U.S. News ranks Penn State among the best institutions for online programs Penn State World Campus received six top-10 placements in Best Online Programs rankings for the fifth year in a row The Nittany Lion Shrine at Penn State's University Park campus Image: Mike Dawson U.S. News ranks Penn State among the best institutions for online programs January 26, 2021 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the fifth straight year, Penn State is the most recognized university in U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the best online degree programs in the country. The U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs rankings, which were released today (Jan. 26), placed Penn State World Campus, the University’s online campus, in the top 10 of five graduate degree disciplines and the overall bachelor’s degree programs category.