Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
Online colleges in Pennsylvania offer degree programs at all levels, which can help you prepare for many in-demand careers. The state’s employment market has experienced a recent boom, with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry tracking a 30.8% increase in online job postings from August 2024 to August 2025.
As you seek out learning opportunities in the Keystone State, consider trends, opportunities, and labor market data.
Pennsylvania at a Glance
- There are 142 nonprofit four-year institutions in Pennsylvania.
- More than 36% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- In fall 2023, nearly 41% of students at Pennsylvania institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, there were over 175,000 students aged 25 and over enrolled at Pennsylvania colleges.
Top 10 Accredited Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus, a public online university, offers over 40 online bachelor's and more than 50 online master's degrees. Popular online degrees include homeland security, systems engineering, and psychology. The average net price is just over $20,000, and the school reports a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers services like orientation, advising, career help, research library, and tech support
- Focuses on adult learners
- Assists students with various conditions and challenges through the disability services office
Know Before You Apply
- The school has an overall low graduation rate of 34%.Â
- About two-thirds of undergraduate students receive grant or scholarship aid.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Engineering Commission of ABETÂ
54%
$15,400
87%
$25,084
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Students Enrolled
- 88,914
- Institution Type
- Public
Pennsylvania Western University
- California, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School
Pennsylvania Western University is a public university offering 40 online bachelor's and master's degree programs in business, education, and nursing. Ninety-five percent of undergraduate students receive grant or scholarship aid, while the average net price is just under $20,000.Â
Highlights
- Offers enrollment support, success coaches, and help desk support for online students
- Includes a week-long orientation to acclimate to online learning
- Has an office for students with disabilities offering accommodations for accessibility
Know Before You Apply
- Most online classes are asynchronous with weekly deadlines.Â
- PennWest has a high admission rate of 94% for undergraduate students.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
74%
$ 7,716
70%
$11,574
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,778
- Institution Type
- Public
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Temple University, a public institution in Philadelphia, features nine online bachelor's degrees and 16 online master's degrees across subjects like business, marketing, and social work. Despite an enrollment of over 33,000 students, the school maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1. Retention and graduation rates are also impressive at 84% and 75%, respectively.
Highlights
- Offers a flat tuition rate for all online students, no matter where they live
- Mixes synchronous and asynchronous learning formats
- Has educational discounts on software and hardware for online learning
Know Before You Apply
- Temple reviews applications holistically, looking at high school performance, interests, and coursework.
- Temple is a test-optional school for admission.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
49%
$21,014
84%
$36,379
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,205
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League institution, offers eight online bachelor's degree majors, including creative studies, data analytics, and physical and life sciences. Penn also offers 10 online master's degrees in fields like urban education, regulatory affairs, and nonprofit leadership. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8-to-1, and the overall graduation rate is 97%.
Highlights
- Offers the prestige of an Ivy League education to students with or without previous college experience
- Meets diverse students' needs, including active-duty military
- Provides online tutoring, academic advising, and career services
Know Before You Apply
- About half of undergraduate students receive grants or scholarship aid.Â
- Applicants who don't meet the requirements can qualify for admission through a four-course trial.
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
14%
$56,212
98%
$56,212
- Acceptance Rate
- 6%
- Students Enrolled
- 23,790
- Institution Type
- Private
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Villanova University, a private institution, offers 13 online bachelor's degree programs and 19 online master's degrees. Majors include entrepreneurship, human resources management, and leadership. Villanova has high graduation and retention rates of 92% and 96%, respectively, along with a 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.Â
Highlights
- Offers six accelerated online bachelor's-to-master's degree programs
- Prepares students for industry-recognized certifications and credentials
- Offers credit-bearing certificate programs that lead to degrees
Know Before You Apply
- Villanova has a high average net price of $37,946.
- Only about half of undergraduates receive grants or scholarships.Â
- Admissions are highly selective at 25%.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
23%
$60,768
96%
$60,768
- Acceptance Rate
- 23%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,383
- Institution Type
- Private
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
- Slippery Rock, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU), a public university, offers eight online bachelor's degree completion programs and 29 online master's degrees. With a retention rate of 82%, the school reports that 70% of undergraduate students receive grants or financial aid. The average net price is $18,407.Â
Highlights
- Applies associate degree or previous college credit toward its online degree-completion programs
- Includes multiple start dates with rolling admissionsÂ
- Provides academic advising, registration, technical assistance, and career education
Know Before You Apply
- Admissions generally don't require standardized tests, but some programs may still require exam scores for acceptance.
