UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus was the most recognized institution in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best online degree programs in the country for active-duty and veteran service members.
U.S. News ranked Penn State World Campus in the top 10 for six categories, the most of any of its peers, for its 2021 Best Online Programs for Veterans list. The rankings were announced January 26.
The U.S. News rankings measure how military students gain the most from distance education that is affordable, accessible, and reputable. Those factors are gauged in consideration of the financial benefits that are available specifically to people with military experience.
Here are the rankings for Best Online Programs for Veterans:
- No. 1, online graduate engineering
- No. 3, online graduate business (non-MBA)
- No. 3, online graduate education
- No. 5, online MBA
- No. 5, online computer IT
- No. 7 (tie), online bachelor’s
Greg Bond, director of military education for Penn State World Campus, said the faculty and staff are deeply appreciative of students' dedicated military service and are committed to making the University’s online campus a great place for military students to attend.
“Our students’ success is our mission, and World Campus is dedicated to providing service members, their spouses, and veterans with the flexibility and convenience needed during their educational journeys,” he said. “Military students receive a high-quality education taught by Penn State faculty who are leaders in their respective fields, and our support system’s dedicated staff helps our military students reach their academic goals.”
Each year, U.S. News develops the rankings based on statistical surveys submitted by colleges and universities as well as data collected in a separate peer-reputation survey. Institutions are also measured by their ability to make college more affordable and accessible through the GI Bill® or other grant-in-aid programs designed for military students.
At Penn State World Campus, military students of all branches have access to a dedicated military support team and military-exclusive services, including a dedicated undergraduate academic advising team. Many of the advisers have military connections, including as a veteran or military spouse.
In addition, World Campus has military admissions counselors and GI Bill–certifying officials; provides financial aid and assistance, including military grant-in-aid and tuition assistance that may reduce undergraduate tuition costs; and offers disability services for students who may need accommodations. Service members, veterans, and their spouses and dependents are also eligible for an application fee waiver for associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Visit the World Campus military webpage for more information about online degree programs and services and resources for military students.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.