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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington

New Kensington, PA·Public·416 students
Last updated: April 1, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years.

95%
Accept
416
Students
$18,305
Net Price
28%
Grad Rate
$57,200
Earnings
10 yr
$25,000
Debt

About This School

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is a public institution located in New Kensington, Pennsylvania with approximately 416 undergraduate students enrolled. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 95%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,305 per year. The graduation rate is 28%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

Penn State New Kensington is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University located in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. The campus has an enrollment of 545 undergraduate students and offers twelve bachelor's degree programs and five associate degree programs as well as four men's and four women's sports. In May 2025, the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University announced the closure of seven of its twenty regional Commonwealth campuses after the Spring 2027 semester, including Penn State New Kensington.

This campus is best suited for local, cost-conscious students who want Penn State's name and network while living at home and keeping expenses down — the $18,305 average net price after aid is genuinely reasonable for what you're getting. The median earnings of $57,200 at the 10-year mark are solid, and with median debt around $25,000, the financial math is workable if you stay focused. That said, there's a critical issue you cannot ignore: Penn State's Board of Trustees voted in May 2025 to close this campus after Spring 2027, which means if you enroll now, you will need to transfer before completing a four-year degree. The 28% graduation rate was already a red flag before the closure announcement, and it reinforces a pattern of students not finishing here. My honest advice — if you're drawn to the Penn State system, look at a campus with a confirmed future, like Behrend or Harrisburg, so you're not forced into an unplanned transfer mid-degree.

Setting
Fringe rural
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,403

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing36%
Health Professions16%
Biological Sciences8%
Computer Science5%
Psychology5%
Communications5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1190
Reading 75th %ile625
Math 75th %ile640

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,408
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,134
Avg Net Price
$18,305
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$11,541
$30–48k$13,323
$48–75k$17,589
$75–110k$21,666
$110k+$23,654

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants32%
Median debt at graduation$25,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
28%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
85%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$47,200
Female graduates$39,000

Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$43,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

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

White77%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian3%
Two or more races4%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (416 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington

3550 Seventh Street Road

New Kensington, PA 15068-1765

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

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See How Colleges Compare

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington 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-Penn State New Kensington?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington has an acceptance rate of 95%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington hard to get into?

Not especially. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington has an acceptance rate of 95%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington cost?

The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington is about $18,305 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-Penn State New Kensington?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington has a graduation rate of 28%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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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