UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 1,500 Penn State World Campus students will graduate with their Penn State degrees during the University’s spring 2026 commencement ceremonies.
Penn State World Campus graduating students and their families are also invited each semester to attend a reception at the University Park campus to recognize their success, as well as meet the faculty, academic advisers, and other staff who helped them reach their goal.
The big picture
The spring members of the Penn State World Campus Class of 2026 include 1,526 graduates who are earning degrees from 100 different academic programs. Here is a breakdown by the level of degree they will receive:
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751 students will receive a bachelor’s degree.
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682 students will receive a master’s degree.
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27 students will receive a doctoral degree.
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66 students will receive an associate degree.
This group of graduates hails from 48 states and 21 different countries, including France, Japan and China.
The graduates’ ages range from 18 to 67. There are 227 graduates with a military affiliation, such as being an active-duty service member, a veteran, a military spouse or a reservist.
Sixty-three people are graduating with at least their second degree earned online through Penn State World Campus.
Military students
Veterans and active-duty service members who are graduating receive red, white and blue honor cords to wear during their academic commencement. Graduates receive these honor cords before graduation during a ceremony at Penn State University Park exclusively for military students.
Graduating with a Penn State degree earned online
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years. It has a comprehensive portfolio of more than 200 degree and certificate programs available in fields such as business, technology, education, health care, liberal arts, and more.
Penn State World Campus students can be part of signature Penn State experiences, such as commencement, just like their peers. The students can request to attend one of the commencement ceremonies across Penn State’s campuses during graduation weekend.