Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA 16801
Penn State University Park is a public university in PA, founded in 1855 and offers Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 39,809, and the graduate enrollment is 6,504. Penn State University Park is a highly selective school, receiving 73,861 applications and accepting 54.2% of applicants. Penn State University Park’s athletics teams compete at the club, intramural, and varsity levels. Additionally, Penn State University Park employs 2,987 full-time instructional staff (84% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 14:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
69
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to Pennsylvania State University will apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the MyPennState Application. Applicants are not required to submit any written personal statements/supplemental questions, making the writing portion of the application optional.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Action Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Application Deadline
December 1st
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Important
- Geographical Residence - Considered
- Talent/Ability - Considered
- Standardized Test Scores - Considered
Average Acceptance Rate
54.20%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
100.00%
STUDENT LIFE
Pennsylvania State University has 24 campuses, 19 of which are Commonwealth campuses and 5 of which are mission campuses. The school’s main campus, University Park, is the largest of the 24 campuses and is located in the rural parts of College Town, Pennsylvania (yes, that’s the name of the town). University Park itself spans over 7,300 acres. The cumulative landmass that the 24 campuses cover equals 22,484 acres.
The University Park PSU sits between State College Borough and College Township Centre County and is the most selective of all the 24 campuses, with an acceptance rate of 54 percent. Its student population is 42.4 to 46.5 percent male to female. According to its authorities, PSU aims to eliminate the distance barrier that prevents students from attending school within the state. It also seeks to make things easier for students who feel more comfortable coming from their homes which is why it has so many campuses.
The school offers different educational programs ranging from undergraduate to graduate to professional programs. Also, most of its first-year students are mandated to receive studies at various branches of its Commonwealth campuses. They can only proceed to the main campus when they have an excellent academic standing after their first year. The main campus houses most of the school’s buildings and facilities, with about three of its buildings on the National Historic Register. PSU ranks 52nd and 18th amongst the best universities worldwide and nationally.
Housing
- 36% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
- Freshmen required to live on campus
The Pennsylvania State University has seven housing complexes on its main campus, University Park, consisting of dormitories and commons housing. The school also offers special accommodation for members of fraternities and sororities. Graduate housing options are also available in various forms ranging from on-campus to off-campus housing. First-year students are primarily found on Commonwealth campuses and, as such, make use of the housing made available for them there.
Life as a Student
Pennsylvania State University provides a suitable academic and social living environment by offering a plethora of organizations and events for its students. The school is also an ambassador for health and fitness, so it hosts a series of sporting events, including the Lion’s Pantry and Penn State (FC) Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). Another organization in the school with a high student populace is the athletic team, the Nittany Lions. They compete as members of the Big Ten Conference in the NCAA Division 1 across various sports.
TOP MAJORS
Biology
Information Science
Accounting
Finance
Economics
Computer and Information Systems Security
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Student security patrol
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Psychological Counseling
- Legal Advice
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gynmastics
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Cross-Country (Running)
Basketball
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Cross-Country (Running)
Club
Club
Triathlon
Archery
Badminton
Bowling
Cheerleading
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Riflery
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (downhill)
Softball
Squash
Table Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Weight Lifting
Water Polo
Triathlon
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Riflery
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (downhill)
Squash
Table Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Weight Lifting
Water Polo
Wrestling
Intramural
Intramural
Baseball
Basketball
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Cross-Country (Running)
Basketball
Fencing
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Cross-Country (Running)
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
More than 68% of Penn State students receive some type of financial aid, and all students who are offered admission and submit FAFSA to Penn State will be considered for scholarships awarded by the Office of Student Aid.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition and Fees (Resident) - $18,898, (Out-of-State) - $36,476
- Additional Estimated Costs - $14,158-$17,380
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (Resident) - $33,056-$36,278, (Out-of-State) - $50,634-$53,856
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
Pennsylvania State University, also known as PSU, was founded as a degree-granting institution originally named Farmers High School of Pennsylvania, on 22nd February 1855, by Pennsylvania’s state legislature. The school attracted many sponsors, including Pennsylvania’s State Agricultural Society. It also received its first of several land donations from James Irwin, whose land was used to house its first set of buildings. The school was chosen as the state’s only land-grant college following the Morrill Land-Grants Act in 1862 and was further renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania that same year.
Initially, the school only focused on agricultural studies; but in 1874, the state sought to expand the institution’s curriculum from solely agricultural to more classical education. This move resulted in a change in the school’s name to the Pennsylvania State University and a decline in undergraduate enrollment. Shortly after, though, William Henry Allen was appointed as the institution’s new president. He pushed the university to broaden its curriculum by introducing engineering studies and expanding the liberal arts and agricultural programs. The institution has survived many challenges that threatened its existence, including the Civil War. After these events, the school reopened, and expansion continued, resulting in several programs, facilities, and organizations being added to its operations.
PSU became a state-related institution in the 1970s after the Commonwealth System of Higher Education repossessed it and now holds the status of the largest university in Pennsylvania. The school is a member of the Association of American Universities, and it has a bustle of research activities, making it an R1 Doctoral University. It also has academic affiliations with various organizations across the nation and even globally. Today, the school boasts several campuses in different parts of the world and is credited for having the second-largest impact on the Pennsylvania state’s economy. It has also graduated several dignitaries, having one of the most significant alumni associations worldwide. PSU has a plethora of organizations and is actively involved in organizing both famous and infamous events in Pennsylvania, including the world’s most extensive student-run event, THON.