Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Published: Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Pennsylvania ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Pennsylvania

Temple University
Drexel University
Villanova University
Duquesne University
Thomas Jefferson University
Saint Joseph's University
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania
Robert Morris University
University of the Sciences

Pennsylvania State University
Temple University
Drexel University
Villanova University
Thomas Jefferson University
Duquesne University
Saint Joseph's University
Robert Morris University
Point Park University
Pennsylvania College of Technology

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 96%
Robert Morris University 94%
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 92%
Saint Joseph's University 89%
Thomas Jefferson University 89%
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 88%
Duquesne University 87%
Mount Aloysius College 86%
Albright College 85%
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 84%

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 20 to 1
Slippery Rock University 19 to 1
Millersville University of Pennsylvania 18 to 1
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 17 to 1
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 16 to 1
Keystone College 14 to 1
Pennsylvania College of Technology 14 to 1
Robert Morris University 13 to 1
Messiah University 13 to 1
Pittsburgh Technical College 13 to 1

Villanova University $61,618
Drexel University $58,965
Moravian University $50,500
Saint Joseph's University $49,610
Duquesne University $45,376
Thomas Jefferson University $44,350
Cedar Crest College $43,643
Messiah University $39,490
Point Park University $36,620
Robert Morris University $33,767

Drexel University $36,234
Duquesne University $25,578
Thomas Jefferson University $22,509
Villanova University $21,207
Temple University $20,531
Saint Joseph's University $18,504
Moravian University $18,504
Mount Aloysius College $16,020
Keystone College $15,600
Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450

Moravian University
Central Penn College
Mount Aloysius College
Pittsburgh Technical College
Keystone College
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Cairn University
Cedar Crest College
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania College of Technology

Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania
PennWest Edinboro
Central Penn College
Pittsburgh Technical College
Slippery Rock University
Keystone College
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Moravian University
Mount Aloysius College
Messiah University

Villanova University 23%
Central Penn College 34%
Moravian University 67%
Immaculata University 70%
Slippery Rock University 74%
Holy Family University 77%
Messiah University 79%
Temple University 80%
Drexel University 80%
Keystone College 81%

Central Penn College 9 to 1
Drexel University 9 to 1
Albright College 9 to 1
Cedar Crest College 9 to 1
Immaculata University 10 to 1
Saint Joseph's University 10 to 1
Villanova University 10 to 1
Moravian University 10 to 1
Mount Aloysius College 11 to 1
Point Park University 11 to 1

Slippery Rock University $7,716
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania $7,716
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania $9,570
Millersville University of Pennsylvania $9,570
Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450
Pittsburgh Technical College $16,974
Keystone College $17,450
Central Penn College $19,404
Temple University $20,173
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology $23,900

Albright College $1,480
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania $9,288
Millersville University of Pennsylvania $9,288
Slippery Rock University $9,288
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania $9,288
Cairn University $10,278
Holy Family University $11,811
Immaculata University $12,780
Messiah University $13,230
Point Park University $13,662

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania

Prospective students hoping to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree have over 100 higher learning institutions to choose from. The largest public university is Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, with a tuition of $18,000, and a student population of over 95,000 across its campuses. As a private institution, the University of Pennsylvania, or simply Penn, is known for its medical, nursing, social work, and business fields. Tuition is $56,000, and the school boasts a 95% graduation rate.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Students can also attend one of the more than 60 religiously affiliated schools, such as Villanova University or Lafayette College, each with a tuition of about $53,000. Some of the most affordable colleges in the state include the Curtis Institute of Music and the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, with tuitions set at $3,000 and $9,000, respectively. Though the average tuition for college in Pennsylvania comes in above the national average, those who practice medicine in underserved areas may qualify for up to $100,000 in loan forgiveness through the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program.

As the nation’s second state, Pennsylvania’s history runs deep. It’s here where Betsy Ross made the first American flag and where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Keystone State is also home to some culinary delights, including whoopie pies, soft pretzels, and the famous Philly cheesesteak. Students looking to earn their degree in Pennsylvania will undoubtedly enjoy what the state has to offer.

Check out the state’s top programs and learn more about earning your degree in Pennsylvania.

What are Pennsylvania’s Colleges & Universities?

Pennsylvania’s Best Overall

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2023

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Pennsylvania

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania

What are Pennsylvania’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2023

Career Outlook for degree at Temple University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Drexel University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

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Career Outlook for degree at Villanova University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Duquesne University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Thomas Jefferson University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania

Online Bachelor's Degrees

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Career Outlook for degree at Robert Morris University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

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Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Albright College

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Career Outlook for degree at Immaculata University

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Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Holy Family University

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Career Outlook for degree at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

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Career Outlook for degree at Point Park University

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Career Outlook for degree at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

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Career Outlook for degree at Messiah University

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Career Outlook for degree at Pennsylvania College of Technology

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Career Outlook for degree at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

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Career Outlook for degree at Cedar Crest College

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Career Outlook for degree at Cairn University

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Career Outlook for degree at Keystone College

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Career Outlook for degree at Pittsburgh Technical College

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Career Outlook for degree at Mount Aloysius College

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Career Outlook for degree at Central Penn College

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Career Outlook for degree at Moravian University

Online Degrees

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions