Lackawanna College is expanding its academic footprint in Southeast Pennsylvania following a significant merger with Peirce College, an online institution based in Philadelphia. The merger, which received final approval from the U.S. Department of Education, marks a new chapter for the Scranton-based college.
Jill A. Murray, President of Lackawanna College, expressed enthusiasm about the development: “We’re so thrilled that the merger has finally been approved. Now it allows us to really understand our Philadelphia presence and our Philadelphia partners and expand our purview to the Philadelphia region, Southeast PA region, which I think is very exciting for us.”
As a result of this merger, Lackawanna College becomes the largest open-enrollment, private, nonprofit undergraduate institution in Pennsylvania. Open enrollment allows students to join without the need for SAT scores or a minimum GPA. Currently, the college serves over 8,000 students across 11 locations and online, with expectations to grow this number to 10,000.
Expanded Academic Offerings
The merger plans were initially announced in August 2024. Established in 1865, Peirce College was founded to educate soldiers returning from the Civil War. At the time of the merger announcement, Peirce served nearly 1,400 students, predominantly women of color.
Now rebranded as Lackawanna College – Philadelphia Center, the Peirce School of Online Education will offer courses that students can complete fully online. New academic programs under the Lackawanna name will span paralegal studies, health information technology, and six master’s programs.
Murray commented on the journey to this milestone: “It’s been a long road, and I think at the end of the day, it’s really going to enhance the Lackawanna College presence and portfolio across the state as we continue to grow.”
Discussions about the merger began three years ago. During this time, some positions were eliminated due to role overlaps between the two colleges. However, over 100 adjunct faculty from Peirce will continue their teaching roles.
This merger is part of a broader expansion strategy by Lackawanna College. The institution recently announced the opening of three new skilled trade centers across central and western Pennsylvania, broke ground on the Center for Technology Innovation, and is preparing to join the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), an NCAA Division II conference.
