Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
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 institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 60%. The freshman retention rate at Penn State University Park is 92.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 86%.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Penn State University Park.
Quick Facts
42,604
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
86%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to increase your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Penn State University Park and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 53,579 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned institution with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
31.06% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 5.39% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 28.02% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 60.39% between 1,200 and 1,399, 10.6% between 1,000 and 1,199, 0.91% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.07% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 53, 40 between 24-29, 5 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.84. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Penn State University Park.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Penn State University Park was 92.6% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 86%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 49,481 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 37.97% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 42,604, 3943 of which were international students. 351 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 25,020 male and 22,440 female full-time students in 2025. 3,483 full-time graduate men and 3,019 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 3,220, and the number of Afro-American students was 1,922. 3,947 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,717 identified with more than one race. The school also had 28 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 50 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 948 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Penn State University Park that the majority of students face.
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.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $20,468 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $42,860. Tuition costs at Penn State University Park for international students added up to $42,860. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $630.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $42,860 | $630 | $43,490 |
| In-State | $20,468 | $630 | $21,098 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Penn State University Park amounted to $15,346 a year. If you only needed a dormitory room, you had to pay $9,006 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $11,936.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 20,468 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,346 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 37,014 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Penn State University Park.
The most recent records show that 3,898 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $13,987.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 9,032 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. 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 17,505. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $36,085,443, and state $21,641,342. The students of Penn State University Park received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $87,590,547, and external in the amount of $13,946,038.
$5,605
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
10,785 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 2,266 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $36,085,443 while the state aid is $391,708. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $23,907,482. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $56,199,098 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
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Penn State University Park was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 3,380 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 1,900 men and 1,480 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Penn State University Park is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Penn State University Park.
Its campus is 7,958 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
There are 986 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. At this school, 17% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 20 for female students. If you are interested in music, you can join the Penn State University Park band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students 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 required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical 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. There is 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
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 48,779 USD.
$48,779
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Penn State University Park is located in University Park, PA.
-
Penn State University Park doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for Penn State University Park is 60%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Penn State University Park is 92.6%.
Contact Information
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.