High School Diploma

Diploma 6 months

Accredited High School Diploma

Whether you're a high school student, a parent looking into at-home learning options for their student, or you're going back to school as an adult, Penn Foster can help you get your high school diploma online! Through flexible, online classes, you can earn your accredited high school diploma² on your schedule, from home. Haz clic aquí para ver esta página en español.

Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Cognia, the world leader in providing improvement and accreditation services to education providers of all types in their pursuit of excellence in serving students.
Transfer eligible credits from your previous high school to save time and money when earning your diploma with Penn Foster.
Earning a high school diploma can prepare students to enter the workforce, college, or the military.
Our high school diploma classes cover standard subjects like English and math, as well as offering five elective courses of your choice such as American Literature, Algebra, or career-preparation courses like Auto Repair and Vet Assistant.
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

For Parents

For Organizations

Cost of Program

$1,099

$1,569 Save $470

$55/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-888-427-6200 (9AM - 9PM ET)

What You Will Learn

How to use critical thinking and reasoning skills to complete learning tasks in English Language Arts courses.
How to use critical thinking and reasoning skills to complete learning tasks in science courses.
How to use declarative knowledge and demonstrate understanding to complete learning tasks in math courses.
How to utilize writing skills to complete writing assessments.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

High School Diploma Career Outcomes

The average salary for high school graduates is about $44,356.*

Haven’t completed high school

$35,464/yr

High school graduate

$44,356/yr

Penn Foster High School is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the skills needed to enter the workforce, enroll in a college or university, or join the military. Whether you’re working on a traditional high school curriculum or you choose one of our career pathway diplomas, you’ll build the skills and knowledge to help you take the next steps toward your goals. High school graduates have the potential to qualify for more job opportunities and can earn as much as $8,892 more per year than someone who hasn't graduated.*

State Licensing Requirements

If you are interested in pursuing post-secondary education within your state, you should check with your state to understand the requirements. State may impose certain requirements. For example, an online High School diploma may not be recognized by some colleges and universities within your state to receive financial aid. We recommend you check with the institution for any specific restrictions.

Woman in dark green blouse in front of blue background.

Q&A With a Penn Foster High School Parent

Online High School Diploma Curriculum

17 core courses
5 elective courses

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 6 months
Average time = 14 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2019 - October 2020, excluding withdrawals.

Our online high school diploma curriculum is a total of 21 credits, including 2 half-credit startup courses and your basic general education requirements, like English and math courses. Penn Foster High School students get to choose 5 elective credits, ranging from academic electives like American literature and algebra to career electives, like pharmacy technician, or vet assistant. If you choose to focus on a specific career in one of our pathway high school programs, your electives will be focused on skills needed for your chosen career path. Your general education courses include:

English 1: Introduction to Language Arts
General Math 1
Biology
US History

Show Full Curriculum

Over 1,000 graduates walked the stage in 2023

Will you join us on August 3, 2024?

Learn more about graduation

Explore These High School Resources

Girl in yellow sweater using silver laptop.

Your Guide to Credit Recovery for High School

woman with glasses wearing green using cellphone on green background.

Going Back to School as an Adult (FAQs)

mom and daughter smiling looking at cell phone.

A Parents Guide To Online High School

Interested in High School Completion For Your Learners?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

Learn More

High School Diploma Tuition

Take the first steps toward joining the workforce, advancing in your career, attending college, or joining the military with our accredited online high school diploma. Whether you choose our traditional high school curriculum or one of our career-focused high school pathways, you can choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today!

Option 1: Pay in full

Cost of Program¹

$1,099

$1,569 Save $470

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program¹

$1,569

Pay $55 per month
Start for $20 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program¹

$1,569

Pay $55 per month
Start for $39 down
Mail your payments

Enroll Now

Tuition Comparison

Comparison of tuition from private online high schools.

