The degree programs that Penn State offers online have been ranked among the best of the colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and across the country.
U.S. News & World Report released its annual list of “Best Online Programs” on January 21, and Penn State’s programs, offered online through Penn State World Campus, are featured throughout the rankings of institutions that offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees. U.S. News’ rankings also include rankings of programs for veteran students and specific degree programs.
Penn State World Campus, with more than 19,000 students enrolled in its programs, is one of the largest institutions to be ranked by U.S. News. Its offerings include a comprehensive selection of degrees and certificates in business, engineering, technology, nursing, health care, education, and more at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
U.S. News ranked Penn State World Campus in the top 10 nationwide of the more than 100 colleges and universities that offer master’s degrees in engineering, at No. 4, and computer/information technology, at No. 6.
World Campus was ranked in the top 10 percent of the more than 300 colleges and universities that offer master’s degrees in education and MBAs.
The portfolio of bachelor’s degrees offered through Penn State World Campus is ranked highly, at No. 39, among 350 regional, state-level, and national public and private institutions.
Penn State World Campus is one of the top institutions in Pennsylvania for online education with a broad selection of high-quality Penn State degrees — more than 80 bachelor’s and master’s degrees. U.S. News ranked its bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in education, engineering, and technology as the best of all the colleges and universities in the state. U.S. News ranked its MBA and graduate business programs in the top three of all Pennsylvania colleges and universities.
The quality of individual degree programs continues to be highly regarded by peers across the country. U.S. News’ specialty program rankings are based on evaluations by higher education leaders at other institutions. The bachelor’s in psychology, which has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, is No. 1 nationwide, and the bachelor’s in business is No. 4.
‘Best Online Programs’ of 2025
To compile the rankings each year, U.S. News & World Report requests that colleges and universities complete a statistical survey with questions about their engagement, services and technology, and faculty credentials and training. For master’s programs rankings, U.S. News includes questions about student excellence in the survey.
U.S. News also factors in a peer assessment to the rankings. It requested that high-ranking leaders at colleges and universities that offer degree programs online evaluate the academic quality of their peers’ programs.
Here are the placements for Penn State World Campus in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Online Programs” rankings for 2025:
- No. 4, master’s in engineering programs
- No. 6 (tie), master’s in informational technology programs
- No. 27 (tie), master’s in education programs
- No. 33 (tie), master’s in business programs (not including MBA)
- No. 33 (tie), master’s in MBA programs
- No. 39 (tie), bachelor’s programs
‘Best Online Programs for Veterans’ rankings
For the “Best Online Programs for Veterans” rankings, U.S. News evaluated colleges and universities on academic factors and their support services for veteran students. Colleges and universities must be regionally accredited, be certified for the GI Bill, and either charge in-state tuition or participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program so tuition can be fully covered by the GI Bill.
Penn State World Campus is part of Penn State, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, is certified for its students to use GI Bill benefits, and charges an in-state tuition rate.
Here are the placements for in the ‘Best Online Programs for Veterans’ for 2025:
- No. 2, master’s in engineering programs for veterans
- No. 4, master’s in information technology programs for veterans
- No. 10, master’s in education programs for veterans
- No. 16 (tie), master’s in business programs for veterans (not including MBA)
- No. 21 (tie), bachelor’s programs for veterans
- No. 26 (tie), MBA programs for veterans
Specialty rankings
The “Best Online Programs” 2025 edition also includes rankings of specific disciplines within the program categories. These specialty program rankings were measured by U.S. News through the assessments from peers in higher education.
Here are the placements for Penn State World Campus degree programs in the specialty rankings:
- No. 1, bachelor’s in psychology programs
- No. 2, master’s in educational/instructional media design programs
- No. 3 (tie), master’s in engineering management programs
- No. 3 (tie), master’s in mechanical engineering programs
- No. 4, bachelor’s in business programs
- No. 4, master’s in industrial engineering programs
- No. 6, master’s in curriculum and instruction programs
- No. 7 (tie), master’s in educational administration and supervision programs
- No. 8 (tie), finance MBA programs
- No. 11 (tie), master’s in special education programs
- No. 13 (tie), master’s in electrical engineering programs
- No. 13 (tie), general management MBA programs
- No. 15 (tie), MBA programs in marketing
About Penn State World Campus
Penn State was one of the first major universities in the United States to offer an education online, starting with its first courses in 1998 and its first degree in 2000.
Today, Penn State World Campus is an integral part of Penn State that offers a comprehensive selection of degrees and certificates that can be completed online asynchronously.
Penn State faculty teach online for Penn State World Campus, and the degrees are based on the programs that Penn State offers on campus.
Students who would like to get involved in the Penn State and World Campus communities can participate in both virtual and in-person activities across the University. When they graduate, they can attend commencement with their peers.