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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports 42,284 undergraduates in University Park, PA. Its federal reporting group is labeled Pennsylvania State University. The institution reports a hospital in its federal directory record.

Check the campus and reporting scope

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, Pennsylvania · Federal institution ID (UNITID): 214777.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Pennsylvania State University).

Shared outcomes cannot rank campuses. Reporting-group definitions.

Compare University Park, PA with McKeesport, PA. Other profile: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny · McKeesport, PA (UNITID: 214786).

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$19,458
family income
under $30k
$19,743
$30–48k
$26,257
$48–75k
$33,579
$75–110k
$37,209
over $110k

Average net price

$32,8752023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$23k$25k$28k$30k$33k200820232008: $22,8702009: $23,5302010: $25,0702011: $26,1792012: $27,0322013: $28,2012014: $29,2262015: $29,8062016: $30,3732017: $30,9962018: $27,3432021: $32,2232022: $32,6062023: $32,875$32,875
$25k$30k200820232008: $22,8702009: $23,5302010: $25,0702011: $26,1792012: $27,0322013: $28,2012014: $29,2262015: $29,8062016: $30,3732017: $30,9962018: $27,3432021: $32,2232022: $32,6062023: $32,875$32,875

Average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus rose from $22,870 (2008) to $27,343 (2018).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$22,870
2009$23,530
2010$25,070
2011$26,179
2012$27,032
2013$28,201
2014$29,226
2015$29,806
2016$30,373
2017$30,996
2018$27,343
2021$32,223
2022$32,606
2023$32,875
IPEDS 14 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$39,6942024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$30k$35k$40k200920242009: $26,7422010: $28,5202011: $29,6842012: $31,0022013: $31,6252014: $33,3262015: $34,2582016: $34,7772017: $35,5182018: $36,0482019: $33,5872022: $38,0492023: $39,1652024: $39,694$39,694
$30k$35k$40k200920242009: $26,7422010: $28,5202011: $29,6842012: $31,0022013: $31,6252014: $33,3262015: $34,2582016: $34,7772017: $35,5182018: $36,0482019: $33,5872022: $38,0492023: $39,1652024: $39,694$39,694

Total cost at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus rose from $26,742 (2009) to $33,587 (2019).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$26,742
2010$28,520
2011$29,684
2012$31,002
2013$31,625
2014$33,326
2015$34,258
2016$34,777
2017$35,518
2018$36,048
2019$33,587
2022$38,049
2023$39,165
2024$39,694
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$10k$20k$30k$40k200020232000: $6,8522001: $7,3962002: $8,3822003: $9,7062004: $10,8562005: $11,5082006: $12,1642007: $12,8442008: $13,7062013: $16,9922014: $17,5022015: $17,5142016: $17,9002017: $18,4362018: $18,4542019: $18,4502022: $19,8352023: $20,234$20,234 in2000: $14,3942001: $15,5222002: $17,6102003: $19,3282004: $20,7842005: $21,7442006: $22,7122007: $23,7122008: $24,9402013: $29,5662014: $30,4522015: $31,3462016: $32,3822017: $33,6642018: $34,8582019: $35,5142022: $38,6512023: $40,188$40,188 out
$10k$20k$30k$40k200020232000: $6,8522001: $7,3962002: $8,3822003: $9,7062004: $10,8562005: $11,5082006: $12,1642007: $12,8442008: $13,7062013: $16,9922014: $17,5022015: $17,5142016: $17,9002017: $18,4362018: $18,4542019: $18,4502022: $19,8352023: $20,234$20,234 in2000: $14,3942001: $15,5222002: $17,6102003: $19,3282004: $20,7842005: $21,7442006: $22,7122007: $23,7122008: $24,9402013: $29,5662014: $30,4522015: $31,3462016: $32,3822017: $33,6642018: $34,8582019: $35,5142022: $38,6512023: $40,188$40,188 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$6,852$14,394
2001$7,396$15,522
2002$8,382$17,610
2003$9,706$19,328
2004$10,856$20,784
2005$11,508$21,744
2006$12,164$22,712
2007$12,844$23,712
2008$13,706$24,940
2013$16,992$29,566
2014$17,502$30,452
2015$17,514$31,346
2016$17,900$32,382
2017$18,436$33,664
2018$18,454$34,858
2019$18,450$35,514
2022$19,835$38,651
2023$20,234$40,188
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reports tuition of $20,644 for in-state students and $41,790 for out-of-state students. Check Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a big school: 42,284 undergraduates at last count.

