About Pennsylvania State University

"The Pennsylvania State University—University Park, a public institution established in 1855, boasts a substantial undergraduate population of 41,745 as of the fall of 2022. The campus is situated in a rural setting and spans an extensive 7,958 acres. The academic calendar follows a semester-based system. In the 2024 edition of Best Colleges, The Pennsylvania State University—University Park holds the #60 position in the National Universities category. For tuition and fees, in-state students pay $19,835, while out-of-state students face costs of $38,651."

Life at The Pennsylvania State University campus, often referred to as Happy Valley, is anything but dull. With over 1,000 clubs and organizations, there are abundant chances to engage in campus activities. The school's mascot is the Nittany Lion, and its teams compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference. The football team plays in Beaver Stadium, one of North America's largest arenas, accommodating nearly 107,000 fans.

Penn State boasts a thriving Greek system with over 70 sororities and fraternities. Additionally, over 16,000 students actively participate in THON, the world's largest student-run philanthropy, raising funds for pediatric cancer research and awareness. This culminates in a remarkable 46-hour dance marathon where participants are not allowed to sit or sleep.

For freshmen, residing in one of five on-campus housing areas is mandatory. Just across from the campus lies State College, a vibrant small town filled with coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and bars, primarily frequented by students. Surrounded by scenic mountains, the university also offers proximity to opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking.

This institution, established as a land-grant university with the original aim of providing state land in exchange for contributions in agricultural education and research, currently offers highly esteemed graduate programs, notably within the College of Education and the College of Engineering.

Among undergraduates, the Daily Collegian newspaper is created, and students receive complimentary daily copies of The New York Times, USA Today, and the local Centre Daily Times newspaper through the school's Newspaper Readership Program.

The university boasts notable alumni, including John Cappelletti, a former NFL player and Heisman Trophy recipient, as well as Valerie Plame Wilson, an ex-CIA agent turned author.

School Name	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
School Location	University Park, PA, USA
Admission Rate	49.10%
GPA Requirements	3.6
AVERAGE SAT COMPOSITE	1201
AVERAGE ACT COMPOSITE	26
ACCEPTANCE RATE	76%
TYPE OF INSTITUTION	Public
LEVEL OF INSTITUTION	4 Year
CAMPUS SETTING	Small city
AVERAGE NET PRICE	$25,548
NUMBER OF STUDENTS	46,810
HIGHEST DEGREE OFFERED	Doctorate
Student Loans	Average Loan Amount Per Year $9,985

 

2024 Rankings

• #60 inNational Universities

• #28 inTop Public Schools 

• #193 inBest Value Schools

Admissions at Pennsylvania State University, University Park

• Acceptance rate is 55%, and early acceptance rate is 65.3%.
• Half of accepted students who submitted test scores have SAT scores between 1210 and 1390 or ACT scores between 26 and 31.
• Application deadline is rolling, meaning it's open throughout the year.
• Admissions prioritize GPA as a critical factor; they don't consider high school class rank or letters of recommendation.
• The application fee is $65.

Application Details:

• Common Application is accepted.
• Deadline for housing deposit is May 1.
• Admission decision date isn't specified.

Entering Class Stats:

• Acceptance rate: 55%
• Early Decision acceptance rate is not specified.
• SAT score ranges are provided.
• No specific details about Early Action acceptance rate.

Transfer Students:

• Accepting applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
• Minimum credits to apply: 18.
• Minimum required college GPA: 2.

International Students:

• Different application deadlines for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
• No separate application form required.
• Conditional admission is not offered.
• Only Early Action is available, and specific tests are required (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT).
• No advance deposit required.

Cost 

+--------------------------+------------------+-------------------+
| Cost Item                | In-State ($)     | Out-of-State ($)  |
+--------------------------+------------------+-------------------+
| Tuition & Fees          | $19,835          | $38,651           |
| Room & Board            | $12,984          | $12,984           |
| Average Need-Based Aid  | $11,045          | $27,521           |
+--------------------------+------------------+-------------------+

Pennsylvania State University, University Park offers a range of costs for both in-state and out-of-state students. In-state tuition and fees are considerably lower compared to out-of-state rates, making it an attractive option for residents. Room and board costs are the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Additionally, the university provides an average need-based aid package to help students with their expenses. The aid package is more substantial for out-of-state students, potentially making the institution more affordable for them.
 

Academic

+----------------------------+-------+
| Academic Indicator         | Stats |
+----------------------------+-------+
| 4-Year Graduation Rate     | 69%   |
| Student/Faculty Ratio      | 15:1  |
| Classes With Fewer Than    |       |
| 20 Students                | 31%   |
+----------------------------+-------+

Academic Excellence:
Pennsylvania State University, University Park boasts a commendable 4-year graduation rate of 69%, indicating a strong commitment to supporting students in their academic journey. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, students have access to personalized attention and guidance. Furthermore, a substantial 31% of classes have fewer than 20 students, fostering an interactive and engaging learning environment.

+------------------------------------------------------+------------------+----------------------+
| Major                                                | % of Graduates   | Alumni Starting Salary |
+------------------------------------------------------+------------------+----------------------+
| Engineering                                          | 15%              | N/A                  |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support | 15%              | N/A           |
| Services                                            |                  |                      |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support       | 12%              | N/A           |
| Services                                            |                  |                      |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs      | 8%               | N/A            |
| Social Sciences                                      | 7%               | N/A                  |
+------------------------------------------------------+------------------+----------------------+

Majors and Career Paths:
Pennsylvania State University, University Park graduates pursue a diverse range of majors. The most popular majors include Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, Computer and Information Sciences, Communication, and Social Sciences. While exact alumni starting salaries are not specified, the university equips graduates with strong foundations in these fields, enhancing their career prospects and earning potential.