Penn Foster High School
A self-paced, accredited online high school diploma program for teens and adults, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Students complete 21 credits online with no set login times, and many finish in about 14 months.
What is Penn Foster High School?
Penn Foster High School is a private online high school based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It is built for students who need to finish a diploma on their own schedule, from younger teens to adults decades out of school. It is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and nationally accredited by DEAC and Cognia.
How it works
Penn Foster is fully self-paced. Enrollment is open any time, there are no set login times, and courses are available 24/7. Students read lessons, complete assignments and take exams online. Certified teachers answer questions by email or in one-on-one appointments, and a learning resource center and student support team are available.
Penn Foster says students average about 14 months to finish, and the fastest finish in about 6 months. Once coursework is passed and tuition is paid in full, the diploma and sealed transcripts arrive by mail, usually within 3 to 6 weeks.
For parents of teens, note that there is no separate parent portal. You see grades by logging in with your student's credentials.
What it covers
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total credits | 21 (Tennessee: 22) |
| Core | 16 credits of required core courses |
| Electives | 5 credits |
| Pathways | College prep, career (skilled trades, healthcare, veterinary) or general |
| Starting point | 9th grade unless transfer credits apply |
Transfer credits are reviewed course by course and must come from a regionally accredited school, with an official sealed transcript.
Who it's best for
Penn Foster fits older teens and adults who need a diploma, want it cheaply and can work alone. It is also handy for students who left school mid-way and want credit for what they already finished. It is a weaker fit for younger teens who need classmates and live teaching, and for students aiming at selective colleges or college athletics. Penn Foster itself warns that its diploma is a proprietary program that colleges and employers may not accept, so check first.
Pricing at a glance
The list price is $1,639. Monthly mail pay is $39 down and $55 a month; monthly auto pay is $20 down and $55 a month for $1,399 total. On October 13, 2026, paying in full cost $1,089 on a sale marked as ending the next day. Penn Foster runs promotions often, so confirm the price before you enroll.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Most state ESA and scholarship programs are built for school-age students, and each sets its own rules for private online schools. A teen in a state with an education savings account may be able to use funds for private online school tuition; check your state's scholarship page first. Save Penn Foster to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to see what fits.
How it compares
For a cheaper monthly option with a diploma and video lessons, compare Acellus Academy. Florida residents can take free accredited courses through Florida Virtual School. Families who want live teachers and a full-time school should look at K12 or Connections Academy. For more choices, browse online high schools.
Who Penn Foster High School is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Adults and older teens finishing a diploma around work or family
- Students who left school and want transfer credit for past courses
- Self-starters who want low cost and no schedule
- Students interested in career electives such as trades or healthcare
Look elsewhere if
- Younger teens who need live teachers and classmates
- Students aiming at selective colleges or NCAA athletics, unless they confirm acceptance first
- Families who want a K–8 program
Penn Foster High School pros and cons
Pros
- Low total cost with monthly payment options
- Regional (MSA-CESS) and national (DEAC, Cognia) accreditation
- Open enrollment, no login schedule, 24/7 access
- Transfer credits can shorten the program
- Career elective pathways in trades, healthcare and veterinary fields
Cons
- Little live instruction or peer interaction
- Penn Foster warns some colleges and employers may not accept the diploma
- No separate parent portal; parents log in with the student's credentials
- Pricing and promotions change frequently
What’s included
- Regionally accredited by MSA-CESS; nationally accredited by DEAC and Cognia
- 21 credits to graduate: 16 core and 5 electives
- College prep, career and general elective pathways
- Self-paced with open enrollment and 24/7 course access
- Transfer credits accepted course by course from accredited schools
- Certified teachers by email or one-on-one appointment
How much does Penn Foster High School cost?
Penn Foster lists the high school program at $1,639. On October 13, 2026, its site offered three ways to pay: pay in full for a sale price of $1,089, monthly auto pay at $1,399 total ($20 down, then $55 a month), or monthly mail pay at the full $1,639 ($39 down, then $55 a month). The pay-in-full sale was marked as ending October 14, 2026, and Penn Foster changes promotions often, so check the current price. The 2026 student catalog lists tuition of $1,419 plus $150 in fees. Taxes may apply depending on where you live.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payments (mail pay) | $55/mo | Monthly | $55/mo |
| Full program, list price | $1,639 | One-time | — |
| Full program, monthly auto pay total | $1,399 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No free trial is offered.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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Penn Foster High School FAQs
Is Penn Foster High School accredited?
Yes. Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and Cognia. Penn Foster still cautions that some colleges and employers may not accept its diploma.
How much does Penn Foster High School cost?
The list price is $1,639, with payment plans starting at $20 to $39 down and $55 a month. On October 13, 2026, paying in full cost $1,089 on sale. Prices and promotions change often, so check before you enroll.
How long does Penn Foster High School take?
Penn Foster says students average about 14 months, and the fastest finish in about 6 months. Transfer credits from earlier schooling can shorten that.
Is a Penn Foster diploma real?
It is a high school diploma from an accredited private school, not a GED. Penn Foster notes it is a proprietary program, so acceptance is up to each college, employer or military branch. Ask your target school or employer before enrolling.
Can Penn Foster students transfer credits?
Yes. Penn Foster reviews credits course by course from regionally accredited schools and requires an official sealed transcript. Admissions can pre-evaluate using an unofficial transcript.
How many credits do you need to graduate from Penn Foster?
Students need 21 credits: 16 core and 5 electives. Tennessee residents need 22.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: