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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.
Penn State University Park is a public university located in University Park, PA. This educational institution operates on 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%.
To find out more about what Penn State University Park has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
42,604
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
86%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Check out some essential facts about admission at Penn State University Park.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 53,579 in 2025. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 31.06% and ACT scores 5.39%. 28.02% of the enrolled 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% between 600 and 799. The percent of new students 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. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
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 achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain 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 fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Penn State University Park in 2025 was 49,481.
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 institution was 42,604, 3943 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 351 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
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
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 Black American students was 1,922. 3,947 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,717 identified with more than one race. The school also had 28 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 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 data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Penn State University Park estimated tuition price.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $20,468 for area residents. Tuition fees were $42,860 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $42,860, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated 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
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at Penn State University Park amounted to $15,346 a year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, it cost $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
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for a number of students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Penn State University Park.
According to the most recent data, 3,898 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $13,987 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 9,032 students who obtained 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 came to be 17,505. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came 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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
10,785 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school 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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
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 total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 3,380. Out of that number, there were 1,900 male and 1,480 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Penn State University Park: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Penn State University Park.
Its campus spans 7,958 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 986 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 17 percent of male and 20 of female students are participants in different organizations at Penn State University Park. Students who like 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. 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 everything most students need.
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 a great asset 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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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Penn State University Park is 60%.
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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.
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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.
