The shift to remote learning over the past few years has been hard to ignore, but people have been choosing to earn their degrees online for decades.
If you’re considering earning your degree online, you may wonder how online learning works and if it’s the right option for you. As more than 30,000 graduates of Penn State World Campus have discovered over the past 25 years, there are many benefits to attending an online school.
Continue working while you earn your degree
Online degree programs are designed with the needs of busy professionals in mind. Penn State combines the flexibility your schedule requires with the academic rigor you expect from an accredited, world-renowned institution.
Study where and when it’s convenient for you
Our online programs are 100% online and were created with the flexibility you need to complete your course work while managing your busy life.
- Lectures are recorded so you can watch, pause, and rewatch when it best fits your schedule.
- Professors are as far away as an email or a message.
- Group projects use online tools that make collaboration seamless.
Learn in an inclusive environment
Our dedication to accessibility means we strive to create courses that are functional and inclusive for every student, no matter their location, language, or accommodation needs. Our teams work together to develop an accessibility plan tailored to meet each student's individual requirements, holding the belief that our content should adapt to the student — not the other way around.
Earn the same diploma as a resident student
Penn State World Campus is the real Penn State, and when you take courses online, you are a "Penn Stater." Courses are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, so you’re truly getting a Penn State education.
Penn State World Campus’s comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs has been included in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.
Choose from 200+ programs — all at your fingertips
Penn State delivers high-quality online education to thousands of students every year. With more than 200 degrees and certificates to choose from, you’re sure to find a program that meets your personal and professional goals.
A truly global classroom
Attending an online school means your classmates and professors could live across the street — or on the other side of the world. You can learn alongside peers with diverse backgrounds, careers, and life experiences, bringing a rich learning environment directly to you.
Working as part of a diverse group is not only a great learning opportunity but also a fantastic chance to establish a wide professional network.
Penn State World Campus student body stats:
- Average undergraduate age: 30
- Average graduate age: 35
- 34% Married
- 34% Parents
- 80.5% of students enrolled part-time
- More than 3,600 students with military affiliation (active duty, veterans, or spouses/dependents)
The first step toward earning a Penn State degree or certificate is completing the online application.