The State-Related University Average is based on the four state-related universities: University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University (including its affiliate, Pennsylvania College of Technology), Temple University and Lincoln University.

The State System of Higher Education Average is based on the 14 universities that comprise Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester.

The Community College Average is based on Pennsylvania's 14 community colleges: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Bucks County, Butler County, Delaware County, Harrisburg Area, Lehigh-Carbon County, Luzerne County, Montgomery County, Northampton County, Pennsylvania Highlands, Philadelphia, Reading Area and Westmoreland Area.

The Ivy League School Average is based on the eight Ivy League schools: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Yale.

The Private Four-Year College Average is based on four-year private colleges located in Pennsylvania. Although the average is calculated using Pennsylvania colleges, contributions for this tuition level, and any subsequent earnings, may be applied at any eligible educational institution inside or outside Pennsylvania.