I know back in the 1990s when I was there (I'm an alum from one of those strong earth science programs
) only 2 or 3 PSU branch campuses were granting full degrees (w/o matriculating to University Park).
This trend by Penn State over the last 20 years is definitely "mission creep" --- it allows Penn State to get more state $$$ and does "crowd out" the other public Universities in the state, such as Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, et cetera (the PASSHE schools that typically compete athletically at the D-2 level in the PSAC).
Granting a full degree at a branch campus DOES make sense in some cases. Erie & Harrisburg for sure. Populated areas and not overly close to existing PASSHE schools. But DuBois, Shenango, New Kensington, et cetera --- come on.
Penn State has its role, the branch campuses have their role (I'm not among the Penn State folk who want to completely eliminate them, just restrain them to primarily be feeder schools), the PASSHE schools have their role, Temple & Pittsburgh have their roles, the highly-rated private schools (e.g., CMU, Penn, Lehigh) have their role.
2 weeks ago I was complaining about "mission creep" by NCAA, but it is true that Penn State has been guilty of some "mission creep" of its own.