Get Matched With Pennsylvania Programs

There are 387 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. Ninety-six are public, while 291 are private institutions. The state has a population of almost 13 million and the unemployment rate is just 3.3 and dropping. Most industries are adding employees to their roster, with business and healthcare being the fastest growing sectors. For state residents that want to go back to school, there are many options for them to consider. Whether they want to attend a community college or one of the private schools, both traditional and online options are available.

However, our focus here is online education. And there are plenty of students in Pennsylvania who are making use of this relatively new invention. The number of available online courses and programs has grown exponentially over the years, especially during the pandemic. And these programs are here to stay.

Compare Popular Online Pennsylvania Programs


Search Programs

Online Higher Education in Pennsylvania


  • How much is college tuition in Pennsylvania?

    For the 2020-2021 academic year

    • Pennsylvania in-state tuition: $11,563
    • Out-of-state tuition: $26,699
    • Graduate in-state tuition: $13,509
    • Out-of-state students paid $20,841

    The college with the highest undergraduate tuition is Franklin and Marshall College at $63,406 and the least expensive college tuition in the state was found at Curtis Institute of Music, with a cost of $5,015. For graduate school, Thiel College had the highest tuition at $34,250 and Albright College has the lowest at $27,678.

    Find Your Online Pennsylvania Program

  • How many students are enrolled at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania?

    As of the 2020-2021 academic school year, there were:

    • Total students enrolled: 598,171
    • Undergraduate students: 467,828
    • Graduate school students: $130,343

    Full-time students far outnumber part-time students, with there being 421,353 and 176,818, respectively. Female students in Pennsylvania also outnumber male students 355,867 to 242,304.

  • How many students attend online classes?
    For the 2020-2021 academic year, 221,924 students attended classes exclusively online and another 173,472 took at least one online course during their education. Most online students were undergraduates.
  • What are some of the most popular degrees to get online?
    Some of the more popular programs include Business, Education, and Healthcare. However, some of the easiest degrees to get online might include options such as accounting, computer science, etc.

Our School Rankings Methodology


We use a particular set of criteria when creating our rankings. Some of the factors we consider include the following.

  • Admission Rate: This rate shows how competitive a school actually is. High admission rates mean it’s easier to be accepted, while a lower rate means the school is more selective of its students. Community colleges are often easier to get into than four-year colleges, but even they can have a strict criteria for admission.
  • Graduation Rate: We check the length of time students need to complete programs and whether that timeframe is within the standard four to six years for an undergraduate degree. Most students complete their degree programs in 4-5 years, but needing six or more years to finish is not out of the ordinary, especially for part-time students.
  • Net Price: This is the total amount a student will have to pay out of pocket for their education. This amount is the balance of tuition and fees after grants, scholarships, and work study credits have been applied.
  • Online Availability: Whether courses and programs can be completed online either partially or completely is considered.
  • Retention Rate: We evaluate how many students return after their first year of classes. This can help students to understand whether or not those who have attended the school previously felt that they had everything they needed to succeed or if they felt that they needed to attend elsewhere to gain their education.
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: The smaller the ratio, the smaller the classes and the greater chance for instructor interaction. Some students prefer smaller classes, while other students prefer larger ones, and the student-to-faculty ratio indicates which you will find at a particular institution.

Find Online Pennsylvania Schools

Top 15 Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in Pennsylvania


1

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Score: 71.69

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,445
    • Out-of-State: $14,445
  • Net Price: $17,354
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 40%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Total Enrollment: 651
  • Undergrad Students: 651
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $36,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
2

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Score: 71.09

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,940
    • Out-of-State: $25,680
  • Net Price: $23,030
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,241
  • Undergrad Students: 4,234
  • Graduate Students: 7
  • Grads Salary: $43,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology
3

Manor College

Score: 66.89

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $19,964
    • Out-of-State: $19,964
  • Net Price: $17,540
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 583
  • Undergrad Students: 583
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Manor College
4

Montgomery County Community College

Score: 65.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,250
    • Out-of-State: $16,230
  • Net Price: $7,621
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,596
  • Undergrad Students: 8,596
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $37,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Montgomery County Community College
5

