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Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

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2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

51 Schools Ranked
$26,060 Avg Student Debt

A student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 51 schools in Pennsylvania to see which ones had the most popular online graduate certificate programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
295 Total Awards

Our analysis found American College of Financial Services to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in Pennsylvania. The American College is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It awarded 295 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out The American College. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on American College of Financial Services

#2

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
276 Total Awards
$37,074 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,548 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 51 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Drexel University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Drexel University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 276 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Drexel accumulate an average of $23,548 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Drexel University Report

#3

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
180 Total Awards
$12,919 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 51 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, California University of Pennsylvania landed the # 3 spot on the list. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 180 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#4

Point Park University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
84 Total Awards
$17,838 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Point Park University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 84 students in 2020-2021.

Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Point Park University Report

56 Total Awards

Out of the 51 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, International Institute for Restorative Practices landed the # 5 spot on the list. IIRP Graduate School is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 56 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on International Institute for Restorative Practices

354 Total Awards
$25,248 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,469 Avg Student Debt

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 354 graduate certificates to qualified students.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,469 in student loans. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 16% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Report

#7

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
47 Total Awards
$20,660 Average Tuition & Fees

Gannon University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 47 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.

Around 55% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Gannon University Report

#8

Cedar Crest College

Allentown, Pennsylvania
53 Total Awards
$14,719 Average Tuition & Fees

Cedar Crest College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Allentown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 53 students in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Cedar Crest College

#9

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
212 Total Awards
$11,898 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. WCUPA is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 212 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 98% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#10

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania
38 Total Awards

Robert Morris University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 60% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Robert Morris University

#10

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
94 Total Awards
$22,644 Average Tuition & Fees
$34,734 Avg Student Debt

Thomas Jefferson University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Thomas Jefferson University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 94 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Thomas Jefferson University accumulate an average of $34,734 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#10

University of the Sciences

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
36 Total Awards

University of the Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 99% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#13

Missio Seminary

Hatfield, Pennsylvania
19 Total Awards
$13,380 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Missio Seminary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Missio Seminary is located in Hatfield, Pennsylvania and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 15% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Missio Seminary Report

#14

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
27 Total Awards
$37,827 Avg Student Debt

Saint Joseph’s University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. St. Joe’s is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Graduate Certificate recipients from St. Joe’s accumulate an average of $37,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Saint Joseph’s University

#15

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, Pennsylvania
60 Total Awards
$51,610 Average Tuition & Fees

Lebanon Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Annville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 60 students in 2020-2021.

Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 81% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Lebanon Valley College Report

#16

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania
19 Total Awards

DeSales University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 19 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on DeSales University

#16

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
17 Total Awards
$11,630 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Scranton landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. University of Scranton is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Scranton Report

#16

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
21 Total Awards
$11,871 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Bloomsburg is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Report

#19

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
221 Total Awards
$18,278 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Temple University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the large public school awarded 221 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Temple University Report

#19

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania
28 Total Awards
$12,246 Average Tuition & Fees

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. This small public school is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 28 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Report

#19

Gratz College

Melrose Park, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards
$17,042 Average Tuition & Fees

Gratz College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Melrose Park, Pennsylvania is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 12 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Gratz College. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Gratz College Report

#22

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
10 Total Awards

Elizabethtown College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #22 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 72% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#22

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania
21 Total Awards
$12,179 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarion University of Pennsylvania came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Clarion University is a public institution located in Clarion, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Report

#24

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
17 Total Awards
$20,812 Average Tuition & Fees

Carlow University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 17 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Carlow University

#25

Mercyhurst University

Erie, Pennsylvania
18 Total Awards
$17,043 Average Tuition & Fees

Mercyhurst University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania list. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 55% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Mercyhurst University

Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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