Choices for online colleges in Pennsylvania abound. Public schools are a critical part of Pennsylvania’s higher education network. Penn State, which happens to top our Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania list, is also the state’s largest school, serving over 45,000 students at its main campus, and roughly 95,000 enrolled collectively when satellite campuses are tallied. Pennsylvania also boasts an absolutely massive private school sector, with the state hosting no fewer than 124 non-profit private institutions.
Ten schools have made our list of the very best in Pennsylvania and boast the very best selection of quality online degree programs. Each school offers a variety of certificate and degree programs and ample online resources for their students. If you are looking for the right online college in Pennsylvania, one that is close enough for you to easily visit if needed, we’ve got you covered.
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
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.
- See who ranks as the best college and university in Pennsylvania today.
- Penn State University, Drexel University, and Robert Morris University rank among the 100 Best Online Colleges for 2017.
- Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University and The University of Pittsburgh all rank among the 100 Best Universities in the World today.
The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
1Penn State World Campus
(State College, PA)
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).
2Drexel University
(Philadelphia, PA)
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).
3Robert Morris University
(Moon Township, PA)
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).
4Elizabethtown College
(Elizabethtown, PA)
The Church of the Brethren founded Elizabethtown College in 1899. The college was an academy during its first 20 years, offering four-year teaching degrees and high school-level education. It gained its accreditation in 1921, when it offered baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences. The university has over 2,000 students in attendance, consists of 19 academic departments and offers 53 programs of study.
Elizabethtown College offers both baccalaureate and master’s degrees online through its School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Online bachelor’s degree options include human services, addiction counseling and healthcare administration. Online master’s degrees include business administration.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with librarians available via email, text message or over the phone.
Elizabethtown College is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
5Duquesne University
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded Duquesne University, a private Catholic university, in 1878. It’s 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).
6Widener University
(Chester, PA)
Widener University, founded in 1821, first opened its doors as a school for boys. It became a military academy in 1862 and gained its current name in 1972. The university is named in honor of the Widener family, a prominent family and major financial contributor for whom the Widener Library in Harvard University is also named. The university has over 6,000 students in attendance and offers more than 80 programs of study.
Widener University offers associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees online through the Continuing Studies Division. Online associate’s degrees include allied health, radiologic technologies and liberal studies. Online bachelor’s degree options include professional studies, organizational development and English. Online master’s degrees include instructional technology, business administration and social work.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with librarians available via email, text message or over the phone.
Widener University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
7DeSales University
(Center Valley, PA)
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).
8Immaculata University
(Immaculata, PA)
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).
9Philadelphia University
(Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia University, a private university, has roughly 3,500 students. Established in 1884, Theodore Search, a member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Museum and School of Industrial Art, taught the university’s first classes himself when it was still the Philadelphia Textile School. In 1942, the university earned the right to award baccalaureate degrees and has since gained 42 programs of study and 4 academic colleges.
Philadelphia University offers baccalaureate and master’s degrees through its PhilaU Online platform. Bachelor’s degree options include accounting, behavioral and health services, business management and information technology. Master’s degree offerings include sustainable design and midwifery completion.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email or over the phone.
Philadelphia University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE).
10Clarion University of Pennsylvania
(Clarion, PA)
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).