Penn State Great Valley’s master’s in engineering and IT programs have again earned high rankings in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report "Best Online Programs" list.
MALVERN, Pa. — Penn State Great Valley’s online master’s in engineering and IT programs have again earned high rankings in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Online Programs" for 2026.
Master's in Engineering programs — which include software engineering, systems engineering and engineering management — tied for the No. 4 spot out of 111 institutions nationwide, based on U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of online graduate programs offered by colleges and universities, covering engagement, services and technology, faculty credentials and training and student excellence.
In addition, the Master of Engineering Management program tied for the No. 4 specialty program ranking. This honor, based on higher education peer assessments, affirms the program’s track record of preparing engineers to lead complex technical projects, solve problems and mitigate risks.
U.S. News & World Report also recognized Penn State Great Valley’s information technology programs for their academic quality. These programs — which include master’s degrees in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and information science — are ranked No. 15 in the nation.
All of Penn State Great Valley’s degree programs offered online through Penn State World Campus are also available via hybrid delivery featuring in-person learning at the Great Valley campus in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The curriculum for these programs is the same, regardless of delivery format.
“Our programs continue to prioritize high‑engagement, practice‑oriented pedagogy,” said Raghu Sangwan, Great Valley’s associate chief academic officer and director of engineering programs. “Faculty across all engineering programs intentionally use project‑based learning, hands‑on labs, industry‑aligned case studies, simulation‑based assignments and real‑world data to anchor theory in application.”
Sangwan added that designing high-quality programs to meet industry needs has led to strong student outcomes.
“Our graduates secure roles in software engineering, data science, AI engineering and cybersecurity, often stepping into positions that require thought leadership and proficiency with modern tools and architectures,” he said.
U.S. News also named several of Great Valley’s programs among its list of best online programs for veterans, based on academic quality and student support services for veterans. Penn State Great Valley’s Master’s in Engineering programs were ranked No. 3, and its computer IT programs were ranked No. 8.
