7 Most Affordable Online Information Technology Degrees in Pennsylvania 2025

Information technology experts are essential for many industries, including business, criminal justice, education, and healthcare. Typically, IT professionals need at least an associate degree, although a bachelor's or higher is usually preferred.

If you live in Pennsylvania, you may want to consider local schools and online options to reduce the expense of higher education. The cost of earning a degree may seem overwhelming, however, there are several low-cost online information technology degrees available to students. Keep reading to discover affordable online IT degree programs in Pennsylvania.

Affordable Online Information Technology Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Pennsylvania has some of the highest tuition rates in the nation; however, many online colleges accept FAFSA in Pennsylvania so students can obtain federal grants and scholarships. Although there aren't many low-cost online colleges in Pennsylvania, several institutions offer comprehensive financial aid programs to help students manage their tuition costs.

Below, we've highlighted colleges in Pennsylvania that offer online information technology programs and prioritize affordability. All schools listed hold regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

1. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research institution based in Philadelphia. It offers an online bachelor's degree in computing and security technology, geared specifically toward information technology professionals who want to further their education, and a master's degree in business information technology.

The tuition rate for the bachelor's program is $591 per credit hour, while the master's is $1,316. Although these rates are significantly lower than what students pay for on-campus programs, Drexel offers scholarship opportunities and accepts federal financial aid programs.

2. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

At Harrisburg University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in information systems and information technology or in computer and information sciences online. Learners in the information systems and information technology program can choose a concentration in IT infrastructure and networking or operating systems, cloud computing, and virtualization.

The private STEM-focused university is based in Harrisburg, PA. It charges $500 per credit hour for these online degree programs and offers a range of scholarship opportunities � some worth up to $16,000 per year.

3. Misericordia University

Misericordia University offers an online bachelor's degree program in information technology with an optional specialization in IT security. Located in Dallas, PA, this private Catholic institution provides affordable options for online students.

The tuition rate for this undergraduate degree is $695 per credit hour. The university awards numerous merit-based and need-based grants and scholarships, some of which will cover the full tuition costs for undergraduate students.

4. Peirce College

Pierce College, based in Philadelphia, is a private school that caters specifically to adult learners. It offers several online education programs, including a bachelor's degree in information technology with an optional concentration in networking, administration, and information security.

The college charges $600 per credit but offers multiple ways to lower tuition costs. In addition to scholarships, online learning students can reduce their overall costs by transferring up to 90 college credits or taking advantage of the free online information technology courses the university offers for college credit through Coursera.

5. PennState World Campus

Students learning through PennState World Campus can earn an online bachelor's degree in information sciences and technology. Full-time students pay $7,678 per semester for their first 60 credits and $8,288 per semester for the remaining credits.

The World Campus is the online platform of the Pennsylvania State University system. Despite being public, the online school charges the same fees for in-state and out-of-state students. It also offers over 40 different scholarship programs to online learners.

6. PennWest Global

PennWest Global offers a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems online. Similarly to PennState World Campus, PennWest Global is the online campus of the public, California, PA-based Pennsylvania Western University system.

It offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the state: online students who are Pennsylvania residents pay $322 per credit or $3,858 per full-time semester, while nonresident students pay $328 per credit or $3,935 per full-time semester. In addition, the university offers several scholarship options, with 86.5% of undergraduate students receiving aid.

7. Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University is a private research institution in Philadelphia. It offers an online bachelor's degree program in information technology.

The university charges a tuition rate of $650 per credit for its online degree options. Multiple merit-based scholarships and need-based grants are available through the financial aid office.

Our Selection Criteria for Online Programs

Our methodology for choosing the schools on this list was relatively simple. We looked at schools that are:

• regionally accredited
• public or non-profit
• four-year institutions, as opposed to community colleges
• currently offering flexible online undergraduate or graduate degrees in information technology or a closely related field

Of these Pennsylvania colleges, we looked for those that offered low-cost tuition rates, preferably under $500 per credit hour. Because these are rare in Pennsylvania, we then looked at schools that offered programs that were slightly more but offer financial aid opportunities that could potentially help students cover costs.

What To Expect From an Online Information Technology Degree

Most online courses are asynchronous, similar to any other free online IT courses. This means students have set due dates but can complete their coursework on their own time. For many students, this is a better option than attending courses at a set time in person.

Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study to complete, while master's programs vary but average about two years. However, many programs also offer part-time plans of study, and if you already have college credits and are taking a degree completion program, your timeline will differ.

You'll likely take courses covering computer science, cybersecurity, network management, operating systems, and software development. Some programs allow you to choose a concentration, such as information systems security or project management.

Average Cost of an Online IT Degree

Of the programs above, tuition for online bachelor's degrees in IT ranges from $250 to nearly $700 per credit hour. However, your final costs will depend on several factors, such as:

• whether you're earning a bachelor's or master's degree
• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you study full-time or part-time
• if you already have an associate degree or transfer credits
• what financial aid you qualify for

How To Make an Online IT Degree More Affordable

Students can increase the affordability of their degrees in several ways. We've broken these down below.

Federal Financial Aid

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), whether they're online or on-campus students. This assesses your eligibility for federal financial aid programs like the Pell Grant, which offers up to $7,395 per year.

Transfer Credits

Whether you've earned an associate degree or have only taken a few college courses, don't let your previous work go to waste. Most online schools accept transfer credits, as long as they come from a regionally accredited institution.

Flexible Programs

Most online degrees are designed to be flexible, with asynchronous courses and full-time and part-time plans of study. This allows students to continue working or to just take as many classes as they can afford each term.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are both types of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. Many schools offer their own scholarship and grant programs, but the state of Pennsylvania does as well. One of these is the PA State Grant Program, which provides up to $5,750 per year to eligible Pennsylvania residents.

Explore Online Degrees and Enroll Today

Start your journey toward a career in IT by exploring the high-quality online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual institutions today to learn more about admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and more.