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York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

“Servire Est Vivere (Latin)”(To Serve Is to Live)

1787
Founded
Private college
Type
3,187
Total Students
3,500
Undergrad
400
Graduate
$198M
Endowment
(2025)
$25K
Tuition (In-State)
$25K
Tuition (Out-State)
$20K
Avg Net Price
94%
Acceptance Rate
60%
Graduation Rate
6-year
77%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Thomas Burns

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About York College of Pennsylvania

York College of Pennsylvania: Historic roots, modern vision, and a vibrant community.

Nestled in Spring Garden Township, York College of Pennsylvania offers a distinctive private college experience, guided by the inspiring motto "Servire Est Vivere" (To Serve is to Live). With a rich history that spans centuries, YCP provides a dynamic learning environment, conveniently located approximately 100 miles west of Philadelphia and 52 miles north of Baltimore, offering students access to broader regional opportunities while enjoying a close-knit campus.

The college's deep roots trace back to the York County Academy, chartered in 1787 and connected to significant historical figures like Thaddeus Stevens, who taught there. This heritage, combined with the subsequent founding of the York Collegiate Institute, laid the foundation for an institution committed to educational excellence. These two esteemed institutions eventually merged, evolving from elementary and secondary education to focus squarely on post-secondary learning.

By 1968, York College officially became a four-year bachelor's degree-granting institution, solidifying its commitment to comprehensive higher education. Its modern campus, dedicated in 1965, provides state-of-the-art facilities while maintaining a strong connection to the historic city of York, known as the first national capital of the United States. With future plans like transforming a recently purchased paper mill into a vibrant "knowledge park," YCP is continuously innovating to enhance the student experience and contribute to its community.

Prospective students will find a college that honors its past while actively building for the future, fostering an environment where service, learning, and personal growth thrive. With residence halls extending into the historic city, students are immersed in a locale rich with American heritage, making York College of Pennsylvania a unique place to learn and live.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Established in 1787 through the chartering of the historic York County Academy.
  • ✦A private college with a current endowment of $0.2 billion.
  • ✦Offers accredited four-year bachelor's degree programs since 1968.
  • ✦Motto: "Servire Est Vivere" (To Serve is to Live).
  • ✦Campus dedicated in 1965 in Spring Garden Township, near historic York City.
  • ✦Located approximately 100 miles west of Philadelphia and 52 miles north of Baltimore.
  • ✦Connected to Thaddeus Stevens, who taught at a predecessor institution (York County Academy).

Timeline

1770
York County Academy, a precursor to YCP, opened
1787
York County Academy received its charter from the General Assembly of Pennsylvania
1815
Thaddeus Stevens taught at the York County Academy
1872
York Collegiate Institute (YCI) founded
1929
York County Academy and YCI entered into a teaching agreement
1941
York County Academy and YCI merged to become York Junior College
1965
Current campus in Spring Garden Township dedicated
1968
Officially became "York College of Pennsylvania" and established four-year bachelor's degree programs
1975
York College absorbed York Country Day School (YCDS)
🏛️
239 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Thomas Burns
President
Patrice DiQuinzio
Provost

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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