The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania for 2018

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

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, Robert Morris University, California University of Pennsylvania, and Saint Joseph’s University rank among The 100 Best Online Colleges for 2018.
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

1.Penn 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).

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2.Drexel 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).

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3.Robert 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).

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4.California University of Pennsylvania

(California, PA)

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).

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5.Saint Joseph’s University

(Philadelphia, PA)

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).

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6. Elizabethtown 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).

7. Duquesne 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).

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8. Widener 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).

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9. DeSales 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).

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10. Immaculata 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).

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11. Philadelphia University

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia University, a private university, has roughly 3,700 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).

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12. Clarion 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).