Higher education remains a solid foundation for career building. However, the challenges that parents and prospective students face—from budget cuts and increasing tuition rates to course shortages — are indeed dream killers.
In Pennsylvania, the education budget is a lot lesser than other states, leaving many colleges and universities confronting a funding crisis and dealing with rising operating costs. Tuition fees are quite high, especially in private, non-profit colleges. Despite all of this, most students are not discouraged from pursuing their chosen degrees.
Whiletraditional schools continue to provide quality education to Pennsylvaniaresidents and beyond, several alternatives have been gaining popularity lately.This includes the rise of online learning. Many colleges and universities inPennsylvania offer online courses as well as degree programs from differentdisciplines.
Earning one's degree online has many advantages. For one, students will be able to finish their degree anytime and anywhere. They do not need to attend classes on-campus, allowing them to cut down on room and board expenses, as well as transportation costs. Being able to take their classes online also means they can juggle their day jobs and college education at the same time. Students have ample opportunities to earn a living and finance their tuition fees while pursuing their dream degree.
Onlineeducation also benefits adult learners and working professionals who may wantto go back to school and finish their degrees or further their educationalattainment to advance their careers. Many students may be hesitant to get theirdegrees online, but it should be kept in mind that online degrees nowadays havethe same quality as their traditional counterparts.
METHODOLOGYThe State of Pennsylvania shows an increasing number of colleges and universities offering high-quality online education. To help prospective online college students in their search for the top-rated schools in the State, the researchers and writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com gathered the 5 Top Online Schools in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the finest quality of education they offer. Here are our top considerations for an online school to make it on our list:
An extensive range of degree program options consisting of a high-quality program curriculum and rigorous coursework,
An industry-renowned online learning platform that lets distance learners access their coursework easily and get help from a readily available tech support team,
Faculty members who are considered specialists in their industry or field of study,
Full accreditation from academic agencies.
If you want to know more about our ranking process, please visit our Methodology Page.
Pennsylvania State University
Ranked among the top one percent of the world's universities, Pennsylvania State University spreads out to 24 campuses that serve 100,000 students and house 17,000 faculty and staff. The university has continuously brought a positive impact on the community through their teaching, research, and engagement mission.
Some of theuniversity's strengths include easy access to state-of-the-art resources andinterdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres. At Pennsylvania StateUniversity, students can choose from more than 275 baccalaureate degreeprograms across a variety of fields, from psychology to atmospheric science andmaterials engineering. It has a tradition of academic excellence, investment instudent success, and commitment to providing unrivaled opportunities.
Aside from its physical campuses, Penn State also nurtures an online school under its wings. The Penn State World Campus is the second largest among the Pennsylvania State University system. It caters to 20,000 students. This campus provides an accessible and quality online education for individuals who seek higher education beyond the traditional campus experience.
In the PennState World Campus, students have more than 150 degree and certificate programsto choose from, all developed and taught by Penn State faculty. The onlineprograms aim to advance new knowledge, contribute to research, and enablecreative expression no matter where students are located. With 100% onlinedegrees, Penn State World Campus students can easily manage their adultresponsibilities while balancing work, family, and education.
Their onlineofferings are academically rigorous and accredited. The curriculum iscareer-focused and built on the latest industry trends. Students can restassured that they are receiving a quality education as their courses are taughtby renowned faculty members who are field specialists.
Some of themost notable degree programs include Bachelor of Science in Accounting,Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalismand Media, Bachelor of Arts in Energy and Sustainability Policy, and many more.
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements:- Creation
of MyPennState Profile
HighSchool units of study: English (4 units), Social Studies/Art/Humanities (3units), Science (3 units), Math (3 units), World Language (2 units)
AccomplishedOnline application
Self-ReportedAcademic Record (SRAR)
OfficialTest Scores from either SAT or ACT
- Middle
States Association
Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Networkof Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
Councilfor the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
AccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Clarks Summit University of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1932, Clarks Summit University of Pennsylvania has helped their graduates prepare for their career for more than 80 years. This Christian college offers high-quality academic programs, whether it is for undergraduates or graduates.
