7 Flexible Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025

Online education is popular among busy Pennsylvania students seeking flexible alternatives to traditional on-campus learning. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that 40.7% of learners in the state took at least some distance education courses in 2023.

Do you want to pursue an online degree in Pennsylvania? Below, we'll highlight online colleges with flexible schedules offering low tuition, financial aid, fast degree completion, or other perks. We'll also answer frequently asked questions about flexible online colleges and share tips for choosing the right degree.

Flexible Online Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Flexible scheduling is great for online students who want to access learning materials anytime and complete coursework at their own pace. If this is your dream learning experience, review the list below to find the best online colleges in Pennsylvania offering flexible programs.

1. Eastern University

Eastern University, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), offers online programs at all educational levels. Whether students want to pursue doctoral, master's, bachelor's, or associate degrees online, they can find flexible programs in:

• business administration
• early childhood studies
• nursing
• divinity

Learners can also choose from 100% online LifeFlex programs with short seven-week terms and fast completion options. Eastern offers financial aid, scholarships, and budget-friendly per-credit tuition starting at $300 for graduate programs and $566 for online undergraduate degrees. Tuition for LifeFlex programs starts at $2,500 annually.

2. Slippery Rock University

Busy students interested in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees can find plenty of flexible online programs at Slippery Rock University. Doctoral and master's degree seekers can enroll in special education, data analytics, and history programs. Bachelor's completion programs are available in accounting, marketing, healthcare administration, and more.

At this MSCHE-accredited institution, online students learn on a schedule that works for them while benefiting from the same support services as on-campus students. Tuition rates are affordable for all online learners. Undergraduate residents and non-residents pay $322 and $328 per credit hour, respectively, and graduate residents and non-residents pay $516 and $568.

3. Pennsylvania Western University

Pennsylvania Western University is home to PennWest Global Online, which offers flexible, asynchronous online degree and certificate programs. Through this MSCHE-accredited school, undergraduate and graduate students study accounting, business analytics, human resource management, nursing, social work, and more.

Remote learners enjoy the same benefits as in-person learners, including enrollment help, success coaching, and online tutoring. Scholarships and financial aid help reduce the already affordable cost of per-credit tuition, which reaches as low as $322 for undergraduates and $516 for graduate students.

4. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University's Penn State World Campus offers over 200 degrees and certificates, including U.S. News & World Report-ranked bachelor's programs. Nursing, turfgrass management, media studies, homeland security, and organizational leadership are subjects online programs explore.

Penn State World Campus coursework follows an asynchronous format enabling students to access learning materials independently. At this MSCHE-accredited school, enrollees benefit from online student resources (e.g., library access and online tutoring), financial aid, and affordable tuition starting at $638 per credit hour.

5. Pennsylvania College of Technology

At the Pennsylvania College of Technology, an MSCHE-accredited affiliate of Penn State University, students can pursue an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or choose from nearly a dozen online undergraduate degrees. Students with an associate degree from a community college or four-year school can earn their bachelor's degrees in less time.

Penn College provides a flexible learning experience through asynchronous courses, as well as full-time and part-time enrollment options. In-state and out-of-state students pay $515 per credit hour for online academic programs. Financial aid and scholarships are available to make distance learning more affordable.

6. DeSales University

DeSales University offers flexible adult studies programs with rolling admissions, asynchronous learning, and accelerated classes students can finish in as few as three weeks. Learners enrolled at this MSCHE-accredited school can pursue bachelor's degrees in:

• education
• criminal justice
• accounting
• psychology

DeSales is transfer-friendly enabling students to apply up to 25 three-credit courses toward their degree. Learners can also earn credits for work experience, military training, and examinations. Current students enrolled in adult studies programs pay $575 per credit hour and can use financial aid and scholarships to save on these costs.

7. Drexel University

Philadelphia is home to Drexel University, an MSCHE-accredited school offering over 150 online degree and certificate programs in medicine, creative writing, nonprofit management, legal studies, and more. Students benefit from flexible online classes with an asynchronous learning format and support from enrollment counselors and academic advisors.

The amount you'll pay for Drexel's online programs depends on your program and degree level. For instance, the per-credit tuition cost for an online bachelor's in psychology is $473, while an online Master of Public Policy and an online Doctor of Nursing Practice cost $712 and $804, respectively.