School	Tuition
Penn Foster High School	$1,099*
Excel High School	$1,900/school year
Acellus Academy	$2,000/school year
Liberty University Online Academy	$3,568.50/school year
Pearson Online Academy	$8,050

Note: The chart is meant to illustrate the difference between pricing at various online private high schools and is a not guarantee pricing for Penn Foster or our competitors. Actual pricing can vary depending on the number of transfer credits brought into the program, as well as other factors. Tuition rates were gathered from competing school websites on August 26, 2024 and are updated yearly.

* Total for the entire program when you pay tuition in full. The total cost is subject to change and cost can vary based on several factors, such as potential transfer credits from previous schools.

Dr. Andy Shean

Chief Learning Officer, Penn Foster

“Online learning is often just as rigorous as in-person learning. However, the flexibility to study when you are ready to focus (for example, at night, on the weekend, or before or after work), the ability to re-watch video content as many times as you need in order to master the learning, and on-demand support can make online learning more attractive, especially for adult learners who are often working and, in some cases, juggling parenting duty.”

Mariam Dawoud

High School Math Instructor, Penn Foster

“Online schooling is a great option for people who take care of many aspects of life and passionately aim to advance their education, making themselves candidates for career-advancement opportunities. It’s a way to multitask without putting one’s employment or family duties on hold.”

Cathy Breymeier

Manager, High School Course Department, Penn Foster

“Penn Foster’s online High School Program can really benefit students who struggle with a structured learning environment, allowing them the opportunity to work at a flexible pace comfortable to them with hours that suit their various learning needs. Additionally, students who are bullied, struggle with anxiety, or feel a lack of acceptance in a traditional school environment can find a home with PFHS and flourish in an online learning environment.”

Penn Foster High School Diploma FAQs

Is Penn Foster High School accredited?

Yes, it is! Penn Foster High School is nationally accredited by both the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Cognia. In addition to our national accreditation, we are regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA). You can find more details about each of our accreditations on the Penn Foster Accreditations page.

How much does online high school cost?

Several factors influence the cost to get your high school diploma online at Penn Foster, including monthly offers, whether you’re transferring credits into the program, and the payment plan you choose. We pride ourselves on making our high school program as affordable as possible, giving you the option to choose the payment plan that works best for your budget. Visit our online high school tuition page for more information about costs and payment plan options.

Does Penn Foster online High School accept transfer credits from other schools?

In order to successfully transfer credits into Penn Foster High School, you’ll need an official, sealed transcript sent from your previous school for evaluation. Your credits will likely transfer if the courses are equivalent to our curriculum and are from a regionally accredited high school. Visit our high school credit transfer page for more details.

Can adults enroll in online high school with Penn Foster?

Penn Foster welcomes students of all ages, including adult learners. Enrolling in our high school program is open to anyone 13 years or older who has completed the 8th grade. We know how challenging it can be to earn your diploma as an adult learner so we do our best to make it as easy as possible for you with our online and self-paced learning platform.

What is Penn Foster's online high school curriculum like?

To get your high school diploma from Penn Foster, you will need to complete 16 core credits and 5 elective credits. Each student chooses their 5 elective requirements from courses ranging from music appreciation and psychology to vocational courses, such as small business management and veterinary assistant.

Our core curriculum includes English, math, social science, science, arts, and humanities, as well as health and physical education courses. If you are transferring credits, your coursework may vary.

Are online high schools accredited?

Not every online high school has achieved accreditation. One credential to look for is from the Distance Education Accreditation Commission, or DEAC. The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Can I go to college with a Penn Foster diploma?

Yes, though it’s important to note that all colleges have different admissions requirements, so admission isn’t guaranteed. Before enrolling, it’s important to check with colleges and universities you may be interested in to see if they accept Penn Foster.

You can view the schools alumni have told us they’ve been accepted to after graduation to get a better idea of what kind of colleges have accepted our students in the past.

What types of degree programs can I pursue after graduating from Penn Foster High School?