86.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
86.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

70%75%80%85%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 81.4%entered 1992: 80.3%entered 1993: 79.8%entered 1994: 80.1%entered 1995: 80.9%entered 1996: 79.8%entered 1997: 82.5%entered 1998: 83.4%entered 1999: 84.2%entered 2000: 84.9%entered 2001: 84.1%entered 2002: 84.6%entered 2003: 84.7%entered 2004: 85.3%entered 2005: 86.7%entered 2006: 85.6%entered 2007: 84.8%entered 2008: 86.1%entered 2009: 85.7%entered 2010: 85.5%entered 2011: 84.8%entered 2012: 85.1%entered 2013: 70.9%entered 2016: 83.3%entered 2017: 85.7%entered 2018: 86.1%86.1%
70%75%80%85%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 81.4%entered 1992: 80.3%entered 1993: 79.8%entered 1994: 80.1%entered 1995: 80.9%entered 1996: 79.8%entered 1997: 82.5%entered 1998: 83.4%entered 1999: 84.2%entered 2000: 84.9%entered 2001: 84.1%entered 2002: 84.6%entered 2003: 84.7%entered 2004: 85.3%entered 2005: 86.7%entered 2006: 85.6%entered 2007: 84.8%entered 2008: 86.1%entered 2009: 85.7%entered 2010: 85.5%entered 2011: 84.8%entered 2012: 85.1%entered 2013: 70.9%entered 2016: 83.3%entered 2017: 85.7%entered 2018: 86.1%86.1%

The six-year graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus fell from 81.4% (entered 1991) to 70.9% (entered 2013).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort81.4%
1992 cohort80.3%
1993 cohort79.8%
1994 cohort80.1%
1995 cohort80.9%
1996 cohort79.8%
1997 cohort82.5%
1998 cohort83.4%
1999 cohort84.2%
2000 cohort84.9%
2001 cohort84.1%
2002 cohort84.6%
2003 cohort84.7%
2004 cohort85.3%
2005 cohort86.7%
2006 cohort85.6%
2007 cohort84.8%
2008 cohort86.1%
2009 cohort85.7%
2010 cohort85.5%
2011 cohort84.8%
2012 cohort85.1%
2013 cohort70.9%
2016 cohort83.3%
2017 cohort85.7%
2018 cohort86.1%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$0$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $15,719Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $15,895Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $16,305Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $16,750Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $19,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,125Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $26,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $26,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $26,933Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $26,687Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $26,120Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $26,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,928Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $25,000$25,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $2,706Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $2,870Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $3,313Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,937Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,612Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,498Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,500$9,500 left
$0$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $15,719Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $15,895Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $16,305Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $16,750Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $17,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $19,125Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $22,125Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $25,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $26,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $26,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $26,933Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $26,687Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $26,120Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $26,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $25,928Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $25,000$25,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $2,706Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $2,870Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $3,313Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,937Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,612Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $5,250Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,498Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,500$9,500 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Pennsylvania State University).

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$15,719$2,706
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$15,895$2,870
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$16,305$3,313
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$16,750$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$17,125$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$17,125$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$17,125$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$17,125$3,750
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$17,125$3,937
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$17,125$3,612
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$17,125$3,750
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$17,125$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$19,125$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$22,125$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$25,000$5,750
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$26,000$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$26,750$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$26,933$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$26,687$8,498
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$26,120$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$26,000$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$25,928$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$25,000$9,500
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2007–08 or 2008–09
$40,100
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2005–06 or 2006–07
$45,800
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2003–04 or 2004–05
$50,100
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2014–15, adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years. Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Pennsylvania State University).

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2014–15 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus admitted 53,579 of 88,478 applicants in Fall 2024. The 60.6% rate describes that application pool.

60.6%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$20,234 in-state tuition · 2023–2442,284 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1240–14201600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus received 88,478 applications and admitted 53,579 (60.6%), with 9,169 enrolling.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 620–700 and Math was 620–720 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1240–1420 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing620660700
SAT Math620670720
ACT Composite273032