The degreeofferings guide students in building their foundation for a successful futurecareer. They offer more than 40 undergraduate academic programs, includingmajors in business and communications, health and sports services, as well ashuman services, Christian ministries, and education.
Aside from those offered on campus, students can also earn their degrees online. These online programs are ideal for adult learners who do not have the luxury of time to pursue higher education and advance their careers. Through the online programs, they are allowed to keep up with their professional career and development while completing their degrees. The flexibility of schedule and the fact that they can access their coursework anywhere and everywhere is a significant factor that draws many students into online degree programs.
Students have numerous choices at Clarks Summit University, including bachelor's degrees in Addictions Counseling, Bible and Theology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and so much more.
Location: Clark Summit, Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements:- Accomplished
online form
Otheradmission requirements are available when interested students request forinformation via the website.
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education
Associationfor Biblical Higher Education
Point Park University
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Point Park University is a dynamic, private, and urban university committed to higher education. It has an intense focus on student success through distinctive, innovative, and experiential learning. Currently, it has over 70 majors, more than 20 master's and doctoral degrees, and more than 20 online degrees offered. It is their goal to provide ample opportunities for higher learning and professional development.
At Point Park,students are encouraged to embrace the new ways of thinking while preparingthem to advance their career field. For those who want to take advantage of theuniversity's online programs, they have the option to choose among a variety ofonline degree programs, all designed with busy professionals in mind. It offersan innovative and convenient method to earn a degree with its flexible formatthat lets students take their course wherever and whenever it is most suitablefor them.
The online programsare just as high-quality as the on-campus offerings. They are also taught bythe same competent faculty, ensuring its commitment to academic excellence. Theironline program choices include Bachelor of Science in Business Management,Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts in PublicRelations and Advertising, Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, andmany more.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements:- Cumulative
2.50 academic weighted GPA
StandardizedTest Scores (SAT score – 950; ACT score – a composite of 18)
Completedapplication form
Officialhigh school transcript or GED results
Apersonal essay
Lettersof recommendation and resume (optional)
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education
Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission(ABET
InternationalAssembly of Collegiate Business Education
NationalAssociation of Schools of Dance
University of Pennsylvania
Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania has a proud tradition of intellectual rigor and pursuit of innovative knowledge. It was established in 1740. Today, it teaches thousands of students from Pennsylvania and beyond. With a total of 4,722 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, making it possible for professors to devote their attention to each student and their unique learning needs.
As a leader inonline learning, the University of Pennsylvania provides opportunities forpeople all over the globe that will help them build professional skills,acquire college credit, and advance their professional careers. There is arange of online options, including credit and non-credit courses and programs.For those who are looking to build a specific skill in a short amount of time,they can try the university's massive open online course (MOOC). Students whoaim to explore deeper into the field of their choice can choose a degree orfor-credit certificate instead.
As with otheronline programs, the online degrees at the University of Pennsylvania aredesigned in flexible formats, making it accessible and convenient even forthose who live out of state or country. Their online options were designed byfaculty members who are expert in their fields and have the same weight asthose offered on campus. Some programs are offered entirely online while othersare in a hybrid format, meaning students may take some of their courseworkonline while others require their presence on-campus.
Some of themost notable online degrees include Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences andMaster of Science in Nonprofit Leadership.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements:- Accomplished
application form
SchoolReport
CounselorRecommendation
SATor ACT scores
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education
Commissionon English Language Accreditation (CEA)
Villanova University
A Roman Catholic Institution of Higher Learning, Villanova University was founded in 1842. Today, it is located in a suburban campus close to Philadelphia. Villanova University provides comprehensive education with roots in liberal arts.
The schooloffers a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programsthrough their six colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,School of Business, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, and more. Theirdegree programs go beyond the traditional on-campus offerings. Students mayalso avail of their online programs that offer flexibility and convenience.
Whether it is an undergraduate education or a professional certificate that students are looking for, Villanova University has a variety of offerings that will suit their needs. The programs are created for adults whose busy life requires flexible schedules. While there are online courses and hybrid formats offered, it is also possible for students to take some of the degree programs purely online. They can be completed anywhere in the world as long as there is internet access.
