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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, PA
Penn State University Park, located in State College, Pennsylvania, is the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University system. With a sprawling 5,448-acre campus, it is one of the largest universities in the United States. Offering a wide range of academic programs, Penn State University Park is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation.
At Penn State University Park, students can choose from over 160 undergraduate majors, and 200 graduate degree programs across various disciplines. The university is particularly well-known for its programs in engineering, business, agriculture, and the sciences. Penn State is proud to have state-of-the-art facilities, including the Information Sciences and Technology Building and the new Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building, fostering an environment where students can engage in cutting-edge research and leverage resources to enhance their educational experiences.
Outside the classroom, Penn State University Park provides students with a vibrant and active campus life. With over 1,200 student organizations, ranging from academic and professional clubs to cultural and recreational groups, there is something for everyone. The universityÆs Nittany Lions athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, allowing students to cheer on their teams and participate in intramural sports. Additionally, the University Park campus offers students a unique blend of urban and small-town experiences, providing access to cultural events, restaurants, and a lively downtown area, while still retaining a close-knit community atmosphere.
Overall, Penn State University Park is a prestigious institution that offers students a rich academic experience, numerous opportunities for research and extracurricular involvement, and a thriving campus life. With its commitment to research, innovation, and community, Penn State University Park continues to rank among the top universities in the United States, attracting students from across the country and around the world.
Located in University Park, PA, Penn State University Park is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 54%. The freshman retention rate at Penn State University Park is 92% and the six-year graduation rate is 86%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Penn State University Park.
Quick Facts
42,223
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
54%
Acceptance Rate
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
86%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. What are the admission requirements for Penn State University Park?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 46,565 in 2024. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Penn State University Park provides a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 32.92% and ACT scores 5.58%. 23.39% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 60.38% between 1,200 and 1,399, 15.05% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.18% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 49, 43 between 24-29, 8 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.67. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Penn State University Park was 92%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 86%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 49,135 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 37.22. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 42,223, 4097 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 369 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 24,842 male and 22,246 female full-time students in 2024. 3,483 full-time graduate men and 3,019 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 2,991, while the number of Black American students was 1,968. 3,833 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,613 identified with more than one race. The school also had 29 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 58 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 919 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some important data on Penn State University Park costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Penn State University Park is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $20,066. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $41,212. If you are an international student at Penn State University Park, you should know that the 2024 tuition was $41,212, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $578 in 2024.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $41,212 | $578 | $41,790 |
| In-State | $20,066 | $578 | $20,644 |
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Penn State University Park was $12,984 per academic year.
| Tuition | $ 20,066 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,984 |
| Total Expense | $ 33,050 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Penn State University Park, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 3,792 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,095.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
7,718 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Penn State University Park isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 17,085. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $32,275,289, and state $20,739,875. The students of Penn State University Park received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $91,188,555, and external in the amount of $12,462,199.
$5,592
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
12,314 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 2,659 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $32,275,289 while the state aid is $333,167. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $23,307,297. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $48,181,344 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at Penn State University Park was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 3,435 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 1,941 male and 1,494 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about campus life at Penn State University Park.
Its campus spans 7,958 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 986. That includes sororities and fraternities. 17 percent of male and 20 of female students are involved in different organizations at Penn State University Park. Those interested in music can join the Penn State University Park band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Penn State University Park publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Penn State University Park, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Penn State University Park.
All in all, campus life at Penn State University Park is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Penn State University Park.
Career Counselling
At Penn State University Park, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 48,779 USD.
$48,779
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Penn State University Park is located in University Park, PA.
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Penn State University Park doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Penn State University Park is 54%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Penn State University Park is 92%.
Contact Information
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus,
201 Old Main
University Park, PA
16802
814 865-4700
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.