Penn Foster
Penn Foster, founded in 1890, is an accredited online education provider serving over 133,000 active students with self-paced high school diplomas, career diplomas, and college degrees. It also delivers enterprise workforce training to employer partners including Guild, YouthBuild USA, Banfield, and UAW-Ford.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersScranton, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Penn Foster does
Penn Foster, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is an accredited online education provider operating three core schools — Penn Foster High School, Penn Foster Career School, and Penn Foster College — that collectively serve over 133,000 active students. Its catalog spans high school diplomas and English language training, career diplomas and certificates, and associate and bachelor's degrees across automotive and engine repair, skilled trades (HVACR, plumbing, electrical, construction), healthcare (medical assistant, medical billing and coding, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, veterinary technician), business (accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, human resources, business management), criminal justice and legal, computers and electronics, and creative services. The company also retains acquired brands including Ashworth College, New York Institute of Art & Design, and New York Institute of Photography.
The platform is a self-serve online learning system with 24/7 access across computers, tablets, and mobile devices, no set start dates or exam deadlines, and multimedia content including video demonstrations, animations, and interactive exercises delivered through the Penn Foster Student Portal. Notable integrations include ReadSpeaker text-to-speech for accessibility, QuickBooks Online for bookkeeping students, and Snap-on tool discounts for trades students. Penn Foster holds accreditations from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Cognia, and AVMA-CVTEA for veterinary programs, and aligns curriculum to industry-recognized certifications such as ASE, NACPB, and OPE.
Penn Foster operates a dual B2C/B2B revenue model. Consumer tuition is structured via monthly subscriptions typically priced at $50-$75/month for career programs and $999-$1,499 per semester for college degrees, with pay-in-full discounts and special military pricing. Enterprise workforce training is delivered through a dedicated partner portal to hundreds of employer relationships including YouthBuild USA, Banfield Pet Hospital, Adecco, Guild, UAW-Ford, and Employbridge. GTM is primarily product-led through direct online enrollment, supplemented by phone sales and a B2B inside-sales motion. The company employs 501-1,000 staff across offices in Scranton, PA, Chandler, AZ, and Nashville, TN, and was backed by BayPine and Two Sigma Impact in a 2021 financing round.
Penn Foster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Penn Foster
- Legal name
- Penn Foster
- Website
- https://pennfoster.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Penn Foster, founded in 1890, is an accredited online education provider serving over 133,000 active students with self-paced high school diplomas, career diplomas, and college degrees. It also delivers enterprise workforce training to employer partners including Guild, YouthBuild USA, Banfield, and UAW-Ford.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Penn Foster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Under-18 / High School-to-University Foundation Pathways (EDAIAJAI)
Keywords
Where Penn Foster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Scranton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Penn Foster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Program Tuition - Career Diplomas and Certificates: One-time payment or monthly installment plans for career diploma and certificate programs ranging from $50-75/month
- Program Tuition - College Degrees: Semester-based tuition for associate and bachelor's degree programs at $999-$1,499 per semester with monthly payment options
- Organizational Training Services: B2B workforce training solutions for employer partners including YouthBuild USA, Banfield, Adecco, Guild, UAW-Ford and hundreds of other organizations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Automotive Repair Technician Career Diploma - $939 full / $59/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Motorcycle Repair Technician - $729 full / $59/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Accounting Associate Degree - $1,239 first semester / $65/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tax Preparation Career Diploma - $799 full / $59/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Veterinary Technician Associate Degree - $75/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Medical Billing and Coding - $59/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | HVACR Technician - $59/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | General Program Pricing Range - $50-$75/month |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Penn Foster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Penn Foster provides accredited, self-paced online education through three schools — Penn Foster High School (diploma and certificate programs), Penn Foster Career School (career diplomas and certificates), and Penn Foster College (associate and bachelor's degrees) — plus a For Organizations workforce training platform that delivers the same curriculum to employers, workforce agencies, and the U.S. Military. Programmatic content covers healthcare, skilled trades, business, automotive, technology, education, and creative fields.
