Overview
Penn State, or Pennsylvania State University, is a major public research university with its flagship campus in University Park, Pennsylvania, and numerous other campuses across the state. Renowned for its academic excellence, extensive alumni network, and vibrant campus life, Penn State offers a wide array of programs and resources for students.
There are currently 72,229 undergraduates at Penn State and the school’s acceptance rate is 92%. The tuition at Penn State is $18,898 for in-state students and $36,476 for out-of-state.
State School
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$38,270
$28,327
$27,521
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$38,270Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$55,848Since Penn State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Penn State is $38,270 for in-state students in PA, and $55,848 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Penn State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
The Pennsylvania State University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at The Pennsylvania State University, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for The Pennsylvania State University is 003329.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at Penn State
Pennsylvania residents considering Penn State should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarshipsNational Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at The Pennsylvania State University? Penn State offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Penn State's website for more information!
Pell Grants at The Pennsylvania State University
23% of students at The Pennsylvania State University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Penn State. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
92%
28
Coalition Colleges
Penn State is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Penn State via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Penn State have a supplemental essay?
Yes, The Pennsylvania State University includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Penn State's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Penn State Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Penn State test-optional?
The Pennsylvania State University is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Penn State?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to The Pennsylvania State University. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Penn State?
Early Action
Rolling deadline at Penn State
The Pennsylvania State University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Penn State's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Academics
Graduation Rate
72%
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
72,229
Undergrad Students Over 25 11%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%
Percent Male / Female 54% / 46%
Ethnic Diversity at Penn State
65% White
9% Hispanic
7% Asian / Pacific Islander
6% Black
4% Multiracial
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$61,185
Median Debt $25,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $265
Graduation Rate 72%
What is the graduation rate at The Pennsylvania State University?
72% of students who start at The Pennsylvania State University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 14% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of The Pennsylvania State University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at The Pennsylvania State University is $61,185. This is $10,794 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from The Pennsylvania State University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Penn State take out in loans?
Graduates of Penn State take out a median of $25,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent The Pennsylvania State University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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