Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus logo

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA·Public·https://www.psu.edu/

Campus Identity

Land GrantNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a large public university in University Park, PA. Approximately 42,284 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 61% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 49/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a large public university in University Park, PA. Approximately 42,284 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 61% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 49/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

61%
Acceptance Rate
88,478 applications
30
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 27–32
$18,368
In-State Tuition
+$530 fees
$35,946
Out-of-State Tuition
+$530 fees
$15,044
Room & Board
42,284
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
17%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
Big Ten
Selectivity61% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

620660700

SAT Math

620670720

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

Big Ten

Greek Life

Active Greek System

0% sororities

School Size & Setting

20,000+

Urban setting

Weather

Cold Climate

43°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

6 mi away
38 skiable acres5 lifts
Blue Knob

Pennsylvania

50 mi away
400 skiable acres6 lifts
58 mi away
15 skiable acres4 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · University Park, PA

27°Jan29°Feb37°Mar49°Apr60°May68°Jun72°Jul70°Aug63°Sep52°Oct41°Nov32°Dec

Station: STATE COLLEGE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

49/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety446537
44/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
65/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$18,368$35,946
Fees
$530$530
Room & Board
$15,044$15,044
Total
$33,942$51,520
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $65

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

489 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Finance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's
577 grads/yr$96,714
Information Science/StudiesBachelor's
489 grads/yr$91,671
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBachelor's
458 grads/yr$120,729
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
446 grads/yr$49,543
Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's
374 grads/yr$87,997

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's18 grads$166,387
Information Science/Studies
Master's grads$158,815
Physics
Master's14 grads$150,865
Systems Engineering
Master's$145,507
Information Science/Studies
Post-Bacc$141,703
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Post-Bacc$140,589
Computer Engineering
Master's$140,393
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Master's149 grads$139,676
Computational Science
Master's$137,367
Business/Commerce, General
Post-Bacc$134,050

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus located?

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is located in University Park, PA. The main campus address is 201 Old Main, University Park, PA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%, making it moderately selective. Out of 88,478 applicants, 53,579 were admitted in the most recent year. 42,284 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus scored between 27 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 30. About 5% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus charges $18,368/year for in-state students and $35,946/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($15,044/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $36,476/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?

The undergraduate application fee at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus have college sports?

Yes — Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Big Ten. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus the right fit for me?

Whether Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (61% admit rate), cost ($35,946/year out-of-state), campus culture in University Park, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
University Park, PA
Size
20,000+
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
Land Grant
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Big Ten
School Year Weather
Cold · 43°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
49/100
Nearest Airport
State College, PA (SCE) · 4 mialso AOO (42 mi), IPT (58 mi)

Location

University Park, PA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.