Our 2022 rankings of the Top Online MBA Programs in Pennsylvania. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University | State College |
| 2 | Temple University | Philadelphia |
| 3 | Villanova University | Villanova |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh |
| 5 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem |
| 6 | Drexel University | Philadelphia |
| 7 | Saint Joseph’s University | Philadelphia |
| 8 | University of Scranton | Scranton |
| 9 | La Salle University | Philadelphia |
| 10 | Robert Morris University | Pittsburgh |
Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) offers an MBA Program that can be completed online. Delivered through Penn State World Campus, the program provides access to Smeal’s more than 1300 internship and co-op opportunities annually, and over 300 career fairs and corporate recruiting events each year.
The AACSB-accredited Online MBA Program at Penn State also provides access to 27 concentrations including options such as Additive Manufacturing and Design, Business Sustainability Strategy, Cybersecurity Intelligence Leadership, Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management, Health Care Business, Homeland Security, International Affairs, Negotiation and Influence, Strategic Leadership, and Talent Diversity Leadership. The program runs on the Penn State semester system, so in addition to a declaring a concentration, students can take advantage of other Penn State online graduate degree and certificate courses and programs.
The Penn State Online MBA Program consists of 48 credit hours, including 39 core credits and nine credits of concentration work, delivered in an asynchronous format. Every course includes group projects to encourage peer interaction and build a learning community among students. Course projects simulate real-world business environments, where individuals frequently work in teams to solve problems. Course examples for the program include Managing in a Digital Economy, Corporate innovation and Entrepreneurship, Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership, Data Analysis for Decision Making, Managing and Leading People in Organizations, and Marketing in a Global Environment.
While coursework for the Penn State Online MBA may be completed entirely online, students will attend a three-day Orientation Residency at the start of the program. The residency provides the opportunity for students to meet program faculty and peers while completing Team Performance—the first core course in the program. Students will also attend other sessions during the residency that focus on online technology and professional development.
As part of the suite of Smeal MBA Programs, graduates of Online MBA Program enjoy a 94% placement rate within three months of graduation. Penn State MBAs have been recruited by companies such as Amazon, ExxonMobil, Dell, Deloitte consulting, Williams-Sonoma Inc., NBC Sports Group, Chrysler, Tyco International, The Walt Disney Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Michelin North America, Capital One Financial Corporation, DuPont, IBM, Apple, Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor Company, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, and The Dow Chemical Company.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School, Penn State is Pennsylvania’s only land-grant university. The school serves close to 89,000 students enrolled in more than 575 undergraduate majors, graduate programs, and professional programs across 20 campuses, sixteen academic colleges, and several additional schools. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, Pennsylvania State University is one of the state’s largest employers.
Fox School of Business at Temple University (Temple) has been continuously accredited by AACSB International since 1934. The School is home to the Fox MBA, which has four flexible delivery options. For working professionals seeking the most convenience and flexibility, the Fox Online MBA is 99.9% virtual, with just one residency at the beginning of the program. Forty-eight credit hours are required to graduate, with the flexibility to complete the program in just two years or up to six.
Courses for the Fox Online MBA are delivered online over five weeks. One night a week, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, students will engage in live and collaborative web conferencing sessions with peers and faculty. Students have access to 100% online concentrations such as Real Estate, Sport Business, and Travel & Tourism. Other concentration options include Innovation Management, Business Analytics, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management, among others.
Temple University offers dual degree options for all MBA students. Online options include the MBA + Specialized MS Degrees in Business Analytics, Human Resource Management, and Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship. Other program features include experiential learning opportunities and access to programs such as weeklong Global Immersions on six continents. Fox Online MBA students have been to Rome, Parma and Milan, Italy; Morocco, North Africa; Budapest, Hungary; Stockholm, Sweden; Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, India; London, England; and Santiago, Chile. Past local immersions have taken place in Silicon Valley, California.
For MBA students who prefer not to travel, Temple University recently launched Fox Without Borders Virtual Immersions. Consisting of four-week immersions, the program allows students to experience the culture and business environment of another country without leaving their home. Although the program is noncredit, students can earn a Global Business Professional Certificate. Past virtual immersion destinations include China, Egypt, and Colombia.
