Scranton, Lackawanna County, PA -
Lackawanna College plans to merge with Philadelphia-based Peirce College to create the largest, private, nonprofit open-enrollment college in the state, the institutions announced jointly Wednesday.
The merger, which will give both colleges increased presence and offerings, will result in Peirce taking Lackawanna College's name in summer of 2026 as the two become a singular institution.
Peirce’s name will live on within Lackawanna College as the Peirce School of Online Learning or Peirce School of eLearning, said Jill Murray, Ph.D., president of Lackawanna College.
The merger also will give Lackawanna College the ability to offer master's degrees programs that Peirce already provides, Murray said.
In addition to Scranton, Lackawanna College has facilities in Covington Twp., Hazleton, Hawley, Tunkhannock, Sunbury and Towanda.
Peirce operates remotely online, focusing on “workforce ready” programs and certificates for adults.
“At Lackawanna, we’ve always believed in harnessing the power of like-minded partners, and both Lackawanna and Peirce have long been committed to providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education to individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our intent to merge is a direct reflection of that vision and our shared values,” Murray said. “As one institution, we’ll be able to ensure all people from all stages of life have the unique opportunity to grow their skills, achieve career readiness and realize the dreams that powerful education can unlock.”
Dating to 1894, Lackawanna College already has grown to become the largest, open-enrollment, private, nonprofit institution in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at the undergraduate level. The merger with Peirce will solidify that position by expanding Lackawanna's geographic and programmatic presence to serve students in eight locations and online.
The merger comes eight years after Lackawanna College first offered two bachelor’s degrees in 2017, and which has since expanded to eight.
Lackawanna College evolved since 1894 with several locations and names over the years. Previously, for much of its past, Lackawanna mainly focused on two-year associate degrees. As a business college, its first focus included taking breaker boys out of mines and preparing the young men for the “front office.” In subsequent years, the college committed itself to being an affordable option for students, many the first in their families to attend college.
Lackawanna College opened as Scranton Business College and later changed names to Scranton-Lackawanna Business College and then Scranton-Lackawanna College; and in 1957 Lackawanna Junior College; and in 2001 Lackawanna College.
Peirce dates to 1865, when it began to give soldiers returning from the Civil War an education so they could get jobs.
The merger will leverage Lackawanna’s dedication to degrees, certificates and innovative learning experiences, by combining with Peirce’s commitment to career-focused, flexible academic programs and student services designed around the unique needs of busy adults, and empowering learning at all stages of life, according to the announcement.
“Innovation and collaboration are essential in today’s market as the evolving needs of our students and the demands of today's workforce continue to change how institutions operate,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Caro, president and CEO of Peirce College. “By joining forces with Lackawanna College, we will leverage our core competencies and expand programs to serve more students in the Philadelphia region, the Scranton region and beyond. We look forward to increasing the pipeline of diverse talent throughout Pennsylvania with career-focused programs that meet the needs of students and employers.”
The merger, which will take about two years to complete, will need approvals from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as the state and federal departments of education.
Target dates include preliminary completion of the merger on July 1, 2025, and the name of Peirce College becoming Lackawanna College on July 1, 2026, Murray said.
