Online colleges in Pennsylvania offer accredited degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. If you are looking for the best colleges to study online, allow us to guide you on that.
Pennsylvania remains one of the preferred destinations for both domestic and international students seeking to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, as well as professional education.
The Keystone State is home to some of the top-tier private and public universities in the United States. Whether you prefer to earn a degree by attending classes on campus or entirely online, Pennsylvanian institutions got you covered.
There are a lot of options for you to choose from as colleges in the state offer a variety of online programs.
For more posts on online courses, degrees, and colleges, you can always rely on Stayinformedgroup.com.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online College
Before you apply to study online at any college, there are a few important factors to consider.
Firstly, you need to consider tuition at your preferred online college to know if you can afford it. You also need to consider the college’s reputation, what are the remarks of students or graduates of the college.
What is the college’s reputation when it comes to offering online programs?
Another factor you must consider when searching for an online college is distance education resources and accreditation.
Do online colleges in Pennsylvania meet these standards? Well, let’s find out.
Also Read: 20 Best Community Colleges in Pennsylvania 2023
The Importance of Accreditation for Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
Attending accredited online colleges has its benefits. For example, students enrolled at accredited online colleges benefit from many financial aid opportunities.
Many employers out there only recognize and accept graduates with degrees earned from accredited colleges and universities. So, are online colleges in the Keystone State accredited?
Pennsylvania’s online colleges and universities can hold several types of accreditation.
Regional and National Accreditation
Regional and national accreditation are the two types of institutional accreditation in the United States.
Universities and liberal arts colleges usually seek regional accreditation. Generally, there are six agencies that offer accreditation based on the geographical location of each institution.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) confer regional accreditation for colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
Vocational and career schools seek national accreditation from Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Subject Specific Accreditation
Academic programs with specialized accreditation indicate that the programs meet the standard required to nurture students in important skills.
As a student who wants to establish a successful career in fields like engineering, nursing, and business, it’s important you choose academic programs that hold specific subject accreditation.
How to Identify an Accredited Institution or Program
Doing a little research is important, especially when it involves knowing if a college or program is accredited.
A good place to start is your preferred institution’s official website. Institutions with valid accreditation usually feature their accreditation status on their website. You should be suspicious of institutions that don’t display their accreditation status on their website.
One simple way to find out if an institution or program is accredited is to search the directory from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
List of Top Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
Below are online colleges in PA, offering online programs at undergraduate and graduate levels;
- Pennsylvania State University- World Campus
- Duquesne University
- Temple University
- Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
- Drexel University
- Villanova University
- Slippery Rock University
- Saint Joseph’s University
- Saint Francis University
- Robert Morris University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- California University of Pennsylvania
- DeSales University
- Pennsylvania Western University Clarion
- Misericordia University
#1. Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Estimated cost per credit
- Certificate: $590- $1,121
- Undergraduate: $590- $632
- Graduate: $950- $1,121
Penn State World Campus is Pennsylvania State University online campus that was launched in 1988.
World Campus offers a variety of online programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. At Penn State World Campus, you can choose from the 105 online programs across several disciplines.
World Campus is Penn State’s second-largest school. The school awards online certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, as well as doctorate degrees to thousands of students. Academic programs offered online are rigorous just like those offered at Penn State’s main campus.
Penn State World Campus offers an Associate of Science in Labor and Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science in Turf Grass Science to undergraduates, while graduates can earn a Master of Business Administration, as well as a Doctor of Engineering.
Get more information about online programs offered at Penn State World Campus by visiting its website.
#2. Duquesne University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $1,050-$1,422
- Graduate: $1,011- $1,824
Online programs available at this university are quite different from that of other institutions. Duquesne University’s distance learning promotes regular interaction between faculty members and students.
Graduate students will find more academic programs offered online at this private university. For undergraduate programs offered online at Duquesne, the only option available is a degree program in organizational leadership.
Duquesne offers a variety of online master’s and doctoral programs. It offers a Master of Health Administration, a Master of Science in Finance, and a PhD in Nursing Ethics.
#3. Temple University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $595- $1,368
- Graduate: $784- $2,300
Temple University is one of Pennsylvania’s top public research institutions with a large student body. The university accommodates over 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its main campus in Philadelphia.
This university provides online programs to both undergraduate and graduate students. At Temple University, faculty teaching students on campus are also the same instructors teaching online courses.
So it’s more like learning at the same level with students on campus.
You can earn an undergraduate degree online in business administration, a Master of Public Health, a graduate certificate in disability studies, and a Doctor of Athletic Training.
#4. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $645
- Graduate: $915
This institution was originally established in 1903 as a school of nursing for Lancaster General Hospital. Today, the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences offers a variety of online degrees in health sciences.
This institution’s online programs are designed to prepare students to excel in the healthcare profession. It offers hands-on experiences required to build successful future careers.
Pennsylvania College of Health Science awards a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing Education. It also awards a professional certificate in foundations for health informatics.
As one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania, this institution has over 55% of its students aged 25 or above.
