Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025

Why We Chose This Superlative: AACSB Accredited BBA/MBA Programs With Multiple Delivery Formats

Temple University offers 25 fully online degrees at the bachelor's and master's levels. These programs, including standout business programs through the renowned Fox School of Business, maximize flexibility. The school offers five BBA programs with accreditation from AACSB International, the gold standard programmatic accreditation that only the top 5% of business schools worldwide hold.

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $711
Graduate | $941-$1,250

Why Students Choose Temple:

• Flexible Learning: Choose asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid formats to balance coursework with your other commitments.
• Transfer-Friendly: Bring previous college credits into the online BBA to shorten your path to graduation and reduce costs.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Temple's undergraduate acceptance rate was 83% in fall 2023.
• The university offers only two start dates per year in the fall and spring semesters.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Top Yellow Ribbon School Supporting Eligible Students Across All Degree Levels

Drexel University offers more than 150 online degrees and certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The institution participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, offering full tuition coverage for eligible veterans, even for its online courses. For students who don't qualify for 100% tuition remission, the school also offers the Veterans Award, a $5,000 scholarship.

Cost per Credit:
Online | $488-$609

Why Students Choose Drexel:

• Quality Programs: Study in AACSB-, CCNE-, and ALA-accredited programs to ensure your degree meets rigorous professional standards.
• Affordable Tuition: Save more than 50% on standard Drexel tuition with their $488 per-credit rate for select online undergraduate programs.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Drexel's Military Transition Program is available if you don't meet the admission requirements for your preferred major. 
• The majority of Drexel's online degrees are at the master's level.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Over 200 Degree and Certificate Programs at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels

Penn State World Campus offers more than 200 online degrees, certificates, and minors, making its bevy of online programs one of the largest and most diverse in the nation. You can study fields like business, turfgrass science, psychology, and spatial data science. Penn State designs its programs with busy adults in mind, building accessibility and inclusion into their courses. Dedicated advising, financial aid guidance, and career services help online students succeed from enrollment through graduation.

Cost per Semester:
Undergraduate | $7,833-$8,455
Graduate | $12,572-$13,999 

Why Students Choose Penn State World Campus:

• Reputation: Graduating from World Campus means earning a degree from a Big Ten school with a strong national reputation. 
• History: Because Penn State created its World Campus in 1998, their online offerings have a tried-and-true history of success.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Most courses are asynchronous.
• Returning Penn State students can re-enroll or pursue coursework through renewal and nondegree options.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Only Ivy League School Offering Online Master's Programs in PA

The University of Pennsylvania combines Ivy League prestige with flexible online formats. The school's online bachelor of applied arts and sciences program features concentrations in fields like leadership and communication, organizational studies, and creative studies. Additionally, UPenn offers 11 master's degrees and one doctorate online. Many programs carry professional accreditation.

Cost per Course:
Undergraduate | $2,774
Graduate | $4,045-$7,532

Why Students Choose UPenn:

• Ivy League Reputation: Leverage UPenn's Ivy League reputation to improve your career opportunities and expand your professional network.
• Flexible Formats: Study at your own pace with self-paced and accelerated formats designed to fit demanding professional lives.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Not all programs follow accelerated schedules.
• Graduate tuition varies significantly by program.
• UPenn admitted just 6% of undergraduate applicants in fall 2023, making it highly selective.

Why We Chose This Superlative: All Undergraduate Programs Are Degree-Completion Programs

Slippery Rock University offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs with flexible start dates and affordable tuition. Its bachelor's degree completion tracks are designed for transfer students and adult learners, making it easy to finish an undergraduate educational credential if you hold prior credits or an associate degree.

Undergraduate Cost per Credit:
In-State | $387
Out-of-State | $404

Graduate Cost per Credit:
In-State | $643
Out-of-State | $716

Why Students Choose SRU:

• Rolling Admissions: Start your program at multiple entry points throughout the year, giving you flexibility to begin when you're ready.
• Student Support: Access advising, registration help, tech support, and career services so you have guidance for every step of your degree.

