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The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania for 2018

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Whether you want to start a new career path or qualify for a promotion in your current occupation, an online degree can help you achieve your goals. Students can fit online coursework into their unique schedules, working around a job or other personal commitments. Online learners can also work from home, the office, or anywhere with an internet connection.

Students researching online colleges in Pennsylvania have several schools from which to choose. These schools offer a diverse selection of online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some colleges even offer online doctoral programs. Many online schools in Pennsylvania also offer professional certification programs for students who do not want to commit to a full degree. Several of these programs are available entirely online with no on-campus components.

While the exact tuition rates charged by online schools in Pennsylvania vary, most charge similar rates as online schools in other parts of the country. Online programs are usually more affordable than on-campus programs. Distance learners save money on transportation, room and board, parking, activity fees, and other on-campus expenses. You always should verify your school’s tuition rates and fees before enrolling. As you research online colleges in Pennsylvania, be sure to look for additional benefits each school offers online students. For example, distance learners may gain access to the library’s online resources, academic tutoring, or writing assistance. Such benefits add to the overall value of the education you will receive.

Four reasons to find an online college in your state:

  • Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
  • Be a part of a university or college you know and love
  • Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
  • Be close enough to easily visit when desired
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Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Pennsylvania:

We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.

Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Pennsylvania, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Pennsylvania may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Pennsylvania.

The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania

1. Pennsylvania State University – World Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania

In 1892, Penn State offered some of the country’s first correspondence courses to farmers around the state who were interested in higher education. The Penn State World Campus, which officially launched in 1998, offers more than 120 programs of study to its 6,000+ students.

The Penn State World Campus offers online associate, baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online associate’s degrees include business administration and Information Sciences and Technology. Online bachelor’s degrees include criminal justice and nursing. Online master’s degree options include adult education and data analytics. Online doctoral degree offerings include nursing, and available online certifications include bioenergy and financial planning.

Online student resources include academic advising, career counseling, technical support and an online library with librarians available via email, live chat or over the phone.

The Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Penn State World Campus’s top rankings on TBS

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2. Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University, established in 1891, is renowned for its co-op programs. The school offers more than 170 programs of study to its 25,000+ students with majors including fields within business, engineering, the medical field, the arts and technology.

Drexel University offers baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs entirely online through its Drexel University Online platform. Online bachelor’s degrees include business, nursing and psychology. Online master’s degrees include clinical research, engineering and law. Online doctoral degree offerings include education, healthcare and nursing. Available online certifications include law, public health and information science.

Online student resources include technical support, career services via Skype and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email or over the phone.

Drexel University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Drexel University’s top rankings on TBS

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3. Robert Morris University – RMU Online

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University, founded in 1921, is named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and is not affiliated with the university of the same name in Illinois. The university offers its 5,000+ students more than 80 programs of study, including majors within business, nursing, engineering and much more.

Robert Morris University offers baccalaureate, master’s and certificate programs entirely online. Bachelor’s degree options include business, cyber forensics and health services administration. Master’s degree offerings include data analytics, human resource management and nursing. Available certifications include land management, nutrition, online teaching and conflict resolution.

Resources made available to online students include an online library with librarians available via email or over the phone.

Robert Morris University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Robert Morris University’s top rankings on TBS

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4. California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public university founded in 1852. Cal U is currently enrolling more than 7,500 students. In 2010, Cal U launched Global Online to offer online programs to students across the globe. Through Global Online, Cal U now offers more than 75 programs 100% online.

Online undergraduate students at Cal U can pursue an associate degree in either liberal studies or technical studies, or a number of bachelor’s degrees, such as computer information systems, land management, legal studies, and more. Online master’s degrees offer the widest range of subjects, including special education, nursing administration, criminology, business administration, and many more. They even offer two online doctoral degrees: criminal justice and health science. Online students can also enroll in one of several certificate programs.

California University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of California University of Pennsylvania’s top rankings on TBS

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5. Saint Joseph’s University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University, a private, not-for-profit, Roman Catholic Jesuit university, founded in 1851, is among the oldest Jesuit universities in the nation. SJU has been providing demanding and supportive education for more than 160 years and now enrolls more than 8,000 students and has more than 66,000 alumni.

Now, SJU provides the same rigorous Jesuit education to students all over the world by offering a wide array of degree and certificate programs online. Online students can earn certificates in business administration, criminal justice, education. They offer three online bachelor completion programs, one in general studies two in business administration. Online master’s degree seekers can choose from a range of programs, including business administration, educational leadership, health administration, and more.

Saint Joseph’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Saint Joseph’s University’s top rankings on TBS

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6. DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

DeSales University, founded in 1965, is a private Catholic university named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers, journalists and the deaf. The university was one of the first universities for Catholic men in the Diocese, established by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. The university currently teaches more than 2,000 students.