Product overview
Penn Foster is an online education provider founded in 1890 offering a comprehensive portfolio of self-paced, accredited online programs through three distinct schools: Penn Foster High School (high school diploma and English language training), Penn Foster Career School (career diplomas and certificates for in-demand industries), and Penn Foster College (associate and bachelor's degrees). The platform serves over 133,000 active students with programs across automotive and engine repair (including automotive repair, diesel mechanics, motorcycle repair, and small engine repair), business (accounting, business management, bookkeeping, administrative assistant, tax preparation, human resources), healthcare (medical assistant, medical billing and coding, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, veterinary technician), skilled trades (HVACR, plumbing, electrical, construction), criminal justice and legal (paralegal, criminal justice), computers and electronics (IT support, AutoCAD, electronics), and creative services (graphic design, interior design). Programs are delivered through the Penn Foster Student Portal featuring interactive video content, simulations, and digital study guides, with pricing starting as low as $50-65/month. The company also offers workforce training solutions for employer partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Penn Foster High School Diploma Program Self-paced, regionally accredited online high school diploma program for adults who did not complete traditional high school; designed for working adults seeking a credential to qualify for jobs or further education.
- High School Career Pathways Certificate Programs Online career-pathway certificate programs for high school learners and adult completers seeking entry-level job skills in specific fields.
- Adult High School Completion / High School Equivalency (GED prep) Online program helping adult learners earn an equivalent high school credential or prepare for GED-style assessments.
- Penn Foster Career School — Career Diploma Programs Self-paced, accredited online career diploma programs for working adults seeking entry-level or career-change skills in specific trades and professions.
- Penn Foster Career School — Career Certificate Programs Focused, short-cycle online certificates designed to deliver targeted job-ready skills in specific occupational areas.
- Penn Foster College — Associate Degree Programs Accredited online associate degree programs (e.g., Veterinary Technician, Early Childhood Education, Business Management) for adult learners seeking two-year credentials.
- Penn Foster College — Bachelor's Degree Programs Accredited online bachelor's degree completion programs in business, healthcare administration, criminal justice, IT, and related fields, designed for working adults.
- Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Online AVMA-accredited associate degree preparing students for veterinary technician careers in clinical settings.
- Dental Assistant Career Diploma Online diploma training students for entry-level dental assisting roles in dental offices.
- Medical Assistant Career Diploma Online career diploma preparing students for clinical and administrative medical assisting roles.
- Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma Online diploma training students for medical billing and coding positions in healthcare settings.
- Pharmacy Technician Professional Career Diploma Online pharmacy technician training program preparing students for PTCB certification and pharmacy technician roles.
- Physical Therapy Aide Career Diploma Online career diploma preparing students for physical therapy aide roles in clinical and rehabilitation settings.
- Occupational Therapy Aide Career Diploma Online career diploma preparing students for occupational therapy aide roles in healthcare and rehabilitation.
- Medical Transcriptionist Career Diploma Online diploma training students for medical transcription work in healthcare documentation.
- Healthcare Management Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree preparing students for administrative and management roles in healthcare organizations.
- Nutrition Sciences Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in nutrition sciences for students pursuing careers in dietetics and nutrition-related fields.
- Electrician Career Diploma Online electrician training program covering residential and commercial electrical fundamentals for entry-level trade careers.
- Plumber Career Diploma Online plumber training program covering plumbing fundamentals for entry-level trade careers.
- HVAC Technician Career Diploma Online HVAC technician training program preparing students for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning careers.
- Construction Technician Career Diploma Online construction technician training program preparing students for entry-level construction careers.
- Carpenter Career Diploma Online carpenter training program covering carpentry fundamentals for entry-level trade careers.
- Welding Career Diploma Online welding training program preparing students for welding specialist roles in industrial and manufacturing settings.
- Auto Repair Technician Career Diploma Online auto repair technician training program with Snap-on tool partnership preparing students for ASE certification and auto repair careers.
- Diesel Mechanic Career Diploma Online diesel mechanic training program preparing students for diesel engine repair careers.
- Motorcycle Repair Technician Career Diploma Online motorcycle repair technician training program preparing students for motorcycle mechanic roles.
- Small Engine Repair Career Diploma Online small engine repair training program covering outdoor power equipment maintenance and repair.
- Bookkeeping Career Diploma Online bookkeeping diploma with QuickBooks Online integration preparing students for entry-level bookkeeping roles.
- Graphic Design Career Diploma Online graphic design diploma program preparing students for entry-level design roles.
- Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Online associate degree in early childhood education preparing students for careers in childcare and preschool settings.
- Business Management Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in business management preparing students for management and supervisory roles.
- Accounting Associate and Bachelor's Degrees Online accounting degree programs preparing students for accounting and bookkeeping careers across associate and bachelor's levels.
- Operations Management Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in operations management preparing students for operations leadership roles.
- Paralegal Studies Associate Degree Online associate degree in paralegal studies preparing students for paralegal roles in legal settings.
- Computer Information Systems Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in computer information systems preparing students for IT roles.
- Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in cybersecurity preparing students for information security analyst roles.
- IT Career Diploma Programs Online IT career diploma programs covering foundational information technology skills for entry-level tech support and networking roles.
- Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Online bachelor's degree in criminal justice preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and legal services.
- Legal Secretary Career Diploma Online legal secretary diploma program preparing students for administrative roles in legal offices.
- Home Remodeling and Repair Career Diploma
Quantifiable outcome
- 123% increase in Meta engagement, 63% growth on TikTok, 55% rise in Back-to-School web traffic, and 128% year-over-year lift in brand awareness through integrated social media campaigns
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Penn Foster
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Penn Foster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Penn Foster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.
- YouthBuild USAnotableWorkforce development partnership providing education and training programs for youth through YouthBuild locations nationwide
- BanfieldnotableVeterinary workforce training partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital for veterinary assistant and technician programs
- AdecconotableStaffing industry partnership providing workforce training and development solutions through Adecco's employer network
- GuildcoreEdtech partnership through Guild's platform connecting employers with educational programs for employee upskilling and education benefits
- UAW-FordnotableUnion partnership providing skilled trades training for Ford automotive workers through UAW-Ford programs
- EmploybridgenotableIndustrial workforce training partnership through Employbridge's staffing and workforce solutions platform
- Snap-onnotableSnap-on Student Excellence Program providing enrolled automotive and trades students access to Snap-on tools at preferred student discounts
- QuickBooks (Intuit)notableQuickBooks Online integration providing bookkeeping students with one-year subscription to the software as part of their training
- NRF FoundationnotablePartnership with National Retail Federation Foundation for retail and business workforce training programs
- NeighbourlyminorHome services franchise partnership for trades and skilled trades workforce training
- Metro PowerminorAutomotive trades training partnership for diesel and heavy truck maintenance programs
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Penn Foster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university offering self-paced competency-based degrees and certificates across business, IT, healthcare, and education — directly comparable to Penn Foster College and Career School in modality, target learner, and affordability positioning.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Major online university serving adult and nontraditional learners with low-cost associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs — overlapping target segments and pricing tier with Penn Foster's degree offerings.
- Purdue University Global: For-profit online university operated in partnership with Purdue, focused on working adults in career-aligned programs — directly comparable in mission, modality, and workforce orientation.
- Capella University: For-profit online university under Strategic Education offering flexible degree programs targeted at working professionals — overlapping learner profile, program mix, and tuition structure.
- University of Arizona Global Campus: Online for-profit university (formerly Ashford University) serving adult learners with career-focused degree programs — direct comparable in target market, delivery model, and program categories.
- Walden University: For-profit online university offering degrees with a social-impact orientation for working professionals — overlapping in modality, learner persona, and professional credentialing focus.
- Guild Education: Education benefits platform connecting employers to learning providers for workforce upskilling — comparable enterprise GTM motion and overlapping employer partners (e.g., Penn Foster listed as a Guild provider).
- U.S. Career Institute: Online career school offering self-paced career diplomas and certificates in healthcare, business, trades, and IT — directly comparable to Penn Foster Career School in modality, pricing, and learner segment.
- Stratford Career Institute: Distance-learning career school offering self-paced diploma programs for adult learners — overlapping in online self-paced delivery, vocational focus, and affordability tier.
Emerging players
- InStride: Workforce education platform partnering with employers and universities to deliver degree and certificate pathways — comparable enterprise channel and learner persona with overlap in workforce training strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Penn Foster social profiles
Digital presencePenn Foster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Penn Foster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Penn Foster subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Penn Foster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Penn Foster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Penn Foster
What does Penn Foster do?
Penn Foster provides accredited, self-paced online education through three schools — Penn Foster High School (diploma and certificate programs), Penn Foster Career School (career diplomas and certificates), and Penn Foster College (associate and bachelor's degrees) — plus a For Organizations workforce training platform that delivers the same curriculum to employers, workforce agencies, and the U.S. Military. Programmatic content covers healthcare, skilled trades, business, automotive, technology, education, and creative fields.
Is Penn Foster a public or private company?
Penn Foster is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Penn Foster founded?
Penn Foster was founded in 1890. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Penn Foster based?
Penn Foster is headquartered in Scranton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Penn Foster make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Program Tuition - Career Diplomas and Certificates are the primary driver. The others are program Tuition - College Degrees and organizational Training Services.
Who are Penn Foster's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue University Global, Capella University, University of Arizona Global Campus, Walden University, Guild Education, U.S. Career Institute and Stratford Career Institute. InStride is listed as an emerging player.
Does Penn Foster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Penn Foster.
What industry is Penn Foster in?
Penn Foster's product category is Online Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAK, Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAFAMAL, Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.