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15 Online Colleges In Pennsylvania For International Students 

Pennsylvania has some of the best college programs in the country that may help students start successful, in-demand jobs. 

This directory of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania might assist prospective students in deciding where and what to study if they want to balance other obligations and their studies. 

The best programs, scholarships, and financial aid choices available at each institution are highlighted in this article on the best online colleges in Pennsylvania. 

Students in Pennsylvania who attend online courses will have a flexible schedule and the chance to learn self-management. 

Learn more about the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students by continuing to read.

Table of Contents

Why Should I Study In Pennsylvania?

Because they provide a wide range of online programs that accommodate various learning styles in various academic subjects, accredited online colleges in Pennsylvania are the best option for you. 

We list the primary justifications for enrolling in an online program at a Pennsylvania institution below. 

#1. Reputable Universities 

Ten renowned colleges in Pennsylvania provide high-caliber, reasonably priced academic degrees. These institutions also allow students to study abroad and participate in internships. 

Only a few examples include Swarthmore College, Thomas Jefferson University, and Carnegie Mellon University. 

#2. Flexibility 

Pennsylvanian-accredited online institutions provide adaptable asynchronous curricula. Working professionals and students with prior time obligations should choose these programs. 

Since they do not have to commute to school or worry about housing, students save time and money.

#3. Affordability 

Loans and grants are only two ways organizations like the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) are committed to helping students pay for their education. 

Regardless of financial aid, online programs are sometimes far less expensive than traditional ones.

Are There Free Online Colleges in Pennsylvania That Are Accredited? 

No, Pennsylvania does not provide any free accredited online universities. Three free courses are provided by a few schools in Pennsylvania, nevertheless. 

For instance, the University of Pennsylvania partners with edX, a popular MOOC platform, and the University of Pittsburgh collaborates with Coursera, one of the most well-known MOOC platforms. 

As an alternative, certain students may qualify for Opportunity Now, a unique financial aid program offered by the Community College of Philadelphia, which covers their whole semester’s tuition. 

Selected candidates who just lost their jobs and are going back to school to improve their abilities for job chances can apply for Opportunity Now.

You can read this: 13 Online Colleges In Maine For International Students | 2024

15 Best Online Colleges In Pennsylvania For International Students in 2024

Here are the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students.

  • Drexel University
  • California University of Pennsylvania
  • Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg
  • Community College of Allegheny County
  • Saint Joseph’s University
  • Wilkes University
  • Montgomery County Community College
  • Community College of Philadelphia
  • Villanova University
  • Northampton County Area Community College
  • Clarion University of Pennsylvania
  • Delaware County Community College
  • Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
  • Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
  • Bucks County Community College

#1. Drexel University

You can take more than 140 online courses offered by Drexel University to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate. 

Among the topics covered are arts administration and business, including accelerated or flexible online MBA programs, clinical research, communications, engineering, computer science, general studies, information management, information science/systems, project management, property management, and technology. 

Additionally, Drexel’s online programs offer a wide variety of certification and master’s degree options for educators and certification, master’s, and doctorate options for nursing or health professions students. 

Online courses at Drexel are provided every quarter with four terms per year. Financial help may be available for online students.

Additionally, Drexel provides discounted tuition rates for online students who are alumni, active-duty military personnel, veterans, and members of their families. 

Also, students are members of over 500 partner organizations, like businesses, school districts, and professional associations in the country. 

Online students have access to the library, writing center, career services, and technical help around the clock. 

Before enrolling in an online course, Drexel offers prospective students the chance to “test drive” the platform and become familiar with its key features.

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#2. California University of Pennsylvania

The associate through doctoral degrees is all online at the California University of Pennsylvania. 

The institution has just started offering associate degrees in technical and liberal studies, and both programs provide a degree completion option for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. 

Ten bachelor’s degrees are offered online, including those in Arabic language and culture, domestic and international security, land management, legal studies, and wellness and fitness. 

The most recent choices include liberal studies and computer information systems. A doctor of health science in health science and exercise leadership is now being offered online by California University. 

There are 14 choices available to students pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotions.

Candidates for the Master of Education have nine options, while those seeking the Master of Science in Legal Studies have three. 

The institution recently expanded its online programs by adding a dual master’s degree program in nursing and business administration. 

Since students do not have to visit the site physically, all online courses are delivered in an asynchronous mode. 

Military members who enroll in an online program at California University are eligible for a tuition discount.

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#3. Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg

The oldest community college in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Area Community College, has been providing online courses since the early 2000s. 

Over 30 associate degrees, four diploma programs, and ten certificate programs are entirely online. With more than 60 colleges, HACC has transfer agreements with 12 online degrees for students who want to transfer to a four-year institution. 

The remaining online associate degree programs are professional degrees in disciplines including business, health science, and technology. 

Students can choose between an emphasis on community health or corporate wellness for the newest online degree, an Associate in Applied Science in Wellness and Health Promotion.

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#4. Community College of Allegheny County

Community College of Allegheny County is also one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students. They offer 27 programs with 50 to 99 percent of the required courses online and 14 degrees that you can complete online. 