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

60.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

50%60%70%200120242001: 48.4%2002: 56.8%2003: 56.6%2004: 54.9%2005: 58.3%2006: 61.6%2007: 58%2008: 51%2009: 51.2%2010: 51.6%2011: 54.8%2012: 52.4%2013: 54.2%2014: 50.3%2015: 51.3%2016: 56.4%2017: 50.3%2018: 56.5%2019: 75.9%2022: 55.2%2023: 54.2%2024: 60.6%60.6%
50%60%70%200120242001: 48.4%2002: 56.8%2003: 56.6%2004: 54.9%2005: 58.3%2006: 61.6%2007: 58%2008: 51%2009: 51.2%2010: 51.6%2011: 54.8%2012: 52.4%2013: 54.2%2014: 50.3%2015: 51.3%2016: 56.4%2017: 50.3%2018: 56.5%2019: 75.9%2022: 55.2%2023: 54.2%2024: 60.6%60.6%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200148.4%
Fall 200256.8%
Fall 200356.6%
Fall 200454.9%
Fall 200558.3%
Fall 200661.6%
Fall 200758%
Fall 200851%
Fall 200951.2%
Fall 201051.6%
Fall 201154.8%
Fall 201252.4%
Fall 201354.2%
Fall 201450.3%
Fall 201551.3%
Fall 201656.4%
Fall 201750.3%
Fall 201856.5%
Fall 201975.9%
Fall 202255.2%
Fall 202354.2%
Fall 202460.6%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1240–1420Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA11001200130014002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 10802002: 10902003: 10902004: 10902005: 10902006: 11002007: 10802008: 10902009: 11002010: 10902011: 10902012: 10902013: 10902014: 10902015: 10902016: 10902017: 11602018: 11602019: 10702022: 12102023: 12202024: 124012402001: 12902002: 12902003: 13002004: 13002005: 12902006: 13002007: 12802008: 13002009: 13002010: 13002011: 13002012: 13002013: 13002014: 12902015: 13002016: 13002017: 13402018: 13602019: 13102022: 13902023: 14002024: 14201420
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA120014002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 10802002: 10902003: 10902004: 10902005: 10902006: 11002007: 10802008: 10902009: 11002010: 10902011: 10902012: 10902013: 10902014: 10902015: 10902016: 10902017: 11602018: 11602019: 10702022: 12102023: 12202024: 124012402001: 12902002: 12902003: 13002004: 13002005: 12902006: 13002007: 12802008: 13002009: 13002010: 13002011: 13002012: 13002013: 13002014: 12902015: 13002016: 13002017: 13402018: 13602019: 13102022: 13902023: 14002024: 14201420

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200110801290
Fall 200210901290
Fall 200310901300
Fall 200410901300
Fall 200510901290
Fall 200611001300
Fall 200710801280
Fall 200810901300
Fall 200911001300
Fall 201010901300
Fall 201110901300
Fall 201210901300
Fall 201310901300
Fall 201410901290
Fall 201510901300
Fall 201610901300
Fall 201711601340
Fall 201811601360
Fall 201910701310
Fall 202212101390
Fall 202312201400
Fall 202412401420
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

27–32Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200520242005: 242006: 232007: 232008: 242009: 242010: 252011: 252012: 252013: 252014: 252015: 252016: 252017: 252018: 252019: 232022: 262023: 272024: 27272005: 282006: 282007: 282008: 282009: 292010: 292011: 292012: 292013: 292014: 292015: 292016: 292017: 302018: 302019: 302022: 312023: 322024: 3232
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2530200520242005: 242006: 232007: 232008: 242009: 242010: 252011: 252012: 252013: 252014: 252015: 252016: 252017: 252018: 252019: 232022: 262023: 272024: 27272005: 282006: 282007: 282008: 282009: 292010: 292011: 292012: 292013: 292014: 292015: 292016: 292017: 302018: 302019: 302022: 312023: 322024: 3232

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20052428
Fall 20062328
Fall 20072328
Fall 20082428
Fall 20092429
Fall 20102529
Fall 20112529
Fall 20122529
Fall 20132529
Fall 20142529
Fall 20152529
Fall 20162529
Fall 20172530
Fall 20182530
Fall 20192330
Fall 20222631
Fall 20232732
Fall 20242732
IPEDS Fall 2005–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

42,284Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

35k38k40k43k200220242002: 33,8632003: 34,0562004: 33,9582005: 33,6722006: 35,7102007: 35,8752008: 37,1712009: 37,8552010: 37,8302011: 38,2292012: 38,5472013: 39,4602014: 39,9582015: 40,1792016: 40,8912017: 40,5532018: 40,1082022: 41,4172023: 41,8622024: 42,28442,2842019: Fall 2019: not shown — the filed value contradicts adjacent years
35k38k40k43k200220242002: 33,8632003: 34,0562004: 33,9582005: 33,6722006: 35,7102007: 35,8752008: 37,1712009: 37,8552010: 37,8302011: 38,2292012: 38,5472013: 39,4602014: 39,9582015: 40,1792016: 40,8912017: 40,5532018: 40,1082022: 41,4172023: 41,8622024: 42,28442,2842019: Fall 2019: not shown — the filed value contradicts adjacent years

Undergraduate enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus rose from 33,863 (Fall 2002) to 40,108 (Fall 2018).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200233,863
Fall 200334,056
Fall 200433,958
Fall 200533,672
Fall 200635,710
Fall 200735,875
Fall 200837,171
Fall 200937,855
Fall 201037,830
Fall 201138,229
Fall 201238,547
Fall 201339,460
Fall 201439,958
Fall 201540,179
Fall 201640,891
Fall 201740,553
Fall 201840,108
Fall 2019—
Fall 202241,417
Fall 202341,862
Fall 202442,284
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

