Online Business Degrees in Pennsylvania
Whether entering the lucrative field of Business for the first time or obtaining that promotion, earning an online degree in Business in Pennsylvania is one of the best choices you can make. But for many of us, this is easier said than done. It can be difficult to attend a traditional four-year university without putting the rest of your life on hold. Attending school online is a great alternative for this reason.
Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Pennsylvania
We’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of 8 affordable online business degrees in Pennsylvania. The list we’ve compiled features data sourced primarily from the schools themselves. All of the schools featured are regionally accredited public or non-profit schools. Additionally, the colleges and universities listed below have the most affordable cost per credit of all comparable programs in Pennsylvania.
1. PennWest University
PennWest University, formed when California, Clarion, and Edinboro universities merged, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Integrated Business through PennWest Global Online. The 120-credit program is offered 100% online and is built for the global business environment, with coursework across accounting, economics, finance, human resources, management, and marketing.
Students learn in small classes taught by faculty with professional experience, covering business processes, enterprise systems, business analytics, project management, and emerging technologies. Before senior year, students have the opportunity to complete an internship in their chosen field. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical and inclusive leadership, and cultural competence, preparing graduates for roles such as business analyst, human resources manager, marketing executive, financial advisor, or entrepreneur.
Aspiring students can apply online through PennWest Global Online and upload official transcripts from all institutions attended.
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2. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Located in the city of Slippery Rock Pennsylvania, offers an online Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. In addition to having the convenience of being an online program, classes at Slippery Rock University are offered at an affordable rate of $328 per credit hour. This ties them for first of 8 schools on our list.
The age of a program can be a good indicator of the quality of education you may receive. Slippery Rock’s program began in the academic year 2000-2001, making it the longest standing program on our entire list. Additionally, Slippery Rock acknowledges that completing classes in a set period of time can add stress to getting your education. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania does not require you to complete your degree in a limited amount of time. Finally, Slippery Rock University boasts that only 47% of its students graduate with debt. This is the lowest rate on our list.
Students attending classes at Slippery Rock can expect to enroll in courses like Principles of Macroeconomics, Business Analysis and Decision Making, and Issues in Global Business. These classes have no in-person requirements and can be completed 100% online. Students are admitted on a rolling admission system, and students should complete the online application and request their official transcripts.
3. Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, Millersville University of Pennsylvania offers an online business degree in Pennsylvania. Tuition at Millersville University of Pennsylvania comes in at $398 per credit hour. This ranks 5th on our list, and allows students to pursue their degree with less of the stress associated with financing their education.
Paying attention to total enrollment numbers can help identify the besr programs. Millersville University of Pennsylvania has 662 students enrolled in its online program, which is the 4th highest number on our list. Additionally, Millersville boasts an acceptance rate of 80%, the highest on our list. Finally, over 75% of the classes in this program have a lecture along with the course material. This is the highest rate on our list and is good news to students who prefer structure to their education over a strictly self-guided program.
Enrolling in Millersville’s program gives you access to courses like Principles of Accounting, Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Microeconomics. All courses in this program can be completed without any in-person attendance and on your own schedule. Classes begin in August and students are admitted on a rolling admissions basis. Aspiring students should submit the online application, their official high school transcripts and a personal statement to be considered for admission. SAT/ACT scores are optional.
4. Geneva College
Geneva College is located in the city of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and offers an online Bachelor of Professional Studies in Management. Tuition is offered at an affordable rate of $461 per credit hour, giving students the option to attend higher education without breaking the bank. This is nearly 21% lower than the state average for tuition in Pennsylvania.
If you’re a beneficiary of GI benefits, Geneva College may be a good fit for you. 5% of students enrolled utilize GI benefits to fund their education This is the highest percentage on our list. Furthermore, the average age of the student body is 38 years. This may comfort older students who are worried about the process of returning to school. Finally, Geneva College is the only school on our list that does not include webinars as a part of its curriculum. This is good news for students who prefer a self-guided education.
By enrolling in Geneva College, students will have the opportunity to attend classes like Organizational Analysis, Professional Ethics, Current Issues in Human Resources, and Quantitative Analysis. No courses in this program have any in-person requirements. Students are admitted under rolling admissions. Aspiring students should complete the online application and submit their official transcripts in order to be considered for admission.
