PSU
Pennsylvania State University
201 Curtin Rd, University Park, United StatesAll photos (10)
Overview of Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
About this school
Penn State University Park, founded in 1855, is a public, comprehensive university. Programs are offered through the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Architecture, Business Administration, Communications, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Education, Engineering, Health and Human Development, Liberal Arts, and Science. Its 5,617-acre campus is located in University Park, 70 miles northwest of Harrisburg.
- www.psu.edu/
Website
Coeducational
Co-ed
Graduate Students
6,284
Institution Type
Public
Undergraduate Students
- Undergraduate Students:40,835
- Men:21,761 Men (53.3%)
- Women:19,074 Women (46.7%)
Location
Admission Information (PSU)
Freshman Admission Requirements
Difficulty of Admission
Admission to Penn State University Park is very difficult: more than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation:
High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program:
College preparatory program is required
Required Or Recomended High School Units
| Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
|---|---|---|
English | 4 | - |
Mathematics | 3 | - |
Science | 3 | - |
Foreign Language | 2 | 3 |
Social Studies | 3 | - |
History | - | - |
Academic Electives | - | - |
Examinations Required
| Exam | Required | Scores Due Date |
|---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | Not reported |
SAT Only | - | - |
ACT Only | - | - |
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | - | - |
SAT Subject Tests Only | - | - |
| Essay/Test | Status | Scores Due Date |
|---|---|---|
SAT Essay Component Policy | Not Reported | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Not reported |
Admission Details
Admissions Office
Address | 201 Old Main |
City, State, Zip | University Park, PA 16802 |
Phone | (814) 865-5471 |
Fax | - |
Email |
Application Dates And Fees
Regular Admission Deadline | Rolling |
Application Fee | $65 |
Application Fee Waiver | Available |
Regular Admission Notification | Rolling |
Accept Offer Of Admission | By May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified after May 1 |
Waiting List Used | Yes |
Defer Admission | Student can defer admission |
Transfer Admission | Transfer applications accepted |
Early Admission
Early Decision Offered | No |
Early Decision Deadline | - |
Early Decision Notification | - |
Early Action Offered | No |
Early Action Deadline | - |
Early Action Notification | - |
Application Form
Common Application | Not accepted |
Universal College Application | Not accepted |
Electronic Application |
Other Application Requirements
Interview | Not Required |
Essay Or Personal Statement | Recommended for all freshmen |
Letters Of Recommendation | - |
Other | - |
Financial Need | Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process |
Selection of Students
Factors involed in acceptance process.
4 star = most important, 1 star = least important.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | |
Academic GPA | |
Standardized Tests | |
Class Rank | |
Recommendations | |
Essay | |
Interview | |
Level of Applicant's Interest | |
Extracurricular Activities | |
Volunteer Work | |
Particular Talent/Ability | |
Character/Personal Qualities | |
First Generation to Attend College | |
State Residency | |
Geographic Residence | |
Relation with Alumnus | |
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | |
Ethnicity | |
Work Experience |
Profile of Fall Admission
Overall Admission Rate
Overall Admission Rate | 50% of 56,114 applicants were admitted |
Women | 54% of 28,270 applicants were admitted |
Men | 46% of 27,844 applicants were admitted |
Students Enrolled
Students Enrolled | 9,479 (34%) of 28,233 admitted students enrolled |
Women | 4,639 (30%) of 15,300 admitted students enrolled |
Men | 4,840 (37%) of 12,933 admitted students enrolled |
Grade Point Average of Enrolled First-Year Students
Average GPA | 3.58 |
375 And Above | 33% |
3.50 - 3.74 | 30% |
3.25 - 3.49 | 25% |
3.00 - 3.24 | 9% |
2.50 - 2.99 | 3% |
2.00 - 2.49 | - |
SAT Score of Enrolled First-Year Students
Sat Math | 629 average |580-680 range of middle 50% |
• Score 700 - 800 | 19% |
• Score 600 - 700 | 47% |
• Score 500 - 600 | 30% |
• Score 400 - 500 | 3% |
• Score 300 - 400 | 0% |
• Score 200 - 300 | 0% |
• Score 700 - 800 | 11% |
• Score 600 - 700 | 55% |
• Score 500 - 600 | 31% |
• Score 400 - 500 | 3% |
• Score 300 - 400 | 0% |
• Score 200 - 300 | 0% |
ACT Scores of Enrolled First-Year Students
Act Composite | 28 average |25-30 range of middle 50% |
• Score 30 - 36 | 28% |
• Score 24 - 29 | 61% |
• Score 18 - 23 | 10% |
• Score 12 - 17 | 0% |
• Score 6 - 11 | 0% |
• Score 5 Or Below | 0% |
Tuition & Financial Aid (PSU)