Bucks County Community College

Score: 65.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,221
    • Out-of-State: $13,421
  • Net Price: $7,061
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,162
  • Undergrad Students: 6,162
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $34,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Bucks County Community College
6

Harrisburg Area Community College

Score: 65.37

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,918
    • Out-of-State: $11,400
  • Net Price: $9,991
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 53%
  • Graduation Rate: 16%
  • Total Enrollment: 12,576
  • Undergrad Students: 12,576
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $42,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Harrisburg Area Community College
7

Community College of Beaver County

Score: 64.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,680
    • Out-of-State: $19,890
  • Net Price: $5,916
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 60%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,720
  • Undergrad Students: 1,720
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $36,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Community College of Beaver County
8

Pittsburgh Technical College

Score: 63.35

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $18,980
    • Out-of-State: $18,980
  • Net Price: $26,419
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,066
  • Undergrad Students: 1,066
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Pittsburgh Technical College
9

Lehigh Carbon Community College

Score: 61.03

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,210
    • Out-of-State: $13,205
  • Net Price: $10,559
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,242
  • Undergrad Students: 6,242
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $36,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Lehigh Carbon Community College
10

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Score: 60.41

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,360
    • Out-of-State: $13,080
  • Net Price: $6,548
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 55%
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,270
  • Undergrad Students: 2,270
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $27,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
11

Westmoreland County Community College

Score: 59.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,224
    • Out-of-State: $14,424
  • Net Price: $6,243
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 19%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,171
  • Undergrad Students: 4,171
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $31,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Westmoreland County Community College
12

Reading Area Community College

Score: 59.16

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,890
    • Out-of-State: $12,030
  • Net Price: $9,882
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,533
  • Undergrad Students: 4,533
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Reading Area Community College
13

Northampton Community College

Score: 58.81

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,980
    • Out-of-State: $14,730
  • Net Price: $10,457
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 21%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,484
  • Undergrad Students: 8,484
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $34,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Northampton Community College
14

Harcum College

Score: 58.67

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $29,900
    • Out-of-State: $29,900
  • Net Price: $23,435
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 51%
  • Graduation Rate: 34%
  • Total Enrollment: 910
  • Undergrad Students: 910
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $36,300
  • Student-to-faculty: 4:1
  • Harcum College
15

Community College of Philadelphia

Score: 58.08

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,688
    • Out-of-State: $12,440
  • Net Price: $9,584
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 59%
  • Graduation Rate: 16%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,636
  • Undergrad Students: 11,636
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $33,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Community College of Philadelphia

Top 25 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania


1

University of Pennsylvania

Score: 91.45

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $66,104
    • Out-of-State: $66,104
  • Net Price: $26,123
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 96%
  • Total Enrollment: 28,201
  • Undergrad Students: 11,250
  • Graduate Students: 16,951
  • Grads Salary: $94,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • University of Pennsylvania
2

Villanova University

Score: 83.1

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $64,701
    • Out-of-State: $64,701
  • Net Price: $34,837
  • Acceptance Rate: 23%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,383
  • Undergrad Students: 6,989
  • Graduate Students: 3,394
  • Grads Salary: $91,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Villanova University
3

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh

Score: 78.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $21,524
    • Out-of-State: $39,890
  • Net Price: $24,286
  • Acceptance Rate: 49%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,767
  • Undergrad Students: 24,420
  • Graduate Students: 9,347
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh
4

The Pennsylvania State University

Score: 77.88

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $20,234
    • Out-of-State: $40,188
  • Net Price: $26,747
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
  • Total Enrollment: 50,028
  • Undergrad Students: 41,745
  • Graduate Students: 8,283
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • The Pennsylvania State University
5

Thomas Jefferson University

Score: 75.11

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $45,683
    • Out-of-State: $45,683
  • Net Price: $28,110
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,286
  • Undergrad Students: 3,771
  • Graduate Students: 4,515
  • Grads Salary: $91,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Thomas Jefferson University
6

Temple University

Score: 73

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $22,082
    • Out-of-State: $37,462
  • Net Price: $23,935
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,196
  • Undergrad Students: 24,106
  • Graduate Students: 9,090
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Temple University
7

