View source for Commonwealth System of Higher Education

{{Short description|Statutory designation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania}}
{{distinguish|Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth campuses|Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}

The '''Commonwealth System of Higher Education''' is a statutory designation by the [[Pennsylvania|Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]] that confers "'''state-related'''" status on four universities in Pennsylvania: [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]], the [[Pennsylvania State University]], [[Temple University]], and the [[University of Pittsburgh]].  The designation establishes the schools as an "instrumentality of the commonwealth"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/institution_types/8713/state-related_universities/522465|title=State-Related Universities|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Education|access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref> and provides each university with annual, non-preferred<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utimes.pitt.edu/?p=15710|title=How state budget process works|newspaper=University Times|first=Kimberly K.|last=Barlow|volume=43|number=14|date=March 17, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2012}}</ref> financial appropriations in exchange offering tuition discounts to students who are residents of Pennsylvania and a minority state-representation on each school's board of trustees. 

The universities remain legally separate and private entities, operating under their own charters, governed by independent boards of trustees, and with assets under their own ownership and control, thereby retaining much of the freedom and individuality of private institutions, both administratively and academically.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://documenting.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735057896312/viewer#page/363/mode/1up|last=Alberts|first=Robert C.|title=Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787–1987|page=343|year=1986|isbn=0-8229-1150-7|publisher=[[University of Pittsburgh Press]]}}</ref> It is the only public-private hybrid system of higher education of its particular type in the United States, although other schools, such as [[Cornell University]], the [[University of Delaware]], and [[Rutgers University]],<ref>{{Cite journal|ssrn = 2302826|title = Saving Rutgers-Camden|last = Dane|first = Perry|date = 2014|journal = Rutgers Law Journal|last2 = Stein|first2 = Allan|last3 = Williams|first3 = Williams|volume = 44|pages = 337–412}}</ref> also have public-private partnerships of their own kind.<ref name="staterelated">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DlcmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZP8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1123%2C4466932|title=Discover State-related Universities Found Only in this State; 3 of Them|first=William E.|last=Deibler|newspaper=The Gettysburg Times|location=Gettysburgh, PA|page=9|date=May 8, 1967|access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>

Because their annual state allocations account for less than 10% of their budgets, universities in the Commonwealth System tend to have higher tuition costs compared to the [[Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education]] which contains 10 state-owned and operated universities.  Because of their independence, universities in the Commonwealth System are exempted from Pennsylvania's [[Freedom of information in the United States | Right-to-Know Law]] except for a few minor provisions.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08048/858150-298.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Pitt, Penn State escape parts of open records law | first=Bill | last=Schackner | date=February 17, 2008}}</ref>

==History==
Before the legal creation of state-related universities and colleges in the 1960s, [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]], [[Temple University]], and the [[University of Pittsburgh]] were fully private universities.<ref name="staterelated"/> Temple and Pitt were granted state-related status by acts of the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly]] in 1965 and 1966, respectively. Lincoln University, a [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically Black university]], was designated as a state-related university in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lincoln.edu/about.html|title=About Lincoln|publisher=Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>

Although the [[Pennsylvania State University]], commonly known as Penn State, was founded as a private school, it was later designated as Pennsylvania's sole [[land-grant university|land-grant institution]]. It was repeatedly defined as a "state-owned university" in numerous official acts and Pennsylvania Attorney General opinions from its creation as a land-grant, then named the Pennsylvania State College. It was thus eligible to have its road system and buildings on state campuses constructed using state funding, paying its employees through state-issued checks, and having them eligible to collect state employee retirement system benefits.

Penn State was already treated and referred to as a public state-related university by the Commonwealth, including receiving non-preferred appropriations, when the other three universities were designated as state-related institutions by the legislature.  In 1984, Penn State asserted a public status in court for the purpose of not having a private bank branch's operations on its University Park campus subject to local county taxes,<ref>''Pennsylvania State University v. County of Centre,'' 615 A.2d 303, 532 Pa. 142 (1992). https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1992/532-pa-142-1.html</ref> while simultaneously asserting private status for the purpose of not having to reveal the salaries of its top administrative employees.<ref>''Roy v. Pennsylvania State University,'' 568 A.2d 751, 130 Pa.Commw. 468 (1990). https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/commonwealth-court/1990/130-pa-commw-468-0.html</ref> With the enabling legislation changing the failing Williamsport (PA) Area Community College to the affiliated "Pennsylvania College of Technology" in 1989, Penn State was reaffirmed as a "state-related" institution.