Tuition & Expenses
Cost of Attendance
- Books & Supplies: - In-state: $18,436|Out-of-state: $33,664 (50.73%)
- Room & Board: - $11,280 (31.04%)
- Other Expenses: - $1,840 (5.06%)
- Tuition & Fees: - $4,788 (13.17%)
Books & Supplies
Room & Board
Other Expenses
Tuition & Fees
Payment Plans
Penn State University Park accepts installment plan, deferred payment
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
Email | - |
Website | |
Net Price Calculator Url |
Application Process
Application Deadline | Priority deadline February 15 |
Award Notification Date | On a rolling basis beginning March 1 |
Methodology For Awarding Institutional Aid | Federal Methodology |
Forms Required
| Forms Required | Filing Cost |
|---|---|
FAFSA| Code is 003329 | Free |
Profile of 2017-18 Financial Aid
First-Year Student
Financial Aid Applicants | 6,266 (74.2%) of freshmen |
Found To Have Financial Need | 4,095 (65.4%) of applicants |
Received Financial Aid | 3,746 (91.5%) of applicants with financial need |
Need Fully Met | 1,269 (33.9%) of aid recipients |
Average Percent Of Need Met | 64% |
Average Award | $9,620 |
• Need-Based Gift | Received by 1,335 (35.6%) of aid recipients, average amount $6,536 |
• Need-Based Self-Help | Received by 3,010 (80.4%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,572 |
• Merit Based Gift | Received by 2,392 (63.9%) of aid recipients |
Merit Based Gift | 493 (5.8%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $5,649 |
All Undergraduates
Financial Aid Applicants | 23,987 (60.1%) of undergraduates |
Found To Have Financial Need | 18,378 (76.6%) of applicants |
Received Financial Aid | 17,527 (95.4%) of applicants with financial need |
Need Fully Met | 5,234 (29.9%) of aid recipients |
Average Percent Of Need Met | 63% |
Average Award | $10,783 |
• Need-Based Gift | Received by 7,301 (41.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $6,629 |
• Need-Based Self-Help | Received by 14,719 (84.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,748 |
• Merit Based Gift | Received by 10,546 (60.2%) of aid recipients |
Merit Based Gift | 3,562 (8.9%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $5,195 |
Borrowing
2016 Graduates with Loans | 54% |
Average Indebtedness Of 2016 Graduates | $37,307 |
Parents Of Students Receiving Aid | 11.0% |
Parents Of Students Not Receiving Aid | 2.0% |
Financial Aid Programs
Scholarchips And Grants
Need Based Available | Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships |
Non Need Based Available | None |
Non-Need Awards
Academic Interest/Achievement | Not reported |
Creative Arts/Performance | Not reported |
Special Achievements/Activities | Not reported |
Special Characteristics | Not reported |
Employment
Work-Study Programs | Federal work study available |
Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment | $2,200 |
Academics & Instruction (PSU)
Academics Overview
Academic Calendar System
Semester
Summer Session
Offered
Graduation Requirements
General Education/Core Cirriculum
Required
Computer
Students not required to own/lease a computer
Foreign Language
Not required
Math/Science
Required for all students
Faculty & Instruction
Full-Time Faculty
2,679
Part-Time Faculty
387
Full-Time Faculty With Ph.D./Terminal Degree
72%
Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: - 15% of classes
- 10-19 students: - 24% of classes
- 20-29 students: - 27% of classes
- 30-39 students: - 11% of classes
- 40-49 students: - 8% of classes
- 50-99 students: - 8% of classes
- Over 100 students: - 7% of classes
% of Classes
2-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-99
Over 100 students
# of Students
Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: - 10% of discussion sections/labs
- 10-19 students: - 28% of discussion sections/labs
- 20-29 students: - 42% of discussion sections/labs
- 30-39 students: - 7% of discussion sections/labs
- 40-49 students: - 9% of discussion sections/labs
- 50-59 students: - 4% of discussion sections/labs
- Over 100 students: - 0% of discussion sections/labs
% of Sections/Labs
2-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
Over 100 students
# of Students
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
Accepted
Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
Accepted for placement and credit
Sophomore Standing
Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
Libraries
Library Available On Campus | Yes |
Holdings | 7,381,564 |
Computer Ownership | Students not required to own/lease a computer |
Computers Available On Campus | 3154 |
Internet E Mail Access | Not reported |
Academic Support Services
Remedial Instruction
Offered
Tutoring
Available
Services for Students Requiring Accommodations
Available
Services for Students with Accessibility Needs
