Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years.
About This School
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is a public institution located in Sharon, Pennsylvania with approximately 256 undergraduate students enrolled. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 92%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,095 per year. The graduation rate is 42%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Penn State Shenango is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University that is located in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Penn State Shenango is the only urban campus in the Penn State system, although some parts of Penn State Altoona that are located in the heart of Altoona's downtown are urban in nature. 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 Shenango.
This campus is best suited for students in the Sharon, PA area who need an affordable, flexible path into Penn State's system — particularly working adults, commuters, or those easing back into higher education after some time away. The Penn State name carries real weight with employers, and at an average net price of $18,095 per year, it's a reasonably accessible entry point into that brand. That said, the numbers here demand honesty: a 42% graduation rate and a 66% freshman retention rate suggest many students start but don't finish, which is a significant concern worth talking through before you commit. The $57,200 median earnings at 10 years is encouraging and the $25,000 median debt load is manageable if you do graduate — but the "if" matters here. My practical advice: treat this as a serious option only if you have a clear plan for staying enrolled, whether that means mapping out your schedule, lining up financial support, or confirming that transferring to a larger Penn State campus is a realistic option if you outgrow what Shenango can offer.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
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%.
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 (256 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146-1537
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango has an acceptance rate of 92%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango hard to get into?
Not especially. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango has an acceptance rate of 92%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango cost?
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango is about $18,095 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 Shenango?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango has a graduation rate of 42%, 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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