Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
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- Pennsylvania's top colleges include the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University.
- More than half a million students attend college in Pennsylvania.
- Online degrees offer convenience and flexibility so you can work while earning your degree.
- Out-of-state students who take online courses may qualify for tuition discounts.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of options for college students. In fact, it has roughly 300 colleges and universities for four-year and two-year degree seekers. Plus, a whopping 585,758 students go to college in the Keystone State —including online learners.
Thinking of pursuing an online degree? Our guide features the best online colleges in Pennsylvania and includes the benefits of online learning and potential costs. We also discuss in-demand jobs in Pennsylvania and salaries.
Interested in attending an on-campus program instead? Check out our full list of colleges in Pennsylvania.
Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
How We Rank Schools
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Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that's best for you.
We use datasets from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
University Park, PA - 4 years
- Campus
Located in University Park, Penn State offers a variety of online degree programs through its World Campus, which teaches more than 20,000 students each year.
Penn State hosts more than 150 online options, from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees, earning the school recognition as one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania. Notable online programs include a bachelor of science in biobehavioral health; a bachelor of science in recreation, park, and tourism management; a bachelor of science in turfgrass management; and a master of engineering in additive manufacturing and design.
Tuition costs vary based on the degree level and program, as well as a student's enrollment status. Undergraduate degrees start at $576 per credit. Admission requirements also vary by degree program. All applicants must submit transcripts, and some programs require additional material or proof of prerequisites.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A private institution founded in 1842, Villanova operates as Pennsylvania's oldest and largest Catholic university. Most of Villanova's online offerings are master's degree or graduate certificate programs, although its College of Professional Studies does offer a few bachelor's degree programs for nontraditional learners or students seeking a degree completion pathway.
Notable online programs include a master's in sustainable engineering, a doctor of nursing practice, a master's in church management, and a master's in classical studies.
Admission requirements vary by program, but undergraduate applicants should expect to submit transcripts and an essay. Graduate applicants should expect to submit transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Temple University is a public research institution grounded in preparing students for innovative careers. With over 160 undergraduate majors and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you can find a program that’s right for you. Plus, Temple has a variety of clubs and organizations you can join from intramural sports to Greek life.
Temple also has a variety of online programs for undergraduates and grad students. You can enroll in their Online Learning Program and major in popular subjects such as business administration or social work.
To apply, you must have your high school diploma or GED and submit your application to the individual school and online program you wish to attend. Temple University exclusively uses the Common application.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Lancaster, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Lancaster, PA College initially offered just one nursing program but now offers 18 different degree options in the health sciences.
As one of the top online colleges in Pennsylvania, PA College offers eight online programs and a variety of other online courses to make its in-person programs more flexible and convenient. Notable online degree programs include a bachelor of science in health sciences, a bachelor of science in healthcare administration, and a master of science in nursing education.
General tuition costs are $628 per credit for undergraduate courses, $896 per credit for master's courses, and $1,030 per credit for doctoral courses. Some programs or courses are more expensive. Admission requirements vary based on the program of study, but applicants should expect to submit a transcript and relevant test scores.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A private institution located in Pittsburgh, Duquesne represents the only Spiritan-based university in the U.S. Duquesne's online campus focuses primarily on graduate programs, including a doctor of pharmacy, doctor of philosophy in nursing, and a master of science in leadership. Duquesne's two online undergraduate programs include a bachelor's in computer systems technology and a bachelor's in organizational leadership.
Online programs use the same tuition rates as on-campus programs. Admission requirements vary from program to program. However, applicants can expect to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation. Additionally, graduate applicants may need to provide a resume, while undergraduate applicants must submit an essay. Online nursing applicants must reside in specific states.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A public institution located in the town of the same name, SRU opened its doors in 1889 as a teaching school. Today, SRU offers seven online undergraduate degree completion programs in areas like accounting, management, and nursing. SRU also offers three graduate certificate programs, 17 online master's programs, and two doctoral programs.
Online undergraduate tuition costs $322 per credit for in-state students and $328 per credit for out-of-state students. In general, online graduate tuition costs $516 per credit for in-state students and $526 for out-of-state students.
First-year applicants must submit transcripts, and students showing a GPA of at least 3.25 will be automatically admitted. Graduate applicants should review the application requirements of their program of interest.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A private institution located in Philadelphia, SJU teaches from a Jesuit perspective, which prioritizes "care of the entire person."
SJU offers one online undergraduate degree program: a bachelor of liberal studies in general studies. The university also offers various certificate options and eight master's programs online in areas like health administration, criminal justice, and education. Online undergraduate tuition costs $584 per credit, while online graduate tuition ranges from $796-$1,107 per credit.