Penn State University Park provides hearing impaired services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Undergraduate Retention & Graduation
Returning First-Year Students
93.1%
Students Graduating Within 4 Years
66.7%
Students Graduating Within 5 Years
82.9%
Students Graduating Within 6 Years
84.9%
Programs & Majors (PSU)
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors (122)
- Accounting
- Acting
- Adult and Continuing Education Administration
- Advertising
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
- African-American/Black Studies
- Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Teacher Education
- Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other
- Agriculture, General
- Animal Sciences, General
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Architectural Engineering
- Architecture
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
- Art Teacher Education
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Asian Studies/Civilization
- Astronomy
- Athletic Training/Trainer
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Chinese Language and Literature
- Civil Engineering, General
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
- Design and Applied Arts, Other
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Economics, General
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Engineering Science
- Engineering, Other
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Film/Cinema/Video Studies
- Finance, General
- Food Science
- Foreign Language Teacher Education
- Forensic Science and Technology
- Forest Sciences and Biology
- French Language and Literature
- Geography
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- German Language and Literature
- Graphic Design
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- History, General
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
- Hospitality Administration/Management, Other
- Human Development and Family Studies, General
- Human Nutrition
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Science/Studies
- International Relations and Affairs
- Italian Language and Literature
- Japanese Language and Literature
- Jewish/Judaic Studies
- Journalism
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Landscape Architecture
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping
- Latin American Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Management Information Systems, General
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Materials Science
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Mining and Mineral Engineering
- Music Performance, General
- Music Teacher Education
- Music, General
- Natural Resources and Conservation, Other
- Natural Resources/Conservation, General
- Nuclear Engineering
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, General
- Petroleum Engineering
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Plant Sciences, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Veterinary Studies
- Psychology, General
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other
- Russian Language and Literature
- Science, Technology and Society
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Statistics, General
- Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
- Toxicology
- Turf and Turfgrass Management
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Women's Studies
Most Popular Disciplines
Offered
Professional Degree Programs
Some online degree programs
Special Programs
Accelerated program, Cooperative work study program, Student-designed major, Distance learning, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
Study Abroad
Business/marketing, Engineering, Computer and information sciences
Online Degrees
Engineering, geoscience
Graduate and Professional Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Education, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Juridical Sciences
Master's Programs of Study (116)
- Accounting
- Acoustics
- Adult Education
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering
- Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Sciences--General
- Agronomy and Soil Sciences
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Applied Statistics
- Architectural Engineering
- Architecture
- Art Education
- Art History
- Art/Fine Arts
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Biopsychology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration and Management--General
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child and Family Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Disorders
- Communication--General
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Counselor Education
- Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education--General
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Educational Media/Instructional Technology