Online Colleges in Other States Offering Flexible Schedules

Are you looking for more programs with flexible schedules? Review the schools below to find flexible online colleges in other states.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's online learners choose from over 200 flexible programs with short eight-week classes, self-paced learning options, and rolling admissions. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), this school supports enrollees with 24/7 tutoring, live workshops, and academic coaching.

What can you study online at SNHU? Program options include engineering, business, design, and math. Enrollees benefit from affordable online tuition costing $330 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $637 for graduate classes. The transfer-friendly school lets students apply up to 90 credits toward bachelor's degrees and earn credits for work and life experience.

2. Walden University

Walden University is a good choice for students interested in accredited self-paced online colleges. This institution offers over 100 online undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, education, counseling, social work, and beyond. In addition to instructor-led coursework, Walden offers Tempo Learning, a competency-based option enabling students to take unlimited classes over three-month subscription periods.

Tuition rates at the Higher Learning Commission-accredited school start at $256 per quarter credit hour for traditional online programs and $1,600 per three-month Tempo Learning subscription period. Enrollees receive free courses or subscription periods for continuous study.

3. Western Governors University

Attending Western Governors University means choosing from dozens of online programs that follow a competency-based learning format. Students navigate courses independently and earn their degrees by demonstrating they've mastered the material.

Program options at WGU, which is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, include teaching, IT management, data analytics, health science, and psychology. Average annual tuition costs are $8,300 for bachelor's degree seekers and $8,856 for master's students. Scholarships and financial aid can make learning even more affordable.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team rigorously vetted the colleges and universities in the rank list above. Each institution has met the following criteria for delivering high-quality education:

• Accredited: All schools have received accreditation from nationally recognized organizations, such as the MSCHE and HLC.
• Reputable: We verified that the institutions in this list provide quality on-campus and online programs in various fields at multiple degree levels.
• Assessibility: Many schools in this list prioritize accessibility by offering flexible learning options, financial assistance, and generous transfer credit policies.

Online Courses and Asynchronous Online Learning

Online courses offer a unique experience for students accustomed to traditional on-campus classes. Instead of commuting to in-person meetings, students can access lectures, discussions, assignments, and other materials on the school's online learning platform. Classes are typically delivered in live, synchronous sessions or asynchronously via pre-recorded lectures.

Students with busy schedules often prefer asynchronous learning, which makes it possible to navigate coursework and submit assignments anytime. Competency-based learning offers even more flexibility. Instead of taking classes by the semester, learners complete coursework as they master competencies, which usually helps them graduate sooner.

How To Choose Online Degrees With Flexible Schedules

If you're looking for online colleges with flexible schedules, you'll be pleased to know many are available in Pennsylvania and nationwide. But how will you know that a school's degrees are flexible? Look for programs that mention they offer options like:

• flexible classes
• self-paced learning
• asynchronous courses
• competency-based education

While conducting your research, don't forget to look for accredited schools that have your preferred major and minor. Also, pursue flexible online colleges that accept financial aid or offer lower tuition rates to save.

FAQs About Online Colleges With Flexible Scheduling in Pennsylvania

Flexible online colleges make it easy for learners to earn degrees without disrupting their busy lives. Review the following FAQs to learn more about these schools in Pennsylvania.

How Much Does Online College Cost in Pennsylvania?

Students can find affordable online degree programs throughout Pennsylvania. Tuition varies based on factors like degree type, enrollment status, and residency; however, in-state students earning online bachelor's degrees pay an average of $424 per credit hour.

How Do I Apply To Online Programs at Pennsylvania Colleges?

Enrolling in an online program in Pennsylvania first requires an application to gain admission to the school offering the program. Here are some tips for making the process flow smoothly:

• Check admission requirements to ensure you meet the minimum high school or college GPA, test scores, and any other requirements.
• Collect supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) to send with the application.
• When ready, complete an application to your online school of choice.
• After gaining admission, enroll in your preferred program.

Can You Do Online College Whenever You Want?

It's possible to start online college anytime you desire. The key is finding online colleges with weekly start dates or rolling admissions. These schools don't follow the traditional semester-based format and instead let students begin their studies whenever their schedules allow.

Find Online Bachelor's Degree Programs and Enroll Today

Start an exciting journey in higher education by exploring the degree programs offered by colleges on Learn.org. Contact a school of interest and discover how their programs can help you achieve your academic goals.