Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania of 2025
Online learning blends accessibility and convenience. Find out what the best online universities in Pennsylvania offer and how they might benefit you.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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Earning a college degree can lead to higher wages and more career options. With 186 two- and degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the Keystone State, Pennsylvania students have many educational options to choose from when pursuing a degree.
Thanks to online learning, students in Pennsylvania can also now study virtually and enjoy more schedule and travel flexibility. The large number of options, however, can make the decision-making process feel overwhelming.
We’ve broken down what it could cost to attend college in Pennsylvania and the job opportunities your degree can lead to. We also highlight the best online universities in the state to help you find the right fit.
2025 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,212
$56,212
6%
14%
$39,838
$39,838
98%
23,790
Private
Yes
$56,212
$56,212
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,212
$56,212
6%
14%
$39,838
$39,838
98%
23,790
Private
Yes
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$21,014
$36,379
83%
49%
$20,531
$26,672
84%
30,205
Public
Yes
$21,014
$36,379
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$21,014
$36,379
83%
49%
$20,531
$26,672
84%
30,205
Public
Yes
Villanova University
Villanova, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$60,768
$60,768
23%
23%
$21,207
$21,207
96%
10,383
Private
Yes
$60,768
$60,768
Villanova, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$60,768
$60,768
23%
23%
$21,207
$21,207
96%
10,383
Private
Yes
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$43,100
$43,100
86%
53%
$22,509
$22,509
82%
8,315
Private
Yes
$43,100
$43,100
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$43,100
$43,100
86%
53%
$22,509
$22,509
82%
8,315
Private
Yes
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,595
$56,595
78%
42%
$36,234
$36,234
90%
21,573
Private
Yes
$56,595
$56,595
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,595
$56,595
78%
42%
$36,234
$36,234
90%
21,573
Private
Yes
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,716
$11,574
75%
47%
$9,288
$13,932
81%
8,362
Public
Yes
$7,716
$11,574
Slippery Rock, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,716
$11,574
75%
47%
$9,288
$13,932
81%
8,362
Public
Yes
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$41,100
$41,100
79%
44%
$21,120
$21,120
81%
2,929
Private
Yes
$41,100
$41,100
Center Valley, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$41,100
$41,100
79%
44%
$21,120
$21,120
81%
2,929
Private
Yes
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$32,390
$32,390
94%
60%
N/A
N/A
82%
3,431
Private
Yes
$32,390
$32,390
Moon Township, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$32,390
$32,390
94%
60%
N/A
N/A
82%
3,431
Private
Yes
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$34,952
$34,952
75%
50%
$36,438
$36,438
80%
2,107
Private
Yes
$34,952
$34,952
Dallas, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$34,952
$34,952
75%
50%
$36,438
$36,438
80%
2,107
Private
Yes
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$26,900
$26,900
79%
56%
$12,780
$12,780
80%
2,426
Private
Yes
$26,900
$26,900
Immaculata, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$26,900
$26,900
79%
56%
$12,780
$12,780
80%
2,426
Private
Yes
How Much Does Online College Cost in Pennsylvania?
The cost of online college in Pennsylvania varies depending on the type of school you choose and your residency status.
In-state four-year public schools usually cost the least to attend. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), public schools charged in-state students an average of $14,920 in tuition and required fees in 2021-2022. Out-of-state students paid nearly double, and private school students paid more than three times that amount.
Schools often charge online students in-state rates even if they live outside the state. In this way, virtual learners not only save on transportation and lodging, but also on tuition.
Students can also pursue federal financial aid and support from specific organizations. Pennsylvania residents can make use of state-run financial aid as well, such as the programs from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
| Institution Type | Average Tuition and Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $14,920 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $26,426 |
| Private Four-Year | $45,406 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $5,549 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $12,657 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s job market looks bright for professionals with a bachelor’s degree. The following table shows that the careers with the highest projected growth rates also earn higher-than-average salaries.
In fact, there are five fields with average annual salaries of over $100,000 and projected job growth rates of over 25% between 2020 and 2030.
You can access the promising fields below by attending one of the many online universities in Pennsylvania.
| Job | Job Growth 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Statisticians | 37.3% | $89,540 |
| Physician Assistants | 33.5% | $110,140 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 33.2% | $120,910 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 32.7% | $120,550 |
| Information Security Analysts | 32.5% | $100,370 |
| Software Developers and QA Analysts | 27.9% | N/A |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 26.8% | $85,600 |
| Operations Research Analysts | 26% | $79,260 |
| Actuaries | 25% | $122,910 |
| Interpreters and Translators | 22.7% | $55,170 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
No, Pennsylvania’s online colleges are not free. However, the state does feature many affordable schools and programs. Online students can also qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students, reducing study costs considerably.
For example, the PA State Grant alone may cover up to 50% of your costs.
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