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AlmaSpire

University Park, PA · Public · 42,284 undergraduates · urban

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Moderately selective

Add to my college list Review admission

Penn State functions as a multi-campus undergraduate system where changing campuses can be a planned component of earning one degree.

George Chriss / CC BY 2.5

Institutional profile

Established Strong in academic standing, and steady in career outcomes.
Academic Strong Affordability Emerging Career Steady Mobility Steady Experience Steady
Academic standing Strong
Affordability Emerging
Career outcomes Steady
Mobility Steady
Student experience Steady
Admission
54.2% admitted

85,956 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Resident and nonresident prices differ

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
85.6%

$63,435 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets Penn State University apart

Academic design

Students generally enter their major after completing university and program-specific entrance-to-major requirements during their first two years.

Campus pattern

The 2+2 Plan lets students begin at one Penn State campus and finish at another campus offering their major.

A signature opportunity

The 2+2 Plan.

Can I get in?

54.2% admitted

First-year applicants choose both a first-choice and alternate campus; University Park applicants may also indicate willingness to begin during summer.

Recent applicant pool

85,956

About 54 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 54.2%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1220–1400
11001520
ACT middle 50%27–32
2435

Of admitted students, 33% submitted an SAT, and 6% submitted an ACT. The ACT range comes from a small share of admitted students and does not describe the full class.

Entered with a 4.0 GPA8%

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for Penn State University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What Penn State University weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

Students generally enter their major after completing university and program-specific entrance-to-major requirements during their first two years.

02

Make institutional fit specific

Penn State functions as a multi-campus undergraduate system where changing campuses can be a planned component of earning one degree.

03

Use the application route carefully

First-year applicants choose both a first-choice and alternate campus; University Park applicants may also indicate willingness to begin during summer.

04

Give commitments a clear through-line

Activities and recommendations should show sustained contribution, not a collection of disconnected credentials.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

First-year applicants choose both a first-choice and alternate campus; University Park applicants may also indicate willingness to begin during summer.

Early ActionNov 1
Regular Decisionrolling
Fee and waiver$65 application fee

Fee waiver: u.s. only

Major and program admission

Some fields have their own entry path.

The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.

Agriculture and natural resourcesAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

ArchitectureAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

BusinessAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Communication and journalismAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Computer scienceAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Teacher preparationAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

EngineeringAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Health professionsAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Hospitality and hotel managementAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

NursingAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$42,358
Average annual cost after aid, in-state$33,000
Affordability profileEmerging

College funding

Scholarships and financial aid

Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus publishes two merit awards. All of them renew past the first year.

Reviewed with admission Merit scholarship

Open across the university · Merit and financial need · Renews

Reviewed with admission Merit scholarship

Open across the university · Merit and financial need · Renews

In the season card

These two awards, by name

What each one is called, what it pays, the grades and scores it asks for, and what to send.

  • The name of each award 
  • What it pays 
  • The grades and scores it asks for 
  • How to be considered 
  • What to send, and where 
See the full read
Open financial aid plan

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at Penn State University

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.

Complete within 8 years85.6%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one92.3%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$63,435

Reported 10 years after enrollment

Academic portfolio

Largest bachelor’s fields

How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.

Psychology, General

Recent graduates446
Median earnings$49,543

What is campus life like?

Penn State University beyond the classroom

The 2+2 Plan lets students begin at one Penn State campus and finish at another campus offering their major.

Academics

A defining academic feature

Students generally enter their major after completing university and program-specific entrance-to-major requirements during their first two years.

Housing

Read the residential pattern

Compare the residential setup and surrounding area with the day-to-day routine you want.

Dining

Daily life follows the campus map

Dining and nearby options matter most when they support the academic, residential, and social routine you expect.

Campus rhythm

What shapes an ordinary week

The 2+2 Plan lets students begin at one Penn State campus and finish at another campus offering their major.

Clubs & interests

Turn a direction into participation

The strongest opportunities connect a clear academic or personal direction to real work beyond class.

Social life

Find the right everyday fit

The 2+2 Plan lets students begin at one Penn State campus and finish at another campus offering their major.

42,284 undergraduatesMid-Atlanticurban setting96% of first-year students live on campus