Best Online Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania's community colleges offer a range of online associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. While online associate degree programs are typically developed to help graduates meet the state's workforce needs, many of these two-year schools have articulation agreements with the state's four-year colleges, which are designed to help smooth the transition for those students who may want to continue their education, whether online or in person, and pursue a bachelor's degree at one of Pennsylvania's best online universities.
How We Rank "Best" Schools
The OnlineU research team ranks community colleges in each featured state using Salary Score, our proprietary measure of how graduates' earnings compare with those of students who earned the same associate degrees elsewhere. Using U.S. Department of Education earnings data, we compare each college's associate graduates with graduates of the same degrees nationwide, providing a degree-level perspective of financial outcomes rather than relying on institution-wide earnings.
When there isn't enough data to calculate a reliable Salary Score, we rank eligible schools by online enrollment, highlighting colleges with larger, more established distance-learning communities. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
Best Online Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
| Rank | School | Salary Score | A | A- | B | B | B- | B- | B- | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Why we like them: Bucks' open admission policy ensures that higher education is accessible to a wide range of individuals. Additionally, distance learners have the advantage of being eligible for financial aid, making their educational journey more affordable. Moreover, for those with demonstrated financial need, the opportunity to secure one of the numerous scholarships offered by the school further eases the financial burden of pursuing a college education. This combination of accessible admissions, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities makes Bucks an institution committed to facilitating educational access and affordability for all. 3 Student Reviews for Associate Degrees Silence, Graduated 2015 Overall Rating: 5/5 The professors were great! Very knowledgeable and cared about their students and the future careers they would pursue. It helped that some were active attorneys. They would try to help get you jobs in entry level positions around the area as well. They... Read More Matthew Nichol, Graduated 2014 Overall Rating: 5/5 By far this is best school to start your secondary education. They have great class with educators who what to help you succeed and are willing to sit down with you one on one to help you get on the right track. They have a library that is well stock... Read More Kayla Monti, Graduated 2014 Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Many people look at Bucks County Community College as a type of "13th grade;" A lot of people complain saying that they are "stuck there" due to financial instabilities. However, in my opinion Bucks offers quality education at a decent price. You would... Read More Student Review Summary: Reviews describe an uneven experience shaped by format, faculty, and value. Positive feedback centers on caring, knowledgeable professors who offer one-on-one help, teach in depth, influence career direction, and sometimes connect learners with local entry-level opportunities. Reviewers also praise affordable tuition, flexible scheduling, nearby access, library and computer resources, and transfer options with potential scholarship benefits. Negative reviews focus on specific courses that felt overpriced, too basic, overly compressed, or poorly designed for hybrid or online delivery, leaving reviewers unprepared for exams. Additional concerns include weak disability support, unproductive advising appointments, and difficult daytime parking on the main campus. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#5 5.0 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg () is a public college that offers 20 online associate degrees in subjects like business, accounting, public relations, healthcare management, and web development and design. HAAC also offers online certificates and diplomas. Students access their online courses through the Brightspace learning system. Why we like them: HAAC accepts all applicants who have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent, making education highly accessible. By taking placement exams, newly admitted students may be able to test out of certain general education courses. Online students also have access to the Career Coach technology program that assists students in identifying career options and charting a course for achieving their professional goals. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees Chelsie, Graduated 2011 Overall Rating: 5/5 HACC's nursing program is awesome. It is a challenging program, but prepares you for real world nursing. After I graduated, they revamped the program to help make it more affordable and attainable for a working student. The professors are knowledgeable... Read More Student Review Summary: Reviews describe a highly positive experience centered on strong instruction, practical preparation, and meaningful support. Students praise teachers as knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable in both classroom and hands-on settings, noting that questions were welcomed and guidance was available without limiting independence. A notable strength is the balance between support and autonomy, allowing learners to build confidence by trying tasks themselves. Reviewers also highlight rigorous coursework that translates well to real-world demands. Affordability improvements for working adults and the college’s effort to maintain alumni connections stand out as less obvious advantages that reinforce long-term value and community. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#6 5.0 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Lehigh Carbon Community College () offers 24 online programs, including associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Some examples of areas of study include accounting, business administration, criminal justice administration, and human resource management, to name just a few. All online courses are delivered through the popular Canvas learning platform. Why we like them: LCCC's designation as a Hispanic-serving institution is commendable, promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education. Moreover, the institution's inclusive admission policy, which accepts nearly all applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent, ensures accessibility for a broad range of individuals, removing barriers to entry. Additionally, the availability of financial aid and scholarships for online students further enhances affordability and supports learners in their pursuit of higher education. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees Chloe Fisher, Graduated 2015 Overall Rating: 5/5 I have been attending Lehigh Carbon Community College for 3 years now and it has helped me grow and learn what I want to do with my life and future. I believe my experience with LCCC will help me succeed in my studies and career. My dreams are coming... Read More
#7 3.22 / 5 Overall Rating 50% Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Community College of Allegheny County () provides 18 degree programs and 15 certificate and diploma programs that students can complete fully online. Areas of study include business management, criminal justice and criminology, fire and emergency services, and software development. Why we like them: Smaller class sizes at CCAC make the learning process manageable for instructors and students. We also like that CCAC has built a reputation for its scholarships. Every year, the CCAC Educational Foundation awards more than $300,000 from over 100 scholarships to students meeting eligibility requirements. These scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit, and academic discipline. 2 Student Reviews for Associate Degrees H, Graduated 2023 Overall Rating: 3/5 Obviously, starting classes during COVID (August 2020) made things incredibly difficult. Most of my professors were still learning how to conduct online classes, and often had to learn how to do certain tech things from students on the fly. I would not... Read More April Marie, Graduated 2022 Overall Rating: 3/5 I don't think the advisors give very personalized advice. There are some really good teachers and really bad teachers. You need to know what you're doing and have good direction. It is somewhat frustrating having to do so many general courses. Sometimes... Read More
#8 4.43 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend N/A Helpful for Career The Community College of Philadelphia () offers 14 online programs, which include nine online associate degree programs. Degree options cover a wide variety of disciplines, such as psychology, accounting, business, English, early childhood education, and technical studies. There are also certificate options to further enhance a student's academic resume, such as those covering entrepreneurship, early childhood education, and accounting. Why we like them: CCP is committed to diversity, as it holds the distinction of being recognized as both an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, as well as a predominantly Black institution, fostering an inclusive learning environment. The institution's inclusive admission policy, accepting nearly all applicants, ensures accessibility and equal opportunities for a wide range of students. Additionally, CCP's proactive approach to online learning, allowing prospective students to assess their compatibility before enrolling, sets a supportive tone for success. Once enrolled, online students benefit from the convenience of the Canvas LMS and receive valuable support services like career counseling and academic advising. 2 Student Reviews for Associate Degrees Mapmonkey, Graduated 2016 Overall Rating: 4/5 Even though CCP no longer offers an AAS degree for GIS (due to low enrollment over the years) it still offers excellent instruction and basic proficiency certificates. It is a great introduction to a growing field in technology. The faculty have come... Read More Anonymous, Graduated 2012 Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Tell us about your college experience. MY college experice was great. I had a lot of great teachers who were very experenced and knowledgeable and I made a lot of new friends. My school was a good fit for me because it was easy to get to and it wasn't... Read More Would you get the same degree if you could start over? Yes because it was a general studies program that let me with a lot of oppertunities. What advice can you offer other students? Take it seriously and get that degree! Student Review Summary: Reviews describe a strongly positive experience centered on accessible, affordable education and consistently capable instruction. You see repeated praise for knowledgeable, experienced teachers who make classes worthwhile and help you learn practical material. Convenience stands out as a meaningful advantage: the campus is easy to reach, and some courses are scheduled at night or on weekends, which supports working adults. Reviewers also value the social environment, noting new friendships and a good personal fit. A more nuanced takeaway is that while at least one offering was discontinued because of low enrollment, reviewers still viewed the instruction, faculty support, and career usefulness as excellent. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#9 4.25 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Through Montgomery County Community College (), students can earn a wide range of online associate degrees. Options include business, cloud computing, cybersecurity, accounting, psychology, marketing, web design, healthcare administration, and history. Montco has a few options for online students to pick from, including asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid, and "flex" courses that allow them to choose to attend in person or synchronously online. Some courses last seven weeks, while others last 15 weeks. Why we like them: Montco's admission requirements are incredibly inclusive, welcoming all applicants who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, ensuring accessibility to a broad range of individuals seeking higher education. Another benefit for online students is that financial support is available, as they can apply for financial aid and automatically become eligible for one of Montco's 500 scholarships. Montco empowers online learners to access the financial resources they need to pursue their educational goals. 