As a member of the thirteen original colonies of the United States, the state of Pennsylvania received its statehood on December 12, 1787 as the second state in the Union behind Delaware. Geographically, Pennsylvania consists of nearly 45,000 square miles of land and just over 1,200 square miles of water. “The land of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, son of Admiral William Penn, who had been given the charter by King Charles II in 1681 to pay a £16,000 debt the king owed the family. The land was named by the king in honor of the elder Penn – it meant ‘Penn’s Woodlands.’”
In architecture, a keystone is a wedge-shaped rock or building material placed at the crown of an arch that stabilizes other archway pieces in place. Pennsylvania’s being centrally located along the arch of the original thirteen states earned it the name of the Keystone State. While Harrisburg is the state’s capital, Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city and includes Independence Hall, the location of the signing if the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. Famous people born in Pennsylvania include singer Taylor Swift, entertainer Tina Fey, and basketball player Kobe Bryant. With a population of over 12 million, Pennsylvania is ranked sixth as the most populated state in the United States.
With a ranking as #12 among four-year graduation rates, Pennsylvania delivers a host of the nation’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs. The Master’s of Business Administration continues to be the most respected degree for professionals seeking to develop leadership skills in business. While many of the top programs in Pennsylvania require students to have attained at least two years of professional experience, the curriculum offered is based in solid business theory with a relevance for business application. Professionals within MBA programs often begin applying the concepts covered in the classroom simultaneously in their work environments.
There is no more flexible and convenient MBA program than the one offered online. An online MBA combines the excellent curriculum offered by a seasoned staff of educators with the ability for a student to set a class schedule which works congruently with a work and personal schedule without the need for the students to relocate and attend classes on campus.
Understanding there are many factors to consider while researching online MBA programs, we have compiled the top twenty five online Master’s of Business Administration degrees in the state of Pennsylvania. While these programs are offered within a spectrum of total tuition cost ranging between being classified as affordable to very expensive, each one of these programs is backed by their business school’s being accredited by such reputable organizations as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. We hope this ranking of the top online MBA programs in Pennsylvania will help you in your quest of finding an online degree that is right for you.
For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.
Note: A detailed explanation of the methodology we used to determine the best online MBA programs in Pennsylvania can be found at the end of the ranking.
#1 Lehigh University College of Business and Economics – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Home of the Mountain Hawks who wear the school colors of brown and white, the athletic department at Lehigh University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Patriot League. The university is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 7,059 students currently enrolled there. Lehigh was founded in 1865 by Asa Packer who named the school in recognition of his passion for the railroad. The university receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and features Homo minister et interpres naturae “Man, the servant and interpreter of nature” as its official school motto.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 100.00
#2 Drexel University Bennett S. LeBow College of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Established in 1891, Drexel University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Operating under the school motto of “Science, Industry, Art,” the university was originally founded as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry by Anthony J. Drexel. Drexel was a successful Philadelphia businessman. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 24,232 currently enrolled. Home of the Dragons, the athletic department at Drexel supports 18 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Colonial Athletic Association. The school’s official colors are blue and gold.
Affordability Score: Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 92.45
#3 Penn State-World Campus Smeal College of Business – University Park, Pennsylvania
Penn State World Campus was established in 1998. The campus grew out of the school’s long history of prioritizing distance education that dates all the way back to 1892. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university exists today as a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State World Campus currently offers over 150 online degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, to a student body of over 13,400.
Affordability Score: Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 90.94
#4 La Salle University School of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Home of the Explorers who wear the school colors of blue and gold, the athletic department at La Salle University supports 20 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. La Salle is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 5,197 students currently enrolled there. La Salle University was established in 1863 by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and features Virtus, Scientia “Virtue, Knowledge” as its official school motto.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 81.56
#5 Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Established in 1900 as Carnegie Technical Schools, today’s Carnegie Mellon University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Operating under the school motto of “My Heart is in the Work,” the school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Carnegie Mellon delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 13,258 currently enrolled there. Home of the Tartans, the athletic department at CMU supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the University Athletic Association. The school’s official colors are cardinal, black, grey, and white.
Affordability Score: Very Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 85.25
#6 (Tied) Shippensburg University John L. Grove College of Business – Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Home of the Raiders who wear the school colors of blue and red, the athletic department at Shippensburg University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Shippensburg is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 6,972 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded in 1871 as Cumberland Valley State Normal School. Through the years the institution would change names serval times and have its focus grow to the point of it receiving its university status in 1983. Shippensburg University receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 67.61
#6 (Tied) West Chester University of Pennsylvania College of Business and Public Management – West Chester, Pennsylvania
Established in 1871, West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The university was originally founded as West Chester Normal School with the express intent of training future public school teachers in the region. West Chester would later become a state college before being granted its university status in 1983 when it joined the Pennsylvania State System. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, WCU delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 17,005 currently enrolled there. The athletic department at the school supports nine men’s and 14 women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 67.61
#8 Clarion University College of Business Administration and Information Sciences – Clarion, Pennsylvania
Clarion University was established in 1867 as the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the school in 1915 and Clarion became a college-level institution five years later. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university exists today as a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Clarion oversees a student body of 5,224. Home of the Golden Eagles who compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, the school’s official colors are blue and gold.
Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 67.25
#9 Point Park University Rowland School of Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Home of the Pioneers and featuring the mascot Black Diamond II the Bison, Point Park University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 4,093 students currently enrolled there. The college was established in 1960 as Point Park Junior College. Six years later the school began offering a four-year curriculum and in 2004, Point Park was awarded its university status. Operating under the motto of Pro Arte, Pro Communitate, Pro Professione (For Knowledge, For Community, For Career), the school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 64.01
#10 Robert Morris University School of Business – Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Established in 1921 when Andrew Blass founded the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy, today’s Robert Morris University, is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Town Moonship, Pennsylvania. The university changed its name to the Robert Morris School of Business in 1935 to honor the founding father who is widely regarded as the financier of the American Revolution. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 5,199 currently enrolled there. Home of the Colonials, the athletic department at RMU supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Northeast Conference. The school’s official colors are blue, white, and red.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 64.33
#11 Waynesburg University Department of Business Administration – Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Home of the Yellow Jackets, Waynesburg University features an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The athletic department at the university supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Waynesburg is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning delivering degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 1,805 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded in 1850 as Waynesburg College and named after General Anthony Wayne, a United States Army officer and statesman. The school’s official motto is Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light).
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 63.88
#12 Widener University School of Business Administration – Chester, Pennsylvania
Established in 1821 as the Bullock School for Boys in Wilmington, Delaware, today’s Widener University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Chester, Pennsylvania. The school later centered on military instruction and was renamed Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1862. In 1972 the school was once again renamed to honor the Widener family of Philadelphia and received its university status in 1979. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 6,402 currently enrolled there. Home of the Pride, the athletic department at Widener supports 20 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the MAC. The school’s official colors are Widener Blue and gold.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 63.26
#13 University of Scranton Arthur J. Kania School of Management – Scranton, Pennsylvania
Originally founded as St. Thomas College in 1888, today’s University of Scranton operates under the school motto of Religio Mores Cultura (Religion Morals Culture). Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university exists today as a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate graduate, and doctoral levels, the university oversees a student body of 5,380. Home of the Royals and Lady Royals, the official school colors are purple and white. The athletic department at the university consists of men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Landmark Conference.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 62.87
#14 Temple University Fox School of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Temple University is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 39,296 students currently enrolled there. Temple was originally established in 1884 by Russell Conwell who began teaching students at night in Grace Baptist Church’s temple. The students were referred to as “night owls” which led to the school’s mascot, the Owls. Temple receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The men’s and women’s varsity sports teams at Temple compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the American Conference, the school’s official colors are cherry and white.
Affordability Score: Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 64.79
#15 DeSales University Division of Business – Center Valley, Pennsylvania
![]() An online MBA is delivered by DeSales University’s Division of Business. This high-quality, nationally-ranked program has been designed to equip effective business leaders. |
Established in 1964, DeSales University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Operating under the school motto of “Be Who You Are and Be That Well,” the university was originally founded as Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral and levels to the student body of 2,742 currently enrolled there. Home of the Bulldogs, the athletic department at the school supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference. The school’s official colors are blue and red.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 62.37
#16 Saint Francis University Shields School of Business – Loretto, Pennsylvania
Home of the Red Flash who wear the school colors of red and white, the athletic department at Saint Francis University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Northeast Conference. Saint Francis is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Loretto, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 2,742 students currently enrolled there. The school was founded in 1847 as one of the first Catholic universities in the nation and the first Franciscan college in the United States. Saint Francis University receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers 25 undergraduate majors and seven graduate fields of study.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 62.07
#17 California University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Studies and Research – California, Pennsylvania
Established in 1852, California University of Pennsylvania is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in California, Pennsylvania. The university got its start as an academy for kindergarten through college students which quickly became a normal school. In 1928 the school was renamed the California State Teachers College after developing a four-year curriculum. The State System of Higher Education accepted the school in 1983 and it received its university status the same year. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the school delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 7,553 currently enrolled.
Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 60.56
#18 Chatham University School of Arts, Science & Business – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Chatham University was established in 1869 as the Pennsylvania Female College by Rev William Trimble Beatty. The school’s original campus consisted of the Berry mansion within the neighborhood of Shadyside. The school became Chatham College in 1955 and would receive its university status in 2007. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the college exists today as a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Delivering degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Chatham oversees a student body of 2,110. Home of the Cougars, the school’s official motto is Filiae Nostrae Sicut Antarii Lapides (That our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.)