The Fox Online MBA at Temple University culminates with an Enterprise Consulting Practicum (Capstone), worth three credits. Temple University business graduates have gone on to work for a variety of employers such as JP Morgan Chase, Aramark , Vanguard, New York Life, TD Bank, Enterprise Holdings, Temple University Hospital, and Defense Logistics Agency.
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS). Founded in 1884 as a night school, Temple serves 37,365 students, making it the largest university in Philadelphia. Temple University offers more than 500 academic programs across 17 colleges and schools.
Villanova School of Business (VSB) at Villanova University provides seven majors, three co-majors, 10 minors, seven master’s degree programs, a post-MBA certificate, and a joint JD/MBA with Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL). Programs are housed across five academic departments led by more than 120 faculty members. Villanova School of Business is AACSB accredited.
In addition to the JD/MBA, VSB has Executive and Professional MBA options. The Professional MBA can be completed on campus, online, hybrid or cohort format. Students in all programs may enroll in the General MBA Track or up to two Specializations. Options include Sustainability, Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML), International Business, Strategic Management, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Finance. Specializations consist of 7.5 elective credits and students will earn a Digital Credential Badge upon successful completion of the required courses.
Other VSB Online MBA features include one-on-one coaching, access to partnerships with business leaders, the MBA Mentoring Program, speakers and presentations, 24/7 access to online research tools and resources, and optional Global Travel experiences. More than 60% of MBA students participate.
VSB Online MBA students must complete three Capstones (Social Enterprise Consulting Practicum, Global Practicum, and Global Strategic Management) to graduate from the program.
Villanova University hosts recruiters from 375 companies and more than 30 career and professional development programs specifically tailored to graduate business students. Across programs, Villanova graduates have been recruited by NBCUniversal, Barclays, PwC, Johnson & Johnson, Ralph Lauren, American Express, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Comcast, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, 3M, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company, and CITI, among others.
Villanova University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded by the Order of St. Augustine in 1842, Villanova serves 10,200 students from close to 50 countries. More than 100 programs are available across six colleges including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), Villanova School of Business (VSB), the College of Engineering (COE), the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN), the College of Professional Studies (CPS), and the Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL).
University of Pittsburg (Pitt) houses the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business (Katz School) and the College of Business Administration, collectively known as Pitt Business. Students here have access to global issues workshops, global consulting projects, global research practicums, and short-term study abroad opportunities at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany and Kedge Business School in France, among others.
In the Katz School, students also have access to five MBA options—Signature, Part-Time, Accelerated, Dual MBA/MS, and the Business Analytics MBA. The Part-Time Katz MBA may be completed entirely online. Coursework explores data programming fundamentals, research, and business communications. Students will engage in case competitions and community-based projects. Professional development programming is also a major component of the program.
Katz Online MBA students have the opportunity to complete a Katz Credential in a specific area of business and participate in the Business Disruption Series (BDS). Katz Credential options include Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Technology Management. The BDS explores what business disruption is and how to promote change. The series allows students to select electives that are relevant to trends and current business issues. Courses such as Augmented Reality (AR) Marketing or Global Private Equity Investing are just a few examples.
The Part-Time Katz MBA can be completed within three years and all students, regardless of location, qualify for in-state tuition.
Around 88% of MBA graduates receive job offers at graduation and 94% have job offers 90 days post-graduation. Pitt Business graduates go on to work in leadership positions at companies and organizations in nearly 90 countries and in all 50 states.
University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1787 as Pittsburgh Academy, Pitt is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The school is also home to one of the first federally funded centers for international business and research. University of Pittsburgh serves around 28,235 students from 50 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and 42 countries. More than 300 programs are offered at the Pittsburgh campus and regional campuses in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, and Titusville.
The College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University has three MBA Programs—the One-year Full-Time MBA (1-MBA), the 1-MBA/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree, and the Part-Time Online MBA (FLEX MBA). All programs lead to promotions, salary increases, and other positive career changes for students.