- SRU is lightly selective, with an admission rate of 75%.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
47%
$ 7,716
81%
$11,574
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,362
- Institution Type
- Public
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Drexel University, a private university based in Philadelphia, offers 15 online bachelor's degrees and over 100 online master's degrees. Drexel has a low, 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, while 91% of undergraduate enrollees receive grants or scholarship aid. Drexel also reports a high retention rate of 87%, indicating student satisfaction.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers online majors in fields including business, criminal justice, technology, and nursing
- Has reduced tuition rate options for students affiliated with the military and various partnered organizations
- Includes a 15-30% tuition discount for Drexel alumni and their families enrolled in online programs
Know Before You Apply
- Drexel has a high average net price of $42,342.Â
- There are more options for online master's degree programs than for online bachelor's programs.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
42%
$56,595
90%
$56,595
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,573
- Institution Type
- Private
DeSales University
- Center Valley, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
As a private university, DeSales University offers 15 online bachelor's and 24 online master's degree programs. DeSales has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1. Ninety-one percent of undergraduate students receive grants or scholarships, while the graduation rate is 71%. Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers 15 accelerated majors, including criminal justice, financial planning, and human resource managementÂ
- Has helpful online student resources such as a help desk, technology assistance, and student accessibility accommodations
- Includes computer labs throughout campus that online students can use to complete assignments
Know Before You Apply
- DeSales has rolling admissions, so applicants hear back in about four weeks.
- For scholarships, the priority deadline is December 1 of the student's senior year in high school.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
44%
$41,100
81%
$41,100
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,929
- Institution Type
- Private
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Thomas Jefferson University is a private university offering 10 online bachelor's and 19 online master's degree programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13-to-1, while 88% of undergraduate students receive grants or scholarships.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree programs in human resources management and business administration
- Provides a unique learning model that connects various disciplines with real-world problems
- Self-reports a 97% employment rate for its class of 2023
Know Before You Apply
- Admissions are fairly open, with an 86% acceptance rate.
- Admission decisions involve a holistic review of applicants, factoring in things like academics, motivation, and life experiences.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
53%
$43,100
82%
$43,100
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,315
- Institution Type
- Private
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
- Harrisburg, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, a private school, offers six online bachelor's and four online master's degrees. Nearly all undergraduate students receive grants or scholarships, while the average net price is just under $15,000.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers STEM-focused degree programs, including cybersecurity and esports management
- Boasts an average undergraduate student debt $6,000 less than the national average
- Has frozen tuition rates for the past eight years
Know Before You Apply
- Grade point average is an important factor in admissions decisions.
- There is no application deadline, but it's recommended to apply in the fall or early spring of senior year in high school.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
90%
$23,900
79%
$23,900
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,082
- Institution Type
- Private
Who Accredits Online Colleges in Pennsylvania?
Under new rules adopted by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in 2020, any ED-recognized accreditor can endorse Pennsylvania schools. However, most Pennsylvania colleges are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which previously functioned as the state’s regional accrediting body.
MSCHE and similar agencies exclusively offer institutional accreditation, which applies to an entire school. Some academic departments, divisions, and programs also hold an optional form of accreditation known as programmatic accreditation.
How Much Does College Cost in Pennsylvania?
Average tuition costs in Pennsylvania rank among the highest of any state. In each of the institution types profiled above, typical costs in Pennsylvania outpace national averages.
To help more students afford college, the state has established the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). In addition to its flagship PA State Grant program, PHEAA offers scholarships, student loans, tuition waivers, work-study programs, and career-specific support for nurses, teachers, emerging mental health professionals, and military servicemembers.
Pennsylvania also operates various tuition relief programs, including:
- A no-tuition policy for University of Pennsylvania students from families earning less than $200,000 per year
- The Grow PA Tuition Waiver program for out-of-state students training for high-demand careers
Several other institutions, including Geneva College and Neumann University, host free-tuition programs for eligible learners.
Career Opportunities in Pennsylvania
$48,550
Median annual wage in PA (May 2024)
+2.5%
Projected job growth in PA (2022-2032)
4.0%
Unemployment rate in PA (August 2025)
Pennsylvania’s slightly below-average unemployment rate is somewhat offset by a modest job growth forecast and a median salary that falls about $1,000 below the national median. You can overcome potential limitations by training for one of the state’s in-demand careers.
Fast-growing career paths in Pennsylvania that require bachelor’s degrees include data scientist, information security analyst, and medical and health services manager.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Philadelphia
- Philadelphia has the 24th-highest GDP per capita of the 347 cities included in Harvard Kennedy School’s 2020 Metroverse study.
- Leading employment sectors include professional and technical services, hospitality, healthcare, and education.
- The city added more than 379,000 jobs from 2013-2023.
Pittsburgh
- Historically known for its steel industry, Pittsburgh has transformed into a leading regional biomedical and health sciences research center.
- The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis tracked a 52% increase in per capita personal income among Pittsburgh residents from 2013-2023.
Harrisburg
- As the state capital, Harrisburg has a high concentration of government jobs.
- Other leading employment sectors include trades and utilities, educational and health services, and professional services.
- The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reports a median home listing price of $178 per square foot in Harrisburg — 21% below national levels (September 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Center for Education Statistics recognizes 178 degree-granting institutions in Pennsylvania during the 2022-23 school year. Pennsylvania ranks fourth among all states in this regard, trailing only California (403), New York (286), and Texas (224).
