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Penn State World Campus’ comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs has been included in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Online Programs” rankings, released today (Feb. 7).

According to U.S. News, the annual rankings recognize undergraduate and graduate degree programs primarily offered online in disciplines like business, education and engineering from among 1,600 online degree programs offered nationwide. The list also includes rankings of the best online programs for veterans. 

World Campus placed first for its bachelor’s in psychology program and earned top-5 recognition for programs including master’s in engineering, bachelor’s in business, master’s in engineering management, master’s in engineering for veterans, and master’s in information technology for veterans.  

U.S. News & World Report requests information from higher institutions via surveys then reviews and rates institutions on categories of engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, and peer assessment. The graduate degree program surveys measured those categories as well as student excellence. 

Overall Best Online Programs rankings 

• No. 3 (tie), master’s in engineering 
• No. 7, master’s in information technology 
• No. 18 (tie), master’s in business (non-MBA) 
• No. 19 (tie), master’s in education 
• No. 22 (tie), MBA 
• No. 32 (tie), bachelor’s degree programs 

Best Online Programs for Veterans 

• No. 2, master’s in engineering 
• No. 4, master’s in information technology 

• No. 8 (tie), master’s in education 
• No. 9 (tie), master’s in business (non-MBA) 
• No. 20 (tie), bachelor’s degree programs 
• No. 20 (tie), MBA 

Specialty program rankings

The “Best Online Programs” 2024 edition also includes rankings of specific disciplines within the program categories. These specialty program rankings were measured by U.S. News from ratings provided by national peer institutions, collected via surveys.  

• No. 1, bachelor’s in psychology 
• No. 3 (tie), bachelor’s in business 
• No. 5 (tie), master’s in engineering management 
• No. 6, master’s in industrial engineering 
• No. 7, master’s in education/instructional media design 
• No. 7 (tie), master’s in mechanical engineering 
• No. 9 (tie), master’s in education administration and supervision 
• No. 10, master’s in education curriculum and instruction 
• No. 11 (tie), master’s in electrical engineering 
• No. 11 (tie), MBA management 
• No. 13 (tie), MBA finance 
• No. 13 (tie), master’s in special education 

Penn State was one of the pioneers in online higher education when it launched Penn State World Campus in 1998. World Campus marked its 25th anniversary in 2023 and now features a diverse selection of more than 175 online degree and certificate programs. 

Visit the Penn State World Campus website to learn more about the bachelor’s and graduate degrees and certificates offered online.

LAST UPDATED FEBRUARY 7, 2024