==Universities==
The following universities (listed with their branch and regional campuses) are members of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education:

===Lincoln===
*[[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]], [[University City, Philadelphia|University City]]

===Penn State===
*[[Pennsylvania State University]], [[Penn State University Park|University Park]]
{{col-begin|width="90%"}}
{{col-3}}
::[[Penn State Abington]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Altoona]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Beaver]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Berks]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Brandywine]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State DuBois]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Dickinson Law|Penn State Dickinson, Carlisle]] (Graduate law)
::[[Penn State Erie, The Behrend College|Penn State Behrend]] (4-year undergraduate)
{{col-3}}
::[[Penn State Fayette]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies|Penn State Great Valley]] (Graduate)
::[[Penn State Greater Allegheny]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Harrisburg]] (4-year undergraduate and graduate)
::[[Penn State Hazleton]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center#Penn State College of Medicine|Penn State Hershey]] (Graduate medical)
::[[Penn State Lehigh Valley]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Mont Alto]] (4-year undergraduate)
{{col-3}}
::[[Penn State New Kensington]]  (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Schuylkill]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Scranton]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Shenango]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State Wilkes-Barre]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Penn State York]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[Pennsylvania College of Technology]] (Applied technical training)
{{col-end}}

===Pittsburgh===
*[[University of Pittsburgh]], [[Pittsburgh]]
::[[University of Pittsburgh at Bradford]] (4-year undergraduate and graduate)
::[[University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown]] (4-year undergraduate)
::[[University of Pittsburgh at Titusville]] (2-year undergraduate)

===Temple===
*[[Temple University]], [[Philadelphia]]
::[[Temple University Ambler]] (4-year undergraduate and graduate)
::Temple University Fort Washington (Graduate)
::Temple University Harrisburg (1-year undergraduate and graduate)
::[[Temple University, Japan Campus]] (4-year undergraduate and graduate)

== Rankings of universities==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! School
! [[U.S. News & World Report]], Best Universities 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-north|title=Best Regional Universities North Rankings|website=U.S. News & World Report|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities|title=National University Rankings|website=U.S. News & World Report|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Business Schools 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings|title=U.S. News & World Report Best Education Schools 2020|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Education Schools 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/mba-rankings|title=Best Business Schools 2020|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Engineering Schools 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/eng-rankings|title=Best Engineering Schools 2020|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Fine Arts Schools 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-fine-arts-schools/fine-arts-rankings|title=Best Fine Arts Schools 2017|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2016|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Law Schools 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings|title=Best Law Schools|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Library & Information Studies Schools, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-library-information-science-programs/library-information-science-rankings|title=Best Library and Information Science Programs|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2017|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Medical Schools, Research<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools|title=Best Medical Schools: Research|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> & Primary Care<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings|title=Best Medical Schools: Primary Care|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> 2020
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Nursing Schools, Masters<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools/nur-rankings|title=Best Nursing Schools: Master's|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> & Doctoral<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools/dnp-rankings|title=Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice|website=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> 2020
! U.S. News & World Report, Best Public Affairs Schools 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/public-affairs-rankings|title=Best Public Affairs Programs|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! [[Center for Measuring University Performance|CMUP]], Top Public American Research Universities 2017<ref>{{cite book|url=https://mup.umass.edu/sites/default/files/annual_report_2017.pdf|title=The Top American Research Universities: 2017 Annual Report|first1=John V.|last1=Lombardi|first2=Craig W.|last2=Abbey|first3=Diane D.|last3=Craig|publisher=The Center for Measuring University Performance|year=2018|isbn=978-0-9856170-7-3|pages=22–23|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''/[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings|THE]] US College Rankings 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/united-states/2019#!/page/0/length/-1/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats|title=The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2019|website=Times Higher Education|date=September 4, 2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
! [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]] 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2019.html|title=Academic Ranking of World Universities 2019|website=ShanghaiRanking Consultancy|date=August 15, 2019|access-date=September 9, 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815195442/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2019.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! [[QS World University Rankings]] 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2020|title=QS World University Rankings|website=QS Top Universities|year=2019|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]]
| '''119th''', Regional Universities (North)
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A 
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
|-
| [[Pennsylvania State University]]
| '''63rd''', National Universities (University Park)
|'''33rd''' ([[Smeal College of Business|Smeal]])
| '''39th'''
| '''35th'''
| '''69th'''
| '''64th''' ([[Penn State Law|University Park]])<br/>'''71st''' ([[Dickinson School of Law|Dickinson]])
| N/A
| '''"unranked"'''
| '''26th''' & '''"unranked"'''
| '''82nd'''<br/>([[Penn State Harrisburg|Harrisburg]])
| '''16th–17th'''
| '''104th'''
| '''98th'''
| '''93rd'''
|-
| [[Temple University]]
| '''102nd''', National Universities
| N/A
| '''45th'''
| '''124th'''
| '''15th''' ([[Tyler School of Art|Tyler]])
| '''48th''' ([[Temple University Beasley School of Law|Beasley]])
| N/A
| '''60th''' & '''85th''' ([[Temple University School of Medicine|Katz]])
| N/A & '''72nd'''
| N/A
| N/A
| '''168th'''
| '''301st–400th'''
| '''651st–700th'''
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh]]
| '''58th''', National Universities (Pittsburgh Campus)
|'''43rd''' ([[Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business|Katz]])
| '''33rd'''
| '''47th''' ([[Swanson School of Engineering|Swanson]])
| N/A
| '''77th'''
| '''10th'''
| '''13th''' & '''14th'''
| '''12th''' & '''9th'''
| '''35th'''
| '''13th–15th'''
| '''80th''' 
| '''89th'''
| '''140th'''
|}

