Accredited Online Colleges in Pennsylvania (PA)

Regarded as the birthplace of independence and the Constitution, Pennsylvania has a rich history in the foundation of America. The state's rich academic communities and strong employment history make it a great place to go to school and work. According to the State website, Pennsylvania has the 17th largest economy in the world with an unemployment rate of 7.8%. With a very active state government, supporting over 80,000 employees and offering jobs in virtually every field, Pennsylvania is one of the best states to pursue a career in local or state politics. While Pennsylvania's cost of living is not among the lowest in the U.S., the average salary in the state is considerably higher than many of the states with lower costs of living.

Pennsylvania offers many diverse cities and towns to live in. Whether you are interested in living in a mega metropolitan city or a small farming town, Pennsylvania has it all. With a population of over 1.5 million people, Philadelphia is the 5th largest city in the United States. This metropolis has one of the largest workforces in the state of Pennsylvania, overflowing with jobs in pharmaceuticals, hospitality, medicine, law and finance. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the other largest metropolitan city in the state. With a strong economy in the industries of healthcare, education, technology, robotics, and financial services, Pittsburgh has a rich and diverse workforce.

Pennsylvania is well known for its steel industry. Though Pennsylvania's industry has recently diversified, the state till leads the country in steel production, making the state a great home for engineers. Pennsylvania is also a leading producer of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, food products, and electronics. Those with majors in sciences like chemistry or food science will have no problem finding a job at one of several leading potato chip or chocolate production companies.

Pennsylvania has a reputation for creating precedents in higher education. The University of Pennsylvania, the only Ivy League school in the state, is considered the first university in the United States and established the first medical school in the United States. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the first and oldest art school in the United States. Several Pennsylvania universities – Carnegie Mellon, Pennsylvania State, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh – are members of the Association of American Universities, an invitation only organization of leading research universities.