – Producing future stars for one of baseball’s most famous franchises.
• Altoona Curve (Double-A – Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate) – An important part of the Pirates' farm system.

Soccer ⚽

• Philadelphia Union (MLS) – Competing at the highest level of soccer in the U.S., the Union have developed a strong fan following.
• Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship) – A competitive lower-division team with committed local support.

Hockey 🏒

• Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL – Philadelphia Flyers affiliate) – A key part of developing NHL talent for the Flyers.
• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL – Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate) – The farm team for the Penguins, helping develop future hockey stars.

Whether it's professional or minor league, sports play a big role in Pennsylvania’s identity. The combination of historic teams and dedicated fans makes the state one of the best places for sports in the U.S.

1. The First Capital of the United States 🏛️ – Philadelphia served as the first capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800 before Washington, D.C., took over.
2. Birthplace of the U.S. Constitution 📜 – The U.S. Constitution was drafted and signed in Philadelphia in 1787 at Independence Hall.
3. Home to the World’s Largest Chocolate Factory 🍫 – Hershey, Pennsylvania, is known as the “Sweetest Place on Earth” and is headquarters to the famous Hershey Chocolate Company.
4. America’s First Zoo 🦁 – The Philadelphia Zoo, founded in 1874, was the first true zoo in the United States and remains one of the best.
5. Punxsutawney Phil Predicts the Weather 🦫 – Every year on February 2nd, the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney predicts whether there will be six more weeks of winter.
6. Has Over 50 Covered Bridges 🌉 – Pennsylvania is famous for having some of the most beautiful and historic covered bridges in the country.
7. The First Baseball Stadium ⚾ – In 1909, Forbes Field in Pittsburgh became America’s first modern baseball stadium.
8. Home of the Philly Cheesesteak 🥩 – Philadelphia is known for the iconic cheesesteak sandwich, stuffed with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese on a hoagie roll.
9. Benjamin Franklin’s Legacy 💡 – One of America’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, lived in Philadelphia and played a major role in its history and development.
10. More Haunted Places Than You Think 👻 – Pennsylvania is home to some of the most haunted places in the U.S., including Gettysburg, one of the most famous Civil War battlefields.