Saint Francis University

Score: 72.23

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $41,720
    • Out-of-State: $41,720
  • Net Price: $27,459
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,857
  • Undergrad Students: 2,461
  • Graduate Students: 396
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Saint Francis University
8

Seton Hill University

Score: 71.95

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $41,414
    • Out-of-State: $41,414
  • Net Price: $24,576
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,988
  • Undergrad Students: 1,627
  • Graduate Students: 361
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Seton Hill University
9

La Salle University

Score: 71.09

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $35,570
    • Out-of-State: $35,570
  • Net Price: $17,552
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,049
  • Undergrad Students: 2,773
  • Graduate Students: 1,276
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • La Salle University
10

Waynesburg University

Score: 70.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $29,460
    • Out-of-State: $29,460
  • Net Price: $22,281
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,366
  • Undergrad Students: 1,116
  • Graduate Students: 250
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Waynesburg University
11

Drexel University

Score: 70.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $60,663
    • Out-of-State: $60,663
  • Net Price: $39,267
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 87%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,344
  • Undergrad Students: 14,021
  • Graduate Students: 8,323
  • Grads Salary: $84,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Drexel University
12

Gwynedd Mercy University

Score: 70.23

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $38,310
    • Out-of-State: $38,310
  • Net Price: $28,122
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,091
  • Undergrad Students: 1,412
  • Graduate Students: 679
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Gwynedd Mercy University
13

DeSales University

Score: 70.05

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $44,800
    • Out-of-State: $44,800
  • Net Price: $29,104
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,991
  • Undergrad Students: 2,225
  • Graduate Students: 766
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • DeSales University
14

Robert Morris University

Score: 69.97

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $34,940
    • Out-of-State: $34,940
  • Net Price: $23,572
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,431
  • Undergrad Students: 2,767
  • Graduate Students: 664
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Robert Morris University
15

Cedar Crest College

Score: 69.9

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $44,934
    • Out-of-State: $44,934
  • Net Price: $23,500
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,324
  • Undergrad Students: 953
  • Graduate Students: 371
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Cedar Crest College
16

Carlow University

Score: 69.79

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $34,502
    • Out-of-State: $34,502
  • Net Price: $17,437
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,104
  • Undergrad Students: 1,247
  • Graduate Students: 857
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Carlow University
17

Geneva College

Score: 69.75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,610
    • Out-of-State: $33,610
  • Net Price: $20,999
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,232
  • Undergrad Students: 1,123
  • Graduate Students: 109
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Geneva College
18

Elizabethtown College

Score: 69.69

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $36,842
    • Out-of-State: $36,842
  • Net Price: $26,723
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,021
  • Undergrad Students: 1,737
  • Graduate Students: 284
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Elizabethtown College
19

Immaculata University

Score: 68.79

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $28,550
    • Out-of-State: $28,550
  • Net Price: $29,188
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,361
  • Undergrad Students: 1,496
  • Graduate Students: 865
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Immaculata University
20

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Score: 68.6

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,507
    • Out-of-State: $14,615
  • Net Price: $17,873
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,221
  • Undergrad Students: 6,757
  • Graduate Students: 1,464
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
21

University of Scranton

Score: 67.97

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $52,309
    • Out-of-State: $52,309
  • Net Price: $35,526
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 80%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,731
  • Undergrad Students: 3,593
  • Graduate Students: 1,138
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • University of Scranton
22

Duquesne University

Score: 67.58

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $47,146
    • Out-of-State: $47,146
  • Net Price: $33,919
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,107
  • Undergrad Students: 5,095
  • Graduate Students: 3,012
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Duquesne University
23

Misericordia University

Score: 67.25

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $38,370
    • Out-of-State: $38,370
  • Net Price: $27,033
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,242
  • Undergrad Students: 1,776
  • Graduate Students: 466
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Misericordia University
24

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Score: 66.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,687
    • Out-of-State: $22,511
  • Net Price: $22,973
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 17,275
  • Undergrad Students: 14,392
  • Graduate Students: 2,883
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania
25

Chatham University

Score: 66.28

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $43,810
    • Out-of-State: $43,810
  • Net Price: $28,322
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,387
  • Undergrad Students: 1,499
  • Graduate Students: 888
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Chatham University

Search All Programs