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.
2025 Best Online Community Colleges in Pennsylvania
Rank | School | Salary Score | Online Enrollment | Median Earnings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Westmoreland County Community College | A | 1,364 | $64,145 | |
Pennsylvania College of Technology | A- | 353 | $57,023 | |
Delaware County Community College | B | 3,926 | $49,004 | |
Bucks County Community College | B | 3,109 | $48,971 | |
Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg | B- | 3,667 | $46,939 | |
Lehigh Carbon Community College | B- | 3,346 | $45,535 | |
Community College of Allegheny County | B- | 2,325 | $45,477 | |
Community College of Philadelphia | N/A | 9,534 | $42,906 | |
Montgomery County Community College | N/A | 4,266 | $41,340 | |
Northampton County Area Community College | N/A | 2,086 | $39,381 |
#1 Westmoreland County Community College Westmoreland County Community College Westmoreland County Community College
- Salary Score: A
- Median Earnings: $64,145
- Online Enrollment: 1,364 enrolled
- Location: Youngwood
Westmoreland County Community College () offers several online associate degrees. Majors of interest include business administration, criminal justice, forensic science, and medical/healthcare management. Additionally, it offers a selection of online certificates and diplomas, such as in accounting, business, and early childhood education.
Why we like them: WCCC offers several student academic support services distance learners can access remotely, including tutoring, academic advising and counseling, transfer counseling, and library resources. Its Career Connections Center can help students look toward the future by exploring majors and careers, conducting job searches, and identifying internship opportunities.
#2 Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Salary Score: A-
- Median Earnings: $57,023
- Online Enrollment: 353 enrolled
- Location: Williamsport
Pennsylvania College of Technology () has an extensive catalog of 13 online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. These online degrees range from majors like business administration, apprenticeship technology, dental hygiene, and many more. Penn College also offers various online minors, post-master’s certificates, and competency credentials you can take alongside your degree or complete separately. Please note that some programs are delivered in a hybrid format, so you’ll need to complete some in-person activities as part of your graduation requirements.
Why we like them: Penn College offers transfer-friendly degree programs so you can graduate faster. As long as you have previous college credits from accredited institutions, the college will allow you to put them toward your online degree. Once accepted, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of transfer pathways to streamline the transfer process.
#3 Delaware County Community College Delaware County Community College Delaware County Community College
- Salary Score: B
- Median Earnings: $49,004
- Online Enrollment: 3,926 enrolled
- Locations: Media (and 3 others)
Delaware County Community College () provides online associate degrees and certificates. While some degrees can be completed entirely remotely, some are only 90% online. Fully online degrees are in the following subjects: administration of justice, early childhood education, general business, and health care management. DCCC provides its many distance learners with access to Canvas to participate in classes.
Why we like them: DCCC stands out for its commitment to supporting remote learners through need-based and merit scholarships, providing an excellent opportunity for online students to access financial aid. Moreover, echoing the theme of diversity shared by other institutions on this list, DCCC boasts a diverse student body, with less than half of its students identifying as white. This inclusive environment fosters a rich cultural exchange and a more well-rounded learning experience for all enrolled students.
#4 Bucks County Community College Bucks County Community College Bucks County Community College
- Salary Score: B
- Median Earnings: $48,971
- Online Enrollment: 3,109 enrolled
- Location: Newtown
Bucks County Community College () offers 22 online associate degrees and 10 online certificate programs. Some of the degree options include computer science, psychology, social work, criminal justice, and business administration. The English degree features three optional areas of concentration: (1) Writing, (2) Secondary Education, and (3) Women's Studies. Online students use Canvas, a well-established learning platform, to access this coursework.
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.
#5 Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg
- Salary Score: B-
- Median Earnings: $46,939
- Online Enrollment: 3,667 enrolled
- Location: Harrisburg
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.
#6 Lehigh Carbon Community College Lehigh Carbon Community College Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Salary Score: B-
- Median Earnings: $45,535
- Online Enrollment: 3,346 enrolled
- Location: Schnecksville
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.
#7 Community College of Allegheny County Community College of Allegheny County Community College of Allegheny County
- Salary Score: B-
- Median Earnings: $45,477
- Online Enrollment: 2,325 enrolled
- Locations: Pittsburgh (and 2 others)
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.
#8 Community College of Philadelphia Community College of Philadelphia Community College of Philadelphia
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $42,906
- Online Enrollment: 9,534 enrolled
- Location: Philadelphia
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.
#9 Montgomery County Community College Montgomery County Community College Montgomery County Community College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $41,340
- Online Enrollment: 4,266 enrolled
- Location: Blue Bell
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.
#10 Northampton County Area Community College Northampton County Area Community College Northampton County Area Community College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $39,381
- Online Enrollment: 2,086 enrolled
- Location: Bethlehem
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 Reading Area Community College Reading Area Community College Reading Area Community College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $40,662
- Online Enrollment: 1,513 enrolled
- Location: Reading
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 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $33,331
- Online Enrollment: 348 enrolled
- Location: Johnstown
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 Manor College Manor College Manor College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Median Earnings: $40,565
- Online Enrollment: 63 enrolled
- Location: Jenkintown
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.
Why Trust Us?
27 Data Researchers
60,000 Degrees Researched Annually
20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually
Launching Rankings Since 2009