GED vs High School Diploma: Which Is Better for Your Future?
Reviewed by Brian Brown, Academic Manager, Penn Foster High School and Courtney Smith-Copeland, Penn Foster High School Academic Director.
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Many students may struggle with deciding whether earning their high school diploma or getting their GED is the right move. Whether you’re a returning student or a traditional aged student weighing your options, it can be hard to determine which is right for you. In this blog, we’ll clear up the difference between the two and hammer out the details of each so you can make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
- Both paths lead to a recognized high school–level credential.
A GED and a high school diploma both show you’ve mastered high school academics, but they’re earned in different ways—testing versus completing a full program. - A high school diploma can open more doors.
While most colleges and employers accept a GED, a diploma is more universally recognized and can make admissions, hiring, and scholarship opportunities simpler. - Your timeline and learning style should guide your choice.
A GED may appeal to learners looking for a faster, exam-based option, while a diploma—especially through a flexible online program—offers structure, support, and a fuller educational experience. - Flexibility doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Self-paced online high school programs allow students to earn an accredited diploma on their own schedule, combining convenience with the long-term value employers and colleges look for.
GED vs high school diploma: the short answer
A high school diploma is an academic accomplishment received after earning at least the minimum required credits from a high school, either brick-and-mortar or online.
A GED shows you have mastered the concepts traditionally learned in four years of high school.
There are also alternative high school equivalency options outside of the GED you can explore, such as the HiSET exam in Pennsylvania, for example. They both prove you’ve obtained the knowledge for this academic milestone, but may be looked upon differently by employers or colleges.
| Category | High School Diploma | GED (High School Equivalency) |
|---|---|---|
| What it represents | Completion of a full high school program over time. | Demonstrates academic knowledge equivalent to high school. |
| How it’s earned | Multi-year coursework or alternative programs with grades and credits. | Passing four standardized equivalency exams. |
| Documentation | Transcript with courses, grades, GPA, and credits. | Test scores; typically no multi-year transcript or GPA. |
| College acceptance | Widely accepted; usually straightforward admissions. | Widely accepted, but some colleges may require additional testing or documentation. |
| Scholarships | More access to GPA- and class-rank-based awards. | Eligible for many scholarships, but fewer GPA-based options. |
| Employer perception | Often viewed as evidence of long-term persistence. | Viewed as academically equivalent, but sometimes less evidence of sustained coursework. |
| Best fit | Students able to complete a traditional or accredited high school program. | Adults or nontraditional students seeking a faster credential. |
What is a GED?
GED stands for General Education Development. According to the GED testing service, The GED test is made up of 4 subjects, broken into separate exams. These exams can be taken at different times or all in one day and cover mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies, and science.
The timeframe for each exam varies from 70 minutes to 150 minutes. Each exam has multiple choice questions as well as other question types.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the GED was originally developed to give U.S. and Canadian citizens who have not graduated from high school the opportunity to demonstrate the level of achievement normally acquired through the completion of a traditional U.S./Canadian high school course of study.
Common misconceptions about the GED
There are several misconceptions people have about the GED that we’ll happily clear up for you.
The GED is easier than high school. Easy is subjective, always. While some very lucky and gifted people may be able to pass the four exams without taking prep courses or studying, this is unlikely to be the case for the majority of GED seekers and many people find the preparation and exams to be incredibly rigorous.
The GED isn’t accepted by employers and colleges. If this were true, the existence of the GED would be pretty pointless. In actuality, 98% of employers and colleges accept the GED.
The GED is only for people who couldn’t pass high school. There are so many different reasons why someone might not finish high school, most having nothing to do with their intelligence or ability to pass and graduate. The GED is also considered a high school equivalent and therefore requires the same level of knowledge acquired in traditional high school.
The GED is a quick undertaking. The preparation for the GED can in fact be very time consuming, taking several months for some people. Each of the four exams can also be taken at different times to allow learners to focus on one subject at a time, which is great for focus but can lead to longer completion times.
What is a high school diploma?
A high school diploma is an academic achievement earned after all the requirements of a high school program are met. This usually means earning a minimum number of credits in each of the required subjects, but many states may have additional requirements, like passing some form of standardized testing.
In order for colleges and most employers to accept a high school diploma, the program it was earned through usually must be accredited, which means that it must meet the standards set by one or multiple accrediting bodies.
High School diplomas can be earned in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting over the course of four years, or they can be earned through online programs. Many accredited online diploma programs are self-paced and mobile friendly, which means they can be completed on the timeline that works best for the student to adequately learn the material and can be worked on anywhere, anytime.
Read more: High School Diploma Requirements by State
GED vs high school diploma: key differences that matter
While the GED is considered a high school equivalent, there are differences that can influence which option is right for you.