The FLEX MBA is a 100% online program that utilizes ClassroomLIVE and Classroom Online. ClassroomLIVE allows students to interact live with professors and peers during class in real-time (synchronous learning). All classes in the FLEX MBA core curriculum are available to students through ClassroomLIVE each Fall and Spring Semester. Classroom Online provides a limited number of elective courses through streaming video that can be accessed anytime online. With Classroom Online, professors interact with students using web-conferencing, email, telephone, or discussion boards.
The Lehigh University FLEX MBA consists of 36 credit hours. Six concentration options are available including Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Finance, Public Health, and Marketing. Classes for the program take place in the evenings Monday-Thursday, and three start dates are available in August, January, and May. The Lehigh FLEX MBA takes 24-72 months to complete, with an average completion time of 42 months.
Three out of four Lehigh MBA graduates secure employment within three months of graduation. Graduates have been recruited by companies such as Anheuser-Busch, ADP, AstraZeneca, Bank of America, Boeing, BP-China, Bridgestone Americas, Chevron, Cisco, Crayola LLC, HubSpot, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Merck, Motorola, Olympus Corporation, and Pfizer Inc., QVC, TESLA, The Hershey Company, and the United Nations.
Lehigh University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This private research university serves nearly 7,300 students. Founded in 1865 by industrial pioneer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Asa Packer, Lehigh University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs housed in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education; P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science; and the new College of Health.
Drexel Online is one of the oldest providers of online degree programs in the U.S. Through Drexel Online and the LeBow College of Business, students can customize an MBA Program by selecting concentrations and graduate minors that match their career goals and interests. Online concentration options include Business Analytics, Finance (also offered as a minor), General Business/Customized, and Marketing (also offered as a minor).
Minor options consist of 3-4 courses that may be related or unrelated to the student’s program of study. Minors are offered in more than a dozen areas from Arts and Sciences to Sports. Minor examples include Communication, Business Analytics, Computational Data Science, Creativity & Innovation, Project Management, Retail Merchandising, Law, Quality, Safety, & Risk Management in Healthcare, Arts and Public Health, Athletic Administration, and Sport Management.
All Drexel University students have access to networking opportunities, local and international residency options, case simulations, and portfolio projects. In addition, any LeBow online business degree can be paired as a dual degree such as MS Business Analytics/MS Sport Management, MBA/MS Business Analytics, and MBA/MS Sport Management.
The Drexel LeBow Online MBA may be completed in few as 18 months or up to five years. Examples of employer’s that recruit at LeBow include Vanguard, NRG Energy, Deloitte, PwC, Johnson & Johnson, Cigna, SAP America, EY, KPMG, Exelon, and Susquehanna International Group.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Established in 1891 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, Drexel University houses one of the nation's oldest, largest, and best-known cooperative education programs. The school operates across three Philadelphia campuses and a number regional sites and it is home to The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University—the nation’s oldest major natural science museum and research organization. Drexel University also has international research partnerships, including China and Israel. Serving close to 23,600 students, Drexel offers more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools.
Erivan K. Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) has six departments—Accounting, Decision & System Sciences, Finance, Food, Pharma and Healthcare, Marketing, and Management. The Management Department houses an Online MBA Program that may be completed entirely online. The program is Philadelphia’s only Stackable MBA, meaning, students can build the MBA from 11 certificate options.
All Haub Online MBA students will take the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, which consists of courses such as Business Analytics & Intelligence, Management, and Marketing. Students can choose two additional certificates to fit their goals. Examples include Financial Applications in Real Estate, Data Science, Corporate Financial Management, Leadership, Healthcare Management, and Human Resources Management.
Courses for the Online MBA at SJU are offered eight-week, accelerates sessions, with most classes meeting one evening per week—live online. Students will complete 36 credit hours or study. Part-time MBA students can expect to complete the program in 2-2.5 years. Full-time students can complete the program in 1-2 years.
Saint Joseph’s University alumni have been recruited by PwC, Amazon, the NBA, Johnson & Johnson, and Main Line Health, among others.
