Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State, was established in 1855 as an agricultural college to apply scientific principles to farming. Eventually, the university expanded, and its mission was broadened to include teaching, research, and public service across many fields of study, which remains its goal and purpose even today.
It is the largest public university in Pennsylvania. The University Park campus remains its biggest and houses major administrative and research activities. Apart from this, the university has an additional 23 locations across the state.
If you are considering Penn State as an option for your studies, it would help if you knew its acceptance rates. Knowing how selective the university is can help you determine whether you want to apply and how complicated the admission process is.
This article breaks down important information from Penn State’s admission statistics. Read on to learn more details about the university.
Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate
For 2023, the university received nearly 86,000 undergraduate applications at its main campus in University Park, of which about 54 percent were offered admission based on College Navigator’s statistics. Meanwhile, admission to other campuses seems less selective – at least most campuses have an acceptance higher than 75 percent in 2021 and at least 90 percent in 2023. The best ratio was at the Altoona and Berks campuses, where 97 percent of applicants received admission offers.
At the graduate level, Penn State is more challenging to get into. For Fall 2022, the university received over 18,000 university-wide applications for graduate programs, with an admit rate of about 40 percent.
Preparing for Pennsylvania State University
Now that you know the acceptance rates and other admission trends, it’s important to consider other aspects of the process, such as the admission process, costs of study, and scholarship availability.
Admission Requirements
Undoubtedly, the most crucial aspect is that admission requirements lay out the criteria you need to meet to gain admission – it’s vital to get a headstart on this to have ample time to present your best foot forward. International students applying to Penn State must submit materials, including academic records, standardized test scores, and proof of English proficiency.
Tuition Fees
An essential element to plan for is the cost of education. Knowing the latest tuition fees and other costs helps determine which programs are within reach and how much of an investment your higher education is.
Penn State’s undergraduate tuition fees for international students usually cost more than 40,000 USD per year, and the graduate tuition fees range from 20,000 USD to 49,600 USD per year.
Scholarships
Many universities offer funding to help with the high costs of a university degree. University websites often contain scholarship details, including the kinds of available scholarships and how to apply for them. Pennsylvania State University offers international students many scholarships, each with its requirements, benefits, and application processes.
In short, Pennsylvania State University has a strong reputation for academic and research excellence, making it an excellent choice for many students. Its acceptance rate suggests that it is not as selective as some other top universities in the country while still maintaining a high standard of education.
We hope that this article about Penn State’s acceptance rate was helpful. To learn more information on studying in the United States, feel free to read the Guide to Studying in the USA and check out the Available USA Programs for International Students.
