Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN PENNSYLVANIA

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

Top Online Associate Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Sort by:
  1. Pennsylvania State University
  2. Villanova University
  3. Saint Joseph's University
  4. Immaculata University
  5. Lebanon Valley College
  6. Pennsylvania College of Technology
  7. Delaware Valley University
  8. Bucks County Community College
  9. Cairn University
  10. Pittsburgh Technical College
  1. Pennsylvania State University
  2. Villanova University
  3. Saint Joseph's University
  4. Pennsylvania College of Technology
  5. Immaculata University
  6. Lebanon Valley College
  7. Cairn University
  8. Delaware Valley University
  9. Mount Aloysius College
  10. Bucks County Community College
  1. Delaware Valley University 95%
  2. Saint Joseph's University 89%
  3. Mount Aloysius College 86%
  4. Cairn University 81%
  5. Lebanon Valley College 77%
  6. Immaculata University 70%
  7. Villanova University 23%
  1. Luzerne County Community College 15 to 1
  2. Pennsylvania College of Technology 14 to 1
  3. Bucks County Community College 13 to 1
  4. Pittsburgh Technical College 13 to 1
  5. Delaware Valley University 13 to 1
  6. Butler County Community College 12 to 1
  7. Lebanon Valley College 11 to 1
  8. Mount Aloysius College 11 to 1
  9. Cairn University 11 to 1
  10. Immaculata University 10 to 1
  1. Villanova University $61,618
  2. Saint Joseph's University $49,610
  3. Lebanon Valley College $48,620
  4. Delaware Valley University $42,120
  5. Cairn University $31,965
  6. Immaculata University $27,750
  7. Mount Aloysius College $25,510
  8. Pittsburgh Technical College $16,974
  9. Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450
  10. Luzerne County Community College $8,200
  1. Lebanon Valley College $31,875
  2. Villanova University $21,207
  3. Saint Joseph's University $18,504
  4. Mount Aloysius College $16,020
  5. Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450
  6. Immaculata University $12,780
  7. Cairn University $10,278
  8. Delaware Valley University $8,832
  1. Butler County Community College
  2. Luzerne County Community College
  3. Mount Aloysius College
  4. Pittsburgh Technical College
  5. Cairn University
  6. Bucks County Community College
  7. Delaware Valley University
  8. Pennsylvania College of Technology
  9. Lebanon Valley College
  10. Immaculata University
  1. Butler County Community College
  2. Pittsburgh Technical College
  3. Luzerne County Community College
  4. Bucks County Community College
  5. Mount Aloysius College
  6. Delaware Valley University
  7. Cairn University
  8. Lebanon Valley College
  9. Immaculata University
  10. Pennsylvania College of Technology
  1. Villanova University 23%
  2. Immaculata University 70%
  3. Lebanon Valley College 77%
  4. Cairn University 81%
  5. Mount Aloysius College 86%
  6. Saint Joseph's University 89%
  7. Delaware Valley University 95%
  1. Immaculata University 10 to 1
  2. Saint Joseph's University 10 to 1
  3. Villanova University 10 to 1
  4. Lebanon Valley College 11 to 1
  5. Mount Aloysius College 11 to 1
  6. Cairn University 11 to 1
  7. Butler County Community College 12 to 1
  8. Bucks County Community College 13 to 1
  9. Pittsburgh Technical College 13 to 1
  10. Delaware Valley University 13 to 1
  1. Butler County Community College $6,840
  2. Bucks County Community College $7,920
  3. Luzerne County Community College $8,200
  4. Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450
  5. Pittsburgh Technical College $16,974
  6. Mount Aloysius College $25,510
  7. Immaculata University $27,750
  8. Cairn University $31,965
  9. Delaware Valley University $42,120
  10. Lebanon Valley College $48,620
  1. Delaware Valley University $8,832
  2. Cairn University $10,278
  3. Immaculata University $12,780
  4. Pennsylvania College of Technology $15,450
  5. Mount Aloysius College $16,020
  6. Saint Joseph's University $18,504
  7. Villanova University $21,207
  8. Lebanon Valley College $31,875

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

What is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree is a two-year degree that can be earned at state community colleges, vocational schools, and most accredited colleges and universities.

What will I study with an associate degree?

The associate degree provides an introductory level college education. You will usually take an array of liberal arts or humanities courses along with introductory level courses in a specific subject area. Most associate degree programs are available to both on campus students and online students.

Why get an associate degree?

There are several good reasons to get an associate degree. An associate degree is an affordable and accessible way to get a college education while improving your earning potential. The associate degree is popular both among students looking for entry-level work in their field, and for those who are already working.