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 61.59
#19 Delaware Valley University – Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Home of the Aggies who wear the school colors of green and gold, the athletic department at Delaware Valley University supports 22 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Middle Atlantic Conference. The college is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. DelVal delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 2,376 students currently enrolled there. Delaware Valley University was established in 1896 as National Farm School. The school’s original purpose was to teach science concepts through practical application on the farm. Delaware Valley receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 59.10
#20 Alvernia University Business Department – Reading, Pennsylvania
Established in 1958, Alvernia University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Reading, Pennsylvania. Operating under the school motto of “To Learn, To Love, To Serve,” the university got its start as a teacher’s seminary established in 1926 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis. Alvernia was granted its university status in 2008. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 2,872 currently enrolled there. The athletic department at the university supports eight men’s and 10 women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the MAC Commonwealth.
Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 57.75
#21 Messiah College School of Graduate Studies – Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Home of the Falcons who wear the school colors of Navy and white, the athletic department at Messiah College supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Middle Atlantic Conference. Messiah is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 3,305 students currently enrolled there. Messiah College was established by the Brethren in Christ Church in 1909 and was originally named Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home. The school receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and features “Christ Preeminent” as its official school motto.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 56.01
#22 Saint Joseph’s University Erivan K. Haub School of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Established in 1851, Saint Joseph’s University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 8,415 currently enrolled there. Home of the Hawks, the athletic department at SJU supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. While the school’s official colors are crimson and gray, the school’s motto is Universitas Sancti Iosephi (Spirit, Intellect, Purpose).
Affordability Score: Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 57.95
#23 Misericordia University College of Business – Dallas, Pennsylvania
Home of the Cougars who wear the school colors of blue and yellow, the athletic department at the Misericordia University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Middle Atlantic Conference. Misericordia is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 2,808 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded as College Misericordia in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Misericordia University, known as the oldest four-year institution of higher learning in Luzerne County, receives its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 54.98
#24 Gannon University College of Engineering and Business – Erie, Pennsylvania
Established in 1925, Gannon University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Operating under the school motto of Sanitas, Scientia, Sanctitas (Health, Knowledge, Holiness), the university was originally founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie and known as Cathedral College. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 4,343 currently enrolled there. Home of the Golden Knights who wear the official school colors of maroon and gold, the school’s athletic department supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 54.30
#25 Villanova University School of Business – Villanova, Pennsylvania
Villanova University was established in 1842 as the Augustinian College of Villanova by two Augustinian friars from Philadelphia’s Saint Augustine’s Church. The school lasted only three years due to financial difficulties but was incorporated in 1848 and would award its first graduate degrees eleven years later. Over the years the school would go through growing pains and several name changes before becoming coeducational in 1968. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university exists today as a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, the university oversees a student body of 10,842 students. Operating under the school motto of Veritas, Unitas, Caritas “Truth, Unity, Charity,” the school’s official colors are blue and white.
Affordability Score: Expensive
OMBAT Ranking Score: 55.67
Methodology
To find the top Online MBA programs in Pennsylvania, a list of almost 490 online MBA programs was collected, and each program was evaluated first for a location in the state of Pennsylvania, and then ranked on the following factors:
Estimated Tuition Cost (25%): Each online MBA was evaluated to find the estimated total base tuition cost. Data was gathered from the most recent information on each program or school website. The base tuition was calculated for the whole program, but does not included fees, books, or room and board; with the exception of programs that use all-inclusive figures. For colleges that offer a lower in-state tuition, the in-state pricing is used. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.
Based on this base tuition data, each program is given an Affordability Score:
Very Expensive = $100,000+
Expensive = $50,000-$99,999
Above Average = $30,000-$49,999
Average = $20,000-$29,999
Affordable = $15,000-$19,999
Very Affordable = $0-$14,999
Accreditation (25%): Accreditation plays an important role in education. It attests to which school has attained high national and global standards in its research and delivered education. Each online MBA in this list is evaluated on whether it holds a regional accreditation from one of the six institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional business accreditations affect an MBA’s brand and prestige, which can thus affect a graduate’s competitive advantage in the job market. Each school is ranked on if the online MBA program is accredited by one of the top business accrediting institutions: ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB. AACSB is regarded as the highest standard of business accreditation in the world, and thus schools that hold this accreditation are given the highest scores. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.
Average Base Salary (25%): The salary data is highlighted in this top online MBA ranking because it allows prospective students to explore the affect an online MBA degree can have on a graduate’s salary. The average base salary is collected from the 2018 Best Business School Ranking by US News and World Report. Programs without a recorded average base salary from this list was calculated at zero because of no available third-party data. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.
Prestige (25%): The prestige for each program is calculated by evaluating lists from some of the most prestigious educational rankings systems for online MBA programs: US News and World Report’s Online MBA Ranking, the Princeton Review’s Online MBA Ranking, the Financial Times’ Global Online MBA Ranking, and Quacquarelli Symonds’ Distance Online MBA Ranking. Each online MBA was evaluated on how many rankings included their program. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.
All of this criteria was weighted equally, averaged, and then calculated on a 100-point scale. This score is the OMBAT Ranking Score, which provides the ranking order for this list. By evaluating the tuition cost, accreditation, average base salary, and prestige, this ranking helps prospective students find the highest quality online MBA programs in Pennsylvania.