Saint Joseph's University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus, SJU serves more than 7,000 students enrolled in 220 academic programs, including 130+ undergraduate majors and minors. Programs at Saint Joseph’s University are housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, Erivan K. Haub School of Business, the School of Health Professions, and the School of Education and Human Development.
University of Scranton is home to the AACSB-accredited Arthur J. Kania School of Management (KSOM), which houses the MBA Program. Students can complete the program on campus or 100% online. Consisting of 36 credit hours, the KSOM Online MBA requires one Cornerstone course, four to seven Core MBA courses, three to six advanced elective courses (at least one must be designated International), and one Capstone course (Business Policy).
The MBA Core consists of courses in Accounting, Economics, and Finance; Operations, Analytics, and Information; and Management and Marketing. Eight specializations are available and requires three advanced courses. Specializations include Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Analytics (STEM), Human Resource Management, Operations Management, International Business, Finance, Healthcare Management, and Accounting. Students who do not wish to focus in a specialization area can take the General Business option, which allows students to choose elective courses form multiple areas.
University of Scranton graduates enjoy a 98% success rate within 12 months of graduation. Alumni work in all industries locally and across the U.S.
Founded in 1888, University of Scranton is a nationally recognized Catholic and Jesuit university that has been accredited by 16 different agencies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Serving nearly 4,700 students, Scranton offers 150 programs housed in three colleges and schools including the College of Arts and Sciences, Arthur J. Kania School of Management, and J.A. Panuska, S.J. College of Professional Studies. Established in 1888 and serving nearly 1,700 students, the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic unit at University of Scranton.
The Part-Time/Hybrid MBA at La Salle University has the highest enrollment of all graduate programs at the school. Housed in the School of Business, the La Salle MBA also has a 100% online option. Students in the program may choose the General MBA curriculum or the MBA with a Specialization. Options include Business Systems & Analytics, Management, Finance, Marketing, and Accounting. All options, including the General MBA, require 33-42 credit hours of study to graduate.
The MBA Programs at La Salle University are AACSB accredited. Students can expect to complete the Online MBA with a Specialization in as few as 14-16 months.
La Salle graduates have been hired in a variety of capacities at a number of top companies. Examples include Disney, KPMG, General Electric, Deloitte, EY, Aramark, Philadelphia Eagles, Kraft Foods, GMAC, PwC, SAP America, Merril Lynch, City of Philadelphia-Department of Revenue, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Hearst Corporation, Bank of New York Mellon, Morgan Stanley, and The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
La Salle University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1863, La Salle is a Private Lasallian Catholic University that serves around 8,370 students enrolled in more than 65 degree and certificate programs in three schools: Arts and Sciences; Business; and Nursing and Health Sciences.
The School of Business at Robert Morris University (RMU) houses the Department of Management, home to the RMU Online MBA Program. Features include small class sizes, stackable credentials (12-credit online certificates), courses delivered in an eight-week accelerated format, and AACSB accreditation. Certificate options include Business Analytics, Project Management, Supply Chain Management & Logistics, Risk Management, and Inclusion and Equity. Nine required elective credits allow students to focus in additional areas of business areas as well.
Required courses for the program include Strategic Knowledge Integration, Global Operations And Supply Chain Management, Leading With Agility, Customer Value In A Digital World, Understanding Today’s Global Business Environment, Analytical Methods For Decision Makers, and Financial Management and Accounting For Decision Makers. Students can complete the RMU Online MBA Program in less than two years.
Around 95% of Robert Morris University graduates are employed in their field of choice. Around 77% of these graduates work in professional or managerial positions. Some of the top employers for RMU MBA graduates include KPMG, Deloitte, Reed Smith, UPMC, Goodwill, FedEx, PwC, Bayer, EY, Allegheny Health Network, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Health Valley Health System, PGT Trucking, BDO, Schneider Downs, and St. Clair Hospital.
Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This private institution opened in 1921 as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. Serving more than 4,000 students, RMU offers more than 80 degree programs across four schools and more than a dozen departments. RMU schools include: Business; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences; and Nursing, Education and Human Studies.