With 10 certificates that are at least 50% online and 13 completely online programs, students looking for a certificate or diploma program with an emphasis on the workforce have almost as many options. 

The online courses cover topics like technology, business, and education. Also, CCAC offers accelerated professional programs that combine in-person instruction with online learning. 

Nearly 30 colleges and universities that the college has partnerships with accept credits quickly from CCAC students who use the college as a stepping stone to a university.

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#5. Saint Joseph’s University

Online students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Professional and Liberal Studies from Saint Joseph’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Professional and Liberal Studies with a concentration in Autism Studies. 

The institution additionally offers seven graduate degrees: a Master’s in Business Intelligence, a Master’s in Organization Development and Leadership, a Master’s in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in Instructional Technology, a Master’s in Secondary Education, a Master’s in Special Education, and a Master’s in Health Administration. 

Additionally, you can get graduate credentials online, including the Online Accelerated Teacher Certification (OATCERT), Special Education Certification, Online Wilson Reading System Certification, and Behavior Analysis Certification.

Sessions at Saint Joseph’s commence in August, October, January, and March, among other start dates. 

The scholarships and financial aid available to on-campus students may also be accessible to online students. 

In order to make it simpler for students to earn an associate’s degree before finishing a bachelor’s, SJU partners with several community colleges. 

Students who have completed at least 12 hours of coursework at another institution may transfer into the undergraduate program. 

Graduate students pursuing degrees online may transfer up to two courses from another school.

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#6. Wilkes University

Wilkes University offers 11 master’s degrees that you can complete online, including an M.S. in 21st Century Teaching and Learning, an M.S. in the Art and Science of Teaching, an M.S. in Classroom Technology, an M.S. in Educational Leadership, etc.

If the credits meet certain requirements, students may transfer up to six credits into these programs. Online students often do not need to be online at specified times because classes usually start in January, May, June, August, and December.

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Check this: 15 Online Colleges In Virginia For International Students | 2024

#7. Montgomery County Community College

The virtual campus of Montgomery County Community College is the location of the school’s online degree and certificate programs. Also the institution is one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students.

Through the Virtual Campus, the college offers over thirty different programs, almost half of which are entirely online. Most online programs, which include a transfer associate degree, a career associate degree, and roughly a dozen certificates, are in the discipline of business. 

Secondary education and liberal studies transfer degrees are also offered entirely online. 

At MCCC, a few online courses demand proctored exams. Achieving the Dream Leader College Montgomery County Community College has been recognized for promoting students’ success, including developing innovative methods for teaching arithmetic and enhancing student support services.

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#8. Community College of Philadelphia

Six programs at the Community College of Philadelphia are online-only and geared toward students who want to transfer to a four-year institution. Justice, psychology, and accounting are available options. 

In order to make it simple for graduates of associate degree programs to transfer into bachelor’s programs, CC of Philadelphia has transfer agreements with numerous schools and universities. 

Depending on the degree earned, these institutions include St. Joseph’s, La Salle, and Temple University. 

Although a few may need a proctored test or a scheduled live session, most online courses are asynchronous.

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#9. Villanova University

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Service & Administration, the Bachelor of Arts in Media and Technology, the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies, and the new Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in General Studies are the four bachelor’s degrees Villanova University provides online. 

The institution offers a customized RN to BSN curriculum, created especially for registered nurses for those looking to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Students must have a minimum of 60 transfer credits from another nursing program in order to be admitted into this program. 

A Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Human Resources Development is further graduate degrees offered by Villanova.

Additionally, Villanova University provides 14 master certificate programs (Agile Management, Project Management, Six Sigma, Business Process Management, Business and Law of Sports, Contract Management, IS Security, Business Analysis, Software Testing, IT Service Management, etc.

All students are eligible for financial help, which includes William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans, state grants, and federal Pell Grants. 

Students can choose between two fall sessions, one starting in August and the other in October, and two spring sessions, one beginning in January and the other in March.

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#10. Northampton County Area Community College

Northampton County Area Community College is one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students.

The dedication of Northampton Community College to online education reflects the college’s goal of offering an accessible education. 

The college offers over 160 online courses each semester, many of which have numerous portions. In fact, all five of the most sought-after degrees—including those in business administration, criminal justice, and early childhood education—can be done totally online. 

The college offers ten online degrees, while another three call for one or two on-campus courses. Assignment due dates are set according to a standard academic schedule for classes. 

Online students who reside nearby can use the campus testing center for proctoring services because some classes may require proctored exams.

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#11. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

From associate degrees to a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Clarion University of Pennsylvania provides a broad range of degrees that you can accomplish fully online. 

Among the associate degree programs are arts and sciences, allied health, business administration, criminal justice, and early childhood education. 

Undergraduates can choose six liberal studies concentrations or pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology, business administration, allied health leadership, medical imaging, technology leadership, criminal justice administration, English, or a program to finish their nursing degree. 