2 Student Reviews for Associate Degrees Anonymous, Graduated 2020 Overall Rating: 4/5 My school provided great opportunities to pursue a career while working. I finished my degree during the pandemic and they did a great job accommodating. I would especially recommend this college to anyone who is looking to save money while doing their... Read More Lauren, Graduated 2015 Overall Rating: 4.5/5 My first time there I thought I was going to be late for class because I didn't know where anything was. Fortunately, they had signs directing you to the fastest route toward your class. The class room sizes are spacious, but you are able to see and hear... Read More Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Montgomery County Community College as a practical, supportive option with a clearly positive experience overall. Students appreciate how accessible the campus feels, noting helpful signage that reduces first-day confusion and classrooms designed so you can easily see and hear instructors. Faculty are described as giving clear assignment directions, which helps make the workload manageable, though homework can feel heavy if you are balancing outside responsibilities. Reviewers also value the college’s flexibility for working adults and praise how well it adapted during the pandemic. Affordability and the ability to make career progress while saving money stand out as recurring reasons for satisfaction. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#10 2.25 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Northampton County Area Community College () offers numerous online associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. Notable majors include applied psychology, business administration, criminal justice, public health, and social work. There are also programs students can complete partially online. Distance learners use Blackboard to access online coursework and instruction. Why we like them: NCACC's distinction as a Hispanic-serving institution with small class sizes is a valuable asset, facilitating personalized one-on-one guidance and enhancing the quality of education for online learners. Furthermore, the institution's robust online student support services encompass essential resources like library access, advising, tutoring, and bookstore facilities, ensuring that students have all the necessary tools to succeed in their online studies. Additionally, NCACC's rich history of prestigious alumni, including Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award winners, as well as accomplished business leaders, underscores the institution's commitment to fostering excellence and success among its graduates.
#11 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Reading Area Community College () provides online associate degrees that help prepare students for transfer to four-year universities or career placement. Fields of study include popular industries, such as business, education, STEM, and computer information and technology. The school also offers certificates students can earn entirely online. RACC delivers its online program content via Canvas. Why we like them: As a Hispanic-serving institution, RACC stands out for its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and the availability of scholarships through the RACC Foundation. The latter offers financial support to eligible students, making higher education more affordable. Additionally, the school's FOCUS 2 online career exploration tool is a valuable resource for students who feel uncertain about their future paths, offering guidance and clarity in making informed decisions about their academic and career pursuits. These offerings demonstrate the institution's dedication to student success.
#12 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Work towards your next career by attending one of the nine online associate degrees at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (). A few examples of online associate majors you can pursue include an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, an Associate of Applied Science in Entrepreneurship, and an Associate of Applied Science in Social Service Assistant. In addition to online degrees, Penn Highlands offers online certificate programs, training, non-credit courses, and personal enrichment classes you can take. Why we like them: Penn Highlands uses the learning management system D2L Brightspace to facilitate online learning. Through D2L Brightspace, you’ll be able to access your courses, engage in discussion boards with your fellow classmates, and contact your instructors directly. By using a platform like D2L Brightspace, we believe the college strives to deliver effective and engaging learning for online students.
#14 4.5 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career has Adult & Continuing Education programs that include several fully online certifications and courses. While the community college doesn’t offer online degree programs, these programs are great stepping stones to an online degree or an entry-level position. Manor College partners with Ed2Go to deliver a variety of credentialing programs, such as Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified EKG Technician, and Pharmacy Technician. Why we like them: Manor College and Ed2Go also have non-credential training programs you can pursue. While you won’t receive certifications from these programs, they are a great way to develop your skills and knowledge in sought-after careers, such as cybersecurity, paralegal, and technical writing. We appreciate that Manor College offers these types of degrees online for students who may not be ready or are seeking certification but still desire training for their next role.
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