Admission requirements vary. However, both undergraduate and graduate applicants should expect to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A private university located in Loretto, Saint Francis traces its roots back to 1847, when five Franciscan friars from Ireland began clearing land for the future campus.
Through its online branch — Francis Worldwide — students can enroll in fully online degree programs in business, education, healthcare, and human services. Depending on their program, students can pursue an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree online. The school also offers a variety of post-baccalaureate certificates.
Online undergraduate tuition costs $485 per credit, and online graduate tuition ranges from $625-$850 per credit. All applicants must submit transcripts. Graduate applicants should also expect to submit a resume.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Philadelphia, Jefferson formed after Philadelphia University merged with Jefferson Medical College in 2017.
Jefferson offers eight online bachelor's programs, 12 online master's programs, and three online doctoral programs. Notable areas of study include midwifery, sustainable design, and disaster medicine and management. Tuition costs $605 per credit for undergraduate programs. Graduate tuition costs vary widely depending on the program.
All applicants must submit transcripts, and graduate applicants may also be asked to submit a resume. Online students can access various services, including tutoring, IT help, library services, and career services.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Cairn University
Langhorne, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A private university located in Langhorne, Cairn traces its roots back to 1913. Faculty deliver classes from a Christian perspective.
Students at Cairn can earn online certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees in fields like biblical studies, business administration, and sport management. Cairn also offers online degree completion programs and accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathways. Undergraduate tuition costs $425 per credit, while graduate tuition ranges from $609-$774 per credit.
First-year applicants must submit transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and an essay. Graduate application requirements vary, although aspiring students typically need to submit transcripts, an essay, and letters of reference.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Why Should You Earn an Online Degree in Pennsylvania?
- Convenience: Earning an online degree in Pennsylvania offers the convenience of studying from your home, whether you take asynchronous or synchronous courses. This format suits students who have children, work, or other obligations that make traveling to campus every day difficult.
- Cheaper Tuition: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that Pennsylvania's average college tuition at a four-year institution was $14,532 as of 2020-2021, above the national average of $9,375. However, online learners often get discounted tuition, especially out-of-state learners.
- Flexibility: The best online colleges in Pennsylvania offer flexible self-paced formats that let you take a full-time or part-time course load.
- Accessibility: Studying in Pennsylvania offers accessibility to many bordering states, including Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia.
- Rich History and Top Tier Colleges: Pennsylvania, one of the original 13 colonies, has a rich history. The state's most populous city, Philadelphia, is also home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
How Much Does Online College Cost in Pennsylvania?
At Pennsylvania's public colleges, the average tuition and fees for four-year students are $14,532 in 2020-2021, while private universities in Pennsylvania charged $43,926 for four-year degree seekers.
Studying out-of-state in 2020-2021 at a public four-year school cost $25,697. That said, colleges often offer cheaper tuition rates for online learners and/or waive any out-of-state college costs for students studying from another state or out of the country.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-state) | $14,532 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-state) | $25,697 |
| Private Four-Year | $43,926 |
What Are the Fastest-Growing Jobs in Pennsylvania?
If you hold a bachelor's degree, you can pursue a career as an information security analyst, social worker, or accountant. Professionals in these careers are in demand in Pennsylvania, according to the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.
Roughly 5.863 million people work in Pennsylvania as of 2022. And the city of Philadelphia employs the largest workforce, with a talent pool of 684,649. Allegheny and Montgomery counties also employ 659,644 and 502,122 workers, respectively.
You can also check out resources for students in the Keystone State to learn more about careers in Pennsylvania.
| Career | Job Outlook |
|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 7.1% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 8.9% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 11.1% |
| Construction Managers | 12% |
| Information Security Analysts | 32.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
What is the cheapest online college in Pennsylvania?
NCES reports that Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers the most affordable tuition in Pennsylvania, charging students an average annual net price of $10,022. The Cheyney University of Pennsylvania offers the next cheapest education with an average annual net price of $11,588.
Can you attend an online college in Pennsylvania without living in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The best online colleges in Pennsylvania offer online courses to any student living in Pennsylvania — or around the globe. In fact, the diverse backgrounds found in online classrooms remain one of the benefits of distance learning.
What are the highest-paying degrees in Pennsylvania?
Medical and nursing degrees in Pennsylvania have some of the highest returns on investment in Pennsylvania. Nurse practitioners make an annual mean salary of $113,180, according to the BLS.
Or you can pursue a career in marketing. With a marketing or communications degree, you can qualify for jobs as an advertising and promotions manager, which the BLS reported earned a mean annual salary of $103,100.
