“Accessible, career-focused education rooted in the heart of northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Lackawanna College is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1894 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and has grown into a vital community-serving college offering associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and certificate programs across more than 60 fields of study. With deep roots in northeastern Pennsylvania, Lackawanna maintains its main campus in downtown Scranton alongside satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, and Tunkhannock — extending access to quality education throughout the region. The college's open admissions policy reflects its core mission: removing barriers to higher education and ensuring every student has an opportunity to pursue meaningful career pathways. Academic programs at Lackawanna are organized around workforce needs, with particular strengths in Health Sciences, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, and Technology Innovation. The Division of Health Sciences offers highly specialized programs in Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vascular Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Surgical Technology — providing hands-on clinical training that leads directly to in-demand healthcare careers. The School of Hospitality and the Center for Technology Innovation round out the academic portfolio, preparing students for careers in culinary arts, hotel management, and emerging technology sectors. Student life at Lackawanna benefits from its urban location in Scranton, a city with a rich industrial heritage and a growing arts and entrepreneurial scene. The college fields Falcon athletic teams across multiple sports and hosts a variety of student clubs and organizations. With an enrollment of under 2,000 students, Lackawanna fosters a close-knit, supportive community where personalized faculty attention and mentorship are hallmarks of the experience. Affordability is a defining feature: 79% of students receive grant or scholarship assistance, with an average aid award of roughly $9,356 — making a Lackawanna education among the most financially accessible in the region.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceFall Rolling
Rolling admissions — apply anytime; earlier applications encouraged for competitive specialty programs
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$18,400 – $18,861
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$18,861
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Specialized allied health programs with clinical training in diagnostics, therapy, and surgical technology.
Career-ready programs in culinary arts and hospitality management.
Technology and computing programs preparing students for the modern digital workforce.
Business, accounting, criminal justice, and law enforcement programs aligned with regional employer needs.
Foundational liberal arts and social services programs, including mental health and human services.
2 years
Hands-on clinical sonography training leading to ARDMS certification eligibility and strong regional employment outcomes.
2 years
One of the most popular programs at Lackawanna, preparing graduates for law enforcement and public safety careers in Pennsylvania.
4 years
A flexible bachelor's completion pathway allowing students to transfer seamlessly from associate-level business coursework.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $18,400
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