Education, journalism, mass media arts, applied data analytics, accounting, rehabilitation sciences, library science, and business administration are among the fields where master’s degrees are offered.

The Master of Science in Nursing program requires an on-site lab and clinical attendance. 

Although four master’s programs and the RN to BSN program also allow students to attend seven-week classes that run for the first or second half of a semester, online courses are typically delivered in a standard semester style. 

Scholarships and grants are available to online students. Two scholarships from Clarion are available only to online students; one is for students pursuing a master’s degree in mass media arts, and the other is for those seeking a B.S. in liberal studies.

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#12. Delaware County Community College

Since 1998, when the internet was still a baby, Delaware County Community College has been offering online and hybrid classes to the public. 

Currently, the college provides more than 130 online courses, and you can complete three of its degrees online. Associate in Science in Business Administration-General Business or Associate in Arts in Global Studies or Liberal Arts are the degrees in question. 

The availability of five other associate degrees, including sociology, English, and education, is around 90% online. There are four certificate programs available online. 

A hybrid degree is an extra choice that combines online and in-person coursework. Eight hybrid degrees are offered, with between 70 and 85 percent of the coursework completed online.

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#13. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Students at SRU have the option of pursuing an online M.A. in Criminal Justice or History. 

The institution also provides online graduate degrees in elementary education in the following areas: K-12 Reading Specialist with Instructional Coaching Literacy Endorsement, K-8 Math & Science (M.Ed. ), and K-12 Reading Specialist (M.Ed.). 

Additionally, there are three graduate programs in Secondary Education offered online, all on the Advanced Track: Teaching Mathematics and Science (M.Ed.), Teaching English (M.Ed.), and Teaching History (M.Ed.). Autism (M.Ed.), Grades 7 to 12 (M.Ed.), Birth to Grade 8 (M.Ed.), Supervision (M.Ed.), and Educational Doctorate are SRU’s five online special education graduate programs (Ed.D.). 

A master’s degree in technology for online instruction (M.Ed.) is also available to students online.

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#14. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

In the 2017 U.S. News and World Report college rankings, Edinboro University’s graduate programs were among the Best Online Programs. 

One of the many graduate degrees offered by Edinboro that may be done online is the first accredited online Master of Arts in Counseling – Art Therapy degree. Students who complete this program are prepared to register as art therapists and get counselor licensure. 

Most online programs, including master’s degrees and endorsements, are for instructors. 

Online master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are available for nurses. 

Although Edinboro offers some undergraduate courses online, its bachelor’s degrees are not regarded as online degrees.

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Also, you can check this: 15 Online Colleges In Massachusetts For International Students | 2024

#15. Bucks County Community College

Through Bucks Online, the online learning program provided by Bucks County Community College, students seeking an online degree can complete one of 19 associate degrees or three certifications. 

You can earn associate degrees in fields as diverse as psychology, English, and mathematics entirely online. 

Students conduct an internship and take all their classes online for degrees in marketing and management. 

Another 20 or more programs are available to those willing to spend some time on campus, with at least 80% of the material being offered online or through hybrid courses that mix online learning with in-person instruction.

In addition, Bucks County Community College is one of the best online colleges in Pennsylvania for international students.

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FAQs About The Online Colleges in Pennsylvania for International Students

Is an online university reliable? 

When online colleges are accredited, they do have credibility. Accredited online universities are officially recognized and offer the same top-quality instruction and training as traditional programs. 
The same accreditation method is applied to online college programs by national and professional organizations to verify the high standards of instruction. 

Are online college degrees taken seriously by employers? 

Yes, the majority of employers are serious about online college degrees. With carefully designed programs, accredited online college degrees fulfill quality criteria. Qualified instructors teach online courses with years of experience.

What benefits and drawbacks come with attending college online? 

The advantages of online education include having control over your schedule and avoiding the time and costs associated with commuting. The disadvantage of studying online is that you can’t socialize and form a community with other students. 

How can you tell if a school is accredited online? 

On a school’s official website, you can find information about accreditation. Use the college navigator on the National Center for Education Statistics website to get a general list of accredited institutions based on a state or subject.

Conclusion 

It will help if you enroll in an approved online college in Pennsylvania because you can receive a top-notch education from the convenience of your home in a variety of subject areas. 

Students who study online save money they would otherwise have to pay for transportation and on-campus or nearby accommodation.

References

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Ajah Excel is a team growth and performance expert with over nine years of experience in blogging and personal development. He leads a team of 36 crazy, restless innovators with an enviable work culture at Silicon Africa Technologies Limited – a fast-rising tech firm from the SouthEast. Excel is the founder of Kiiky.com and WriterGig. He is also the co-organizer of TEDx Ikenegbu and convener of Social Media Fest. He is a vibrant learner who yearns to share his knowledge to educate and inspire young Africans. He has a B.Tech in Information Management Technology with certifications in growth hacking, effective communication, leadership, team, and personal development, to mention a few. Ajah Anayochukwu Excel is a passionate public speaker, creative writer, and brand storyteller.

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