Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Board of Directors today approved a total budget of $185.9 million for 2026-27, a decrease of 1.8% over 2025-26; the college’s approved operating budget is $136.4 million, an increase of 1.55%.
Tuition for in-state residents will remain at $530 per credit for the fall semester and increase to $539 per credit in the spring, a 1.70% increase over 2025-26. Fee changes for 2026-27 include a $2 increase in the technology fee, to $25 per credit; a $6 increase in the capital fee, to $55 per credit; and a $10 increase in the lab hour fee, to $70 per credit.
Penn College has not raised tuition in two of the past four years, and fees have not increased in three years, President Michael J. Reed noted, but increases in the prices the college pays for commodities and infrastructure support – combined with continually spiraling utility costs – have necessitated the slight increase for 2026-27, he said.
“Our purpose is to place students in the most competitive position for long-term success and the administration’s primary goal in budgeting is to preserve the college’s high academic quality and distinctive hands-on, immersive learning approach while keeping costs as low as possible for students and their families,” Reed said. Though tuition will rise by $9 per credit in the spring of fiscal year 2026-27, the college’s extensive efforts to mitigate that increase – including keeping tuition flat in the fall and maintaining a strong commitment to scholarship support and related initiatives – are expected to lessen the financial impact on students, he said.
In the past five years, scholarships awarded by the college and the Penn College Foundation have risen by more than 110%, to more than $4 million total in the 2025-26 academic year. There are currently 416 scholarships available through the foundation and the college, including more than 20 new scholarships created this academic year.
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was again offered by PHEAA for the 2026-27 academic year. The program enables Pennsylvania residents enrolled in any Penn College associate or bachelor’s degree program who have not yet completed bachelor’s degree requirements to apply for grants of up to $5,000 per year for a maximum of four academic years. Penn College is the only four-year institution in Pennsylvania for which all discipline-specific associate- and bachelor-degree programs are pre-qualified. Approximately 440 Penn College students who applied for the 2025-26 Grow PA Grant are benefitting from this award.
“We remain committed to keeping tuition and fees as low as possible,” Reed said. “When rising costs make increases necessary, we work diligently to minimize the financial impact on students through other measures, including scholarship support. While providing a technology-focused education with industry-informed, hands-on, real-world experiences carries higher costs than many liberal arts programs, the return on investment for graduates in high-demand, financially rewarding STEM careers helps offset that initial expense. Our 98% placement rate shows that employers continue to seek our graduates, who are prepared to contribute from day one in the workplace. Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Education Scorecard, Penn College graduates experience 36% higher earnings compared to all U.S. college graduates,” Reed said.
To keep pace with inflation, Residence Life’s student housing rates and Dining Services’ meal plan rates both will increase by 3% in 2026-27.
Included in the 2026-27 budget are voluntary gifts of $100,000 to the City of Williamsport and $35,000 to the Williamsport Area School District to support their ongoing operations. These gifts are re-evaluated annually.
Penn College’s state appropriation is budgeted at $35.67 million, based on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 state budget proposal, reflecting no increase year-over-year. The projected appropriation accounts for 19.2% of the total budget.
In the budget, total student enrollment for Fall 2026 is projected to increase by 50 students over Fall 2025.
The college’s total budget includes revenue-generating auxiliary fund budgets (Workforce Development, Residence Life, Dining Services, Dunham Children’s Learning Center, The College Store), as well as the restricted current fund budget (grants, contracts and restricted donations for which outside entities – such as governmental agencies – direct the use of funds).
Penn College is ranked the No. 1 school for innovation for the third consecutive year, No. 1 for veteran students for the second consecutive year and the No. 3 top public school in the Regional Colleges (North) classification by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. Penn College also moved from No. 5 in 2025 to the No. 4 school in 2026 among Regional Colleges (North) when all public and private colleges and universities are considered.
As a special mission affiliate of Penn State, Penn College offers a diverse array of academic majors and flexible academic pathways.
In addition to its renowned credit programming, the college offers workforce training and education in apprenticeship, clean energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing (including plastics and polymers), computer skills, transportation and business/leadership.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email Admissions or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
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