DeSales University offers baccalaureate and certificate programs online through the university’s ACCESS Program. Online bachelor’s degree offerings include accounting, criminal justice, business administration and nursing, while available online certifications include financial management, marketing, digital art and social media.

Online student resources include an online job board, technical support and an online library with librarians available via email, Twitter or over the phone.

DeSales University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of DeSales University’s top rankings on TBS

7. Jefferson

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jefferson, which was created through the merger of Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University, offers many on-campus and online programs. Jefferson is a private school located in Philadelphia.

The school offers nine bachelor of science programs, including business management, human resource management, law enforcement leadership, and organization leadership. The business management program lasts two to three years and require students to earn at least 120 credits. Courses last eight weeks, and most of the school’s online programs do not require any on-campus work.

Master’s programs at Jefferson include sustainable design, healthcare quality and safety, population health intelligence, and construction management. The healthcare quality and safety program takes one to four years for students to complete, and all courses are taught asynchronously.

Jefferson also offers an online post-master’s nursing certificate, an MBA, and a doctorate in nursing practice and midwifery.

Jefferson University is regionally accredited by the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools.

See some of Jefferson University’s top rankings on TBS

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8. Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1842, Villanova University is a private research institution located just outside Philadelphia. More than 10,000 students study at the school’s six colleges and schools, and each of these schools offers courses online.

Engineering students may choose from nine online master’s programs including biochemical engineering, sustainable engineering, and cybersecurity. The engineering school offers 102 online classes each year and boasts just 16 students per course.

Villanova conducts its online courses through video and audio lectures, which distance learners can access 24/7. Students may download lectures to view and listen offline, and they are encouraged to refer back to important lessons after graduating. Villanova’s graduates benefit from an alumni network of more than 123,000, making it one of the most desirable online colleges in Pennsylvania.

Villanova University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Villanova University’s top rankings on TBS

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9. Misericordia University

Dallas, Pennsylvania

Misericordia University, established in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, is a Catholic-affiliated liberal arts institution in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The school serves close to 3,000 students each year, and boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of just 11:1.

Misericordia offers 17 degrees and three certificates in a hybrid or fully online format. Undergraduate degrees available include a major in government, law, and national security. The interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers in national security by exploring topics like political science, legal studies, and history.

Students may choose to complete fully-online courses in 15-week or seven-week formats. The accelerated seven-week program has eight start times throughout the year.

Misericordia University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Misericordia’s online business programs are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

See some of Misericordia University’s top rankings on TBS

10. Slippery Rock University

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1889, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) is a public university located about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh. Slippery Rock offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors, and over 40 graduate programs.

Recognized as one of the leading online schools in Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock offers a wide variety of master’s, doctoral, and degree completion programs in distance formats. Undergraduates who already have completed some credits at another institution may be interested in SRU’s degree completion programs, which include an interdisciplinary BS in philanthropy and nonprofit management and a BS in leadership studies.

Graduate admission requirements vary by program. Students looking to transfer to Slippery Rock must already hold an associate degree from an accredited program, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The online BSBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The online BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

See some of Slippery Rock University’s top rankings on TBS

11. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1867, is one of the universities which comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university teaches more than 5,000 students. Available majors include topics within the spheres of education, science, business, information science and much more.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers associate, baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs online through Clarion Online. Associate’s degrees include allied health and criminal justice. Bachelor’s degrees include liberal studies and business administration. Master’s degree options include library science and rehabilitative services. Doctoral degree offerings include nursing, while available certifications include public relations and the early childhood director’s program.

Online student resources include career services, online writing assistance via email, disability support, wellness assistance and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email, Twitter, text message or over the phone.

Clarion University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s top rankings on TBS

12. Clarks Summit University

South Abington Township, Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit University is a private college located just outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The school teaches according to Independent Baptist tradition, and all undergraduate students dual major in Bible and another area of study.

The school’s 34-credit core curriculum consists of 12 courses, including principles of bible study, world religions, and writing across the disciplines. Clarks Summit accepts online learners looking to complete associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The school’s wide array of online programs make it one of the most desirable online schools in PA for students at all levels.

Clarks Summit University provides special resources to accommodate online learners, such as its online writing center. In addition, students who opt to take all of their courses online are eligible for discounted tuition. Students also have assistance from the university in searching for other financial aid sources.

Clarks Summit University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Clarks Summit University’s top rankings on TBS

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13. Point Park University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Located in downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a liberal arts university that offers 79 undergraduate programs and 20 graduate degrees. More than 4,000 on-campus and online students enroll in Point Park’s four schools each semester. Point Park prides itself on its fast growth among online colleges in Pennsylvania.

Students may choose from 24 online programs, including the BA in writing for screen and media, which helps students launch their careers in television and digital media. Bachelor’s degrees can be completed in as little as two years, and courses last eight weeks.

