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LAST UPDATED: January 1st, 2020

Penn Foster is a career focused online and hybrid educational institution. For more than 120 years, Penn Foster has been helping students reach their professional goals. Over the course of those 120 years, Penn Foster has had over 13 million students pass through its classrooms pursuing career training or associates degrees. Penn Foster offers a highly focused education to its students allowing them to receive immediately applicable training. There are currently more than 133,000 students signed up for on-site training or online education nationwide.

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The Good

  • Program Amenities
  • Diverse Program Offering

Program Amenities

Penn Foster reaches the masses through their online programs. The education is completely accessible for any student looking to receive career training or expand their education. There is a large contingent of workers who have connections to Penn Foster, allowing students to network like few other online programs. With so much experience in helping students obtain the necessary certification they need to qualify or advance within their career, Penn Foster has cultivated a platform that is both efficient and effective. Other benefits of Penn Foster include:
  • Open enrollment
  • Over 150 programs to choose from
  • Credit for life experience

Diverse Program Offering

There are over 150 programs offered through Penn Foster giving students choices in their education. A number of interests can be tested and tried while attending Penn Foster without driving students deeply into debt because of the affordability of the education. A certified course is typically $1,000.
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The Bad

  • Limited Advanced Degrees
  • 43% Graduation Rate

Limited Advanced Degrees

Penn Foster is limited to preparing students for careers. Their degrees are limited to career diplomas and associate degrees. Students should not enroll at Penn Foster expecting to further their education past the necessary training for a career. That means advanced degrees are not available online through Penn Foster.

43% Graduation Rate

Allowing anyone to enroll in classes makes the education highly accessible, but only 43% of students graduate. While 13 million students have enrolled in classes at Penn Foster, prospective students must wonder how many of them walked out with certification.
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The Bottom Line

PF should be considered a great place to go for career preparation or further certification. Outside of those two purposes, Penn Foster leaves much to be desired. A large network of alumni allows students a unique opportunity to connect. The cost of the education is set at a flat rate decreasing expense confusion. The education is straight-forward and highly focused while remaining completely learner-enabling. Those interested in pursuing certification through Penn Foster will need to complete the following process:
  1. Enroll online, by phone, or by mail
  2. Satisfy admissions requirements
  3. Identify career path
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Ren H Browns Summit, NC

When I enrolled in this program, I paid in full for the first semester. I spoke to an admissions adviser, who told me I would get refunded for any transfer credits I received after enrolling. I did get credit for biology in October, and I still have not been refunded. I have been wasting so much time and anxiety trying to get this resolved, but no one there is willing to help.

4 years ago