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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in PA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$20,234
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
54.2%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
84.4%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$63,435
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in University Park, PA. With a competitive tuition profile of $20,234, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 84.4% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Admissions Intel
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
Acceptance Rate
54.2%
What You Need to Apply
Application requirements for Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
GPA: 3.67 – 3.94 (unweighted mid-50%)
1 Essay Required
Common App personal essay required. No supplemental essays for most programs.
Recommendation Letters Optional (up to 1)
Not required. Schreyer Honors College requires them.
Required Documents
- • Common App or MyPennState
- • High school transcript
- • Personal essay
- • SAT/ACT (optional)
Key Deadlines
Early Action
November 1, 2025
Regular Decision
December 1, 2025
Rolling admission continues through Jul 28. EA decisions by Dec 24.
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
December 1, 2025
File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.
Important
GPA is ~2/3 of the admission decision. Does not superscore (uses highest single-date score). Rolling admission after EA/RD.
Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: Penn State Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus before applying.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$80,936
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
2.4 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$33,435
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$253,414
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$587,764
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $25,000.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
0
Burglary
0
Theft
0
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$20,234
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
92.0%
Success
84.4%
In-State Cost
$20,234
Age 25+ Students
1.8%
Carnegie Class
R1: Doctoral — Very High Research
Working at 6yr
20,724 students
Local City Insights
We are currently gathering city-level crime and housing data for University Park. Check back soon for "Campus vs. City" comparisons!