Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

www.psu.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$19,672

2% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$27,450

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

0.0177%

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

54.2%

85,956 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

50,399

96.7% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

85.6%

6,702 Graduates

About

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a higher education institution located in Centre County, PA. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus were General Finance (577 degrees awarded), Information Science (489 degrees), and General Psychology (446 degrees).

In 2023, 14,268 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. 47.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 52.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (8,555 degrees), 8.45 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,013 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $19,672, which is $−11,331 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was 0.0177%, corresponding to 3 out of the 16,956 total borrowers.

About the photo: Old Main (Front)

Photo by Padraic

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $19,672, which is $11,332 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $27,450.

In 2023, 49% of undergraduate students attending Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 40% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$19,672

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was $19,672. The cost of tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is $−11,332 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$27,450

2023 Value

2.63%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $27,450. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus grew by 2.63%.

This chart compares the average net price of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,984

Room and Board

$1,840

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was of $12,984 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 1.88% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,840. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

49%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

40%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

49% of undergraduate students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 12.5% with respect to 2022, when 56% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.0177%

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was 0.0177%, which represents 3 out of the 16956 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus received 85,956 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 0.201% annual growth. Out of those 85,956 applicants, 46,605 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 54.2% acceptance rate.

There were 50,399 students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in 2023. 33% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has an overall enrollment yield of 19.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

54.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

46,605

Accepted Out of 85,956

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was 54.2% (46,605 admissions from 85,956 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 55.2%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 0.201%, while admissions declined by 1.59%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

33%

Submission Percentage (2023)

2,976

Scores Submitted (2023)

33% of enrolled first-time students at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus had a total enrollment of 50,399 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is 48,720 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,679. This means that 96.7% of students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, both undergraduate and graduate, is 58.4% White, 8.52% Hispanic or Latino, 6.74% Asian, 4.53% Black or African American, 3.56% Two or More Races, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0615% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (32.4%), followed by White Female (30.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.85%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.4%), followed by White Male (17.1%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (3.19%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

96.7%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 50,399 students. The full-time enrollment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is 48,720 and the part-time enrollment is 1,679. This means that 96.7% of students enrolled at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

92%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was 92%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
29,422 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
4,293 enrolled students
Asian
3,397 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is 58.4% White, 8.52% Hispanic or Latino, 6.74% Asian, 4.53% Black or African American, 3.56% Two or More Races, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0615% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,472 students (2.92%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 604 fewer women than men received degrees from Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is white (8,555 degrees awarded). There were 8.45 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,013 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is General Finance (577 degrees awarded), followed by Information Science (489 degrees) and General Psychology (446 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (2,092 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (460 degrees), and Agriculture (432 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are Software developers (569,373 people), Other managers (517,551 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (388,271 people), Civil engineers (305,749 people), and Postsecondary teachers (242,388 people).

The most specialized majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in 2023 are Engineering (2,092 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (460 degrees), Agriculture (432 degrees), Communications (834 degrees), and Math & Statistics (307 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

The most specialized majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are Engineering (2,092 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (460 degrees), Agriculture (432 degrees), Communications (834 degrees), and Math & Statistics (307 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are Computer Systems Design (1,080,699 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (498,577 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (433,119 people), Construction (332,881 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (276,893 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

Most Common (2023)

General Finance
577 degrees awarded
Information Science
489 degrees awarded
General Psychology
446 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was General Finance with 577 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

7,436

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

6,832

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 7,436 degrees were awarded to men at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, which is 1.09 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (6,832).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 442 degrees were awarded to men at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in General Finance, which is 3.27 times more than the 135 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 326 degrees were awarded to men at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in General Psychology, which is 2.72 times more than the 120 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

69%

100% Completion Time

85%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 69% of students graduating from Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 85% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 87% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.67% of graduates (112 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
8,555 degrees awarded
Asian
1,013 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
932 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is white (8,555 degrees awarded). There were 8.45 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,013 degrees).

2.4% of degree recipients (343 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Male
4,392 degrees awarded
White Female
4,163 degrees awarded
Asian Male
546 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is white male (4,392 degrees awarded). There were 1.06 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (4,163 degrees).

Operations

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has an endowment valued at nearly $4.43B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 397M (8.96%) compared to the 4.37% average return (19M on 434M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2023, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus had a total salary expenditure of 8.1B. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus employs 962 Instructors, 898 Professors and 511 Associate professors. Most academics at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are Male Professor (651), Female Instructor (513), and Male Instructor (449).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are: Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 2,045 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 1,545 employees, and Management with 1,404 employees.

Endowment

$4.43B

2023 Endowment

2.19%

growth from 2022

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has an endowment valued at about $4.43B, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus grew 2.19% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $3.99B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$3.78B

2023 Salaries

7.33%

growth from 2022

In 2023, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus paid a median of $3.78B in salaries, which represents 46.7% of their overall expenditure ($8.1B) and a 7.33% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 23.5% growth between 2019 and 2022, and a 10.1% growth between 2018 and 2019.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$349M

Instructional Salaries

2,998

Number of Employees

In 2023, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus paid a total of $349M to 2,998 employees working as instructors, which represents 9.22% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Instructor

Most Common Instructor

962 Employees

Computer, Engineering, and Science

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

2,045 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus were Instructor with 962 employees, Professor with 898 employees, and Associate professor with 511 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus were Computer, Engineering, and Science with 2,045 employees, Business and Financial Operations with 1,545 employees, and Management with 1,404 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Female Instructor
Male Instructor

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus was Male Professor with 651 employees, Female Instructor with 513 employees, and Male Instructor with 449 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.

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