Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Philadelphia, PA

Known for being the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia offers one of the largest student concentrations on the East Coast. There are approximately eighty institutions for higher education in the Philadelphia region. Of these schools, many are recognized as top tier research institutions. 

We hope the following list of top 10 colleges for an online degree in Philadelphia assists you in your research and plans to pursue an online degree.

 

1 – University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Recognized among the best universities in the world, University of Pennsylvania offers top-notch programs at its online college in Philadelphia. The institution’s online offerings include a variety of options. From the Wharton Executive Education programs to earning an online degree in Philadelphia from the School of Nursing’s Center for Professional Development, UPenn presents superior education from distinguished faculty. Forbes magazine ranks the university #7 among Top Research Universities, #11 among Top Private Colleges, and #12 overall. U.S. News and World Report ranks University of Pennsylvania as the 9th Best National University in the country, with the #1 Best Undergraduate Business Program. These honors are hard to beat, which is why UPenn earns a top spot in our top 10 colleges for an online degree in Philadelphia.

 

2 – Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University is among the top-ranked online colleges in Philadelphia, offering a strong background in research and technology. For students wanting to earn degrees from accredited online schools in Philadelphia, Drexel delivers quality and variety. Drexel University offers more than 130 online degree programs and certificates, delivering classes taught by distinguished faculty. The school has earned national and regional rankings from the Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks Drexel as the 99th Best National University in the United States, according to the 2016 edition of Best Colleges. The school’s online programs also rank well. Rankings for the school’s online programs include #29 for the best online graduate engineering program, #31 for the best online graduate nursing program, and #62 for the best online bachelor’s program.

 

3 – Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University offers some of the most highly ranked online degrees in Philadelphia. The school’s national recognition as a leader in higher education makes it a top-ranked online college in Philadelphia. The university’s online programs are ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges publication. In fact, the ranking body names Temple as having the #1 Best Online MBA Program and the #31 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in the nation. Forbes magazine’s America’s Top Colleges lists Temple University as the 145th Top College in the Northeast and the 157th Top Research University in the United States.

 

4 – Saint Joseph’s University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For students looking to complete an online degree in Philadelphia, accredited institutions are a must. Saint Joseph’s University is a private school with national and regional accreditation. Not only is the institution accredited, but it is also nationally recognized and ranked. In fact, U.S. and World Report ranks Saint Joseph’s as the 15th Best Regional University in the North, in its 2016 edition of Best Colleges. Forbes magazine ranks the school as the 93rd top-ranked institution for higher education in the Northeast. The school offers at least twelve master’s degree programs that may be completed entirely online. The Bachelor of Science in Professional and Liberal Studies is also offered as an online degree program.

 

5 – La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University earns a spot in our top online colleges in Philadelphia due to its comprehensive program offerings and national rankings. La Salle’s graduate programs offered entirely online include computer information science, information technology leadership, and nonprofit leadership to name a few. Popular undergraduate programs include organizational leadership, pre-speech language pathology, and the RN to BSN. It can be a challenge to find online degrees in Philadelphia that are reputable and accredited, but La Salle’s programs are both. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks La Salle University as the 26th Best Regional University in the North and Forbes magazine ranks the institution as #253 among all private colleges in the United States.

 

6 – Philadelphia University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1884, Philadelphia University was originally a textile school that expanded to serve students pursuing higher education in various areas of study. Among accredited online schools in Philadelphia, the institution offers online degree programs in a wide range of fields that are tailored to meet the needs of its students. Online degrees offers at the school include bachelors in accounting, business management, human resources, and law enforcement leadership. Online master’s degrees include business administration, disaster medicine and management, and sustainable design. Among schools where students may earn an online degree in Philadelphia, Philadelphia University is a top-ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 58th Best Regional University in the North.

 

7 – Walden University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Walden University is a well-known online college in Philadelphia that promotes distance learning and quality education. Comprehensive programs provide online degrees in Philadelphia that consist of four-year bachelors and beyond. Students may earn a master’s or doctoral degree entirely online. Specialized accreditation includes the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Popular areas of study include Business and Management, Communication, Education, Information Technology, Nursing, and Social Work and Human Service. The school prides itself in offering online degree programs designed for the working student.

 

8 – Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson University is a private institution located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school is home to the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and offers various degree programs in science and medicine. Thomas Jefferson earns a spot in our top accredited online schools in Philadelphia because of its program offerings and rankings. The school earned a place in U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 edition of Best Colleges for being a Best Global University. Many of the school’s programs are nationally ranked. The most popular online graduate degrees offered at Thomas Jefferson include the Master’s degrees in Applied Health and Economics Research, Healthcare Policy and Safety, and Health Policy. Not only is Thomas Jefferson a top-ranked school for graduate health degrees, but is also considered to be among the most affordable online schools in Philadelphia for earning a medical and science degree.

 

9 – Community College of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Students who want an online education do not have to enroll at a four-year university to gain quality instruction. A top-choice for online colleges in Philadelphia is the Community College of Philadelphia, a two-year institution offering numerous program opportunities. Most of the degree programs offered at the community college lead to an associate’s degree. Popular programs include Accounting, Business, Business Administration, and Justice. The school has won numerous awards and accolades, including the League for Innovation in the Community College and the National Center for Community Engagement awards. The overall number of degrees offered at Community College of Philadelphia combined with its awards and recognitions earn it a spot on our list.

 

10 – Cairn University

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Making the list of online colleges in Philadelphia is Cairn University, a private biblically minded institution founded in 1913. Recognized as among the most affordable online schools in Philadelphia, Cairn builds its education platform on biblical values and beliefs. Online academic programs at the graduate level are offered at Cairn. The most popular degrees include the Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Science in Education, and the Master of Business Administration. Cairn has performed well in national and regional rankings. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 106th Best Regional University in the North.