,·Public Research·Est. 1855
“A world-class public research university where Big Ten tradition meets academic excellence in the heart of Pennsylvania”
Pennsylvania State University, universally known as Penn State, is one of America's largest and most comprehensive public research universities. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, it has grown into a sprawling institution with its flagship University Park campus in State College and 19 commonwealth campuses across the state. As a member of the Association of American Universities and classified R1 for very high research activity, Penn State combines world-class research with an undergraduate experience that is deeply rooted in community and tradition. The University Park campus spans nearly 8,000 acres in the Nittany Valley, creating a self-contained college town where academics, athletics, and student life are woven together. Penn State offers more than 275 undergraduate majors across 15 colleges, from highly ranked engineering and business programs to distinctive offerings in meteorology, food science, and recreation management. The university's commitment to access is reflected in its commonwealth campus system, which allows students to begin their Penn State journey closer to home before transitioning to University Park. Penn State's culture is defined by an extraordinary sense of belonging — the 'We Are' chant is not just a football tradition but a statement of identity that unites a global alumni network of over 800,000. THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, exemplifies the community spirit, having raised over $200 million for pediatric cancer research. Whether it's a White Out at Beaver Stadium or a quiet evening at the Nittany Lion Shrine, Penn State offers a college experience that students carry with them for life.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
US News 2026
QS World University Rankings
QS 2026
Times Higher Education World Rankings
THE 2025
Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
US News 2026
Supply Chain Management/Logistics
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Decision by December 24. Non-binding.
Rolling Admission
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis after EA. Options become more competitive for University Park.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$19,286
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$42,860
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
One of the largest and most respected engineering schools in the country, with particular strength in industrial engineering, which ranks consistently in the top 5 nationally.
A top-ranked business school known for its supply chain management program and strong corporate recruiting pipeline, with a dedicated career center and Fortune 500 partnerships.
A pioneering college focused on the intersection of technology and human behavior, offering programs that blend computing, design, and social science.
Named after the creator of NCIS, this college is a national leader in journalism, advertising, and telecommunications education with state-of-the-art media facilities.
One of Penn State's founding colleges with strengths in food science, environmental resource management, and agricultural business, supported by extensive research farms and facilities.
4 years
Consistently ranked #2 nationally, Penn State's industrial engineering program produces graduates who optimize complex systems across manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors.
4 years
The most popular major at Penn State, blending technology, data analytics, and human-centered design to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
4 years
One of the top meteorology programs in the country, housed in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, producing graduates who work at NOAA, the Weather Channel, and major broadcast networks.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $56,264
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