5. Chatham University
Chatham University is located in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Tuition at Chatham University is offered at an affordable rate of $479 per credit hour. This is 17% lower than the average cost of tuition in the state of Pennsylvania.
Chatham University is the 3rd longest standing program on our list, having been created in the academic year 2005-2006. This speaks to the legitimacy and success of the program compared to some other institutions. If you enjoy having a more personal and 1 on 1 experience in your courses, Chatham University may be a great fit for you, as the maximum class size here is just 22 students. This is the second lowest on our list. Finally, 85% of the student body is between the ages of 23-39. If you’re worried about fitting in at university because of your age, you may feel more comfortable around your peers at Chatham University.
Students attending Chatham University can take classes like Information Systems and Operations, Strategy and Entrepreneurial Ventures, Business Law, and Business Ethics. These courses can be completed 100% online and start in August. Students are admitted under rolling admission. Students should submit their official transcripts and complete the online application. SAT/ACT scores, the admissions essay, and letters of recommendation are all optional but are strongly recommended by Chatham University’s admissions team.
6. Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Located in the historic city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Tuition for Drexel university’s online program comes in at just $484 per credit hour. This is 16% lower than the average cost of tuition in the state of Pennsylvania.
Drexel University has the second highest total student enrollment on our list with 1,261 students. Enrollment numbers can be a good indicator of the caliber of program you may be attending. Additionally, Drexel University has over 175 full-time faculty teaching courses available online. This demonstrates their commitment to online learning, which is a good sign for students looking to attend. Drexel also boasts an 80% acceptance rate. Finally Drexel University offers 405 online courses, giving students a multitude of subjects to choose from. This is the second highest number on our list.
Aspiring students will have the opportunity to attend classes in Business Analysis, Sales Management, Human Resource Management, and Financial Management, just to name a few. These courses are offered 100% online with no in-person requirements. Students apply under rolling admissions and should complete the online application, request their official transcripts, send letters of recommendation, write a personal essay, and submit their resume for consideration for admission.
7. St. Francis University
Location: Loretto, Pennsylvania
St. Francis University is located in Loretto Pennsylvania and offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Tuition at St. Francis University comes in at $485 per credit hour. This is 16% below the state average for tuition in Pennsylvania of $581. This helps to relieve some of the financial hardship often associated with attending college.
St. Francis University boasts over 102 part-time faculty teaching courses available online. This is the highest number on our list and demonstrated St. Francis University’s commitment to maximizing the value of online learning. Additionally, self-guided learners will be pleased to discover that less than 50% of courses at St. Francis University has lectures for course material. Finally, only 54% of graduates from St. Francis graduate with any debt whatsoever. This is the second lowest rate on our list.
Students pursuing their education at St. Francis have the opportunity to take classes like Data Science, Leadership in Healthcare, Management and Training Development, and Health Administration. All of these courses are offered 100% online, meaning you’ll always be able to complete these courses on your own time whenever you are available. St. Francis has rolling admission and begins classes in August. Students hoping to attend should submit the online application and upload their official transcripts.
8. Point Park University
Located in famous Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Point Park University offers an online business degree in Pennsylvania. Tuition at Point Park comes in at $560 per credit hour. This is almost 4% lower than the average cost of tuition in the state of Pennsylvania. This allows the cost of your education to be an easier issue to solve than attending a traditional University.
A great indicator that you’re attending a university that allocated appropriate resources to its students is the number of faculty. Point Park University has over 84 part time faculty offering courses online. This places them 3rd on our list by this metric. In addition, over 75% of online courses at Point Park have lectures along with the course material. This places them among only 3 schools on our list and makes them a strong option for students who benefit from the traditional lecture format.
Students who choose to attend Point Park University’s online business program will take classes on topics like Marketing Management, Investment, Labor/Management Relations, and Entrepreneurial Regulation. These courses have no in-person requirement and can be completed completely online. The school operates a rolling admissions structure and classes start in August. Students are only considered with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students should also submit the online application.
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References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_304.10.asp
2. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs: https://acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview
3. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
4. The International Accreditation Council for Business Education: https://iacbe.org
