Costs
In-State
Out-of-State
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.
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!
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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: