Pennsylvania State University-World Campus logo

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

1998
Founded
Public online university
Type
7,554
Total Students
8,210
Undergrad
5,673
Graduate
$15K
Tuition (In-State)
$15K
Tuition (Out-State)
$21K
Avg Net Price
80%
Acceptance Rate
34%
Graduation Rate
6-year
66%
Retention Rate

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Penn State's global online campus brings respected education to you, anytime, anywhere.

Penn State World Campus stands as a beacon of accessible higher education, extending the renowned quality of Penn State University to learners across the globe. As a leading public online university, it empowers students to pursue well-respected graduate, undergraduate, and continuing professional education programs with unparalleled flexibility, truly living up to its "anytime, anywhere" promise. With a current student body of over 13,000, it's a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning.

The roots of World Campus stretch back over a century, long before the digital age. Penn State pioneered distance education in 1892, launching one of the nation's first correspondence study programs for farmers. This spirit of innovation continued, evolving through decades of experimentation and the development of some of the world's first online courses by Professor Michael G. Moore in the College of Education. This foundational work laid the groundwork for a major university initiative, recognizing the immense potential of distance learning.

Reaffirming its deep commitment to accessible learning, Penn State officially launched World Campus in 1998. This strategic decision was driven by the foresight that preeminence in distance education would be crucial for overall academic leadership. Today, World Campus leverages multiple technologies to deliver the same high-caliber Penn State education, ensuring that students worldwide can access a diverse range of programs designed to meet current and future career demands. It's a testament to Penn State's enduring vision for a connected, educated world, providing a flexible pathway to a valuable degree.

Key Highlights

  • Pioneered distance education in the U.S. with correspondence programs starting in 1892.
  • Penn State World Campus officially launched in 1998, building on a century of innovation.
  • Serves a large and diverse student body of 13,883 learners globally.
  • Offers well-respected graduate, undergraduate, and continuing professional education programs.
  • Provides exceptional flexibility through its "anytime, anywhere" online learning model.
  • A public online university backed by the academic rigor and reputation of Penn State University.

Timeline

1892
Penn State launches one of the nation's first correspondence study programs for farmers.
1992
A university-wide Task Force is commissioned to study the potential of a major distance education initiative.
1998
Penn State World Campus is officially launched, expanding accessible learning opportunities.
🏛️
28 Years
of Excellence

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