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      Penn State World Campus online bachelor's, graduate programs ranked by U.S. News

      Penn State World Campus’ comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs has been included in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Online Programs” rankings. Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

      UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus’ comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs has been included in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report’s "Best Online Programs" rankings. 

      The annual rankings, released Jan. 24, recognize bachelor’s programs and master’s degree programs in disciplines like business, engineering and education, as well as specialties within certain programs. The list also rates the best programs for veterans. 

      World Campus notched the top spots for its master’s in engineering programs for veterans and bachelor’s in psychology program, and top 5 rankings for a variety of master’s in education and engineering programs. 

      U.S. News & World Report reviews submitted surveys and rates higher education institutions on categories of engagement, services and technology, faculty credentials and training, and peer assessment. The surveys for graduate degree programs measured those four categories as well as student excellence. 

      Overall 'Best Online Programs' rankings  

      The full rankings for Penn State are: 

      • No. 3, master’s in engineering programs 

      • No. 10 (tie), master’s in computer information technology programs 

      • No. 16 (tie), master’s in education programs 

      • No. 16 (tie), master’s in business (non-MBA) programs 

      • No. 19 (tie), MBA 

      • No. 25 (tie), bachelor’s programs 

      Best online degree programs for veterans 

      U.S. News also ranked Penn State World Campus on its "Best Online Programs for Veterans" lists.  

      Those rankings are based on the same factors as the "Best Online Programs" rankings, in addition to an institution’s ability to make college more affordable and accessible through the GI Bill, scholarships, and financial aid programs designed for military students. 

      The master’s programs in engineering were rated No. 1. 

      The "Best Online Programs for Veterans" rankings for Penn State are: 

      • No. 1, master’s in engineering 

      • No. 4 (tie), master’s in education 

      • No. 6, master’s in computer information technology 

      • No. 7, master’s in business (non-MBA) 

      • No. 15, bachelor’s 

      • No. 15 (tie), MBA 

      Specialty rankings 

      The "Best Online Programs" 2023 edition also includes rankings of specific disciplines within the program categories. The specialty rankings were based on ratings provided by peer institutions via survey.

      Penn State's rankings in specialty programs include:

      • No. 1 (tie), bachelor’s in psychology 

      • No. 3 (tie), bachelor’s in business 

      • No. 3, master’s in engineering – industrial  

      • No. 3 (tie), master’s in education – administration and supervision  

      • No. 4 (tie), master’s in education – education/instructional media design  

      • No. 5, master’s in engineering – management  

      • No. 5, master’s in engineering – mechanical  

      • No. 5 (tie), master’s in engineering – electrical  

      • No. 7 (tie), master’s in education – special education 

      • No. 8, master’s in education – curriculum and instruction 

      • No. 9 (tie), MBA – marketing 

      • No. 9 (tie), MBA – general management 

      • No. 22 (tie), MBA – business analytics 

      This year, the University is celebrating 25 years of online education through Penn State World Campus, which launched in 1998. Penn State World Campus offers more than 175 degree and certificate programs and has nearly 34,000 alumni. 

      Learn more about the bachelor’s and graduate degree programs offered online through Penn State World Campus.

      Last Updated January 24, 2023

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