Pennsylvania State University
A good fit for students who want a major research university experience and in-state Pennsylvania residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years; strong 86% graduation rate.
About This School
Pennsylvania State University is a public institution located in University Park, Pennsylvania with approximately 42,284 undergraduate students enrolled. Pennsylvania State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 61%. The average net price after financial aid is $32,875 per year. The graduation rate is 86%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
The Pennsylvania State University is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State was named the state's first land-grant university eight years later, in 1863. Its primary campus, known as Penn State University Park, is located in State College and College Township in Centre County.
This is a strong option for students who want a large, well-resourced public university with a proven track record — an 86% graduation rate and 92% freshman retention signal that most students who enroll actually finish. The median debt at graduation is a reasonable $19,500, though the $32,598 average net price adds up over four years, so run your actual aid numbers carefully before committing. Worth considering if you thrive in a big campus environment and are targeting fields like engineering, business, or agriculture where Penn State's reputation carries real weight with employers.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Pennsylvania State University in the news
Posts that mention Pennsylvania State University (or its abbreviation) by name.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Pennsylvania State University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer and Information Sciences, General ($120,729 vs $92,374 nationally), and most below it in Mechanical Engineering ($87,997 vs $92,135).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 577 | $96,714 | $83,343 | +$13,371 |
| Information Science/Studies | 489 | $91,671 | $85,294 | +$6,377 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 458 | $120,729 | $92,374 | +$28,355 |
| Psychology, General | 446 | $49,543 | $50,706 | −$1,163 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 374 | $87,997 | $92,135 | −$4,138 |
| Marketing | 361 | $79,343 | $69,303 | +$10,040 |
| Economics | 356 | $81,228 | $82,686 | −$1,458 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 349 | $76,246 | $63,560 | +$12,686 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 341 | $81,617 | $65,681 | +$15,936 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 276 | $98,637 | $85,063 | +$13,574 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 274 | $53,362 | $47,382 | +$5,980 |
| Biology, General | 242 | $64,910 | $57,214 | +$7,696 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (42,284 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in Pennsylvania
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Community College of Philadelphia
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Harrisburg Area Community College
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Community College of Allegheny County
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See How Colleges Compare
Pennsylvania State University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University?
Pennsylvania State University has an acceptance rate of 61%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Pennsylvania State University hard to get into?
Pennsylvania State University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 61%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Pennsylvania State University cost?
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University is about $32,875 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University?
Pennsylvania State University has a graduation rate of 86%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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