#5. Drexel University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $452- $905
- Graduate: $671- $1,474
Drexel University has one of the best student-to-faculty ratios at 10:1. This private research university is known to be one of the earliest institutions to adopt distance learning for adults.
This university has a large student body attending classes on campus. It also offers a wide range of online programs and certificates.
With over 150 online programs available, you have several options to choose from at this university. Online programs offered at Drexel feature the same accredited curriculum as those available on campus.
At Drexel University, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Computing and security technology, a Master of Legal Studies, as well as a Doctor of Family and Couples Therapy.
Also Read: University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition
#6. Villanova University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $706- $1,172
- Graduate: $737- $1,550
Villanova University is one of the earliest Christian colleges in Pennsylvania. Since its inception in 1842, Villanova University has built a reputation for providing top-quality education.
The university’s School of Professional Studies offers undergraduate degrees and certificates offered entirely online. Villanova offers the same standard of academic experience and course rigour online and on campus.
Online degree programs offered at Villanova are customizable. You can obtain an Associate of Arts, a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and a certificate in leadership.
#7. Slippery Rock University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $322- $328
- Graduate: $516- $526
If you are an individual who has done some college work level coursework and you are looking for an online program with a flexible schedule, then Slippery Rock University is your best option.
The university specializes in online degree completion programs for students with some college coursework experience seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Slippery Rock University offer these academic programs in the liberal arts, nursing, leadership, and management.
This university also provides online graduate education. Being one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock offers a Master of Science in Park and Resources Management and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.
#8. Saint Joseph’s University
Estimated cost per credit
- Certificate: $812- $1,140
- Graduate: $812- $1,163
Saint Joseph’s University is a private university established in 1851 by the Society of Jesus.
This university offers just one online program at the undergraduate level. It’s a bachelor of liberal studies in general studies.
SJU provides online graduate programs and certificate options. The university offers online graduate programs in areas like criminal justice, education, and health administration.
#9. Saint Francis University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $484
- Graduate: $625- $1,142
Saint Francis University is one of Pennsylvania’s oldest institutions.
SFU’s School of Continuing Studies offers online degrees and certificates. Whether you want to earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, there are many options to choose from at Saint Joseph’s University.
Instructors at SFU include both faculty members and industry experts with experience to guide students during online classes. They are in charge of teaching all virtual courses at this university.
Saint Francis University offers an online Associate of Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a graduate degree in strategic leadership.
Also Read: The Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate, Admission, SAT, ACT, Tuition, Rankings
#10. Roberts Morris University
Estimated cost per credit
- Certificate: $525- $1,095
- Undergraduate: $645- $1,145
- Graduate:$610- $1,060
Robert Morris University is a private institution in Moon Township named after one of the founding fathers of the U.S., Robert Morris.
RMU offers a variety of academic programs both online and in-person. It offers an online graduate program in areas like nursing, engineering, technology, education, and business.
It also offers online undergraduate programs in business and cybersecurity.
#11. Thomas Jefferson University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $605
- Graduate: $750- $1,399
Thomas Jefferson University is another institution that offers online degree programs. The university provides 8 online programs at the undergraduate level, 12 online master’s programs, and 3 doctoral programs.
Online learners at Thomas Jefferson University can access services like IT help, career services, library services and tutoring.
#12. California University of Pennsylvania
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $322
- Graduate: $568
PennWest California is a public institution that provides both undergraduate and graduate education.
This institution offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and graduate certificate programs.
PennWest Global Online ensures that students are taught by experienced professors. Under the supervision of these professors, you acquire the knowledge to excel in future careers.
#13. DeSales University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $523- $599
DeSales University is a private Catholic university that offers traditional, online, and hybrid courses, as well as various academic programs to both undergraduate and graduate students.
At DSU, you can earn an online bachelor’s degree in human resource management, management of information technology, and business administration.
Also Read: 15 Best High Schools In Scarborough Canada 2023
#14. Pennsylvania Western University Clarion
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $322- $347
- Graduate: $516- $725
PennWest Clarion is a public university campus in Pennsylvania, one of the best online colleges in the state.
Options available at PennWest Clarion, include an online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate degrees, and certificate and special programs.
Clarion Online is the place to visit for online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
#15. Misericordia University
Estimated cost per credit
- Undergraduate: $430
- Graduate: $785- $810
Misericordia University is a private Catholic university that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs online.
This university offers online undergraduate majors and programs in business administration, healthcare management, information technology, and nursing.
Online graduate programs available at this university include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing.
Pros and Cons of Online Degrees
Here are the pros and cons of online degrees
Pros
- Students can take classes virtually and learn from any location without coming to campus
- It allows students to pursue the best programs for their field of study from anywhere
- It allows students to plan around busy schedules to complete their curriculum
Cons
- Students need to develop self-motivation and learn time management skills to complete their coursework
- Not interacting physically with the instructor and other members of the class
- Networking with other members of the class may be challenging
Conclusion
Online colleges and universities in Pennsylvania provide a wide range of options for undergraduate and graduate students. Online colleges in the state are accredited and also offer accredited online programs.
With several options for you to choose from, you should have no problem choosing an online program.
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References
Source: stayinformedgroup.com