The online degree is particularly popular at the associate level because so many students must balance work responsibilities and studies. Online courses and complete online programs make it possible for students to earn associate credits and degrees without disrupting daily work responsibilities.

The associate is also a far more affordable and accessible alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree takes about half as long to earn as a bachelor’s degree. Associate students need 60 credits to graduate, versus the 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree. And many state community colleges offer low tuition rates.

Can I get a job with an associate degree?

You can get an entry-level job in your field with an associate degree. Many students will use the associate degree as a way to get relevant job training before entering the job market. In fact, many associates will pursue entry level work in their field while earning a bachelor’s degree through online education.

Should I get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree?

You may want to get an associate degree first to save money, or improve your admission chances, before getting a bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is a popular stepping stone for students who will seek a bachelor’s degree. When you earn an associate degree from an accredited state community college, you can usually transfer your credits toward your bachelor’s degree program.

Can I get an online degree at the associate level?

You can definitely get an online degree at the associate level. A growing number of online colleges offer high-quality associate-level online courses and complete online programs. Online students will typically take the same courses and curricula as on campus students.

Are associate degrees from online colleges respected?

Online degrees at the associate level are respected as long as these online degrees come from accredited community colleges or two-year schools. Regional accreditation is important when it comes to online colleges. If you plan to go into a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally accredited school, you must earn your online degree from a regionally accredited associate degree program.

If you need more answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees, we can help.

Best Online Associate Degree Programs in Pennsylvania
Download Badge
Back to Top

Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of Science in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Human Development and Family Studies
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Information Sciences and Technology
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Labor and Human Resources
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AA in Letters, Arts, and Sciences
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Turfgrass Science and Management
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    Villanova University

    Villanova , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    23%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1439/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Villanova University

    Cost of Degree: $64,701
    Expenses: $20,296
    Starting Salary: $87,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Saint Joseph's University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Joseph's University

    Cost of Degree: $51,340
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $65,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of General Studies
    • Required Credits: 60-66
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    Immaculata University

    Immaculata , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Immaculata University

    Cost of Degree: $28,550
    Expenses: $17,154
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Information Systems
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    Lebanon Valley College

    Annville , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Lebanon Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $50,320
    Expenses: $19,208
    Starting Salary: $48,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    Associate of Early Childhood Education
    • Required Credits: 79
    • Completion time: 20 months
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Accounting
    • Required Credits: 82
    • Completion time: 20 months
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Digital Communications
    • Required Credits: 73
    • Completion time: 20 months
    • Format: Online
    Associate of Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 75
    • Completion time: 20 months
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pennsylvania College of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $17,940
    Expenses: $17,331
    Starting Salary: $46,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AAS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1104/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Delaware Valley University

    Cost of Degree: $43,300
    Expenses: $17,790
    Starting Salary: $44,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bucks County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $9,184
    Starting Salary: $42,300

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in History
    • Required Credits: 61-63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in English

    Concentrations

    • Writing Emphasis
    • Secondary Education Emphasis
    • Women’s Studies Emphasis
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 61-62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 62-63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Mathematics
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Information Science
    • Required Credits: 61-63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Fire Science
    • Required Credits: 61-63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Liberal Arts General
    • Required Credits: 61-62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Secondary Education

    Concentrations

    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Required Credits: 61-63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Social Science
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Psychology

    Concentrations

    • Interpersonal Emphasis
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Technical Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60-61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #9

    Cairn University

    Langhorne , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cairn University

    Cost of Degree: $32,275
    Expenses: $15,482
    Starting Salary: $38,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AA in Bible
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Biblical Studies
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pittsburgh Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $18,980
    Expenses: $21,828
    Starting Salary: $37,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 101
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
    AS in Medical Office Administration
    • Required Credits: 115
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
    AS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Management
    • Required Credits: 110
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
    AS in Electronics Engineering Technology

    Concentrations

    • Industrial Instrumentation
    • Required Credits: 114
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
  11. #11

    Mount Aloysius College

    Cresson , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mount Aloysius College

    Cost of Degree: $27,517
    Expenses: $17,694
    Starting Salary: $43,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Luzerne County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $11,130
    Starting Salary: $35,200

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Business Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Office Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Web and Mobile Development Technology,
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  13. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Butler County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $8,700
    Starting Salary: $35,200

    Online Associate Degrees

    AS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online

Pennsylvania is just one of many states offering excellent online associate’s degrees. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, and more!

Back to Top

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.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here