Top Public · University Park, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
Moderately selective. 54.1% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Penn State oddsHow hard is it to get into Penn State?
Penn State is moderately selective, with a 54.1% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1230–1430 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 54.1% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1230–1430 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 27–32 |
| Cost of attendance | $39,540 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $26,840 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 41,359 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.6% |
| Median earnings (10 yrs after entry) | $70,900 |
| Type | Public · Top Public |
| Setting | Distant town |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Penn State's 54.1% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1230–1430 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1430, and a quarter scored below 1230. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Penn State?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorBeyond the Numbers
Penn State is best known for the Schreyer Honors College, Smeal business school, and a multi-campus structure for transferring majors. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Cost & Financial Aid
The published cost of attendance at Penn State is $39,540 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $26,840per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.
Outcomes
Federal data on what happens after enrollment at Penn State:
Graduation rate
83.6%
6-year (federal IPEDS)
Median earnings
$70,900
10 yrs after entry
16.9% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 54.2%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.
Penn State essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Penn State essays with tools tuned to Penn State's prompts.
Penn State vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State This page | 54.1% | 1230–1430 | $26,840 |
| UC Berkeley | 11.0% | — | $13,481 |
| UCLA | 9.0% | — | $12,548 |
| UC San Diego | 26.7% | — | $12,470 |
| Michigan | 15.6% | 1360–1530 | $13,138 |
| UNC | 15.3% | 1390–1530 | $11,655 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Penn State?
Penn State is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 54.1%. Admitted students score in the 1230–1430 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Penn State?
Admitted students at Penn State typically score between 1230 and 1430 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1430, and a quarter scored below 1230. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
How much does Penn State cost?
The published cost of attendance at Penn State is $39,540 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $26,840. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.
What is the graduation rate at Penn State?
83.6% of students at Penn State graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Penn State's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Penn State Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Penn State's most recent publicly published admit cycle.