Their degreeprograms are ideal for working professionals who are required by their jobs totravel regularly and those who need to juggle their professional and personallives along with their educational needs. Developed and taught by Villanovafaculty, the degree programs are of the highest quality.
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
Admission Requirements:- Accomplished
application form
Applicationessay
Officialhigh school transcript
SecondarySchool Report with school counselor recommendation
StandardizedTest Scores (SAT/ACT)
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education
AmericanSociety for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
AmericanChemical Society (ACS)
ComputingAccreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, Inc.
NationalAssociation of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
The state of Pennsylvania is home to a large number of colleges and universities, above the national average for American states. This has also translated into more options for affordable and quality online education, and the good news is that even residents outside of Pennsylvania and outside the country can enjoy the educational quality that institutions in the states can offer through online education.
But what makesgetting a degree online such an attractive option for many students these days?The consistent answers one would get would probably be accessibility andaffordability. Online education is an innovation that has given chances tostudents who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a traditional on-campuseducation, such as students with disabilities or those with responsibilities athome or work.
The lowertuition rates and fees offered by online colleges and universities is also a majorreason. As the cost of living continues to rise, students and households on abudget can significantly benefit from online education. Aside from tuition, theother expenses entailed by on-campus schooling can also become a burden tofinancially struggling students. Parking, transportation, housing, and outsidemeals are just some of the additional expenses that can be eliminated by optingfor online education.
It's notdifficult to see why online education is booming. And with this boom, we canalso expect online education providers to innovate their services further, tobring the best educational experience to more and more students via theInternet.
METHODOLOGYThe perfect online school in Pennsylvania that offers great degree program options can be quite difficult to find—and so are budget-friendly online degree schools! Because we know affordability is a top factor for choosing your online academic institution, we have prepared a list of the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Pennsylvania.
This list features high-quality distance learningschools that don't break the bank and provide a wealth of financial aidoptions.
Lancaster
Bible College
With a population of around 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Lancaster Bible College (LBC) may be on the smaller side, but it benefits from a 15 to 1 student-faculty ratio that can provide a more in-depth educational experience to its students. Despite starting as a bible college, LBC has expanded in recent years and now has eight departments offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, seminary-related master's degrees, and accelerated and online programs.
LBC's fullyonline bachelor's degree programs let students customize their schedules andallow them to take one six-week course at a time for better focus. Twelveoptions are available, with both Christian-centric programs such as BiblicalStudies and Ministry Leadership and more general options like Marketing,Business Administration, Communication, and Accounting, and can be taken bystudents from any U.S. state or territory. The College also has a unique LifeExperience Credits perk that allows students to earn free college credits fortheir life experiences that can be considered as prior learning.
As for tuitionand fees, online degrees cost an affordable $440 per credit hour, which is thesame for in-state and out-of-state students. Grants, scholarships, studentloans, and veteran benefits are also offered to qualified online students.
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
AdmissionRequirements:
- official electronic high school, college
transcript or GED scores
CLEP / AP exam results (no minimum scoreindicated)
Christian ministry reference
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
TheAssociation for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (ABHE)
Councilon Social Work Education (CSWE)
NationalAssociation of Schools of Music (NASM)
Commissionon Sport Management Accreditation (COMSA)
Central Penn
College
Central Penn College (CPC) was originally a business college founded in 1881 that began transitioning into a college offering a wider variety of options in 1977. Later on, in 2004, online and blended courses became available at Central Penn, in addition to their on-campus associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.
The Collegealso prides itself in the high rate of CPC graduates who manage to get employedin the field or industry of their choice or pursue further education. It alsooffers a one-of-a-kind free housing initiative for qualified on-campus studentsto help with financial costs.
Presently, all thirty-one of its programs are available online or via a hybrid delivery option. CPC offers master's degrees in Organizational Development and Financial Analysis, while its Bachelor of Science degrees include Legal Studies, Banking & Finance, Corporate Communications, Accounting, and Information Technology, to name a few. Associate degrees in Science and Applied Science, plus a Phlebotomy Technician post-secondary certificate program are also offered. Central Penn's tuition cost is at $494 per credit hour, and a fifteen-credit term is at $7,410. Graduate fees are at $672 per credit hour.
