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Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

$21,132 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,060 Avg Student Debt*

With all the business programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The <nil> ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Business Graduate Certificate Schools in Pennsylvania

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
#23 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$1,455 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found La Salle University to be the best value school for business students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in Pennsylvania. La Salle is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

La Salle graduate students pay an average of $1,455 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that La Salle does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#2

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
11 Total Awards
#5 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$11,630 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 30 schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s value ranking, University of Scranton landed the # 2 spot on the list. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

University of Scranton graduate students pay an average of $11,630 in tuition and fees each year.

University of Scranton does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, University of Scranton is ranked #5 for overall quality in Pennsylvania.

Read full report on University of Scranton

#3

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
#11 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$13,050 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Messiah University is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Messiah graduate students pay an average of $13,050 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Messiah. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Messiah University

#4

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
25 Total Awards
#14 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$16,758 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value business schools in Pennsylvania. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 25 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at WCUPA are $16,758 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCUPA does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#5

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania
6 Total Awards
#15 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$13,862 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. This small public school is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 6 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Clarion University graduate students pay an average of $13,862 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Clarion University. In fact, around 84% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#6

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
#16 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$16,830 Average Tuition & Fees

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Ship is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Ship are $16,830 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ship does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Report

#7

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
164 Total Awards
#4 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$21,199 Average Tuition & Fees

Villanova University landed the #7 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 164 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Villanova graduate students pay an average of $21,199 in tuition and fees each year.

Villanova does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Villanova also took the #4 spot in our rankings.

Full Villanova University Report

#8

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 Total Awards
#8 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$18,144 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Saint Joseph’s University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at St. Joe’s are $18,144 per year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $37,827 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at St. Joe’s. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Saint Joseph’s University Report

#9

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
#22 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$18,508 Average Tuition & Fees

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Cal U is located in California, Pennsylvania and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Cal U are $18,508 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Cal U. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Full California University of Pennsylvania Report

#10

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
3 Total Awards
#3 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$27,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Lehigh University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Lehigh is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Lehigh graduate students pay an average of $27,130 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at Lehigh, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.

Lehigh did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our list.

Read More…

#11

DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
#13 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$21,120 Average Tuition & Fees

DeSales University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the ranking. Located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

DeSales graduate students pay an average of $21,120 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at DeSales. In fact, around 57% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

DeVry University - Pennsylvania

Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
#19 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, DeVry University - Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, the very small private for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at DeVry University - Pennsylvania are $17,552 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, DeVry University - Pennsylvania is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full DeVry University - Pennsylvania Report

#13

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
43 Total Awards
#17 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$24,812 Average Tuition & Fees

Temple University ranked #13 on this year’s list. This large public school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 43 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Temple are $24,812 a year.

Temple does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 72% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Temple University Report

#14

Rosemont College

Rosemont, Pennsylvania
25 Total Awards
$13,410 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,425 Avg Student Debt

Rosemont College landed the #14 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Rosemont is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 25 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Rosemont graduate students pay an average of $13,410 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,425 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, Rosemont is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on Rosemont College

#15

La Roche University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
$12,619 Average Tuition & Fees

La Roche University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

La Roche graduate students pay an average of $12,619 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at La Roche. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 50% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on La Roche University

#16

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards
#20 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$17,964 Average Tuition & Fees

Moravian College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #16 on the list. Moravian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 12 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Moravian are $17,964 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Moravian. In fact, around 94% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Moravian College

#16

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
27 Total Awards
#1 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$42,932 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s list. UPenn is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 27 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UPenn are $42,932 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UPenn. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 74% took at least some of their classes online.

UPenn also took the #1 spot in our rankings.

Full University of Pennsylvania Report

#16

Eastern University

Saint Davids, Pennsylvania
12 Total Awards
#25 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$13,976 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Eastern University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 12 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at EU are $13,976 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at EU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Eastern University

#19

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
35 Total Awards
#10 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$42,024 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 35 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Pitt are $42,024 a year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $22,469 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Pitt does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 16% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#20

Seton Hill University

Greensburg, Pennsylvania
4 Total Awards
#24 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$16,084 Average Tuition & Fees

Seton Hill University landed the #20 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 4 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Seton Hill graduate students pay an average of $16,084 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Seton Hill. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Seton Hill University

#21

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
18 Total Awards
#2 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$47,347 Average Tuition & Fees

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #21 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 18 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Carnegie Mellon are $47,347 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Carnegie Mellon. During the 2019-2020 year, about 6% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our list.

Read full report on Carnegie Mellon University

#22

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
3 Total Awards
#7 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$34,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Elizabethtown College landed the #22 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. Located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Etown graduate students pay an average of $34,000 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Etown does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Etown excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our list.

Full Elizabethtown College Report

#23

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania
22 Total Awards
#12 in Quality in Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #23, Robert Morris University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Robert Morris University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania that handed out 22 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at RMU are $0 per year.

RMU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Robert Morris University

#24

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
#18 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$24,534 Average Tuition & Fees

Duquesne University landed the #24 spot in the rankings for the best value graduate certificate business programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Duquesne are $24,534 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Duquesne does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Duquesne University Report

#25

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
1 Total Awards
#21 in Quality in Pennsylvania
$25,416 Average Tuition & Fees

Widener University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #25 on the list. Widener is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chester, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Widener are $25,416 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Widener. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Widener University

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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