The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
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Online colleges in Pennsylvania prepare students for in-demand careers in business, healthcare, technology, and the life sciences.
The Keystone State provides several benefits for college students. The Pennsylvania State Grant Program offers financial aid for undergraduates, including students attending online colleges in PA. Many of the state’s online colleges also offer tuition discounts for fully online learners and in-state students, making a college degree more affordable.
Online learners can pursue degrees in many fields at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The state’s online program options include nursing degrees and online MBA programs. With a college degree, graduates can qualify for opportunities in many of Pennsylvania’s key industries, including the life sciences, business, and technology.
Our list ranks the best colleges in Pennsylvania with online programs, including public and private colleges and universities. We only include regionally accredited schools in our rankings to ensure the highest educational quality. Prospective applicants can use this list to find the right program for their budget, interests, and career goals.
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,146
- Out-of-state$52,146
- In-State$35,181
- Out-of-state$35,181
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled24,205
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Joseph's University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$46,350
- Out-of-state$46,350
- In-State$17,334
- Out-of-state$17,334
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled7,362
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,550
- Out-of-state$54,550
- In-State$20,506
- Out-of-state$20,506
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled10,848
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Geneva College
- Beaver Falls, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,670
- Out-of-state$27,670
- In-State$12,042
- Out-of-state$12,042
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled1,432
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Francis University
- Loretto, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,970
- Out-of-state$36,970
- In-State$25,000
- Out-of-state$25,000
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled2,930
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Pennsylvania
2022
Online Colleges in Pennsylvania Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyEmployment in Pennsylvania
College graduates benefit from a strong economic outlook in Pennsylvania. The state’s below-average cost of living makes PA an attractive place for businesses and workers. Pennsylvania’s major industries include energy, manufacturing, life sciences, and plastics. Jobs in many of the state’s most common careers require a college degree.
Currently, fewer than 1 in 3 Pennsylvanians have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many of Pennsylvania’s highest-paying jobs require a bachelor’s degree, including careers like financial manager, construction manager, nurse practitioner, or information security analyst. All of these occupations pay average salaries of over $100,000 in Pennsylvania. Earning a college degree is a good way for Pennsylvanians to increase their earning potential and qualify for more jobs.
The highest-paying, fastest-growing careers in Pennsylvania include opportunities in healthcare, management, tech, and criminal justice. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate slightly exceeds the national average, while the average annual wage sits just above the national average.
The following information covers some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Pennsylvania. Salary information refers specifically to Pennsylvania, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $251,540 | -1% | Doctoral |
| Chief Executives | $227,250 | -1% | Bachelor’s |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $218,310 | 6% | Doctoral |
| Psychiatrists | $214,410 | 12% | Doctoral |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $185,090 | 14% | Master’s |
The following data reflects some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 15,000 professionals in Pennsylvania. Salary figures apply specifically to Pennsylvania, while job growth data refers to the entire United States.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2020) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $202,340 | 4% | Doctoral |
| Financial Managers | $153,730 | 15% | Bachelor’s |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $145,460 | 10% | Bachelor’s |
| Lawyers | $139,120 | 4% | Doctoral |
| General and Operations Managers | $131,060 | 6% | Bachelor’s |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
In addition to bachelor’s programs, colleges in PA offer online associate and graduate programs. The switch to online-only education during the COVID-19 pandemic has expanded online options and led to more distance learning opportunities. Online learners at accredited Pennsylvania colleges receive the same high-quality education as those attending on-campus programs.
At the associate level, undergrads can earn degrees in business, engineering, and applied technology. These programs prepare graduates for the workforce or offer transfer credits that can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. Pennsylvania’s statewide pathway program allows graduates with associate degrees to apply their credits directly to four-year degrees at other Pennsylvania schools.
At the graduate level, degree-seekers can choose from online options in fields like business, education, and nursing. For example, Penn State offers an online MBA program, and Cal U offers several online master’s programs in nursing.
Online learning appeals to busy students and professionals who are seeking career advancement or changes. Working professionals may prefer the flexibility of an asynchronous learning schedule over attending in-person classes.
Some programs include in-person components, offer hybrid options, or require learners to complete practicum requirements in their local areas. For example, online nursing students and education majors often must meet practicum requirements through nearby hospitals or schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many online colleges in Pennsylvania offer tuition discounts for fully online students and in-state learners, though the after-fees cost can vary. Choosing an online learning format can sometimes save students money, though not always.
- BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY
- CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY
- CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY
- CLARION UNIVERSITY
- EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY
- EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
- LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY
- MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
- MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
- SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY
- SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY
- WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
The Pennsylvania colleges with the lowest acceptance rates include University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, and Carnegie Mellon University.