Graduates can pursue a wide range of degree programs, including associate and bachelor's degrees. Our partnerships with higher education providers University of Maryland Global Campus, National University, Sophia, and Southern New Hampshire University offer diverse program options in various fields. These partnerships allow our graduates to seamlessly transition to college-level courses and degree programs with exclusive benefits and support.

What benefits do Penn Foster High School graduates receive from educational partners?

Penn Foster High School graduates can enjoy various benefits from our educational partners, including:

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): 8-week asynchronous, online courses with multiple start dates per term, no SAT® or GRE requirements, a waived application fee for first time applicants, and up to 25% off on tuition.
Sophia: Access to 60+ ACE® and DEAC-recommended courses that are designed to be transferred for college credit, self-paced learning with no deadlines, and a discount on the first month of subscription.
National University: 190+ career-relevant programs, financial aid opportunities, flexible 4- and 8-week online classes, and a 25% tuition reduction for Penn Foster graduates.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): Affordable tuition rates, financial aid for qualifying students, priority admissions support, and access to 200+ career-focused degree programs.

What is a high school diploma, and what types of diplomas are there?

There are several different types of high school diplomas, including:

General high school diploma. This is the most common type, awarded by most institutions.
Occupational diploma. This is for students who choose to focus studies on a specific career path in addition to taking their general education requirements, including math, science, and English.
Honors diploma. Honors diplomas are given to students who have excelled in their studies, maintaining a specific GPA while taking more advanced courses.

How do you get your high school diploma online?

Each state has different options for online high school programs, some even through the public school districts. Most have set scheduling for study time as well as for taking exams. Penn Foster offers flexibly paced scheduling, meaning you study when it’s best for you and complete your tests once you feel you are well-prepared. As a traditional-aged learner, you can have your parent or guardian enroll you online. You’ll need to have an official copy of your transcript sent to us if you’ve already started high school to help you pick up right where you left off.

How do you get a high school diploma after 21?

A lot of online schools across the country do not offer online high school diplomas to those over the age of 21. However, Penn Foster accepts students starting at age 13 with no age limit on reaching your goal of completing high school.

Is a high school diploma important or necessary?

A high school diploma is necessary to enroll in college, but it can also be a crucial part of getting hired for a job. Many employers look for a minimum of a GED, so obtaining your high school diploma can give you more opportunities. On average, people with high school diplomas earn more.

What is a diploma mill?

Diploma mills are schools that issue diplomas without proper credentials. Meaning, even though you paid for your education, your diploma has little value because employers and institutions of higher education don’t recognize it as legitimate. Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, meaning we have met rigorous standards of education set forth by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This recognition means your diploma should be accepted by employers and most colleges and universities.

High School Diploma Success Stories

Graduates of Penn Foster's High School Diploma program have been able to start new careers, advance in their current jobs, join the military, or pursue college degrees - all while learning at the speed that works best for them!

View Student Success Stories

Shiv S.

High School Graduate, 2023

“It was a great way to get my high school diploma at a quick and easy pace, while having enough content to truly learn as well.”

Our Proven High School Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

Start anytime
No exam due dates
Self-paced

Interactive

Digital study guides
Self-check quizzes
Simulations and videos

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Online Student Community
Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

Expert faculty
Dedicated student services
Robust learning resources

High School Diploma + English Language Training

Improve your English online and on your schedule while earning an accredited high school diploma.

Learn More

Disclaimers:

¹ Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.

² The Penn Foster High School Diploma is a proprietary program. You are solely responsible for ensuring that the program and program award satisfy the education requirements of potential employers, desired postsecondary institutions, and all other relevant agencies. Neither job placement nor postsecondary admission are guaranteed to graduates upon program completion. Students who attend and complete the program as an adult, age 18 years or older, who wish to further verify their earned award may request a Certificate of Preliminary Education according the process outlined in the student catalog. The program name on file with the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed schools is High School 9-12.

In order to ensure that we are compliant with all of the regulations in your state, there is a minimum age requirement of 18 for our Career programs for Texas residents.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Education Pays" Career Outlook Handbook. Accessed October 4, 2023.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.