Location: Summerdale, Pennsylvania
AdmissionRequirements:
- official high school diploma, transcripts a GED
or a homeschooling certificate
other additional requirements vary depending onthe degree
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Commissionon Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Commissionon Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical TherapyAssociation (CAPTE)
AccreditationCouncil for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), American Bar Association(ABA)
Peirce
College
Peirce College's beginnings can be traced back to 1865 when it was established as the Union Business College, which aimed to provide business education to Civil War soldiers after the end of the war. Its name was changed to Peirce School in 1964, after its founder Thomas May Peirce, and then later into Peirce College in 1997.
Now, the college is known for its focus on adult learners. As part of its commitment to accessibility, Peirce College began its venture into online education in 2000. It offers a variety of formats for its adult learners; options include fully online programs, hybrid programs, a self-paced competency-based education, and an intensive program.
Peirce has beenacknowledged as one of the best online colleges in terms of value, with itsin-state tuition estimated to range from $8,900 to $13,000 a year and its percredit hour fee at $578. Its most popular majors are its business and paralegalofferings, while other options include healthcare-related degrees, Accounting,Information Technology, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration,Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Human Resources. Master's and certificateprograms are also part of their online catalog. An assortment of financial aidis available, while Peirce is also considered one of the most military-friendlycolleges due to its various benefits for veteran students.
Location: Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
AdmissionRequirements:
high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
AccreditationCouncil for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Commissionon Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM)
AmericanBar Association (ABA)
Clarion
University of Pennsylvania
A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Clarion University of Pennsylvania has received multiple rankings and accolades from various institutions throughout the years. It ranked 13th in Study.com's Top 50 Finance Schools, and its nursing school has been deemed one of the best in the country by RNCareers.org, while also being recognized as one of the safest colleges in America by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2020.
Clarion Online,its online learning division, has likewise placed in multiple lists, includingtwo Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania and Best Online Undergraduate BusinessPrograms rankings; its online Accounting program was also tagged as the 7thmost affordable option nationwide. Its online bachelor's degree options includeBA in Sociology and Psychology, BS in Business Administration in variousconcentrations, and BS in Liberal Studies with up to eleven concentrations andminors, plus health-related degrees. Certificates, associate degrees, graduatedegrees, special programs, and one doctorate are also offered by ClarionOnline.
Despite therecognition, Clarion remains one of the best value options in the state ofPennsylvania when it comes to online education. Pennsylvania residents enjoy alow rate of $409.20 per credit hour, while a little increase applies to studentsfrom outside the state at $461.20 per credit hour. One online term will costin-state students around $9,829, and non-Pennsylvania residents, $11,108.
Location: Clarion, Pennsylvania
AdmissionRequirements:
SAT / ACT scores (no minimum score indicated)
official high school transcript or GED
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
AccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing
Associationof Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Indiana
University of Pennsylvania
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania, also commonly referred to as IUP, is a public university home to over 12,000 students and 700 staff members. It began as a regular school for teachers in 1871, but IUP now boasts an excellent selection of more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree offerings under its eight schools and colleges.
Aside from its extensive degree offerings, IUP also recently ranked 8th in Best Value School's 2020 list of Best Value Online Schools in Pennsylvania, as its annual tuition average for in-state students rarely go beyond $10,000. PayScale also named it one of the best universities in terms of return on investment. One online course composed of three credits is around $1,137 for in-state students, which would place IUP's rate at roughly $379 per credit hour, and $2,750 for those residing outside Pennsylvania.
Students cantake a fully online associate's or bachelor's degree in General Studies, withan assortment of concentrations. Meanwhile, graduate degree options are Adultand Community Education, Art, Criminology, Food and Nutrition, and Mathematics.Hybrid or blended programs are also available for those willing to occasionallyattend on-campus sessions.
Location: Indiana County, Pennsylvania
AdmissionRequirements:- SAT score of 1050 or higher / ACT composite
score of 22 or higher
cumulative high school GPA of 3.39 higher isrecommended but not required
- Middle
States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
AccreditationCommission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)
AmericanPsychological Association Commission on Accreditation
AppliedScience Accreditation Commission (ASAC) of ABET
Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
