2025 Top Online Community Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to ten online community colleges that offer flexibility and convenience when it comes to earning associate degrees, certifications, and diplomas.

With affordable tuition rates and quality instruction, online community colleges in Pennsylvania are an excellent option for those seeking higher education while maintaining their work and personal lives.

Featured Community Colleges Online in Pennsylvania

The following list features online community colleges in Pennsylvania, including available areas of study and tuition costs.

1. Community College of Philadelphia

The Community College of Philadelphia offers over 100 associate degrees and certificates with several online programs available.

Degrees accessible through distance learning include:

• business
• liberal arts
• psychology
• accounting
• religious studies

It provides open admission and is Philadelphia's largest public institution of higher education.

Tuition for Philadelphia residents is $159 per credit, while other state residents pay $318. Out-of-state residents pay $477. Additional course fees and other charges are applicable.

2. Harrisburg Area Community College

The Harrisburg Area Community College has multiple locations in Harrisburg, Lebanon, York, Gettysburg, and Lancaster. Founded in 1964, it is Pennsylvania's oldest and largest community college.

Its online associate degree programs include:

• healthcare management
• web development and design
• computer information security
• political science
• business

The cost is $200.75 per credit for in-state students, plus technology and other fees. Out-of-state tuition is $325 per credit plus applicable fees.

3. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public institution with a main campus in Johnston. Other locations include Altoona, Somerset, Huntington, Ebensburg, and Bellefonte.

Students can earn the following online associate degrees:

• marketing management
• behavioral sciences
• liberal arts and sciences
• business management
• paralegal studies

The cost per credit for Cambria County residents is $233, Somerset County residents pay $304, and other state residents pay $312, plus additional charges for books and course fees.

4. Community College of Allegheny County

The Community College of Allegheny County is one of the online community colleges in Pennsylvania that provides several options to earn associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

Students can obtain the following degrees through distance learning:

• administrative assistant
• criminal justice and criminology
• liberal arts and sciences
• business management
• computer information systems

Residents of Allegheny County pay $126 per credit plus fees, while other Pennsylvania residents pay $252. Out-of-state tuition is $378 per credit.

5. Bucks County Community College

Bucks County Community College has its main campus in Newtown, with other locations in Perkasie and Bristol. It offers 22 associate degrees and 10 certificates through fully online programs.

Online degrees are available in these areas of study:

• public health
• social work
• business administration
• computer science
• liberal arts

The tuition for Bucks County residents is $165 per credit plus applicable fees. Out-of-county residents pay $330, and out-of-state residents pay $495 per credit.

6. Westmoreland County Community College

Westmoreland County Community College is a public institution in Youngwood. It provides multiple ways for students to earn an online associate degree, certification, or diploma in in-demand career fields.

Degrees accessible through distance education include:

• computer technology programming
• early childhood education
• criminal justice
• business
• paralegal

It has seven additional locations serving Westmoreland, Fayette, and Indiana counties. Westmoreland residents pay $140 per credit, out-of-county residents pay $280, and non-Pennsylvania residents pay $420.

7. Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College is in Bethlehem. Their online programs offer quality education with flexible options. Several associate degrees, certifications, and diplomas are available.

Students can earn these degrees via online learning:

• general studies
• business administration
• criminal justice
• early childhood education
• psychology

The tuition for Northampton residents is $125 plus additional fees. Monroe residents pay $193, and other Pennsylvania residents pay $250. Non-state residents pay $375 per credit.

8. Lehigh Carbon Community College

Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville serves Lehigh, Carbon, and Schuylkill counties. Their student-centered distance learning programs encourage instructional excellence, with many options available.

Online areas of study include the following:

• health information technology
• human resource management
• criminal justice administration
• psychology
• general studies

The tuition for county residents is $135 per credit plus applicable technology and other fees. Out-of-county residents pay $270 per credit, and non-Pennsylvania residents pay $405.

9. Reading Area Community College

The Reading Area Community College has many online associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. It is one of the online community colleges in Pennsylvania that offers open enrollment.

Distance education is available in these areas of study:

• computer technology
• business administration
• psychology
• education
• social work

Berks County residents pay $209 per credit plus applicable fees, while other Pennsylvania residents pay $363. Non-state residents are charged $401 per credit.

10. Delaware County Community College

Delaware County Community College is a public two-year institution in Media. They offer various options for earning associate degrees and certificates through remote education.

Their distance learning programs include:

• liberal arts
• global studies
• early childhood education
• healthcare management
• business administration

Students living in Delaware and Chester counties pay an affordable rate of $135 per credit plus applicable instructional fees. The tuition for out-of-state residents is $405 per credit plus fees.

Is Community College Free in Pennsylvania?

Tuition is not free for online community colleges in Pennsylvania; however, several grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance programs exist that alleviate college costs.

For instance, the Opportunity Now grant program at the Community College of Philadelphia offers free tuition to eligible students who have recently been laid off.

Some schools, such as the Lehigh Carbon Community College, offer senior citizen policies where students over 60 years of age are eligible for free tuition based on space availability.

Individuals must begin the qualification process for financial assistance by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

How Much Does Community College Cost in Pennsylvania?

The cost for online community colleges in Pennsylvania is very affordable. As described on our list, the tuition per credit ranges from $125 to $200 for eligible students residing in applicable counties.

Associate-level degrees at Pennsylvania community colleges typically require an average of 60 credits for graduation and take around two years to complete.

Pennsylvania Community College Degree Types

Online community colleges in Pennsylvania offer various associate degrees, preparing students for bachelor's programs or career advancement. Many certifications and diplomas in in-demand fields are also available.

The types of college degrees offered at Pennsylvania community schools include:

• Associate of Arts
• Associate of Science
• Associate of Applied Science

These undergraduate degrees usually take about two years to finish and help students reach their academic and career goals with flexible options.

Career Opportunities for Pennsylvania Community College Graduates

Graduates of online community colleges in Pennsylvania are prepared to embark on many career opportunities in various fields, such as healthcare, business, and education.

Examples of jobs for community college graduates include:

• paralegal
• web developer
• administrative assistant
• early childhood educator
• human resource assistant

Many jobs pay well for those earning an associate degree, making it well worth it to obtain one.

Find an Online Community College Today

Online community colleges in Pennsylvania offer several opportunities for students to earn associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas through distance education, and our list helps them find the right one today.