93%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

88%90%92%94%200320232003: 92%2004: 93%2005: 94%2006: 94%2007: 92%2008: 93%2009: 92%2010: 92%2011: 92%2012: 92%2013: 93%2014: 93%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 93%2018: 88%2021: 91%2022: 92%2023: 93%93%
88%90%92%94%200320232003: 92%2004: 93%2005: 94%2006: 94%2007: 92%2008: 93%2009: 92%2010: 92%2011: 92%2012: 92%2013: 93%2014: 93%2015: 93%2016: 93%2017: 93%2018: 88%2021: 91%2022: 92%2023: 93%93%

First-year retention at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has held near 88% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2018.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2003 cohort92%
Fall 2004 cohort93%
Fall 2005 cohort94%
Fall 2006 cohort94%
Fall 2007 cohort92%
Fall 2008 cohort93%
Fall 2009 cohort92%
Fall 2010 cohort92%
Fall 2011 cohort92%
Fall 2012 cohort92%
Fall 2013 cohort93%
Fall 2014 cohort93%
Fall 2015 cohort93%
Fall 2016 cohort93%
Fall 2017 cohort93%
Fall 2018 cohort88%
Fall 2021 cohort91%
Fall 2022 cohort92%
Fall 2023 cohort93%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023
More about Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Faculty pay at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus averages $157,440 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's SAT section-percentile sums are 1240–1420 — their midpoint is above the PA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus60.6%
Pennsylvania median81.7%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$20,644
Pennsylvania median$33,730
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Pennsylvania State University).

Pennsylvania State University reporting group (shared)$63,435
Pennsylvania median$62,101
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, Pennsylvania and national reference values
Metric & basisPennsylvania State University-Main CampusPennsylvania medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS60.6%81.7%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$20,644$33,730$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$63,435Shared group value$62,101$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 104 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General$120,729
Petroleum Engineering$113,669
Computer Engineering$112,269
Industrial Engineering$104,758
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other$104,205
Chemical Engineering$103,728
Engineering, Other$102,134
Computer Science$101,854
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$100,416
Engineering Science$100,176
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$99,159
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$98,637
Finance and Financial Management Services$96,714
Management Information Systems and Services$95,935
Architectural Engineering$94,483
Nuclear Engineering$94,365
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$93,277
Materials Sciences$92,864
Information Science/Studies$91,671
Mining and Mineral Engineering$91,411
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$91,032
Accounting and Related Services$88,192
Engineering, General$88,063
Mechanical Engineering$87,997
Polymer/Plastics Engineering$87,636
Agricultural Engineering$87,564
Statistics$86,636
Food Science and Technology$83,112
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians$81,835
Physics$81,763
Human Resources Management and Services$81,755
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other$81,617
Civil Engineering$81,403
Economics$81,228
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$81,092
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering$80,855
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other$80,105
Marketing$79,343
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians$79,342
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations$78,476
Mathematics$77,336
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$77,336
Surveying Engineering$77,094
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$76,246
Architecture$76,181
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians$75,919
Health and Medical Administrative Services$75,396
Landscape Architecture$74,363
Agricultural Business and Management$73,471
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$73,308
Business Administration, Management and Operations$72,218
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$72,063
International Relations and National Security Studies$71,001
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services$69,540
Biological and Physical Sciences$69,102
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology$69,083
Geography and Cartography$68,993
Political Science and Government$68,918
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$67,399
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$66,876
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$66,866
Astronomy and Astrophysics$66,759
Security Science and Technology$66,084
Philosophy$65,675
Business/Commerce, General$65,292
Chemistry$65,230
Biology, General$64,910
Hospitality Administration/Management$63,798
Nutrition Sciences$63,010
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$62,831
Journalism$62,336
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$62,072
Non-Professional Legal Studies$60,745
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$60,193
Social Sciences, General$59,883
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$58,195
Design and Applied Arts$58,105
Criminal Justice and Corrections$56,877
Business/Corporate Communications$55,840
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management$55,741
Communication and Media Studies$55,505
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$54,488
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$53,362
Agriculture, General$52,932
History$52,871
Plant Sciences$52,329
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$52,131
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$51,635
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$50,866
Anthropology$50,640
English Language and Literature, General$50,299
Animal Sciences$49,772
Psychology, General$49,543
Sociology$49,197
Research and Experimental Psychology$48,348
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs$47,620
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$45,943
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other$45,833
Visual and Performing Arts, General$45,170
Education, General$44,984
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$44,913
Music$44,241
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$43,919
Fine and Studio Arts$40,036

These 104 fields listed for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus measure earnings after completion. The $63,435 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 37 additional Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules. Debt and earnings figures are shared across campuses in the federal reporting group (Pennsylvania State University).

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus report?

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1240–1420 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's acceptance rate?

60.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 53,579 admitted from 88,478 applicants.

How much does Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus cost?

In-state tuition is $20,644; out-of-state students pay $41,790. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $63,435. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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