Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2026 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s online degree programs have again been recognized as among the best in Pennsylvania and the United States in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 “Best Online Programs” rankings, released today (Jan. 27).

Offered through Penn State World Campus in partnership with the University’s academic colleges and campuses, the online programs are featured throughout the rankings of nearly 1,800 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by about 600 higher education institutions nationwide. The list also includes rankings of specialized programs and rankings for student veterans.

Penn State World Campus, with more than 19,000 students enrolled in its degree programs annually, is one of the largest institutions to be ranked by U.S. News. World Campus offerings include a comprehensive selection of degree and certificate programs in business, engineering, technology, health care and education.

Included in the recognition are the online master’s in engineering programs, which ranked No. 4 among 111 institutions nationwide. The online master’s in education programs are ranked at No. 25 out of 323 institutions nationwide and No. 1  in Pennsylvania.

Bachelor’s programs were tied for No. 1 in Pennsylvania and ranked No. 38 nationwide out of 348 institutions. Penn State World Campus also remains a leader in bachelor’s in psychology programs, earning the No. 1 recognition for the third year in a row.

In addition, Penn State’s quality of individual online degree programs — ranked under "Specialty Programs" — remains highly respected by peers across the country; the U.S. News specialty program rankings are based on evaluations by leaders at other higher education institutions.

The ‘Best Online Programs’ of 2026

Each year, U.S News & World Report requests that colleges and universities complete a statistical survey with questions focusing on engagement, services and technology, and faculty credentials and training. For master’s programs, additional questions about student excellence are included.

U.S. News also factors in a peer-based assessment to the rankings. Senior leaders at colleges and universities that offer online degree programs evaluate the academic quality of their peers’ programs.

The placements for Penn State World Campus in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Online Programs” rankings for 2026 are:

• No. 4, Master’s in Engineering
• No. 15, Master’s in Information Technology
• No. 25 (tie), Master's in Education
• No. 37, Master’s in Business (non-MBA)
• No. 38 (tie), Bachelor’s Programs
• No. 50 (tie), MBA Programs

‘Best Online Programs for Veterans’ rankings

To create the “Best Online Programs for Veterans” rankings, U.S. News evaluated colleges and universities on academic factors and support services for student veterans.

Colleges and universities must be regionally accredited, be certified for the GI Bill, and be a public institution that either charges in-state tuition or participates 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 Middle States Commission on Higher Education, is certified for its students to use GI Bill benefits, and charges an in-state tuition rate.

The placements for the 2026 “Best Online Programs for Veterans” are:

• No. 3, Master’s in Engineering for Veterans
• No. 8, Master’s in Computer Information Technology for Veterans
• No. 13, Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans
• No. 19 (tie), Master’s in Business for Veterans (non-MBA)
• No. 25 (tie), Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
• No. 30 (tie), MBA Programs for Veterans

Note: “GI Bill” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information is available at the official U.S. government Veterans Affairs website.

Specialty Program rankings

The 2026 rankings also list specific disciplines that were measured by U.S. News through the assessments from peers in higher education.

The placements for Penn State World Campus degree programs in the specialty rankings are:

• No. 1 (tie), Bachelor’s in Psychology
• No. 4, Master’s in Educational/Instructional Media Design
• No. 4 (tie), Master’s in Engineering Management
• No. 6 (tie), Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
• No. 8, Master’s in Industrial Engineering
• No. 9 (tie), Bachelor’s in Business
• No. 9 (tie), Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision
• No. 10, Master’s in Special Education
• No. 10 (tie), Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
• No. 11 (tie), Master’s in Electrical Engineering
• No. 15 (tie), General Management MBA

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 bachelor’s and master’s degrees that can be asynchronously completed online.

Visit the Penn State World Campus website to find out more.