High School Diploma

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 diploma¹ on your schedule, from home.

  • 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.

Save up to $450 Ends 6/13/2023

Cost of Program

$949

$1,399 Save $450

or

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

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

What You Will Learn

  1. How to use critical thinking and reasoning skills to complete learning tasks in English Language Arts courses.
  2. How to use critical thinking and reasoning skills to complete learning tasks in science courses.
  3. How to use declarative knowledge and demonstrate understanding to complete learning tasks in math courses.
  4. How to utilize writing skills to complete writing assessments.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

High School Diploma Career Outcomes

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 $9,516 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. States may impose requirements for receiving state financial aid. 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 - this is particularly important for residents of New York.

Online High School Diploma Curriculum

  • 16 core credits
  • 5 elective credits 


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 6 months
  • Average time = 15 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.

Our online high school diploma curriculum is a total of 21 credits, including 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, residential electrician, 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 courses include:


  • English
  • General Math
  • Biology
  • American History

Show Full Curriculum

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
quote icon

Selina L. 

High School Graduate, 2021

“Obtaining my high school diploma was the first important step I needed to take in order to get to college. Penn Foster paved the way for me to take the next step into my career.”

Interested in High School Completion For Your Learners?

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

Save up to $450 Ends 6/13/2023

Cost of Program

$949

$1,399 Save $450

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

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Save up to $100 Ends 6/13/2023

Cost of Program

$1,299

$1,399 Save $100

  • Pay $55 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • Credit card, PayPal, or ACH from bank account
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program

$1,399

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

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits or our refund policy. Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment.

Tuition & Payment Options

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
  • Student Portal Help Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty
  • Dedicated student services
  • Robust learning resources

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 5five 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.

High School Diploma + English Language Training

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

Learn More
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