College and career acceptance
While most colleges and employers view a GED as equal to a high school diploma, the percentage that accept the GED is just shy of 100, resting at 98%. This means that, though unlikely, it is possible you can be rejected from a job or a school as a result of having a GED instead of a diploma.
Read more: Q&A With a Penn Foster High School Parent
Time to complete
Completion times vastly differ for the GED vs a high school diploma. Since the GED consists of just four exams, even considering study time, it often is quicker than a high school diploma. A high school diploma traditionally takes four years to earn, though with self-paced online options it can certainly take less than that. However, it is always a route that requires time and patience, even if it doesn’t take four years.
Cost and financial aid
The cost for both pathways can vary. For high school, students who attend a traditional public high school typically won’t have tuition since these schools are usually funded by taxes. There may, however, be additional costs for things like extracurriculars or supplies.
Private traditional high schools often do have tuition, the cost of which is usually dependent on the school, but some may offer or accept financial aid.
Online high school programs also usually have some sort of tuition, but are often a more affordable option than traditional private schools and may offer helpful payment plans to make the financial burden a bit more manageable.
For the GED, the cost is by exam and varies depending on the state you’re in and if you are planning on taking the exams in person or online, if applicable. In Pennsylvania, for example, both options are $36 per subject. You can find the price for the exams in your state by visiting the GED Testing Service website.
Read more: From High School Struggles to Nursing Dreams: Cassidy’s Online High School Story
Learning experience
Since the GED only covers four academic subjects, learners who opt for this option are likely going to miss out on other subjects covered in a full high school experience. Typically, however, you must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to take the GED (though some students may be eligible at 16 if they meet other requirements) so you’ll likely have some courses in subjects not covered by the GED under your belt.
The academics aren’t the only thing that’s different about the learning experience. Since classroom prep is not required for the GED, it’s possible learners will miss out on instructional support available in traditional high school and even often in online high school programs. You also likely won’t have peer support, which can be common in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. If you’re somebody who thrives doing independent study, however, the learning experience may be preferable.
Read more: How Arieonna McNeill Turned Challenges into Graduation Success with Penn Foster Online High School
Is a GED or high school diploma better for adults?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other, it’s just what is better for your needs and goals. Many adult learners opt for a GED because they don’t realize there are full high school diploma options that can fit into their busy schedules. If time really is of the essence, a GED may be the right option for many adults.
However, accredited, self-paced online high school diploma programs like Penn Foster provide the flexibility many adult learners need, allowing them the ability to earn an actual high school diploma without sacrificing other parts of their lives.
Adrian Pineda-Munoz, for example, used Penn Foster’s high school program to return to school and found it fit perfectly with his schedule. “This online program specifically appealed to me because I have a really busy schedule,” he shared. “Just having that flexibility was really, really good for me.”
Even though most employers are willing to accept a GED and there isn’t a right answer here, a high school diploma has the potential to open up more doors if that’s something you’re looking for as an adult learner.
Read more: Are Online High School Diplomas Legitimate?
Is a GED or high school diploma better for teens?
For teenagers, a high school diploma can provide more than a GED. While there is still no right answer to this question, the structure and accountability high school can provide may serve these learners and their development more than the experience of taking the GED exams, even if they opt to take a prep course.
For students involved with sports or the NCAA, it is possible to participate with a GED but there are certainly more hoops to jump through than with a high school diploma.
Read more: Teen Stress Is Real: How to Handle School, Life, and Everything in Between
Why some employers and colleges prefer a diploma
While unlikely, it unfortunately is possible for a college or job to reject an applicant due to their resume stating they have their GED instead of their diploma. This is likely due to the stigma some people still attach to the GED.
According to Best GED Classes, some colleges and employers are of the view that those with a high school diploma are more persistent, motivated, and reliable than those with a GED. This preconceived notion is not as prevalent as it once was but can still create roadblocks for people trying to move forward.
Does Penn Foster offer a GED?
No, Penn Foster does not offer a GED. Penn Foster High School is a full online high school diploma program that is both regionally and nationally accredited. The program is self-paced so students can complete schoolwork when they’re able to: every day, outside of working hours, after the kids are asleep- whenever they can take the time for it.
How to choose the right option for you
This is up to you! If speed is your priority, a GED may be the right option, but it’s important to be aware that even the GED is often not something you can obtain instantaneously. If you have the time to dedicate to the courseload high school requires, even if not in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting, earning your high school diploma can only benefit you. Penn Foster High School can be a great option for adult learners as well as nontraditional students. You can request more information to see if Penn Foster is the right fit for you, speak to an admissions representative, or enroll online.