Know Before You Enroll:

• SRU admitted 75% of applicants in fall 2023.
• Many degree completion programs require applicants to hold 60 previous credits. 

Why We Chose This Superlative: Flexible Pathways and Learning Experiences Designed for Busy, Working Students

Villanova University offers 22 online degree and certificate programs designed for busy professionals. You can study in hybrid or fully online formats, take accelerated seven-week courses, and transfer up to 90 credits to complete a degree already in progress. Villanova pairs flexible scheduling with its strong academic reputation, career services, and alumni connections to help you succeed after graduation.

Cost per Credit:
Online | $815

Why Students Choose Villanova:

• Business Focus: Many of Villanova's online degrees cover business-related fields like entrepreneurship, human resource management, and information systems and technology.
• Accelerated Dual Degrees: Some of the school's distance education programs run in accelerated bachelor's/master's formats.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Villanova has highly selective admissions, with only 30% of students admitted in the fall of 2023.
• Villanova is test-optional, but high scores can improve admission chances.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Nearly All Online Bachelor's Degrees Are Accelerated Programs

DeSales University offers 25 online degrees and certificates for undergraduate and graduate students. Nearly all of the school's bachelor's degrees run in accelerated formats where classes take seven weeks. DeSales integrates career readiness skills into academic programs, while providing advising and tech support for all learners.

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $595-$680
Graduate | $820-$965

Why Students Choose DeSales:

• Rolling Admissions: Choose from multiple start dates each year to avoid waiting for a traditional semester cycle as you earn your degree. 
• Reduced-Cost Course Audits: DeSales offers course audits for $295 per credit.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Admission to the accelerated bachelor's programs often requires a high school diploma or GED plus prior experience, which can include work, military service, or a previous degree.
• Some of the school's online graduate programs require applicants to hold a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Large Selection of Online Master's and Graduate Certificate Programs

Thomas Jefferson University offers 75 online master's degrees and graduate certificates, making it one of the most comprehensive online providers of graduate-level credentials in Pennsylvania. Designed for professionals seeking advancement or career change, Jefferson's programs combine flexibility with options in traditional fields like construction management, data science, and public health as well as niche areas such as cannabis business.

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $663
Graduate | $820-$1,524

Why Students Choose Jefferson:

• Career Advancement: Earn graduate certificates in as few as 12 months to upskill quickly without committing to a full degree.
• Program Variety: The school's 75 online degrees and certificates cover specialized bodies of knowledge to help you target your exact career goals.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Accelerated online undergraduate degrees cost half the price of on-campus programs.
• Per-credit tuition for certificate programs is typically the same as per-credit costs for the school's full degrees.

Why We Chose This Superlative: Most Affordable Tuition for In-State and Out-of-State Students

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers the lowest tuition rates on this list at $380 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students. A private STEM-focused university, Harrisburg offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, computer and information sciences, and e-sports management. 

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $380
Graduate | $650

Why Students Choose Harrisburg:

• STEM-Focused Degrees: Pursue STEM programs in fields like healthcare informatics, analytics, and project management. 
• Personalized Help: HU helps students through the process of earning a degree by guaranteeing one-on-one access to admissions and academic advisors. 

Know Before You Enroll:

• Graduate tuition and fees are twice the amount of undergraduate degree programs.
• Online programs are STEM-heavy, with limited non-STEM majors and subjects.

Why We Chose This Superlative: One-on-One Support Services and Personalized Instruction From Professors

Robert Morris University emphasizes personalized learning in its online programs, making it a strong fit if you want individualized attention. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 17-to-1, you can benefit from direct interaction with faculty as well as one-on-one support from dedicated counselors, financial aid advisors, academic advisors, and technical staff. 

Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $710-$910
Graduate | $775-$1,290

Why Students Choose RMU:

• Accreditation: Online degrees like the school's MHA, MBA, and MSN carry programmatic accreditation that verify courses align with professional standards.
• Student Outcomes: 77% of RMU graduates work in professional or managerial roles, and 85% of students say faculty make learning engaging.

Know Before You Enroll:

• The school has a limited selection of online bachelor's programs.
• Tuition at RMU is higher than most schools on this list.