University Park, PA 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
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
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
0:1
Graduation Rate
72%
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$38,270
$28,327
$27,521
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$38,270for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$55,848for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since 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 sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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.
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 scholarships
The Pennsylvania State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at The Pennsylvania State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
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 our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
National 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, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to The Pennsylvania State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Penn State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
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, applicants to The Pennsylvania State University will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that 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 it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting 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.
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.
Should I apply Early Action at Penn State?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
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 end up finishing 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?
10 years after starting school at The Pennsylvania State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $61,185. This is $10,794 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Penn State take out in loans?
Graduates of Penn State have to take out a median of $25,000 in federal student loans. This is $11,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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