CAMPUS · UNIVERSITY PARK, PA · PUBLIC

Penn State University

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

54.2%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

SAFETY

Penn State University is a safety for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

54.2%

of 85,956 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$63,435

across all majors

Penn State University at a Glance

54.2%

Acceptance Rate

1310

Average SAT

Average ACT

52,693

Total Enrollment

$63,435

Median Salary (10yr)

$25,000

Median Debt

13.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Penn State University

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	610	690	650
SAT Math	610	710	660
SAT Total	1220	1400	1310
ACT Composite	27	32	29

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	85,956
Students Admitted	46,605
Students Enrolled	9,040
Yield Rate	19.4%

Penn State University Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#60	2025
QS World University Rankings	#93	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#77	2024

Penn State University Overview

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public university in University Park, PA with 52,693 students. At 54.2% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Engineering, and Computer Science. Graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after enrollment.

Full Name	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Location	University Park, PA 16802-1503
Type	Public
Website	psu.edu/
Total Enrollment	52,693
Undergrad Enrollment	43,729
Female Students	46.5%

How Much Do APs Matter at Penn State University?

AP Impact Score: 50/100

APs are considered but not decisive at Penn State University. Focus on GPA and overall application strength.

What Penn State University Values in Admissions (CDS Data)

From the Common Data Set — what Penn State University officially says matters in admission decisions.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Important
Application Essay	Considered
Recommendation	Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Considered
Character Personal Qualities	Considered
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Best AP Classes to Take for Penn State University

Based on Penn State University's most popular majors and admission priorities, these AP courses are most valuable:

For Engineering (15% of students)

AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: E&M
AP Chemistry

For Computer Science (12% of students)

AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Calculus BC

For Social Sciences (7% of students)

AP U.S. History
AP Government
AP Economics (Macro/Micro)

AP Strategy for Penn State University Applicants

3-5 strong AP courses is solid

Penn State University values AP coursework as evidence of academic preparation. Focus on scoring well (4-5).

Score high for credit

Most colleges require a 4 or 5 to grant credit. AP credits can save you a semester of tuition — that's $15,000-$30,000 in real savings.

Match APs to your intended major

Admissions officers notice when your AP choices align with your stated interests.

Penn State University True Cost by Family Income

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at Penn State. Families earning $0-30k pay around $19,845 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $37,831. 13% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Penn State enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $25,000, which is reasonable against the $55,620 typical early-career salary.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$19,845	$79,380
$30-48k	$20,049	$80,196
$48-75k	$25,667	$102,668
$75-110k	$31,834	$127,336
$110k+	$37,831	$151,324

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$13,030
Total Cost of Attendance	$39,694

Popular Majors at Penn State University

Percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Business/Marketing

16.6%

Engineering

14.7%

Computer Science

11.5%

Communication

6.9%

Social Sciences

6.9%

Biological Sciences

6.5%

Health Professions

4.4%

Psychology

4.1%

Agriculture

3.6%

Multidisciplinary

3.3%

Education

3.2%

Physical Sciences

3.1%

Parks/Recreation

2.7%

Security/Law Enforcement

2.5%

Visual/Performing Arts

2.2%

Mathematics/Statistics

2.1%

Student Demographics

White

62.2%

Black/African American

4.5%

Hispanic/Latino

8.3%

Asian

6.9%

International

11.5%

How to Get Into Penn State University

Penn State is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — Penn State still offers strong programs and outcomes. Graduates earn $63,435 within 10 years, making it a solid return on investment.

1310

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

54.2%

Acceptance Rate

85,956

Total Applicants

What Penn State University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Important
Application Essay	Considered
Recommendation	Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Considered
Character Personal Qualities	Considered
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Penn State University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Penn State University Rolling admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Priority Deadline	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Rolling
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Feb 15

Rolling Admissions: Penn State University reviews applications as they arrive. Apply early for the best chance at admission and financial aid.

Financial Aid & Student Debt

13.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$25,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$55,620

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State University

What is Penn State's acceptance rate?

Penn State has an acceptance rate of 54.2%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for Penn State?

The middle 50% SAT range at Penn State is 1220-1400. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 27-32. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at Penn State?

The most popular majors at Penn State by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (16.6%), Engineering (14.7%), Computer Science (11.5%), Communication (6.9%), Social Sciences (6.9%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

How much do Penn State graduates earn?

Penn State graduates earn a median salary of $63,435 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.

Is Penn State worth the cost?

With median earnings of $63,435 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $25,000, The earning potential is favorable relative to debt, though ROI depends heavily on your chosen major. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.