Penn Foster

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.

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

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

• Online education programs
• Career diploma training
• Distance learning
• Workforce development
• Vocational certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Scranton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program Tuition - Career Diplomas and Certificates: One-time payment or monthly installment plans for career diploma and certificate programs ranging from $50-75/month
2. Program Tuition - College Degrees: Semester-based tuition for associate and bachelor's degree programs at $999-$1,499 per semester with monthly payment options
3. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and minor.

• YouthBuild USAnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership providing education and training programs for youth through YouthBuild locations nationwide
• BanfieldnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary workforce training partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital for veterinary assistant and technician programs
• AdecconotableChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStaffing industry partnership providing workforce training and development solutions through Adecco's employer network
• GuildcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdtech partnership through Guild's platform connecting employers with educational programs for employee upskilling and education benefits
• UAW-FordnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion partnership providing skilled trades training for Ford automotive workers through UAW-Ford programs
• EmploybridgenotableChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial workforce training partnership through Employbridge's staffing and workforce solutions platform
• Snap-onnotableTechnology or IntegrationSnap-on Student Excellence Program providing enrolled automotive and trades students access to Snap-on tools at preferred student discounts
• QuickBooks (Intuit)notableTechnology or IntegrationQuickBooks Online integration providing bookkeeping students with one-year subscription to the software as part of their training
• NRF FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with National Retail Federation Foundation for retail and business workforce training programs
• NeighbourlyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome services franchise partnership for trades and skilled trades workforce training
• Metro PowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive trades training partnership for diesel and heavy truck maintenance programs

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/pennfoster
• Facebookfacebook.com/pennfostereducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penn-foster
• Instagraminstagram.com/pennfoster
• TikToktiktok.com/@penn_foster
• Xx.com/pennfoster

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Penn Foster