“Philadelphia's college for working adults, offering flexible business, technology, and health programs since 1865.”
Peirce College is a private, career-focused institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1865 by Thomas May Peirce as the Union Business College to serve returning Civil War soldiers seeking professional education. Today, it continues that mission as a college designed specifically for working adults, offering flexible on-campus, online, and hybrid programs in business, information technology, healthcare, and legal studies. Located on the 19th floor of 1608 Walnut Street in Center City Philadelphia since 2022, Peirce serves a predominantly part-time adult student body of approximately 800 students who balance coursework with careers and family responsibilities. Academically, Peirce offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs structured around the schedules of working professionals. Its most popular programs are in Business Administration — with concentrations in accounting, marketing, human resources, and entrepreneurship — and Information Technology, which includes specializations in cybersecurity, network administration, and information security. The college also offers a graduate program in Healthcare Administration and a growing Organizational Leadership master's degree. Small class sizes and faculty with real-world industry experience create a practically oriented learning environment focused on immediate career applicability. IMPORTANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Peirce College is currently unable to sponsor or accept students on F-1 (student) visas. International applicants may enroll only in fully online programs without visa sponsorship. Additionally, Peirce College is in the process of merging with Lackawanna College — the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved the merger effective June 30, 2025, and the institution is expected to become 'Lackawanna College – Philadelphia Center' pending final U.S. Department of Education approval, anticipated in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceRolling Admissions
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis year-round. $50 application fee applies.
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$15,060
/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.
Comprehensive business programs with concentrations in accounting, marketing, human resource management, entrepreneurship, and real estate management.
IT programs blending practical technical skills with theory, covering network administration, cybersecurity, information security, and application development.
Healthcare-focused programs preparing students for administrative and coding roles in the growing healthcare sector.
Paralegal studies preparing students for legal support roles in law firms, corporations, and government agencies.
Master's level programs in Organizational Leadership and Healthcare Administration designed for working professionals.
4 years
Most popular undergraduate program with concentrations in accounting, marketing, HR, entrepreneurship, and real estate management, designed for flexible working-adult schedules.
4 years
Combines technical IT skills with business acumen; specializations available in cybersecurity, network security, and programming/application development.
2 years
Graduate program for working professionals seeking to develop management, leadership, and strategic organizational skills.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $15,060
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.
