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.
Can I go back to school even if it’s been more than 10 years?
Yes! No matter how long it’s been since you left high school, you can still pick up where you left off with Penn Foster. If you completed credits at your former school, you may be eligible to transfer those in as long as your school is able to send us an official copy of your transcripts. While some classes may not transfer after a certain length of time – for example, science tends to be updated regularly so what you learned 20 years ago may be very different today – it's still a good idea to send in your transcripts for evaluation just to see where you need to start.
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.
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.
If you’re interested in continuing your education with Penn Foster, our college also offers degree programs that could help you take the next steps toward a new career!
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.
Do jobs accept online high school diplomas?
While it’s ultimately up to the employer to decide what type of diplomas or credentials they accept, many jobs do accept online high school diplomas that are accredited, like Penn Foster’s. In general, most jobs that require a diploma just want to ensure you have one and won’t likely be concerned as much about where you earned it.