===Endowment and research===
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{{col-2}}
'''Endowments (FY 2018*)'''
{|  border="0px solid #dddddd" style="background-color:#fefefe; padding:3px; margin:0px"
|
*'''Penn State''' – $4.26&nbsp;billion<ref name=nacubo18>{{cite web|url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2018-Endowment-Market-Values--Final.ashx?la=en&hash=31CF91E74EAAB91288E53E2BCD629C35710C1C03|year=2018|title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Endowment Market Value and Change* in Endowment Market Value from FY17 to FY18}}</ref>
*'''Pittsburgh''' – $4.20&nbsp;billion<ref name=nacubo18/>
*'''Temple''' – $0.64&nbsp;billion<ref name=nacubo18/>
*'''Lincoln''' – $0.04&nbsp;billion*<ref>{{cite web|title=University Facts|url=https://www.lincoln.edu/about/university-facts|website=Lincoln.edu|date=November 2018|access-date=September 9, 2019|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531013816/https://www.lincoln.edu/about/university-facts|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''Pittsburgh at Bradford''' – $0.03&nbsp;billion<ref name=nacubo18/> 
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Lincoln University's numbers are from FY17. Totals include endowment for all campuses and schools in a system unless otherwise listed.
|
|}
{{col-2}}
'''Research and Development Expenditures (FY 2017)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd|title=Rankings by total R&D expenditures|publisher=National Science Foundation|access-date=September 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113144205/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd|archive-date=January 13, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{|  border="0px solid #dddddd" style="background-color:#fefefe; padding:3px; margin:0px"
|
*'''Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh campus)''' – $937.7&nbsp;million 
*'''Penn State (University Park & Hershey Medical Center)''' – $854.8&nbsp;million 
*'''Temple''' – $268.4&nbsp;million
*'''Penn State Behrend''' – $3.8&nbsp;million
*'''Penn State Harrisburg''' – $1.7&nbsp;million
*'''Penn State Altoona''' – $0.9&nbsp;million
*'''Penn State Beaver''' – $0.7&nbsp;million
*'''Pittsburgh at Bradford''' – $0.6&nbsp;million 
*'''Penn State Berks''' – $0.3&nbsp;million
*'''Penn State Great Valley''' – $0.2&nbsp;million
|
|}
{{col-end}}

==See also==
* [[Statutory college]], the private-public contractual system of higher education schools and colleges in New York State.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Category commons}}
*[https://patrac.org/Student/Transferring-to-a-State-Related-University-in-PA State-Related Universities]

{{Public universities in Pennsylvania}}
{{Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania}}

[[Category:Commonwealth System of Higher Education| ]]
[[Category:Public university systems in the United States]]