Three students sit on a half wall beside a fountain in the campus quad, their backs to camera.

York at a Glance

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An exterior view of the Waldner Performing Arts Center's ornate glass front. A group of students walks along the sidewalk in front of the building.

With You From Day One

Your choice of college has an enormous impact on your future — and your present. It’s a decision best made with both your head and your heart.

York College. Where talents and passions are identified and nurtured. Where real-world experience, close connections, and personal growth are emphasized. Where students are challenged to become the best versions of themselves. Where the value of a good education is proven every day. From day one.

You’ve Got a Lot To Look Forward To

From your first steps on campus to your final walk across the stage, you will become part of an incredible campus community, complemented by heartfelt traditions. This is what makes York College a special place.

A student paints a pumpkin at an outdoor activity fair on campus.

Homecoming and Family Weekend

Celebrate fall at York as we host a weekend of activities for students, alumni, and their families. Featured events include the YCP 5K and Fun Run, Fall Festival on the Main Campus lawn, SpartaFest, and a YCP favorite — BINGO!
As students process into the commencement ceremony dressed in graduation regalia, one graduate waves and smiles broadly at the camera.

Commencement

Dating back to the first graduating class in 1874, Commencement is York College’s oldest campus tradition. During this milestone event, graduating students cross the stage to receive their degrees in front of family and friends. From decorated caps to inspirational speeches — it's the classic culmination of your college experience. Ceremonies are held twice per year, in December and May.
A student wearing a graduation gown writes her signature on a large green boulder.

Meet Ol' Spart

Each semester, a fresh coat of York College's signature green is applied to the landmark boulder on Main Campus, creating a blank canvas for our newest group of Spartan alumni. Immediately following Commencement, graduating students process through campus to add their signature onto Ol' Spart — a rite of passage that students anticipate from their earliest days on campus.

Take a Look Around

Familiarize yourself with these fast facts and learn more about York.

  • Master’s degrees in accounting, business administration, education, integrated marketing communication, leadership, music industry studies, nursing and public policy and administration
  • Doctoral degrees in nursing practice and educational leadership
  • Seminars, workshops, and academic experiences available to prepare you for professional success
  • Experience-based learning opportunities are guaranteed for all qualified students
  • Most popular majors: 
  • 190-acre suburban campus
  • Adjacent to the City of York, population 45,000
  • Conveniently close to several large metropolitan areas: 
    • 1 hour from Baltimore
    • 2 hours from Washington, D.C.
    • 2 hours from Philadelphia
    • 3.5 hours from Richmond, New York City, and Pittsburgh
  • More affordable than the average PA private school — all while providing nationally acclaimed academic programs, small class sizes, and access to faculty that public universities can't touch. York College offers the kind of career preparation, coupled with well-rounded academic programs, that puts you in the best possible position for success. That's real value. That's why York College of Pennsylvania is in a class of its own.
  • Full-tuition scholarships are offered through the Presidential Research Fellowship and York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program. Specific scholarship opportunities are available for transfers and for international students, as well.
  • 99% of students receive financial aid or scholarships.
  • An average of $23,488 in financial aid is awarded to incoming first-year residential students. York values students who put in the work during their high school years, and we recognize those who want to be around people who push them to be their best. Our scholarships and grants back that up.
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  • Ranked among the Best Regional Universities in the North (U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges). U.S. News also ranked York College as one of the Best Regional Universities in the North for Nursing and Engineering programs.
  • Princeton Review ranked York College as one of 2024's Best Mid-Atlantic Colleges. 
  • RegisteredNursing.org lists York College as one of the Best Pennsylvania Online RN to BSN Programs. 
  • York College has been recognized on the Military Friendly® Schools list.
  • College Factual lists York College as a Best Nursing School in the United States and one of 2024-25's Best Business Administration & Management Bachelor's Degree Schools
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recognizes York College on the 2024 Transfer Honor Roll. 
  • York College has been recognized as a 2024-2025 College of Distinction.
  • York College is ranked as one of the Best Colleges for Sport Management [Niche]. Niche also ranked York College as one of the Best Value Colleges in America and a Best Student Life College.
  • Ranked among the top 3 Best RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania for 2024 by All Nurses.
  • One of the Most Affordable Master's in Educational Leadership in the Mid-Atlantic Region by EducationalLeadershipDegree.com  
  • The Broadcast Education Association has recognized York College as a 2023 Top Winning Audio Program.
  • HGTV.com named the City of York as one of the 30 Most Charming Small-Town Downtowns in America. 
  • York Academy received its charter from the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1787
  • The City of York was the first capital of the United States, birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, and where the words “The United States of America” were first spoken.

A Home Away from Home  

In the heart of the Mid-Atlantic lies the heart of the York College community. York, PA is central to an exciting revitalization of small businesses and entrepreneurial creatives leading the way in our vibrant region.

Skyline view of York City from the Yorkview balcony.

Visiting Other Exciting Cities is Easy as 1, 2, 3

  • 1 hour from Baltimore
  • 2 hours from Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
  • 3 hours from Richmond, NYC, and Pittsburgh
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