- Educational Policy
- Educational Psychology
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Design
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- English
- English as a Second Language
- Entomology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management and Policy
- Environmental Sciences
- Fish, Game, and Wildlife Management
- Food Science and Technology
- Forestry
- French
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Geotechnical Engineering
- German
- Health Services Management and Hospital Administration
- History
- Horticulture
- Hospitality Management
- Human Development
- Human Resources Development
- Human Resources Management
- Industrial and Labor Relations
- Industrial/Management Engineering
- Information Science
- International Affairs
- Kinesiology and Movement Studies
- Landscape Architecture
- Law
- Leisure Studies
- Linguistics
- Management Information Systems
- Mass Communication
- Materials Engineering
- Materials Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanics
- Media Studies
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Mineral/Mining Engineering
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Music Education
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nursing--General
- Nutrition
- Pathobiology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Biology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant Sciences
- Political Science
- Psychology--General
- Recreation and Park Management
- Rural Sociology
- Russian
- School Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Supply Chain Management
- Sustainable Development
- Theater
- Travel and Tourism
- Vocational and Technical Education
Campus Life (PSU)
Location & Geography
Population
38,420
Nearest Metropolitan Area
Harrisburg
Campus Size
7,958 acres
Weather
Temperature | 18.5 average low in January, 78.9 average high in September |
Rain | 117 rainy days per year |
Available Transportation
Nearest Bus Station | 1 mile(s) from campus in State College |
Nearest Train Station | 35 mile(s) from campus in Lewiston |
Housing
College Housing
College offers housing to students
Types of Housing
Women only housing, coed housing, disabled student housing
Students of College Housing
35% of all students
Housing Restrictions
Freshmen are required to live on campus
Freshman Housing Guarantee
Freshmen are guaranteed housing
Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
65%
Security
24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
Available
24-Hour Security Patrols
Available
Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
Available
Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
Available
Personal Support Services
Health Service
Offered
Personal Counseling
Offered
Child Care
Offered
Sports & Recreation
School Athletics
Athletic Conferences | NCAA Division I |
Mascot | Mountain lion |
School Colors | Navy blue and white |
Intercollegiate Athletics (Women)
| Factor | Offered | Scholarships Given |
|---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | ||
Cheerleading | ||
Cross-Country Running | ||
Fencing | ||
Field Hockey | ||
Golf | ||
Gymnastics | ||
Lacrosse | ||
Soccer | ||
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | ||
Tennis | ||
Track And Field | ||
Volleyball | ||
Wrestling |
Intercollegiate Athletics (Men)
| Sport | Offered | Scholarships Given |
|---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | ||
Cheerleading | ||
Cross-Country Running | ||
Fencing | ||
Field Hockey | ||
Golf | ||
Gymnastics | ||
Lacrosse | ||
Soccer | ||
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | ||
Tennis | ||
Track And Field | ||
Volleyball | ||
Wrestling |
Recreational Sports
Intramural Sports | baseball, basketball, cross-country running, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, wrestling |
Student Activities
Activities And Organizations
Penn State University Park offers choral groups, marching band, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities
Sororities
20% of women participate
Fraternities
17% of men participate
ROTC
Army ROTC offered on campus, Navy ROTC is offered on campus, Air Force ROTC offered on campus
Student Body
Co-educational
Yes
Number of Full-Time Undergraduates
39,785
Undergraduates
All Undergraduates
40,835
Women
19,074
Men
21,761
Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
- 7.0% Asian
- 4.9% Black/African-American
- 7.4% Hispanic/Latino
- 3.7% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
- 0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
- 74.8% White
- 2.0% Unknown
International Students
11.5% from 133 countries
Average Age
20
Number of Graduate Students
6,284
Student Resources (PSU)
Study resources
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Statistics - Reference Guides
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