Point Park requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for admission. Transcripts from colleges and universities must include at least 12 credits or six months of enrollment. Online undergraduate and graduate students pay discounted tuition as compared to their on-campus counterparts.

Point Park University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Point Park University’s top rankings on TBS

14. Geneva College

Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

Geneva College was founded in Northwood, Ohio in 1848, and relocated to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in 1880. Geneva is a private Christian liberal arts school that was a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The college offers online bachelor’s degrees across seven fields, including aging services, human resources, and public relations.

Geneva’s online bachelor of professional studies program requires 36 credit hours of coursework in addition to core requirements. Students who completed foundational courses at another institution can finish their bachelor’s degree in as little as 16 months through Geneva’s accelerated programs. Online courses are self-paced and conducted through video lectures and virtual discussions.

Geneva College is one of the top online schools in Pennsylvania, and 96% of graduates are employed or in graduate school just one year after completing their degree.

Geneva College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Geneva College’s top rankings on TBS

15. Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded Duquesne University, a private Catholic university, in 1878. It is Pennsylvania’s first Catholic university and caters to over 10,000 students and more than 75,000 alumni. The university offers more than 180 programs of study spanning 10 academic colleges, including liberal arts, environmental sciences, law, business and pharmacy. Among the university’s alumni are two Roman Catholic bishops and two Roman Catholic cardinals.

Duquesne University offers online baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degrees include behavioral science and professional communication. Online master’s degrees include leadership and nursing. Doctoral degree offerings include nursing and instructional technology. Available certifications include forensic nursing and family nurse practitioner.

Resources available to online students include an online writing center, technical support and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email, text message or over the phone.

Duquesne University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Duquesne University’s top rankings on TBS

16. Saint Francis University

Loretto, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1847, Saint Francis University is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. The private liberal arts university offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate, and adult degrees in four areas: arts and letters, business, health sciences, and sciences.

Online learners may choose from 17 distance education programs, which are taught in both hybrid and fully online formats. Some distance programs require a few on-campus courses, while others give students the option to attend in-person classes.

Many of Saint Francis’s online courses are self-paced, and some are offered during the summer semester. A pioneer among online colleges in PA, Saint Francis University was one of the first institutions to introduce an online master’s degree in health science. Students are free to move through this program at their own pace, and most earn a degree in 18 months.

Saint Francis University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

17. Immaculata University

Immaculata, Pennsylvania

Immaculata University is a private Roman Catholic university founded in 1920. It initially opened as Villa Maria College, the first all-female college in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. The university became co-ed in 2005, but still maintains Villa Maria Academy, a school for girls. The university has approximately 4,000 students in attendance.

Immaculata University offers associate’s and baccalaureate degree programs through its College of Lifelong Learning. Associate’s degree options include business administration, while bachelor’s degree offerings include emergency planning, finance, health information management and human resource management.

Resources made available to online students include online writing assistance via GoToMeeting, technical support and an online library with librarians available via email or over the phone.

Immaculata University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).

See some of Immaculata University’s top rankings on TBS

18. Peirce College

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Established in 1865, Peirce College is a private institution located in Philadelphia. An early adopter of online schooling in PA, Peirce introduced its first online courses in 2000. Today, Peirce focuses on educating working adults, and offers 13 fully online programs of study. Some hybrid programs are also available, such as the bachelor of paralegal studies.

Online learners have the option to take some of their courses in an intensive format. These intensives, offered online and on campus, allow students to complete an eight-week course in just three weeks. Students must be in good academic standing, with at least a 2.0 GPA, to enroll in intensive courses.

Peirce assists students through a variety of scholarships and grants, and students can apply to several scholarships at once by submitting the Peirce Common Scholarship Application.

Peirce College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The online programs in paralegal studies are approved by the American Bar Association.

See some of Peirce College’s top rankings on TBS

19. La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1863 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, La Salle University is a private Roman Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. La Salle offers 16 online degrees, including 13 fully online graduate programs.

One unique program is the online MS in economic crime forensics, which prepares students to detect and analyze financial crimes. As with many of La Salle’s online programs, courses are eight weeks long, and are delivered synchronously. Many programs allow students to take courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

La Salle strives to be one of the more affordable online colleges in Pennsylvania, and the school recently reduced its undergraduate tuition by 29%.

La Salle University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. La Salle’s programs in the school of business are accredited by the AACSB. The online nursing program is accredited by the CCNE.

See some of La Salle University’s top rankings on TBS

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20. Messiah College

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah College is a private evangelical liberal arts college that was founded in 1909. The school offers more than 150 undergraduate programs, and 27 graduate and certificate programs.

Messiah provides flexible learning options like accelerated programs and online summer courses, and several graduate programs are available in distance formats. Most distance programs are a blend of on-campus courses or intensives and online work. For example, the online MA in higher education requires students to attend a weeklong intensive in July, and gives online learners the option to take some in-person courses.

While Messiah does not currently offer fully online undergraduate programs, the college does offer online undergraduate courses during the summer. Due in part to unique distance programs such as the online master of music in conducting, Messiah College is known as one of the top online schools in PA.

Messiah College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Messiah College’s top rankings on TBS

21. Eastern University

Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1925, Eastern University is a private Baptist institution located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. The school began as a seminary, and now offers 132 academic programs through seven schools.

Students may complete 32 of these programs online, with blended and fully online formats available. Eastern University’s distance programs are asynchronous but not self-paced. While students are not required to log on together, live discussion sessions are frequently held through Zoom, a feature of Eastern University’s online learning platform.

Some programs are available in an accelerated format, with classes starting every seven weeks. For example, Eastern University offers one of the fastest MBA tracks among online colleges in Pennsylvania. Students can complete the accelerated MBA in as little as 12 months.

Eastern University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Eastern University’s top rankings on TBS

22. Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Established in 1933, Wilkes University is a private institution located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Students may choose from more than 80 areas of study, and Wilkes University awards online degrees in education, nursing, creative writing, and business. In total, students may choose from more than 15 online bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs.

Some programs, such as the accelerated bachelor of business administration, can be completed fully online. Many other programs require some on-campus visits. For example, the online master in creative writing allows students to choose from attending courses four weekends per semester or two eight-day residencies in January and June.

Unlike many online schools in PA, Wilkes University provides merit scholarships to all students, regardless of financial need. Freshmen and transfer students at this school may be eligible for merit scholarships based on their SAT scores or GPA.

Wilkes University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Wilkes University’s top rankings on TBS

23. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania

Gwynedd Mercy University is a private Catholic institution located just 30 miles outside Philadelphia, in Gwynedd Valley. The school offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs across 28 fields of study. Students may choose from 23 online programs in business, counseling, education, nursing, and psychology.

Courses at this college are self-paced, and some distance programs are available in an accelerated format. Students in the accelerated bachelor of business administration program take courses one at a time in five-week blocks. Gwynedd Mercy offers accelerated master’s courses as well, which are delivered in seven-week blocks.

While most online programs do not require visiting campus, students in Gwynedd Mercy’s hybrid nursing programs must complete an in-person practicum experience. Prospective students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for Gwynedd Mercy’s bachelor’s programs, and at least a 3.0 GPA for the school’s graduate programs.

Gwynedd Mercy University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Gwynedd Mercy University’s top rankings on TBS

24. Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1884, Temple University is a public research university located in Philadelphia. The school is a leader in research among online colleges in Pennsylvania, and its research spending ranks in the top four percent of all U.S. universities. Temple serves close to 30,000 undergraduates and more than 10,000 graduate students.

Temple University prides itself on unique courses such as chemistry of wine, psychology of food, and the hip hop revolution. Online learners may choose from 35 distance programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels. Programs are delivered in blended and fully online formats; some programs are asynchronous, while others are synchronous.

Temple grants distance students access to helpful resources like the online writing center and the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS). Through CLASS, online learners can take advantage of virtual tutoring, live review sessions, and group study sessions.

Temple University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of Temple University’s top rankings on TBS

25. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The University of Pittsburgh was founded in 1787, making it one of the oldest higher education institutions in the U.S. One of the most research-focused online schools in PA, the University of Pittsburgh developed the first polio vaccine in 1955.

Today, the school offers programs through 17 undergraduate and graduate schools, including a law school and a medical school. Online learners gain access to 23 academic programs across six schools. One unique program for distance students is the joint master of public policy and doctor of nursing practice degree.

Most courses are fully online and delivered asynchronously. While these programs do not require students to log on at specific times, all online courses follow the same 12–15 week term as on-campus courses. In addition, students can accelerate the path to a degree through online summer courses. Pitt’s out-of-state online students pay the same tuition as in-state distance learners.

The University of Pittsburgh is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

See some of The University of Pittsburgh’s top rankings on TBS


The Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania

Delaware County Community College

Lehigh Carbon Community College

Luzerne County Community College

Peirce College

Westmoreland County Community College


Additional Online Colleges in Pennsylvania Featured on TBS

Bucks County Community College

Carlow University

Carnegie Mellon University

Chatham University

Community College of Allegheny County

Delaware County Community College

Duquesne University, School of Nursing

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Gannon University

Grove City College

Juniata College

Lehigh Carbon Community College

Lehigh University

Luzerne County Community College

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Montgomery County Community College

Northampton County Area Community College

Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

Philadelphia University

Swarthmore College

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

University of Pennsylvania

University of Scranton

University of Valley Forge

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Westminster Theological Seminary

Westmoreland County Community College

Widener University


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